Sleep on the Plane: Victoria Falls

If you're headed to Southern Africa, no trip is complete without a stop at Victoria Falls. Vic Falls forms the border between Zambia And Zimbabwe and can be seen from either side. It is possible to cross the border, though you will need to stop at the immigration post and buy a VISA. It's really very easy, however it will cost you and its cash only. And just bear in mind, TIA (this is Africa) and everything moves at their pace, which is slow to be sure. Be patient, plan for lines or a wait and if you get through quickly, consider yourself lucky and move on.

So why visit both sides? There are definite advantages to both with completely different options and views. In terms of viewing the falls, I find the Zimbabwe side to be far better but on each trip I've taken, I still walk both sides. On either side, be prepared to leave completely DRENCHED!!!

on the Zambia side, you can literally sit at the falls edge

The Zimbabwe side offers more walking trails, more of the falls and, in my opinion, better views.

A trip to falls really is best when experiencing both Zambia and Zimbabwe. In Zambia, the falls are referred to as Mosi-au-Tunya (or translated, "the Smoke that Thunders") and the town itself is called Livingstone. Accommodations in Livingstone range from camps to 5 star resorts. One of my favorite places to stay is the Maramba Lodge. Luxury tents, complete with en suite bathrooms, and electric. It's a fantastic place. Feels a bit rugged but with all the comforts of home and on occasion, elephants come right through camp!

http://www.maramba-zambia.com/

Another favorite, family friendly with all the amenities, is the Zambezi Sun. You can even see zebra walk freely around the resort grounds.

http://www.zambezi-sun-hotel.com/

There is a small game preserve on the Zambia side (Mosi-au-Tunya park) that you can drive through in your own vehicle or arrange a drive. It's very small, no predators and after some real safaris in Zimbabwe, Botswana or other areas in Zambia, you may be disappointed but its great for small children.

For a little excitement, try the adrenaline rush of micro fights over the falls. Batoka Sky offers the "Flight of Angels". It's a 15 minute microlight flight over the falls and it's AMAZING!!! Can't recommend it enough! I did it on my very first trip to the falls 13 years ago and my son took to the sky on a recent trip. They take tons of photos for you, mounted from the microlight.

http://www.victoriafallszambia.travel/Microlight_Flights

I've also done the whitewater rafting on the Zambezi and Shearwater adventures offers a great trip. Make sure you check water levels, as this will impact your trip. Warning: wear sneakers. You will climb down the gorge to get to the river. And after a long, tiring and WET day, you need to climb back out of the gorge, straight UP! Carrying your paddles and life jacket. Not easy but entirely worth it!

http://www.shearwatervictoriafalls.com/rafting/

My son also used Shearwater to buggy jump off the bridge. I'm not so brave!

http://www.shearwatervictoriafalls.com/the-bridge/

A few other, much more relaxed options, on the Zambia side would include an afternoon drink on the veranda of the Royal Livingstone Hotel. It's a great view of the Zambezi above the falls and a specials place to sit back relax and soak it all in.

http://www.livingstone-hotel.com/

Don't forget to try a sunset cruise along the upper Zambezi River. I've taken the African Queen and the sunset is breathtaking!!

http://www.theafricanqueen.co.za/

So there you have it, a sneak peak of the Zambia side but now onto my favorite side.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

My absolute favorite place to stay in Vic Falls is Lokuthula. Lokuthula are self catering 2 and 3 bedroom chalets and are part of the the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. Make sure to close up when you leave and lock the door to the kitchen. Baboons come in and help themselves. Not kidding! You'll also find that warthog will roam around your chalet.

http://www.safarinow.com/go/lokuthulalodges/#scrReviews

The alternative option is to stay in the safari lodge, with hotel type accommodations.

http://www.victoria-falls-safari-lodge.com/

Even if you are not staying at either of these treasures, I highly recommend a visit. Plan on going for an evening. Arrive just before sunset and enjoy a cocktail of the deck of safari lodge, overlooking a large watering hole. Take binoculars. As the sun drops, the animals start to emerge and come for a drink. Just sit and take it all in for quite awhile. Then head over to the Boma for dinner. The Boma (or Place of Eating) is perhaps the most unique restaurant you will ever eat at and its a plethora of food ranging from regular old steaks and salads to obscure game meats and "critters". There's traditional entertainment. Grab a drum, let them paint your face, dance and join the fun!

http://www.victoria-falls-safari-lodge.com/restaurant_detailed.html?rcode=1

For further adventure in Zimbabwe, consider getting up close with some of the animals.

You can do an elephant back safari at the Elephant Camp.

http://www.wildhorizons.co.za/elephants/

If you're lucky, you may even get to see Sylvester, the rescued cheetah that calls Wild Horizons home.

Want even more animal adventure?

Consider the Lion Encounter!

I'm a huge fan of big cats and the Lion Encounter and Lion Walk in Zimbabwe was just my first of several up close encounters with big cats. (For Tiger interactions, wait for a post on Thailand). It was an amazing morning and an experience that is hard to top. You actually walk through the bush with a pair of young lions. It's a conservation and rehabilitation project aimed at saving the lion populations. It's educational and exhilarating.

http://www.lionencounter.com/activities/lionwalk

Maybe all these animals are stirring thoughts of a full safari. There are options in Victoria Falls and you will see animals. Even lions, if you're lucky. But let me give you one last suggestion and I promise, I have saved the best for last. Schedule a day trip to Chobe (in Bostwana). Many tour operators offer the day trip and it's just across the border (maybe an hour drive) but they will pick you up and your hotel and you will be transferred in a comfortable air conditioned van. They will take care of all border crossings. I have been to safari parks all over Southern Africa and by far, the two I recommend are South Luwanga (remote Zambia, but no where near Victoria Falls) and Chobe in Botswana. I promise you will see numbers of animals that you can not come close to imagining. The day starts with a river cruise, where you are up close with hippos and crocs and elephants swimming and playing in the mud. From the boat, there were elephants for as far as you could see. I've never seen any animal populations even close to the numbers you will see at Chobe. After the river cruise, they take you to the Chobe Marina Lodge for lunch, followed by a game drive. I've been to Chobe twice and have seen lions with a fresh kill on both visits.

http://www.victoriafallsadventures.com/activities_safari_chobe_day.php