Victoria Falls After-Hunt Tour

[HerbJohnson]

Many of you have experienced Victoria Falls and all it has to offer. My wife and I will be going there in May after a 10-day Cape Buffalo hunt. Your input as to what to do and see at Victoria Fall in the 3-4 days we've allotted before we return home would be priceless. Thank you for any tips or direction you might suggest.

 

[CZDiesel]

I would highly recommend that you do the tour of the falls before the safari! After you are going to be tired and worn out but before it will give you the time to adjust for jet lag and get rested up before the hunt…

 

[HerbJohnson]

Hadn't considered that! Thanks!

 

[roklok]

We went to Victoria falls from the Caprivi, left in the morning and were back mid afternoon. It is definitely worth seeing, but not sure how you would make it a three day affair.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

I would suggest 3 days max.

Are you planning to go to the Zim or Zam side? Probably depends on where you are hunting. BTW, I did a buff hunt in May and it was very challenging due to the leaves still on the trees. Later is better.

The water level changes on the Falls. I think peak rate is March or April and you will get wet. Late May and June are still low rates on hotels. I went there in early September and very little water was going over the falls.

The dinner train ride was fun and interesting.

Thread 'ZAMBIA: Big 5 for 1000 Kwacha; Vic Falls & Royal Livingstone'

Sep 5, 2015

After my 3 days at Chobe, Botswana, we traveled by truck through the town of Kasane and got to the Zambezi River crossing. My lord, if ever a place demonstrated the inefficiency of Africa, this was the place. There are 18 wheelers along side the road for 3-4 miles. They are also parked at a truck stop and I guess there is some sort of organized method they get in line. The line is for the ferry across the Zambezi River. There are two ferries and they each hold just one 18 wheeler and a few cars. I was told that trucks might be in line for 2-3 days to get across. Amazing!

Luckily...

• 375 Ruger Fan
• Replies: 12
• Forum: Hunting reports Africa

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[Fatback]

Me snd my wife and another couple spent a few days there in September last year and really enjoyed it. We did a guided tour of the falls on the Zim side, which was great. The wives did high tea at the Vic Falls hotel and they had a good time with that. Me and my buddy did a morning of fishing on the river and caught a few fish and had fun. We did a private sunset dinner cruise on the river and that was probably the highlight of our time there. We also spent an afternoon shopping/haggling in a market for souvenirs and brought back some nice stuff. When I go back I will do a helicopter tour of the falls. Of course there is some activities for the more adventurous sorts like bungee jumping and whitewater rafting if that’s more your speed.

 

[Andrew62]

I really enjoyed lunch on the patio of the Victoria Hotel! Great view of the mist coming off the falls.

 

[wesheltonj]

I would suggest both sides of the falls. A overnight trip to Chobe in Botswana, so you can see the elephants in the evening cross the river. Helicopter of the falls.

 

[kpoynter]

So..,did the same thing last year. Don’t understand the there and back same day comment lol

Spend at least two to three full days
I highly recommend staying at the Vic Falls hotel
Lots of activities.
1) something incredibly simple…walk the trails at the falls and spend some time. Pack a few drinks and some food to spend more time there to enjoy the beauty
2) take one of the Sunset cruises on the river…it’s great and you will enjoy immenssly
3) fun places to eat like the Overlook on the Gorge…the Boma for dinner etx. Dinner or lunch on the veranda at Vic Falls hotel
4) helicopters…elephant rides…walk with white lions… lots of activities
5) Shopping
6) rafting and all sorts of stuff to do…

I enjoyed it immensely… incredible place

 

[mark-hunter]

Visit to falls. (one mile walk)
Visit to Victoria falls hotel. Wherever you stay, have a dinner at hotel. It is special place.
When we had a dinner there, a local group was performing a tribal dance at restaurant.

Then, consider other activities, renting a chopper for sightseeing, going on rafting, crossing the bridge to Zambia. On Zambia side, you can have a swim in the river. Visit to Chobe national park, Botswana.

Photo below, I took with strong zoom on my camera from Zim side.
Swimmers at Zambia side.

