The Best Activities in Livingstone
Victoria Falls, known by the locals as “Mosi oa-Tunya” (“the smoke that thunders”) lies almost half-way along the Mighty Zambezi Rivers’ 2700 km journey from its source in north-western Zambia to its entry into the Indian Ocean on the coast of Mozambique. Spanning nearly 2 Kilometres the Zambezi River plunges approximately 108 meters into the depths of the Batoka Gorge, creating the biggest curtain of falling water in the world.
Listed as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site, Victoria Falls is a year round destination with each season offering different experiences. The Falls usually reaches its peak in late April to May which provides the spectacle of of the huge volumes of water cascading over the precipice, which can hamper viewing due to the dense spray, but provides a wet but thrilling show to its spectators. Dryer months of the Year, July to December usually offer fantastic wildlife and game viewing as the animals are drawn to the life giving water of the Zambezi River.
Victoria Falls is shared by the Town of the Same Name, and Livingstone in Zambia, and the combined area is regarded as the Adventure Capital of Africa, and there are literally hundreds of activities you can do depending on your preferences. Activities can largely be split into categories:
- Adrenaline
- Safari & Wildlife
- History & Culture
- Day Trips and Tours
- Cruises
- Flights
1. Guided Tour of Victoria Falls, Livingstone
This is obviously the main reason every one comes to the destination, to experience of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of The World. A Victoria Falls Guided Tour is a must do activity when visiting Livingstone. The Victoria Falls are a natural phenomenon and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Victoria Falls are an immense 1.5 km wide curtain of water cascading over 100m into the Batoka Gorge. Around 550 million liters of water flow over the falls every minute. Surrounding the Victoria Falls is a luscious rainforest, sustained year round by the spray created by the thundering waterfall. The plant species in the rainforest are rarely seen elsewhere in Zambia.
The Guided Tour can be done from both the Zambian Side and the Zimbabwean side, and if possible it is really beneficial to get the different perspectives.
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2. Helicopter Flight Over Victoria Falls, Livingstone:
Enjoy a spectacular helicopter flight over the majestic Victoria Falls and up the mighty Zambezi River towards Long Island. Passengers are treated to “Scenes so lovely they must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight” – David Livingstone – as the flights complete orbits to the left and right-hand side of the helicopter to enable all the passengers a fantastic view and opportunity to video and photograph the Victoria Falls.
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3. Livingstone Island & Devils Pool (Activity is in Livingstone)
When the Zambezi River is in full flood, 10 million litres of water rush over the lip of Victoria Falls every minute, falling 108 metres into the roaring chasm below. Livingstone Island sits in the heart of the falls, on the brink of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Livingstone island is a short boat ride from the Livingstone Island Launch site on the mainland.
On arrival at Livingstone Island you are met by the staff with a traditional brew, and then a short tour to the East of the Island overlooking the Falls, with great views of the Horseshoe and Rainbow Falls. Morning trips often are greeted with spectacular rainbows with the sun shining through the mist.
Those who are brave enough can swim in Devil’s Pool – although this is dependent on water levels. From the Island you take a gentle upstream swim in a gentle current, with a safety rope attached (just in case) to rocky outcrop just above the pool, from where you can jump into the pool, for what has to be one of the most adrenalin pumping experience.
The Livingstone Island Tour concludes with a freshly prepared gourmet meal, breakfast, lunch or high tea, depending on the time of day. After this you will be taken by boat back to the launch site.
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4. Chobe Day Trip
A Chobe Day Trip is a unique opportunity to experience some of the best game viewing in Africa. If you are visiting Victoria Falls and do not have the time for a few nights in the Chobe, a Chobe Day Trip is certainly an experience that you should not miss out on. It really is worth visiting the Chobe for a day.
The Chobe National Park is host to the worlds largest elephant population at an estimated 50,000 elephants. It is famous for its large herds of elephants, buffalo’s and zebras. There are also huge prides of lions in the park. Chobe National Park is home to some of the most diverse species of animals in the world. Chobe is also known to have over 460 bird species, making it one of the world?s premier destinations for birdwatchers. The Chobe River is one of the only rivers in the World that flows in both directions. During the dry season the river flows East. But during the rainy season the flow of the Zambezi River pushes upstream to make the Chobe River flow West.
Chobe Day Trip Game Drive
Your day will begin with a transfer from your hotel in Victoria Falls to the Kasane border post. (Please note that Visas may be required for some nationalities). From the border post you will then be transferred to the Chobe River where you will embark on a morning game cruise. The game cruise on the Chobe River brings you close to brilliant bird life, pods of watering hippos, primeval crocodiles and elephants, breath-taking in their sheer number.
Chobe Day Trip Game Drive
Lunch will be served after the game cruise. After lunch you will then head deeper into the Chobe National Park in an open game drive vehicle. The afternoon?s land-based safari heads deeper into the Park to spot the elusive big cats that make Chobe their home. After the game drive you will be transferred back to the Kasane border post and then back to your hotel in Victoria Falls.
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5. Microlight Flight over Victoria Falls
Experience a once in a lifetime Victoria Falls Microlight Flight. Fly over the magnificent Victoria Falls and enjoy unsurpassed views of the Worlds largest waterfall. The exhilarating Microlight flights offer unique and breathtaking views of the Victoria Falls. You will also have great views of the spectacular Batoka Gorge. The gorge has been carved out over thousands of years by the Zambezi River. This is an experience not to be missed.
