20 Reasons to Visit Victoria Falls Town

reasons

TO VISIT VICTORIA FALLS TOWN

WRITER: INNOCENT QAPHELA MUKUTE PHOTOGRAPHY: WILD HORIZONS, THE VICTORIA FALLS HOTEL, ILALA LODGE, AFRICA ALBIDA TOURISM, DUSTY ROADS, MATETSI VICTORIA FALLS

he mystical splendour of the mighty Zambezi’s tumbling cascade into the depths of a ‘gorge-ous’ ravine is a majestic beauty like no other on the face of the planet. The massive splash from the waterfall creates a spray that rises up to half a kilometre into the sky and can be seen as far as 40 kilometres away. And when the golden rays of the African sun caress the mist of ‘The Smoke that Thunders’, the most dazzling rainbows illuminate the sky. World-famous 19th-century travel blogger David Livingstone described it thus, ‘...scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight’. Behold—this is the world-famous Mosi-oa-Tunya, ‘The Smoke that Thunders’, otherwise known as the Victoria Falls. This has become more than just an abode of wondrous beauty; it is has earned its place as Africa’s adventure capital with endless possibilities for travel enthusiasts like you and I. Forget what you have heard about not chasing waterfalls and allow your wanderlust to lead you to Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. As the world re-opens to travel, here are 20 reasons why Victoria Falls is a destination you will love in 2020 and beyond. has turned the flora beneath the spray into a flourishing rainforest that has become a paradise through which thousands of tourists from around the world stroll to see the Falls.

1. TOUR OF THE RAINFOREST

In about two hours or so, get soaked in the mist of ‘The Smoke that Thunders’, the Mosi-Oa-Tunya, aka Victoria Falls. Forget what you have heard about this being ‘down to a trickle’ because this is still the biggest waterfall on Earth, and it is beyond breathtaking. If you don’t believe in love at first sight that’s all right because there are 17 viewing points to wow you over on the Zimbabwean side alone. If you cross over to Livingstone on the Zambian side, there are more. During the low season some viewing points like ‘The Horseshoe’ often dry up, while viewpoints like ‘The Main Falls’ remain indomitable throughout the year—this has been happening since time immemorial. The low season is somewhere between September and December with the lowest daily flow recorded normally in October at around 30,000 litres per second, normally just before the rainy season arrives. High season is somewhere between March and July, with the highest daily flow recorded normally in May/June at around 2.1 million litres per second. As if to show off, Mother Nature

2. SUNDOWNERS ON THE ZAMBEZI

I can’t imagine a better way to marvel at the dazzling African sunsets than aboard a Zambezi sunset cruise. I will never forget watching the mighty Zambezi kindled into sumptuous colour by the glorious rays of the setting sun as I sipped sundowners. An elephant browsing on an island facing the jetty as we boarded was the grand opening to our sunset cruise. Once our captain got the engine roaring, we cruised towards the island and enjoyed a close-up view of this giant mammal. An open bar is standard for a sunset cruise and drinks flow as you motor along. So what else did we see on this island? Two giraffes, so within a few minutes of cruising we’d already seen the biggest and the tallest land mammals. It was our lucky day for sure. With an estimated

400 bird species living in these parts of the Zambezi, bird lovers were glued to their binoculars, taking in as much of this paradise as they could. Then, as we watched the dance between the enchanting golden rays of the setting sun and the calming waters of the Zambezi kick in, a herd of buffalo rocked up for a sundowner. Talking of sundowners, it was now time to order my last one because our adventure was coming to an end...how time flies when you are having so much fun.

