Sundance Spirit

destinations | zimbabwe | victoria falls


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	> Zimbabwe
	> Victoria Falls

There is a very real air of magic surrounding Victoria Falls – an inescapable closeness to raw nature & a power from another era. Victoria Falls defy description so vast is their setting, so mist enshrouded the huge abyss & chasm that separates Zimbabwe from Zambia.

There is no escaping the Falls proximity despite the tranquil forest lined Zambezi river banks & the backwater lagoons that hide hippo & crocodile.

Victoria Falls epitomizes awesome grandeur.

The story of Victoria Falls goes back hundreds of millions of years in geological time when the great southern landmass of Gondwanaland was in the break-up stages, being stressed & pulled at by powerful forces deep within the earth & closer to its magma than outer crust – a time when Africa was joined to South America which in turn, was joined with New Zealand & Australia & India. This was the dawning of the seismic events that triggered Victoria Falls birthright.

Popular times have it that Dr David Livingstone discovered the Victoria Falls in 1855, which is as far from reality as it is far from truth. He did however claim naming rights, enhancing them with the name of the Queen of England of that era.

In fact, he was the first European or white person to stumble upon the Falls & report their existence to the outside world. Quite literally, the response was immediate as adventurers came to witness the rush of the mighty Zambezi as it hurls itself over the chasm and by the turn of the century, Victorians had flocked here hastened by the railway which arrived in 1904 & finally bridged the gap between Zimbabwe & Zambia in 1905. At that early stage, the Falls were actually some 500m further downriver than they are today, as the rock composition here is shedding & being eroded at a rapid geological rate as the power of the Zambezi is cutting the precipitous cliff further & further upstream, year by year.

With a height of 128 metres ( 420 feet ) & width of 1.6 kms, the Falls are formed by the Zambezi River as it plunges between a relatively small gap carved by the waters in a fracture zone in the earths crust.

The huge plumes of thick mist like spray thrown up by the waters dropping into the abyss are perceptible from a distance of 50 kms away & the roar of the Falls - especially in times of flooding - shakes windows & foundations of houses & buildings in the township of Victoria Falls located 3 kms away.

The Boiling Pot, the beginning of a winding gorge which is 80kms long through which the Zambezi flows below the Falls, is spanned by a 198 metre bridge ( 620 feet ) that sours 94 metres ( 310 feet ) above water level. This is a road-rail bridge & is the border between the two countries.

The heart stopping ‘sport’ of bungy-jumping is practiced off the bridge – an adrenaline rush that is all but impossible to replicate, except perhaps for those who dare to ride the white water of the Zambezi & the 26 x grade 4 or higher rapids, in a rubber raft at times when the river is considered ‘dangerous but acceptable ‘ to venture into by the commercial companies who operate such excursions.

This is NOT something we recommend for persons who are novice or lightly experienced white water rafters, as many deaths have occurred in this stretch of boiling turbulent water. The tee-shirt simply says ‘I survived’ & to own one means there is no need to define “survived what ? ”

Helicopter flights are operated for a birds eye perspective of the Victoria Falls & access to the walking tracks in the National Parks on both the Zimbabwe & Zambian sides of the falls allow you to get right to the precipitous edge in relative safety, although believe us when we say you are likely to get very, very wet with spray.

So go appropriately dressed & accept the plastic poncho you will be offered by your guide is given for a specific purpose & is not for show. Do NOT venture off the defined pathways as there are all manner of dangers awaiting those who choose to be risk their lives daring to defy the signs or basic common sense.

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge ( Luxury )

	A wonderful haven for those who wish to be pampered, relaxing in surroundings that breathe ‘Africa’ & located just 4kms from the Falls overlooking the spectacular Zambezi National Park. Each bedroom has a balcony overlooking a waterhole which is a hive of animal activity morning & late afternoon & guests can watch the action with binoculars supplied from reception. It is ethnically styled with open beams, a lot of warm wood furnishings & high ceilings.
Each en-suite guest room has capacity for a large Queen sized bed, or two twin doubles, is equipped with telephone, hairdryer, safety deposit box & in the public areas, offers dining rooms, bars, serviced lounge deck & two swimming pools. The Lodge prides itself on excellent cuisine & the Boma - a central outdoor dining area - is used for starlight dinners.

