Vic Falls & Hwange exploring

You don’t even have to visit in the height of the flood season to experience the wonder and majesty of this natural wonder, only an hour away from Johannesburg.

The water flows powerfully year around and boy is there a lot of water. The difference is really only your percentage of saturation! Be warned, take a rain jacket whenever you are there, particularly if in April/May time.

Besides seeing this mighty waterfall, Victoria Falls offers visitors and adventure seekers a plethora of activities. From the peaceful river cruises (the sundowner cruise being the one I would recommend) along the indomitable Zambezi River to the adrenalin pumping options of bunjee jumping, bridge swinging or white water rafting, it is not surprising that this destination never ceases to deliver.

Topping the activity lists has to be the extra special ways of viewing the falls – from a microlight or helicopter. The famed “flight of angels” provides an unrivalled view of the area for a truly memorable experience.

There are a lot of great lodging options in the area – Victoria Falls Hotel is the grand old lady with views of the bridge between Zambia & Zimbawe and offering a colonial experience.

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is about 10 minutes out of town but there is a water hole on the premises where elephants are regular visitors and the famous Boma Restaurant is on site for a tasty experience for true meat eaters.

A slightly different experience and further out of town can be found at Elephant Camp where luxurious tents are your home and you can have an elephant encounter or meet the famous “Sylvester.”

If you have a bit of extra time, there are some wonderful add-ons I can recommend to explore other parts of the country.

Hwange National Park is one of these, one of Africa’s great parks well known for their huge elephant population. Access is by road (about 4 hours from Vic Falls), by air (about 1 hour) or road/rail via the unique Elephant Express which links the Northern and Southern parts of the reserve.

I was privileged to stay in Imvelo Safari Lodge’s Bomani Tented Camp, which is in a 5,000 acre private reserve. They have traversing rights into Hwange through their own private gate and here you feel like you have entered your own private wilderness in the deep south of the reserve which is far less populated with visitors, compared to the more frequented Northern and central parts.

It was here I experienced my first underground hide situated at one of the watering holes. This unique perspective on animals and birds, particularly the grey giants is a wonderful opportunity for enthusiastic photographers. This area also boasts incredible bird life.

The camp is simple, yet extremely comfortable with the most amazing staff making the experience one to remember.

Another option is only about an hour by road from Victoria Falls, on the Zambezi River just before the border where the 4 countries – Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and South African meet.

Imbalala Zambezi Lodge is a special place where activities on the river or through the reserve on game drives start and end your peaceful lazy days. The camp is quite rustic, but what is lacks in luxury it makes up in leaps in bounds with their friendly staff and incredible location on this beautiful river. The local guides have tremendous knowledge and share this with pride.

So many great memories were made on this trip. I can’t wait to go back!