Livingstone Day Trip Itinerary

ZAMBEZI RUSH – Low Water
Available August – Jan

Livingstone Island Morning Breezer
White Water Rafting (low water, half day AM)
Sunset Cruise (Makumbi / Mambushi)

06.30: Pick up Lion Encounter offices, Zimbabwe and proceed through border crossing and visa formalities

07.00: Drop off Royal Livingstone Hotel (clients to make their way to the sundeck)

07.15: Livingstone Island / Devils Pool collects clients from Royal sundeck by boat (activity includes breakfast and drinks)

09.00: Pick up Royal Livingstone (after Livingstone Island) for Half Day AM Rafting (Rapids 1 – 10, clients to walk out of the gorge at rapid 10)

13.30: Clients will be dropped off at Waterfront after rafting for lunch.

Free time after lunch (about 2 hours) – clients are welcome to enjoy the facilities at Waterfront or they can organize a taxi (at Waterfront reception) to explore options such as a quick trip to Victoria Falls or into Livingstone town. Taxi at clients own cost.

16.15: Sunset Cruise (includes all drinks, snacks and light dinner), approx. 2 hours. NB: Cruise departs from Waterfront.

18.30: Transfer vehicle will depart Waterfront for border crossing and return transfer to Zimbabwe

19.15: Arrive back at Lion Encounter offices, Zimbabwe.

Note: Cruise times vary slightly from winter to summer as follows;
16th April – 15th August (Winter) – departs at 16.00, returns 18.00
16th August – 15th April (Summer) – departs 16.30, returns 18.30

 
ZAMBEZI RUSH – High Water
Available February – July

Note: Rafting and/or Livingstone Island can be closed in high water levels. During reasonably high water levels, clients will swim in Angels pool rather than Devils pool for Livingstone Island.

Livingstone Island Morning Breezer
White Water Rafting (high water, half day AM)
Sunset Cruise (Makumbi / Mambushi)

06.30: Pick up Lion Encounter offices, Zimbabwe and proceed through border crossing and visa formalities

07.00: Drop off Royal Livingstone Hotel (clients to make their way to the sundeck)

07.15: Livingstone Island / Devils Pool collects clients from Royal sundeck by boat (activity includes breakfast and drinks)

09.00: Pick up Royal Livingstone (after Livingstone Island) for Half Day High Water Rafting (Rapids 10 – 25, clients get lift out of the gorge at rapid 25)

14.30: Clients will be dropped off at Waterfront after rafting for lunch.

Free time after lunch (about 1 hour) – clients are welcome to enjoy the facilities at Waterfront.

16.15: Sunset Cruise (includes all drinks, snacks and light dinner), approx. 2 hours. NB: Cruise departs from Waterfront.

18.30: Transfer vehicle will depart Waterfront for border crossing and return transfer to Zimbabwe

19.15: Arrive back at Lion Encounter offices, Zimbabwe.

Note: Cruise times vary slightly from winter to summer as follows;
16th April – 15th August (Winter) – departs at 16.00, returns 18.00
16th August – 15th April (Summer) – departs 16.30, returns 18.30
Rate includes park fees for both Rafting and Cruise
 
ZAMBEZI THRILLS – Low Water
Available August – Jan

15min Microlight
White Water Rafting (low water, half day AM)
Sunset Cruise (Makumbi / Mambushi)

06.30: Pick up Lion Encounter offices, Zimbabwe and proceed through border crossing and visa formalities

07.15: Drop off at Batoka Sky for 15min Microlight.
* Please note an additional $8 will be added as a national parks fee

08.15: Batoka Sky to drop off at Waterfront after Microlight for a light breakfast (Bacon & Egg roll)

08.30: Pick up Waterfront for Half Day AM Rafting (Rapids 1 – 10, clients to walk out of the gorge at rapid 10)

13.30: Clients will be dropped off at Waterfront after rafting for lunch.

Free time after lunch (about 2 hours) – clients are welcome to enjoy the facilities at Waterfront or they can organize a taxi (at Waterfront reception) to explore options such as a quick trip to Victoria Falls or into Livingstone town. Taxi at clients own cost.

16.15: Sunset Cruise (includes all drinks, snacks and light dinner), approx. 2 hours. NB: Cruise departs from Waterfront.

18.30: Transfer vehicle will depart Waterfront for border crossing and return transfer to Zimbabwe

19.15: Arrive back at Lion Encounter offices, Zimbabwe.

Note: Cruise times vary slightly from winter to summer as follows;
16th April – 15th August (Winter) – departs at 16.00, returns 18.00
16th August – 15th April (Summer) – departs 16.30, returns 18.30
Rate includes park fees for both Rafting and Cruise
Rate EXCLUDES $6 aviation fee for microlight – clients to pay this direct
 

ZAMBEZI THRILLS – High Water
Available February – July
Note: Rafting can be closed in high water levels.

