Blogs from Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Africa - page 4

Nach dem kurzen Aufenthalt in Botswana ging es auch schon weiter nach Zimbabwe. Der Grenzübertritt dauerte Stunden (Botswana ging ganz fix) und war ein Beispiel, wie afrikanische Bürokratie Geduld einforden konnte. Da Zimbabwe nach Jahren der Hyperinflation nun einfach mehr oder weniger den US-Dollar als Währung hat, waren wir dankbar für unsere mitgebrachten Dollars. Von den Menschen her hat uns Zimbabwe sehr überrascht. Wir wurden überall sehr zuvorkommend behandelt. Die Lodge war schön, nur das Mückennetz etwas dürftig. Das Essen war stets ausgezeichnet. Doch irgendwie krass für ein Land, das mit Lebensmittel-Kürzungen lebt. Eigentlich hatten wir keine 24 Stunden in Victoria Falls. Wir haben daraus gemacht, was man wohl maximal machen kann. Den Nachmittag nach der Ankunft genossen wir im Lookout-Café mit Blick auf den Sambesi Fluss. Kaum zurück im Hotel, gings schon los zu uns ... read more

August 29, 2017 Episode 1: Victoria Falls; The smoke that thunders. Dear family, friends and colleagues, I am thrilled to report that we are back here in Africa, easily my favourite travel destination in the world. Like a chilled glass of Frangelico, Africa is intoxicating and addictive. It never ceases to amaze me with its wonderful people, landscapes and - most of all - its incredible wildlife. This time, I was particularly interested in going to Botswana, home of the legendary Okavango Delta – to spy all sorts of animals - but wild dogs in particular. And then a self-drive in the neighbouring country of Namibia, home of the vast red sand dunes of the Namib desert and incredible Etosha National Park. Most people traveling from Australia to Africa enter via Johannesburg in South Africa. We ... read more

So, I left my last post describing how we had been absolutely drenched in Livingstone and heading back over the boarder into Victoria Falls town. Now when I was planning our honeymoon and had mentioned to friends that we were going to Zimbabwe they mostly responded with 'are you mad??' or saying to be careful being a British woman in Zimbabwe (???). To be honest, I am not overly worried about going anywhere as I always take care, but if ever there was a hint of worry it would very much have been unnecessary. Victoria Falls town is a dream- a teeny tiny quaint town with an old railway intersecting the town, with a smattering of cute cafes and pretty hip restaurants and bars, and small craft shops selling handmade souvenirs. We were told by our ... read more

Geo: -17.93, 25.84 Last night we slept in civilization again, enclosed in a very pleasant hotel with all its attendant (and undesired) amenities: windows that don't open (monkeys could scamper inside), television, sounds of traffic, a refrigerator humming on and off, outside lights shining all night long, and an annoying fresh paint smell because our rooms have been recently renovated and there is no way to dissipate the foul air in these sealed rooms. I'd rather be in the bush any day. But the staff here at the Rainbow Hotel is lovely, accommodating, friendly, courteous, and seemingly happy, as are all of the Africans we've met on this trip. And so today is our last full day here in Zimbabwe, here in ancient Africa. It will be enormously sad to leave this continent. I need to ... read more

Geo: -17.93, 25.84MOSI OA TUNYA means "The smoke that thunders" is the native name for Victoria Falls. It is another 2 months until rain will come. The falls are a fraction in size. One area called "Horseshoe Falls" is completely dry. Soon only Devil's Cataract and the Main Falls will be flowing. All others will dry up. In the rainy season, Victoria falls is the longest falls in the world. Not now! Niagara is the largest in volume. Iquazu is largest in system of falls stretching over 2 miles with 275 falls while Angel Falls are the highest. We have now seen them all! Even though it is the dry season, they are still magnificent. Zambezi Explorer sunset cruise for our last excursion. A nice lazy trip to see the sunset and have a few drinks. ... read more