Showing all posts tagged "Victoria Falls Hotels"
How to Explore the Devil’s Pool in Victoria Falls – A Comprehensive Guide for a First-Timer
If you've ever dreamt of standing on the edge of the world's largest curtain of falling water, Victoria Falls should be at the top of your bucket list. With a whopping 110 million gallons of water gushing into a 105-metre-deep canyon every minute, it's a sight and sensation that defies belief. However, for the most thrilling experience, you'll want to dip your toes into the Devil’s Pool. Here's a handy guide to help you do just that.
Marvel at The Majesty
Victoria Falls isn't just another waterfall. Deemed one of the seven natural wonders, it beckons a wide range of globetrotters, from backpackers and honeymooners to tour groups. Whether you're gazing from a viewpoint at the parks of Zambia or Zimbabwe or flying overhead in a helicopter, the falls never cease to amaze.
Dive into Devil’s Pool
Perched precariously at the cliff’s edge is the Devil’s Pool, a natural marvel formed due to thousands of years of erosion and the tumultuous dance of tectonic plates in southern Africa. In the dry season, the water current here eases, letting adventurers swim right up to the edge, looking into the canyon's depths.
Choosing the Right Tour
All tours to Devil’s Pool are operated by Tongabezi Safaris, and don't be bamboozled by the myriad of prices you find online. Larger platforms like Viator, Lonely Planet, and Trip Advisor often sell the tours at a marked-up rate. In contrast, lesser-known local operators offer competitive prices but might not draw the same crowds. Always remember, whichever tour you opt for, you'll be accompanied by official guides.
Important: Some unofficial guides might offer you tantalisingly inexpensive rates. However, these chaps often gloss over the real risks and aren't properly insured. It's better to be safe than sorry, so always stick with the recognised pros.
Deciding on a Package
Tongabezi Safaris provide three official packages:
- Livingstone Breezer (morning tour): Kick off your day with a 90-minute tour. Priced at 110 USD, the package offers a welcome drink and a hearty breakfast.
- Lunch on Livingstone Island: A tad pricier at 175 USD, this midday, 150-minute tour comes with the perks of a lavish three-course meal and extra leisure time on Livingstone Island.
- High Tea (afternoon tour): An afternoon delight, this tour offers a range of snacks and drinks post your Devil's Pool swim.
To see what's on the menu for these tours, check out the official Victoria Falls Guide. Regardless of which tour you pick, you'll have roughly the same amount of time to enjoy the Devil’s Pool.
Accommodation Near Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls is one of the most popular tourist attractions, so naturally, there are many hospitality establishments located close to the Falls. At Victoria Falls, hotels come in all forms to suit a variety of budgets. The likes of Avani Victoria Falls Resort, for example, make a good choice if you want to benefit from a central location.
Best Time to Visit Victoria Falls
Want to see Victoria Falls at its most impressive? Visit between February and May, just after the summer downpours. That's when this massive curtain of water is at its fullest, and it's quite the sight!
How Many Days Should You Spend Here?
Ideally, you'll want to earmark at least two days. This ensures you catch its most majestic moments and soak in the ambience. However, if you're looking to truly immerse yourself and perhaps dabble in a few local activities, setting aside three or four days is a good idea.
Other Things to Do
If you have more time, here are some other things you can do:
- Sign up for a sunset boat cruise.
- Enjoy a helicopter flight over Victoria Falls.
- Embark on a safari tour at Hwange National Park.
- Enjoy some white water rafting.
- Bungee jumping
- Explore Livingstone and discover its history.
Posted on October 25th, 2023
How to Travel Solo in Zambia – Experiencing an Enthralling Nation
The African nation of Zambia would always be an interesting country to visit and will also offer engrossing experiences for solo travellers. In fact, by visiting this destination, you would have the opportunity to gain an insight into the authentic nature of the African continent. A major attraction here would be the magnificent Victoria Falls, while you could undertake amazing safaris as well. More information about solo travel in Zambia is provided below.
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Get acquainted with the country
You will find that Zambia would be a beautiful and friendly nation that offers much that would draw the interest of the discerning traveller. You will find that many Zambians would speak English, making it possible for visitors to communicate with locals. Naturally, a not-to-be-missed experience in this country would be visiting Livingstone and viewing the breathtaking Victoria Falls. As you might expect, your visit wouldn’t be complete without taking a safari at a game park; an excellent choice in this regard would be the South Luangwa National Park, a wildlife sanctuary that would be captivating to experience. Another engrossing experience would be riding the Tazara Train on which you could travel from Zambia to Tanzania.
Establish an itinerary
A suitable itinerary for exploring Zambia would be as follows. You could spend your first few days in the country at South Luangwa National Park experiencing the splendid wildlife. Next, you could enjoy a stopover at the country’s capital, Lusaka, before making your way to the picturesque Lake Kariba. Here, you could spend a day or two relaxing on an appealing houseboat.
Your next destination would be the town of Livingstone where you could spend several days admiring Victoria Falls and trying out the captivating adventure experiences. You could also cycle through the town and visit local marketplaces. One of the Victoria Falls hotels to consider from which you could easily visit this waterfall would be Avani Victoria Falls Resort. Next, you may take a rafting excursion on the Zambezi River and finally, relax and unwind amidst the pleasant surroundings of Bovu Island.
Know how to get about
There would be several good ways for solo travellers to get around Zambia. You could travel by minibus, although you may find that this mode of transport can sometimes be rather uncomfortable and unpredictable. On the other hand, there would also be bigger, more comfortable luxury coaches which would be rather safer and more dependable. You could also travel by rental car, but you should keep in mind that the local roads could be in disrepair and the rental rates rather high. It would additionally be possible to journey between some destinations by train.
Socialize and enjoy the nightlife
You will find that there would be attractive nightlife in Zambia’s towns, including some appealing bars and restaurants. Visitors would find that Zambians would generally be very amiable, meaning that you could easily make friends wherever you go. If you desire to mingle with other travellers, you could socialize at the bars of backpacker camps and hostels where you would be likely to meet both foreign travellers and locals. In this way, you would be able to forge strong friendships with like-minded individuals.
Understand what to avoid and enjoy your experience
Just as in any other country, you should avoid possibly dangerous situations in Zambia such as walking about late at night. Although this destination would overall be a pleasant country with friendly locals, there wouldn’t be any need to take unnecessary risks as you explore it.
You will find that you could enjoy the genuine culture and lifestyle of Africa by experiencing the nation of Zambia. To make the most of your solo visit to this charming country, you should endeavour to take in authentic local experiences by exploring the towns, shopping at the markets and dining on local foods.
Posted on December 15th, 2022