From the time, a great project was planned Cape to Kairo railroad... Historical place

Rafting on Zambezi river

View

View on the bridge from Vic Falls Hotel. Bridge seams to be always hidden in the mist of water spray.

 

[HerbJohnson]

Thank you all for your priceless experience, pictures and suggestions! Now my wife and I will approach this adventure armed with knowledge! After our 3 days at Vic Falls touring, we will return home. Should be a trip of a lifetime!

 

[ActionBob]

I would highly recommend that you do the tour of the falls before the safari! After you are going to be tired and worn out but before it will give you the time to adjust for jet lag and get rested up before the hunt…

I fully concure

Are you hunting in Zimbabwe? Logistical/travel considerations may be more important to you than the reasons to do it first.

What we did was combine it with a South African hunt which worked exceptionally well. We flew through Paris so that had us landing in Joburg in the morning. So we had Mr X from Afton House meet us and take our rifles and hunting clothes to Afton. We boarded the flight to Victoria Falls. We actually did 5 days but 3 should suffice. We had a day of fishing which I believe you are going tjecwring time of year to expect much.

We did an evening cruise above the Falls arrival day. Saw hippo, croc and elephant plus some various antelope and birds.

The the walk on the Zimbabwe side. And the Flight of Angels.... the longer one. Well worth it!

We stayed at the Victoria Falls Hotel. Dinner shows each night were great! Breakfast in the morning was superb. The train backs onto the bridge in the evening to serve a dinner in the dining cars on the bridge... that we did not know about but will do next time! I believe that is a Zambia thing. And try to work in an afternoon High Tea (make reservations), @Just Gina loved it

We did a day trip to Chobe.... it was good but annoying to cross the border. We were told it would be fast and easy but a couple busses of Chinese got ahead of us....

 

[WAB]

We stay at the Stanley & Livingston just outside town. It’s upscale in a private game park. Much quieter without all the helicopters buzzing about. They run you to town whenever you like. Approx ten minutes.

Activities:

Lunch on the veranda of the Victoria falls hotel. Afterwards wander the halls and see all the history on the walls. Check out the hotel gift shop.

Dinner cruise on the river

Game walk at the Stanley & Livingston

Walk the falls

Helicopter tour of the falls.

I haven’t been rafting but it looks worth checking into.

Personally do not trust the safety systems of the bungee or zip line after seeing the folks they employ and the condition of the equipment they’re using.

 

[ActionBob]

When at the Vic Falls Hotel, the dinner mentioned with the local dancers is a must do. It was a buffet and not formal. They do have a formal dinner but we did not bring the clothes for that.

There is neat gift shop and as mentioned well worth walking the halls to see the pictures and history.

There was a troop of banded mongoose putting on a great show of finding their breakfast right after we finished ours Wart hogs and baboons tried as well but there are guards chasing them away. I asked the guy carrying a rifle if he shot a lot and he replied no, he's not allowed to shoot them, only scare them. However the younger man with him had a slingshot and when I asked if he shot any and he grinned ear to ear and replied "a lot!" Haha.

Finally a local artist, Larry Norton has a studio in the Victoria Falls Hotel. The lady working there called Larry and had him come meet us and we bought a few things including a couple spectacular large prints for our house. Larry is very accommodating.

 

[HerbJohnson]

You all in the AH.com community really wonderful in helping me and so many other in maximizing having the best time possible on our safari. Really a great asset having your combined experience to benefit from. Thank you all for your time and any additional input you may have. Sincerely, HerbJohnson

 

[MarkB]

Been a few years since my last time in Vic falls, can only imagine its grown. Lots of great tourist things to do at the falls. All already mentioned, but also the croc farm tour, then have a 12 oz croc steak and wine for the meal. An added bonus. Can also do the lion, cat "zoo" tour if they are still available. Carver village was good but stopping along the roadside for more authentic carvings was better.

I always add tourist days to the beginning of any safari. For many reasons, time to acclimatize a little, regulate time change and sleep pattern and more importantly allow baggage and guns to "find" you if lost before it becomes any issue on the hunt part.

Have a great time, and write us a hunt report please.

MB

 

[HerbJohnson]

Thanks MarkB...will do!