Elephant Hills Inter – Continental ( Resort Hotel )

Named for a reason, this luxurious hotel sits atop a hill overlooking a magnificent 18 hole golf course & the Zambezi River, with the spray from Victoria Falls in the vista. 3 kms from the Falls, Elephant Hills Inter Continental has 276 guest rooms, each en-suite providing a mix of African ambiance & report hotel amenities. Each room has a private balcony, bathroom, air-conditioning, colour television, radio, telephone, inter-net access jack & 5 speed variable ceiling fan.

There is a casino, 2 swimming pools, flood-lit tennis courts, squash courts, spa, gymnasium, hairdresser & the renown golf course. Here you may well understand why the resort is so named as often the fairways receive large, slow moving gray spectators to whom you need to give way to, along with warthogs, antelope & a variety of other small non-predator game animals.

The hotel operates a complementary shuttle into Victoria Falls & to the Falls themselves.

Victoria Falls Hotel ( Historical Luxury Hotel )

	Constructed in 1904, this is one of Zimbabwe’s romantic properties which has played host to Kings, Queens, high society & celebrities alike in a century of traditionally first class service. Situated on a hilltop 3 kms from Victoria Falls, offering breath taking views of the gorge & bridge spanning the Zambezi River, the hotel has earned a reputation for Edwardian elegance & ambiance unsurpassed. All 182 air-conditioned rooms & suites have been refurbished to International standards & the dining is exquisite. An outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, billiard room, historical library, chapel , hairdresser & magnificent sweeping terrace with a wonderful 270 degree vista completes the picture.
The front door of the hotel is no more than 5 minute stroll to the central marketplace in town, shopping & adventure activity center.

The Kingdom ( Casino Resort Hotel )

As if out of Las Vegas creations, the Kingdom is located within 5 minutes of the central market, adjacent to the Victoria Falls Hotel & is a modern wonder of Casino gaming rooms & African themed public areas. This is a hive of activity 24 hours a day, yet the air-conditioned
en-suite guest rooms are quiet & elegantly presented, away from the gambling areas. The hotel has excellent choices of dining areas, bars & lounges. An outdoor swimming pool & spa are available for all guests. For those who like the buzz of activity & the glitzy glamour of gambling, the Kingdom provides all of this & more.

A’Zambezi River Lodge ( Family Hotel )

Located 4 kms upstream of the Falls, on the Zambezi River banks this informal family styled lodge is a semi-circular thatched structure adjacent to the Zambezi River National Park. All 83 en-suite rooms have air-conditioning, phone, radio & colour television. The Lodge has a large a la carte restaurant, a bush dinner venue, 2 bars, swimming pool & poolside BBQ area. A free shuttle to town operates on a schedule reception will provide to guests which extends to the Falls entrance, several times daily.

Rainbow Hotel ( Family Hotel )

Within easy walking distance of the Falls, this Mediterranean styled property is ideal for the young & young at heart. All 46 en-suite guest rooms are air-conditioned with colour television.
A dining area opening out onto the swimming pool area with background Marimba Band music is an ideal way to celebrate the end to another wonderful African day. During the day, the pool area hosts a Mongolian BBQ. This property provides for excellent value.

Ilala Lodge ( Lodge Resort )

Private and exclusive, 5 minutes walk from the Falls the lodge prides itself on personalized service. 32 guest rooms, 2 deluxe suites, 24 twins and 6 double rooms all with en-suite bathrooms, shower, satellite television and ceiling fans. The lodge has an excellent restaurant, 2 bars, a swimming pool, casino & nightclub.