http://www.travelblog.org/Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Africa , Zimbabwe , Victoria Falls en-us Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:26:25 BST Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:26:25 BST Hello all currently writing from Zimbabwe that country that you are not advised to go through I will explain why.Anyway last time i spoke i had just done the skydive in Swakopmund in Namibia since then I went to Etosha national park which was amazing within 15mins of gettin in the park at the first water hole we saw Elephant Zebra Antelope and warthog and there were so many on the horizon aswe http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-328964.html The political social economic and security situations in Zimbabwe are volatile and could deteriorate quickly without warning.U.S Department of State websiteWhere you're going is the only place in the world where the geese chase you.Ian Malcom The Lost World Jurrasic ParkFinally I reached the third and last crusade of my Indiana Jonessaga of adventure posts on this blog. The day after r http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-325857.html From Zanzibar to Zambezi...not that easy to connect. I took three flights ZanzibarDar Es SalaamJohburgLivingstone.All this with a night over in Johburg my first short stop in the city. Landed in Zambia in Livingstone ready for the short drive to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe across the famous oldbridge. For your info the Falls are 34 in Zimbabwe and only 14 in Zambia with the best views http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-312214.html I am writing from the sky. We are flying from the Kasane Airport in Botswana to the Baines' Camp landing strip in the bush. Appropriately we're flying on a bush plane. The plane seats twelve passengers a pilot and a copilot right now there are nine people on board including our solo pilot. We're stopping twice before we arrive at Baines' to pick up and drop off other passengers. We spent http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-310986.html This afternoon around 1230pm we arrived at the Zimbabwe Airport. When we left Johannesburg this morning we were advised to hurry off the plane upon arrival because Zimbabwe Immigration writes all tourist visas by hand. We did hurry and we were third in line. Thank God. It took twenty minutes to process the six of us. I can't imagine how long it took for those passengers who didn't get the http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-309766.html Well we flew into Joburg and were already late for our connecting flight. Then we lost our luggage. I know great. Anyways luckily we had someone who met us at the airport and reasoned with the people at the check in counter to let us through all the lines. I can't say that it was bad We took a tiny little plane to Victoria Falls. It was aweinspiring to look out the window of the plane an http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-306909.html Well it's been a while since my last post. We've been deep in what we call the real Africa where there isn't even electricity much less internet access. All of my tourmates and I have agreed that this is what we expected out of Africa.After Windhoek we stayed at an amazing campsite just inside Botswana. We played volleyball for hours and partied with a few other tours. We then went to the O http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-301458.html After Chobe some of us crossed into Zimbabwe to experience a lion walk. This was incredible. The African Lion Environmental Research Trust raises lions from cubs teaches them how to hunt and then releases them into a large area 10000 acres where these lions will form prides and raise their own cubs. These new cubs who do not see or come into contact with humans will then be relocated in ar http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-292291.html The past few days have been fairly relaxing. We were able to take it easy while most of the others were at the Okavango Delta and it was nice to be able to sleep in beyond 5am for a couple of days. We left the Delta on Wednesday and drove for ages and ages before we reached the town of Kasane which is on the border between Botswana and Zimbabwe. As soon as we got off the truck we split into two http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-287203.html Due to political situations in Zimbabwe we are skipping overlanding through there but still managed to visit briefly to see our friends jump in the bridge in the Zimbabwe side of a bridge that span through the Victoria Falls. http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-284668.html DilemasHow to get to Vic Falls has been the biggest dilema of the trip so far. We weren't sure whether to brave Zimbabwe with all the political trouble food shortages and fuel shortages. On the other hand it would cost us nearly 500 to get over to Zambia for the night as Brits get whacked with a visa fee 3x bigger than anyone else and then you need to pay for a ferry third party insurance a http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-281467.html Zimbabwe was probably one of the more interesting countries we've been to economically. It's really hard to describe the experience. When we arrived the street rate for US dollars was 50000000 to one. However the bank rate was only 30000 to one. So we were either forced to change on the street or use US dollars exclusively. Luckily we had a contact that could change the money for us so th http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-273035.html 100000 inflation rigged elections but spectacular waterfallsI arrived in Zimbabwe a day late due to Air Namibia's technical difficulties but being honest I didn't miss much. Basically there are two options for seeing the Victoria Falls Zambia Livingstone Town and Zimbabwe Victoria Falls Town which are separated by the Zambezi river that is crossed by a big bridge where you can do the th http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-263514.html This morning I walked over the border from Zimbabwe to Botswana and then caught a local bus into Kasane. Over the river I can see Namibia but it will be weeks yet before I set foot there.I flew into Johannesburg last Tuesday and stayed overnight at my favourite local hostel Shoestrings. It's located close to the airport in an area safe enough to walk about in and the owners offer free picku http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-249926.html Africa has been so much fun we are into our last few days and havemixed feelings about leaving. John is so at home here he is reallyenjoying the bush life. I am too of course but I am really aware ofhow much I need to see the towns and meet the people to get a feel forthe place.We have just returned from Zimbabwe which is the most beautiful countryI have ever seen susie and matt also agree