For safety reasons you may not take your own camera on the Victoria Falls Microlight Flight. There is however a wing-mounted camera that is operated by the pilot during your flight. Images from your Microlight Flight may be purchased after you land. Microlight Flights may be a little too raw for you preference. If so why not book a Helicopter Flight over the Victoria Falls. This will give you a similar experience to the Microlight Flight and fantastic views of the Falls.
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6. Elephant Cafe
The Elephant Café is built on a wooden deck on the Zambezi River, a 30-minute boat ride upriver from Victoria Falls. It sits in a place that is not only breathtaking, it’s imbued with an energy of interconnectedness and calm. It’s a place that invites in other wild animals like giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, and antelope from the surrounding Mosi-a-Tunya National Park. It’s a place that’s alive with bush-speak, from the throats of the river birds, from luxuriating hippos, from squabbling monkeys and baboons in the canopy overhead. It’s a place that carries the spirit of the elephant.
THE EXPERIENCE
Three magical experiences in one:
• A boat ride up the Zambezi River
• Elephant interaction
• Breakfast / Lunch / High Tea / Dinner
Guests have the privilege of interacting with hand-reared elephants, of varying ages, before sitting down to eat their meal. The older elephants, like the bulls Bop, Danny and Madinda, were rescued from severe drought and culls decades ago, while others have assimilated from the wild, or were born into the herd. They are elephants that have grown up with safe human support using the “positive reinforcement method.” Being around them in close vicinity, discerning the rumble of their songs from deep within — sensing their wildness and enormity — touches something primal and very old within you. It’s an experience one will never forget.
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7. Zambezi River Sunset Cruise
A Zambezi River Sunset Cruise is an activity that every person visiting the Zambezi River should experience. A Zambezi River Sunset Cruise is the perfect way to relax at the end of an activity filled day. Watch the Sunset as you cruise the mighty Zambezi River above Victoria Falls. As you cruise upstream enjoy a range of cocktails or a refreshing Gin and Tonic. Snacks are served on the sunset cruise by the friendly staff. On the sunset cruise you will navigate the river boundary of the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park and nearby islands. This will give you the opportunity to spot wildlife such as elephant and impala as they make their way down to the Zambezi River to quench their thirst. You are likely to see Hippo and Crocodile as well as many bird species on a Zambezi River Sunset Cruise.
The Lady Livingstone Sunset Cruise is a luxurious cruising experience. Relax on the third deck of this comfortable vessel as you watch the Zambezi River flow by. The cruise departs from the David Livingstone Safari Lodge.
You may also choose to experience a Breakfast or Lunch Cruise on the Zambezi River.
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8. Cultural Village Tour
The local Livingstone Chief, Chief Makuni, encourages visitors to his village which is home to some 7,000 Leya people, to gain valuable knowledge of how an African village is run and the day-to- day routines of the people who live there. A headman will escort you around the village to show how traditional huts are made and decorated, to explain village politics and to answer any questions that you may have.
There is also a large craft market in the village for you to buy some locally made crafts, or even attempt to give it a go yourself.
Dr David Livingstone visited this village on more than one occasion, sitting under a giant mango tree in the middle of the square, to meet with the current chief. As the Chief viewed David Livingstone as an unbeliever, he was not allowed into the chief’s compound. It was also two men from this village, long time retainers of David Livingstone, who carried his body all the way to the coast after he died near Lake Bangweulu. The descendants of these men still live in the village.
The current Chief Mukuni is a modern and enterprising man who is promoting tourism in his area while trying to minimise the adverse impact it might have on his people’s way of life
Remember to respect local customs and for further guidance on social conventions ask your guide.
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9. White Water Rafting
The Zambezi River in the Batoka Gorge was first navigated in 1981 and over the years the Rapids were named – some fearsome in nature, others fearsome in name! Click here For a detailed map and guide of the major rapids you will encounter while White Water Rafting on the mighty Zambezi River in Victoria Falls.
Victoria Falls White Water Rafting. The white water rafting below the Victoria Falls is commonly recognized as the best Grade 5 white water rafting in the World. Raft the biggest white water rapids in the World at Victoria Falls. Raft below the Victoria Falls along the mighty Zambezi River. The Zambezi River plummets 110 meters from the top of the Victoria Falls into the Batoka Gorge. This is where the fun begins. Enjoy an exhilarating day rafting the mighty Zambezi River as you negotiate the Grade 5 rapids along the way. Your professional river guides will steer you on an unforgettable journey through the formidable rapids of the mighty Zambezi.
10. Steam Train Dinner Safari
The Livingstone Steam Train dinner is a fine dining experience unlike any other. Your journey begins when the Livingstone Steam Train, which has been restored to its former glory, departs from the Bushtracks station where you will board the immaculate vintage first class Lounge carriage. The Steam Train travels through a World Heritage site to arrive at the Victoria Falls Bridge in time to watch the sunset. After stopping on the bridge for a brief period of time you then head towards the Palm Grove siding. Enjoy the sights of the African bush from the stately dining carriages. Enjoy a romantic silver service five course dinner on board the Livingstone Steam Train. This is a journey into a timeless world of charm, elegance and romance, where the natural splendor will stir your imagination.
The ambiance of the dining carriage offers more than warm elegance. The sash windows allow for panoramic views of the passing scenery as experienced by the early 1900 visitors to the region.
*Please note that the Livingstone Steam Train only departs on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
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