AM 15min Microlight
White Water Rafting (high water, half day AM)
Sunset Cruise (Makumbi / Mambushi)

06.30: Pick up Lion Encounter offices, Zimbabwe and proceed through border crossing and visa formalities

07.15: Drop off at Batoka Sky for 15min Microlight.
* Please note an additional $8 will be added as a national parks fee

08.15: Batoka Sky to drop off at Waterfront after Microlight for a light breakfast (Bacon & Egg roll)

08.30: Pick up Waterfront for Half Day High Water Rafting (Rapids 10 – 25, clients get lift out of the gorge at rapid 25)

14.30: Clients will be dropped off at Waterfront after rafting for lunch.

Free time after lunch (about 1 hour) – clients are welcome to enjoy the facilities at Waterfront.

16.15: Sunset Cruise (includes all drinks, snacks and light dinner), approx. 2 hours. NB: Cruise departs from Waterfront.

18.30: Transfer vehicle will depart Waterfront for border crossing and return transfer to Zimbabwe

19.15: Arrive back at Lion Encounter offices, Zimbabwe.
Note: Cruise times vary slightly from winter to summer as follows;
16th April – 15th August (Winter) – departs at 16.00, returns 18.00
16th August – 15th April (Summer) – departs 16.30, returns 18.30
Rate includes park fees for both Rafting and Cruise
Rate EXCLUDES $6 aviation fee for microlight – clients to pay this direct
 

ZAMBEZI ELITE
Available year round EXCEPT for when Livingstone Island is closed in high water levels (May/June). Note during reasonably high water levels, clients will swim in Angels pool rather than Devils pool.

Morning Breezer – Livingstone Island
Elephant Café Lunch
Sunset Cruise (Lady Livingstone)

06.30: Pick up Lion Encounter offices, Zimbabwe and proceed through border crossing and visa formalities

07.00: Drop off Royal Livingstone (clients to make their way to the sundeck)

07.15: Livingstone Island / Devils Pool collects clients from Royal sundeck by boat (activity includes breakfast and drinks)

09.00: Clients will have spare time here, we recommend they make their way to Victoria Falls from the Royal Livingstone. They can walk or get the inter hotel shuttle to Avani and walk from there (any member of staff can help). Entrance fee of $20 to be paid directly at the Falls gate. Clients to make their way back to the jetty for Elephant Café speedboat pick-up.

10.30: Boat transfer from Royal Livingstone Jetty to The Elephant Café

11.15: Arrive at Elephant Café, start off with an Elephant Interaction

11.45: Elephant Café Lunch

13.45: Boat departs Elephant Café for return to DLSL

14.15: Arrive back at DLSL

Free time (about 2 hours) – clients are welcome to enjoy the facilities at DLSL, including the world-class spa. Alternatively, they can organize a taxi (at DLSL reception) to explore options such as a quick trip to Victoria Falls or into Livingstone town. Taxi at clients own cost.

16.15: Board Lady Livingstone boat (includes snacks & drinks), for Sunset Cruise of approx. 2 hours. Boat is based at DLSL.

18.30: Transfer vehicle will depart DLSL for border crossing and return transfer to Zimbabwe

19.15: Arrive back at Lion Encounter offices, Zimbabwe.

Note: Cruise times vary slightly from winter to summer as follows;
16th April – 15th August (Winter) – departs at 16.00, returns 18.00
16th August – 15th April (Summer) – departs 16.30, returns 18.30
Rate includes park fees for Elephant Café and Cruise (re-entry)

ZAMBEZI EASY
Year Round

15min Microlight
Upper Zambezi Canoeing (half day AM)
Sunset Cruise (Makumbi / Mambushi)

06.30: Pick up Lion Encounter offices, Zimbabwe and proceed through border crossing and visa formalities

07.15: Drop off at Batoka Sky for 15min Microlight.
* Please note an additional $8 will be added as a national parks fee

08.15: Batoka Sky to drop off at Waterfront after Microlight for a light breakfast (Bacon & Egg roll)

08.30: Pick up Waterfront for Half Day AM Canoeing

13.30: Drop off Waterfront after Half Day AM Canoeing

Lunch at Victoria Falls Waterfront

Free time after lunch (about 2 hours) – clients are welcome to enjoy the facilities at Waterfront or they can organize a taxi (at Waterfront reception) to explore options such as a quick trip to Victoria Falls or into Livingstone town. Taxi at clients own cost.

16.15: Sunset Cruise (includes all drinks, snacks and light dinner), approx. 2 hours. NB: Cruise departs from Waterfront.