http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-237016.html Six hours on the road and we arrive at Lilongwe the capital of Malawi for lunch. It had a Nandorsquos More cultivation and larger villages with cone hut shaped thatched roofs as wersquove headed across Malawi and as we enter Chipata at the Zambian border wersquore struck by how affluent it looks relatively modern bungalows planted borders along the roadside and public spaces in the http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-230521.html We crossed the border today into Zimbabwe and arrived at our last CC Africa destinationhellipMatetsi Private Game Reserve. Upon arrival we switched to our open 4WD and into the bush one last time to arrive at the Matetsi Water Lodge. Wow This place was spectacular Each lodge was located in the woods with enough privacy and situated along the great Zambezi Riverhellipwith our own sun deck http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-228819.html We flew into the Okavango Delta in a five seater plane with Bruce a pilot who grew up in Devon spent years as a mining surveyor then somehow got into flying planes in Botswana. Right where are we going then asked Bruce as we got on board. God these controls look ancient. Probably date from World War Two. Still much more fun than flying a commercial airliner much more to do. More http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-228016.html Hello to everyoneit's me AGAIN from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.We arrived here on Thursday morning in a pretty crappy campsite in Victoria Falls Town. On our first afternoon we were haunted by people who were trying to make us do all kinds of crazy stuff climbing down the gorge jumping off a bridge and so forth. As i am quite cheap and a bit of a coward i said no to all of that and spent Fri http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-218659.html HelloLots to tell you all again and not much time I think I promised I would let you know how the bungee jumping and rafting went at Victoria falls AWESOME Rafting down the Zambezi was such an adrenaline pumped day. We left at 8am had to walk down the gorge to the base of Victoria falls where we started. Over the course of the day we covered about 30Km and 21 rapids. Many of which were gra http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-201376.html A couple hours in the plane just a dry earth below us so you wouln039t expect this massive waterfall in this placeWe camped at the local backpackers....nice quiet place since most tourist avoid staying in Zimbabwe We tried to cook our own meal but the shops where almost empty..so nothing fancy for dinner.Since we weren039t here for the food but for the Falls and rafting the Zambezi w http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-199329.html I have been to Zimbabwe only once Me and some friends drove over from Windhoek Namibia to Victoria Falls Zimbabwe through the Caprivi strip and Botswana. Victoria Falls is breathtaking be careful if you go there do not get in the water anywhere near the top of the falls you will be swept away. However you can go rafting below the falls which is lots of fun you can also bungie from the brid http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-196272.html Since the Falls cover a total lenght of 1.7 km and only 700 meters are in Zambia we Christine a nurse from Germany working in Congo with Doctors without borders and Ahmed Pakistani U.N. peacekeeper in Congo who I also met at the Jollyboy hostel and I decided to cross the bridge to walk over to Zimbabwe to check out the falls from that side... well like most things easier said then don http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-195784.html The train from Bulawayo to Vic Falls was ok nothing flash just two small bunks in a very small room an unlockable door and a window blind that kept shooting up. Still it made a change from having to drive on the truck all that way. We arrived at Vic Falls at 7am tired and hungry to find that bread wasn't available anywhere in town that day.We had a great but expensive time there. I went http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-192559.html Zimbabwe was hard. As sson as we crossed the border planted fields and grazing gave way to abandoned dusty plots seed was too expensive this year. I was followed for blocks by able bodied young men whose only income is crafts and hounded by carvers desperate to trade for my used clothes and shoes. The government pays police to escort tourists to Victoria Falls past these illicit hawkers. Zimba http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-182363.html As we approached the Vic Falls area in the truck we could see a huge misty cloud of spray rising from the falls. On our first night we stayed in a celllike room in the Rest Camp but it was better than freezing in the tent. We treated ourselves to a Wimpy then went to a local bar called Hunters that we affectionately renamed Munters. It was only 25p a bottle of beer That evening everyone else http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-175095.html After an arduous flight we finally arrived at the Vic Falls. It might be winter here but the days are sunny and hot. We have adapted well to the laid back atmosphere created at Lokuthula Lodge where we are based for this 1st week. It is set in the Vic Falls National Park and the main bar restaurant overlooks a water hole which is frequented by the animals. We have been fortunate to observe buffa http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-169214.html We were picked up at 815am for the ride out to the white water raft start site. We were both excited but to say the least apprehensive having seen the power of the river at the Falls and having seen the video. We were given an excellent and amusing safety lecture and were kitted out with our lifejackets helmets and paddles. Jen opted for the chicken boat in which you donrsquot have to padd http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-167999.html Jen went off shopping with Steph whilst I was transported with Potsy Brett and Shannon all three very hung over to the lsquoAdrenaline Centrersquo at the top of the Zambezi Gorge just downstream from the bridge which links Zimbabwe and Zambia. The views from the gorge top are incredible and scary considering that we were about to leap into it. Below on the river you can see the tiny lo http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-167726.html Up early for departure soon reaching the border crossing from Botswana into Zimbabwe. A stinging visa fee of 50US interestingly the Aussies and most of the other nationalities had only to pay 20US. On arriving we booked our forthcoming activities. Amazingly with the encouragement of Shannon Jen has booked to do the whitewater rafting on the Zambezi which is incredible as se normally doesnr http://www.travelblog.org//Africa/Zimbabwe/Victoria-Falls/blog-167712.html