3. THE BOMA–DINNER & DRUM SHOW (VICTORIA FALLS SAFARI LODGE)

The Boma exudes a royal splendour reminiscent of the great African empires of yesteryear. Dining here felt like I was at a banquet in the royal courtyards of Mansa Musa (of Mali), Queen Nzinga (of Angola), King Mzilikazi (of the Matabele) or in the great enclosure at Great Zimbabwe. The architecture, design, aesthetics and décor bring the grandeur of historic African finesse into the 21st century. There’s so much on the menu, starting off with a welcome traditional drink before diving into the mother of all buffets, with countless options, from starters through the main course and all the way to dessert. With over 10 meat dishes, mostly game, this is every carnivore’s wildest dream! There are lots of greens and vegetarian options in the mix, too. The drum show is the crowning experience, putting this package as the foremost dining experience in Victoria Falls. When the drum show roars to life, you are more than spectators...you are the show. Led and choreographed by a skilful African dance ensemble, the dozens, often hundreds, of participants at this spectacle drum and dance the night away. The chitenge (African print cloth) you are adorned with when you arrive, and the drum each person is given for the show, provide the Midas touch for immersing everyone in the experience and putting them in sync with the enchanting rhythm of African sounds and the delightful splendour of African cuisine.

4. GAME DRIVE

If game is what you came for, then Victoria Falls will drive you wild! Located right in the middle of the Zambezi National Park, a game drive is literally a few minutes away from your hotel...30 minutes at most. Bring your cameras and selfie sticks because you will be spoilt for choice as the Zambezi National Park is home to hundreds of animal species including elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, zebra and several antelope. Game drives are normally at sunrise or sunset when most animals trek to and from their watering spots, which your guide will know about. The rainy season (somewhere between mid-December and February) reduces your chances of spotting game significantly because with plenty of water sources the animals retreat into the depths of the wilderness. Are you ready for that African safari you have always dreamed of? Victoria Falls is ready to give you the picture-perfect African safari...and more. In fact Victoria Falls has been featured as one of the top 10 horseback safari destinations in Africa, so that’s also a great option to explore.

5. WILD WATER RAFTING

Conquering the meanest and wildest white-water rafting in the world in nothing but a rubber raft was truly epic! This was no doubt the most adrenaline-charged day of my life, because throughout the 28-kilometre adventure we encountered a total of 21 exhilarating rapids. There was barely time to blink; it almost felt like being Jack Bauer in the television series 24. But just as my team mates and I were thinking we were the main actors, the mighty Zambezi pulled a fast one and the entire raft flipped. But after a somewhat turbulent swim, plus a few gulps of Zambezi water and some help from the rafting crew, we were back on our raft. The life jackets were really what kept us afloat and it now made sense as to why our captain had made sure they were fitting tightly. We managed to steer through the rapids, but the greatest test of our mettle awaited us at rapid 18 where, as the last raft of eight, we had seen only two make it unscathed—the rest had flipped. When we made it to the other side without an involuntary swim I felt as though I had scored the winning header in Munich. Unlike footballer Didier Drogba though, there were no fans awaiting my autograph, but thank goodness there was quite a feast prepared for us to replenish our energy, as well as ice-cold drinks to fend off the treacherous afternoon heat. From checking in, through safety drills, the rafting and finally lunch, my experience was nothing short of legendary.

6. THE ELEPHANT EXPERIENCE

Everyone planning a safari hopes to see the Big Five, but what if I told you that you could spend an afternoon chilling with the biggest of them all? Sounds great, right? The grandeur of the African elephant can be intimidating but once you get to know them better, you will be fascinated by how intelligent and amazing these gentle giants are. On arrival at Wild Horizons Wildlife Sanctuary, you are taken through the brief history of the place, learn some interesting facts about elephants and are briefed on the safety guidelines for the tour. The story is an interesting one because this is a sanctuary for

orphaned elephants, many of which were orphaned when herds were culled by the Department of National Parks in the early nineties as part of the population management programme. It didn’t therefore come as a surprise to see the strong bond that was evident between the elephants and the team of guides, many of whom had been caretakers of these elephants from a tender age. After the introductory talk, the conservation safari began by spotting elephants in the nearby bushes. We then spent time with the elephants in the bush as they went about their browsing business, while learning from the guides about the elephants and their individual personalities. Then it was time for ‘lights, cameras and selfies’ as we had the amazing opportunity to get so close on foot. It was a constant learning experience. For example, I learnt that Simangele, the youngest in the crew, breast-fed, not just from his mother but also from his aunt who also had a calf. A little fracas was going on, but Coco, the matriarch and elephant-in-charge, had everything under control. After our elephant encounter was over we were treated to drinks and snacks while the herd disappeared into the blue.