18.30: Transfer vehicle will depart Waterfront for border crossing and return transfer to Zimbabwe

19.15: Arrive back at Lion Encounter offices, Zimbabwe.

Note: Cruise times vary slightly from winter to summer as follows;
16th April – 15th August (Winter) – departs at 16.00, returns 18.00
16th August – 15th April (Summer) – departs 16.30, returns 18.30

Rate includes park fees for Cruise
Rate EXCLUDES $6 aviation fee for microlight – clients to pay this direct

NB. At certain times of the year, some packages may not be available due to activities being closed because of high water levels. Please check before booking.  Dates are approximate and may vary due to water levels.

 
Excluded:
• Lunch
• US$8 National Park Fees Per Person With Microlight flight
• Relevant Visa Fees

Livingstone Day Trip Activities

CANOEING – HALF DAY AM
Operator: Safari Par Excellence
The Upper Zambezi River is a beautiful place for canoeing, with stunning vegetation such as ebonies, water berries, palms and a tremendous variety of acacia and Albizia. The rapids are small and at their peak are only classed as grade two, which is the second easiest grade.
The Canoe Trail whilst operated in Zambia passes through National Parks located in Zimbabwe, and the pristine bush land of Zambia where there is a possibility to see game such as hippo, crocodile, elephant, giraffe and numerous birdlife.
Tea & Coffee served at check in at the Waterfront
Clients are transferred from the Waterfront (approximately 40 minutes) to the canoe start point upriver.
On arrival, clients are given a safety talk by a professional river guide.
Clients then practice their paddling skills before setting off on their canoe safari.

Age Restriction – The minimum age for canoe trips is 12 years (no child rate). There is no maximum age but clients must be of a reasonable fitness. Any children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Transfers – Included in the package
 
LIVINGSTONE ISLAND MORNING BREEZER
Operator: Tongabezi
Based at the top of The Victoria Falls, this is the island where David Livingstone first set eyes on The Falls. A short boat ride is taken from The Royal Livingstone hotel over to the island where you walk across the top of The Falls and even get a chance to swim in a natural rock pool right on the edge (Devils Pool or Angels Armchair, depending on water levels). Livingstone Island is a 5-8 minutes boat ride from the Royal Livingstone Hotel and is located in the middle of the Zambezi River, touching the lip of the Victoria Falls, where the water thunders down the 103m drop. Access to this unique Island is seasonal and depends entirely on the water level in the Zambezi River
Maximum capacity: 16
All ages accepted, children under 2 years old pay park fees only. Any children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Morning Breezer – 1 ½ hours, includes breakfast and refreshments (to be at the Royal Livingstone at 07.15)
Note in high water, devils pool is closed but clients can swim in Angels Armchair instead. When water levels are very high, the island will close totally, this is normally in May but does vary depending on water levels.
The Island operates even when it’s raining but bookings may be cancelled at short notice by the operator, due to very bad weather eg. Heavy storms.
Note that in this season it can be wet and muddy on the Island
 

MICROLIGHT FLIGHT – 15 MINUTES
Operator: Batoka Sky
Microlights provide unique and uninhibited views of The Victoria Falls and the spectacular Batoka gorges. 15 minute “flight of the Angels” – a flight over The Victoria Falls, the islands near the falls and the Zambezi River.
Clients can NOT take cameras on microlights but there are wing mounted digital cameras that are operated by the pilots and photos can be purchased after the flight (pay direct at Batoka).
1 client per Microlight (with pilot)
Minimum age: 12 years old (no child rate). Any children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Maximum weight: 100kg

 
SUNSET CRUISE (MAKUMBI / MAMBUSHI)
Operator: Safari Par Excellence
The sunset cruise goes along the river boundary of the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, alongside Siloka Island and back to the Waterfront jetty. From the boat, sightings of wildlife coming down to the river to drink are common. There is also an abundance of hippos, crocodiles and birdlife. An experienced guide accompanies each cruise and has good knowledge on the wildlife and local history of the area.

Makumbi – Maximum 100 clients, minimum 4 clients, double-decker with open sided top level and enclosed lower level (with open windows).
Mambushi – Maximum 20 clients, minimum 4, double-decker with small open viewing platform on top level, open sided lower level.
Boat used will be dependent on number of clients booked on the day.
Included – Fully stocked bar includes local beer, wine, spirits, mixers and soft drinks.
Included – Snacks (ie. Cheese straws, mini pizzas, sausage rolls, peanuts) and light dinner (Braai/BBQ – chicken, boerewors, rolls and salad)
Included – ZAWA park fees of USD10 per person

Timings
16th April – 15th August (Winter) – departs at 16.00, returns 18.00
16th August – 15th April (Summer) – departs 16.30, returns 18.30

