| ZIMBABWE VICTORIA FALLS July 31 to August 9 A short drive from Livingstone township to the border posts and after a reasonably short time we were at last on the Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls on the way to an emotional reunion with family and friends. Victoria Falls had changed a lot since we were there last year. A new supermarket (TM) has opened so along with Jay's Spar there is no shortage of food; although the prices are high so many people still shop in the adjoining countries of Zambia and Botswana. There are some superb hotels in the area including Victoria Falls Hotel where we had high tea; Elephant Hills with its superb views; the Kingdom(expensive drinks); Ilala Lodge; and the Zambezi River Lodge. Sadly, we saw very few tourists and the ones who were walking around the CBD were constantly harassed by locals trying to sell carvings etc. A lot of tourists just fly in, are picked up by a tour grooup and transported to a hotel, then to their sunset cruise, helicopter flight, the Falls walk or elephant ride etc, then driven back to their hotel and within a couple of days they're out of the country again without really buying souvenirs or walking around the town. There are so many things to see and do in the Falls: go on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi, which shouldn't be missed; elephant rides; white water rafting; bungee jumping; a helicopter flight over the Falls, viewing the Victoria Falls close up (put your camera in a plastic bag and buy a plastic poncho!) and so on. A reliable tourist agency to contact is Dabula Safaris who specialise in river cruises and flights, plus wedding receptions. We enjoy going to the boat club which is just past the Elephant Hills Hotel. A delicious roast is usually served on Sundays. And in the main street there is a new takeaway (or dine in) which sells delicious pizzas, pasties, cakes, meat pies, ice cream and fresh bread. Not to be forgotten is the Victoria Falls National Park which has most of the game you would expect to see; especially lots of elephant, lion, impala, baboon etc and hippos and crocks in the river. It was wonderful to see our family and friends and look forward to meeting up again in 2011. TIPS: Currency: Only US Dollars (notes), South African Rand and Botswana Pula are accepted. We paid US$25 each for a single entry visa plus various vehicle taxes and insurances. ATMs dispense US$. Internet: I found an i-cafe but it took ages to connect (if at all) and then there's always a chance of the power going off, which it tends to do on a regular basis and sometimes for hours on end! Roads: The highway from Victoria Falls to Botswana is tarred but has an 80kph speed limit which is strictly enforced. We were told of numerous police roadblocks all the way to the capaital Harare. Fuel: Petrol and diesel was available at the truck depot, just south of Victoria Falls on the Bulawayo Road. Fuel was not available in the town when we were there. |
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| Rear view of Victoria Falls Hotel | From the Victoria Falls Hotel looking to the Falls | The Kingdom Hotel outside bar (expensive) |
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| View from the Elephant Hills Hotel | A fabulous day on a Zambezi River island | Anne and Keith on the Zambezi |
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