7. GORGE SWING

In this part of the world, flying without wings is more than just a metaphor if you are an adrenaline junkie; it’s an experience waiting to be lived. The following is what I wrote after my jump in June, 2019. ‘They say life isn’t about the number of breaths you take, but it’s about the number of moments that take your breath away. Taking the gorge swing gave me a double dose of breath-taking as I took a 90-metre jump into a gorge on the Zambezi, a few hundred metres from the majestic Victoria Falls, plummeting down the gorge into no-man’s-land between Zimbabwe and Zambia. For a moment I regained my breath as I swung like a pendulum, but I was immediately awe-struck by the gorgeous view as the mighty Zambezi quietly flowed beneath me’. Sounds like something for you, maybe?

8. ZIP LINE

Victoria Falls boasts one of the longest zip lines in the world—a staggering 450-metre slide across the Batoka Gorge on the mighty Zambezi, Africa’s fourth longest river. Technically you slide between two countries, starting in Zimbabwe, through no-man’s-land before ending up in Zambia. Incredible, isn’t it? I am an especially big fan of the tandem zip line where it takes two to tango. What better way to kindle the romance than face your fears with your boyfriend or girlfriend, husband or wife? It’s by no means exclusive to lovers though—any two people can take the slide. But there is something else—a more moderate version of the zip line I enjoyed while in Victoria Falls—it’s called ‘the flying fox’. On this occasion you run before you take off and then you ‘fly’ with your hands spread out like a bird. It’s not as intense as the zip line, as it is a less steep gradient and a shorter sliding distance, but still an exhilarating experience with mild adrenaline rush.

9. CANOPY TOUR

It is in the canopy of the Zambezi that the definition of picturesque lives: here the only things that take your breath away are the spectacular views of the Batoka Gorge and the historic Victoria Falls Bridge. This is not about a jump that leaves you momentarily gasping for air; or the momentary adrenaline rush that comes with it. It is purely the staggering view over the canopy that sends you reeling. I spent nearly two hours exploring the canopy of the Zambezi on interconnecting walkways up on high, stopping at each point to soak up the view. If you are looking for epic Instagram pictures in Victoria Falls, then this is something you must not miss.

10. FLIGHT OF ANGELS

If you have ever had dreams of flying over the rainbow, or have been longing to see something so beautiful that leaves angels gazing in their flight, then your search is finally over. You may have toured the rainforest, seen drone/aerial footage of the Falls on the internet, but it’s not until you are up there on a Chikopokopo Helicopters flight that you actually get to fathom how magical this place is—a breathtaking sight like no other. I have toured the rainforest a dozen times and more, but finally seeing the view from the air was just mind-blowing. I was a little anxious because this was my first time flying in a helicopter, but as soon as we were up there my fears vanished. I was just too confounded by the spell-binding beauty beneath me to even think about my fears. It is only from this bird’s-eye view that you get to see the waterfall splash right to the bottom of the nearly 100-metre-deep gorge. It is an absolutely priceless spectacle to behold.

11. LOOKOUT CAFÉ

This beautiful restaurant is on the edge of the mighty Zambezi and overlooks the stunning Batoka Gorge. The combined splendour of its view and its ambiance are unmatched in the whole of Victoria Falls... maybe even the whole of Zimbabwe. I stopped by to hydrate after doing the canopy tour and the view just stops you in your tracks. The restaurant re-opened in December, 2019 after it had sadly burnt down in 2018. The new restaurant is lit on so many levels and decorated in contemporary Afro-chic style. Besides being famous for the view, the burgers here are to die for! As well as being a great place to stop over after your tour of the Falls, or your zip line or gorge swing, it’s popular for the lunar viewing nights when the full moon lights up the Batoka Gorge and illuminates the gushing spray of the Falls a stone’s throw away.

12. VULTURE CULTURE EXPERIENCE

What I really want to try out in Zambia is a microlight flight for another ‘angel’s-eye view’ of the Falls. I have been to Livingstone, but it was for a conference and I barely had the chance to explore, so that doesn’t count. I do know though that if you are planning to sleep over, the Waterfront is a great place to stay with different accommodation options, whether you want camping or glamping or are a fan of luxury suites. Good luck with sleeping though, if you are outgoing, because the nightlife in Livingstone is booming. Whether it’s a day trip or you decide to sleep overnight, I don’t see why you should come all the way to Victoria Falls and not cross over to enjoy the best of both worlds. This is Africa, a land of infinite possibilities and adventure.