No minimum / maximum ages. Any children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
 
THE ELEPHANT CAFÉ – LUNCH
Operator: Safari Par Excellence
The guests’ experience begins when they board a jet boat (about 30 minutes) to cruise upriver from Victoria Falls, keeping an eye out for wildlife in the national parks that border each side of the Zambezi River. On arrival at the Café, guests will be greeted by our family of elephants where they can enjoy the opportunity to interact closely with this amazing herd.
Guests are then invited up onto a beautifully-appointed deck suspended over the Zambezi River and handed a champagne cocktail. The meal is prix fixe, so guests can sit back and relax over the delicious “bush gourmet cuisine” unique to The Elephant Café. This exclusive restaurant only uses wild and locally-sourced fresh ingredients, therefore its fine dining menu changes according to the seasonal produce that is available at any given time. Guests will experience a fine wine list paired with first-class cuisine of a quality rarely found outside major urban centres. Afterwards, they can linger over cappuccinos as they listen to the bush-speak of the animals and birds all around them.
Please notify us in advance of any dietary requirements
Menus are subject to change with the season
The Café can take a maximum number of 24 guests.
Minimum age is 10 years old. No child rate. Any children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
 
WHITE WATER RAFTING
Operator: Safari Par Excellence
Commercial rafting first commenced on the Zambezi River in 1981 and since then this activity has grown in popularity to the point where a rafting trip on the Zambezi is now a regular feature in many tourist itineraries, and is now internationally acclaimed as the best one-day white water rafting trip available in the world. We have the ONLY guiding team on the Zambezi who are all accredited by the International Rafting Federation.
The morning section of the river is classified as Grade 5 “extremely difficult, long and violent rapids, steep gradients, big drops and pressure areas”. The afternoon section is slightly less challenging and is of a lower grade.
 
HALF DAY AM LOW WATER
The low water rafting season runs approximately from end July / early August to the middle of January, depending upon the water level – each year this can change as and when levels increase or decrease. The popularity of the Low Water Rafting run on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River is largely due to the opportunity of experiencing the incredible view of the Victoria Falls from the Boiling Pot.
AM Low Water – Rapids 1 – 10
Full safety briefing
Clients are divided into rafting crews before the transfer to the falls entrance, where they commence the walk down to the boiling pot in the Batoka gorge, below the falls. The walk has a gradient of 1 in 3, and a person of average fitness can manage this in approximately 15 minutes.
On reaching the bottom of the Gorge all equipment is then checked again before an “in boat” safety brief is given, only when everybody is comfortable and happy does your journey on the mighty Zambezi to rapid #10 begin.
On arrival at rapid #10, clients walk / climb out of the gorge – this has a gradient of 1 in 3, and a person of average fitness can manage this in approximately 20 minutes (although it is fairly steep and tricky). Suitable footwear is needed for this walk.
On arrival at the top of the gorge, it’s time to take a well-earned breather and enjoy some refreshing soft drinks and bottled water before the road transfer back through the local villages en route to our rafting base at The Victoria Falls Waterfront
Return to The Victoria Falls Waterfront for lunch and watch DVD of your day on the river.
 
HALF DAY HIGH WATER RAFTING
The high water rafting season runs approximately from the middle of January to the beginning of August, depending upon the water level each year. Please note that rafting can close between January and June for safety reasons due to water levels being too high.

High Water – Rapids 10 – 25
Full safety briefing
Upon arrival at the Batoka Gorge clients are divided into Rafting Crews before commencing the walk down the gorge – this has a gradient of 1 in 3 (fairly steep and tricky), and a person of average fitness can manage this in approximately 20 minutes.
On reaching the bottom of the Gorge all equipment is then checked again before an in boat safety brief is given. Only when everybody is comfortable and happy does your journey on the mighty Zambezi to rapid #25 begin.
On arrival at rapid #25 the “Gondola” cable car awaits to transfer clients up the 750ft Batoka gorge.
Return to The Victoria Falls Waterfront for late lunch and watch DVD of your day on the river.

Age Restriction – The minimum age is 15 years (no child rate). The maximum age limit is dependent on the individual’s general state of health and physical fitness. Clients must be able to swim and be of a reasonable fitness level. Any children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Transfers – Included in the package
Park Fees – NHCC park fees are included in the package
Merchandise – Photo’s and DVD’s of the trips are available for purchase

DESTINATION LIVINGSTONE AGE REQUIREMENTS
Packages that include white water rafting – minimum age of 15 years old
Packages that include canoeing – minimum age of 12 years old
Packages that include The Elephant Café (Zambezi Elite) – minimum age of 10 years old
Any children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

NB. At certain times of the year, some packages may not be available due to activities being closed because of high water levels. Please check before booking.