Did you know that vultures can fly up to 33,000 feet (10 kilometres) high, maybe even more? That’s twice the height that eagles can reach, yet these are the least romanticised birds. Maybe scavengers are the hallmark of unsexy, but a visit to the ‘vulture restaurant’ at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge changed all that for me. Arriving to witness dozens of vultures circling the ‘vulture restaurant’ was confirmation I was at the right place. I quickly made my way through the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge reception and then the Buffalo Bar before finding my seat on the viewing deck below. It overlooked the ‘vulture restaurant’ where these scavengers would, in a few minutes’ time, be spoilt with meaty treats to supplement their diet as part of on-going conservation efforts by Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. Besides learning about how high they fly, our guide, Mr. Zulu, unpacked the story of the vulture and how, thanks to us humans, it had now become an endangered species. I was fascinated by how their scavenging had actually saved the human race from some wild diseases as they and the hyena made a clinical sweep of carcasses that died in the wild. After all the talk it was time to feast, and the vultures descended on the meat treat. The Vulture Culture Experience runs 365 days a year at 1pm so make a date with the vultures and learn more about these amazing birds.

14. SIDULI HIDE

Victoria Falls is home to the Zambezi National Park so there is an abundance of wildlife here and countless ways to experience it—perhaps one of the most exhilarating is the Siduli Hide. Here you can watch some of Africa’s most iconic wildlife come down for a sundowner from the ‘big screen’ of a man-made ant hill right next to the watering hole at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. This is better than any DVD hire or Netflix because you have a front-row seat to watch buffalo, elephant, antelope, warthog and many other animals that frequent this spot. It’s an up-close yet non-intrusive encounter with wildlife that allows you to quietly observe from a hideout that seamlessly blends with the natural environment. There’s always an armed professional guide to lead each team, plus drinks and a few snacks on the house to munch on as you observe animals in their natural habitat.

15. BUFFALO BAR

A stopover at the Buffalo Bar to fend off the treacherous afternoon heat turned out to be memorable. The bar is situated on an open terrace overlooking a watering hole frequented by some of the wild and thirsty residents of the Zambezi National Park. That afternoon, the first to rock up were the ‘landlords’, a herd of buffalo strolling through as if they owned the place. Meanwhile, I had been quite adventurous in my choice of drink, trying out a cocktail called Crocodile Tears. It then hit me that I actually hadn’t had lunch, and the great news was that right upstairs was the MaKuwaKuwa Restaurant. Thank goodness I didn’t have to move an inch—the food came to me. After a sumptuous meal and to crown the day, I tried out the Victorian Day Sunset, another delicious cocktail, and Fatima, the bartender, was well up to the mixing task. As I was enjoying the peace and calm, impala, a lone elephant and finally some giraffe sauntered in; for them it was all in a day’s work. A shuttle was on stand-by to take me to my room at Lokuthula Lodges on the very same premises. I’d had a wonderful and well-spent afternoon.

13. LIVINGSTONE

The grass is always greener on the other side so stop gazing from a distance and go and see for yourself what lies on the other side of the Mosi-oa-Tunya , in Livingstone, Zambia. See the rest of the Falls there, and if you feel particularly daring then sign up for a swim in the Devil’s Pool on the edge of the Falls.

16. DUSTY ROAD TOWNSHIP EXPERIENCE

This was by far my best ‘discovery’ of 2019, even for someone who was born in Victoria Falls and played street soccer with my mates in the dusty roads of Chinotimba Township. Dusty Road is a traditional eaterie located in the heart of Chinotimba, the largest and oldest township in Victoria Falls and two kilometres from the centre of town. I was thoroughly impressed by the funky, retro-township charm that this place exudes. The ambiance celebrates the resourcefulness of township mothers who embraced the concept of re-use long before ‘re-use and reduce’ became a fancy catch phrase for environmentalists around the world. What was most impressive though was the inventive

and imaginative use of local ingredients to create an authentically African three-course delight. Food is cooked the traditional Zimbabwean way, on open fires and in cast-iron pots (potjie pots) and ovens. Chimodho bread, crocodile kebabs, peanut butter chicken, Zambezi bream with isindambe butter and kudu stew were all part of this sumptuous organic treat, but it was the dessert that really stole my heart. The chocolate-coated, orange-dipped mongongo nut balls simply melted in my mouth. The ultimate winner though was the sweet treat of baobab amasi cream, mnyi berry drizzle, wild honey and a dash of lemon...unreal. This whole experience though was more than just about food but about our way of life, about eating healthily and sustainably while making an impact in the community. In a township experience, community is, after all, everything.

17. QUAD BIKING

Quad biking was sold to me after watching a particular video but I had no idea where this might be possible until I visited Victoria Falls in December, 2019. It was a real thrill therefore when I was able to do this and I happened to be the only one on the tour that day so I caught on really quickly as I had the undivided attention of the tutor/ guide. By the time we hit the dirt road I was oozing with confidence, but I got carried away by the exhilarating sound of the accelerator when we got to an open space and started doing circles. One moment I was accelerating on the turn, and the next I was down on the ground with dirty jeans and minor bruises on my elbows. The guide was worried but I was fine and just dusted down my jeans before heading off again. Getting to Zambezi Drive was the highlight. I was half-excited and half-scared that we would run into elephants or buffalo, but all we stumbled upon were impala and waterbuck. We stopped over at the Big Tree, one of the oldest baobab trees in the country, before heading back to the Rainbow Hotel where Betadine soothed my bruised elbows. The Heritage Safaris team went above and beyond to make sure I was all right and I can’t wait to have another go...

18. MOONLIT VIEW

There are some things that happen once in a blue moon; well, perhaps more like each time there is a full moon. Having a safari dinner under the luminous charm of the African stars is magical and I can only imagine how stupefying it would be to see the Falls under the spell-binding gaze of a full moon. I was so looking forward to this year’s edition of the Victoria Falls Marathon because it coincided not only with a full moon but a lunar eclipse. But Covid-19 happened so I guess I’ll have to keep checking the lunar calendar until there’s another opportunity to witness this spectacle.

19. BOXING IN VICTORIA FALLS

You may not have to worry about missing sports action back home, because in Victoria Falls you will get front-row seats to action-packed boxing matches, thanks to the Victoria Falls Boxing Academy. Long after the echoes have faded of the legendary ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ elsewhere in Africa that captured the hearts of boxing fans around the world, the academy is transforming this resort town into a boxing powerhouse in the region. On 20 December 2019 fists thundered louder than the Mosi-oa-Tunya at the Kingdom Hotel arena as boxers from Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Malawi battled it out in this regional tournament. Team Zimbabwe emerged shrugging off a gruelling challenge from the three visiting teams. This marked the dawn of a new era, the birth of ‘Vic Vegas’ inspired by Las Vegas, world capital of boxing. The sold-out event brought the town to a standstill with our own world champion Charles Manyuchi among the VIP guests. Could he be the one coming here next to defend his World Boxing Federation Silver Championship title? So many possibilities lie ahead but one thing is for sure: the Victoria Falls Boxing Academy is taking the sport and the region to dizzy heights.

20. HIGH TEA

Victoria Falls is one destination in the world that will give you the feeling that you have been transported to a banqueting hall inside the majestic walls of Great Zimbabwe one minute, and in the next minute you are being spoilt enjoying high tea on the terrace at Buckingham Palace. The high tea experience at the five-star Victoria Falls Hotel though is more than just high tea. It is high tea laid out with all the trimmings of sweet treats, finger food and beautiful crockery but with one of the best views on the planet overlooking the Victoria Falls Bridge and the dashing spray of the Mosi-oa-Tunya with its mesmerising rainbows. When I saw this view for the first time I was awe-struck—and spellbound the next—it never ages. The Victoria Falls Hotel has been an address of choice for many celebrities and royals visiting the Falls for more than a century. There’s certainly no better mid-afternoon treat than to indulge yourself while enjoying the staggering view of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. ■