Victoria Falls Activities: Fly With Angels, Swim With The Devil | Africa Travel Newsletter

by Sandra Mallinson, 30 September 2009

A knot of people stand on the Victoria Falls Railway Bridge - the no man's land between Zimbabwe and Zambia. It's easy to pick out those who've already jumped from the fidgety folk who've yet to take the plunge; laughing a bit too loudly as they stare at the river far below.

Victoria Falls has one of the highest - and definitely the most spectacular - bungee jumps in the world. And that's just the beginning of a long list of adrenaline-charged offerings which includes abseiling, bridge swinging, rap jumping, tandem parachuting and white water rafting.

But what if your idea of fun doesn't involve having your life flash before your eyes?

Well, the good news is that there are still plenty of truly unique Victoria Falls activities which are just as exciting but with a slightly lower scream factor.

Peep Over The Edge

Henriette leaps into the Devil's Pool, on the edge of the Falls.

OK, so this one does come with a big dose of adrenaline, surrounded by the thunder and spray of water flowing past you, as well as unrivaled bragging rights and the incredulous looks of your friends when you show them your photos of you on the edge.

Having watched the above video you might think that Henriette's lost the plot, but she's actually quite sane (I should know, I sit opposite her in the Go2Africa office). The rocky wall of the Devil's Pool keeps swimmers safe as they splash about or peep over the edge of the Falls into the churning chasm below.

For obvious reasons you can only swim in the Devil's Pool in the dry season (more about when to go to Victoria Falls later in the 'fact file').

Big Cats And Elephants

Walking with lions and an elephant-back safari.

Spending time with Africa's big players stirs those deep emotions that make you want to immediately quit city life and become a game ranger.

Walking through the bush beside a couple of very large and playful cats, you almost have to remind yourself you're with one of the world's apex predators. You spend about an hour with the lions, who seem far more interested in each other than in people, although they're often fairly partial to rolling over for a bit of a belly scratch.

Another unforgettable experience is an elephant-back safari where you get to ride, touch and feed these wise and gentle giants.

The Flight Of Angels

The best way to get to grips with the sheer size of the Falls is to take to the sky.

Scenic flights in a helicopter (or for the slightly more adventurous, a microlight) swoop down over the sleepy Zambezi River with its plump pods of hippos, into the column of rainbow-lit spray above the Falls, and out the other side across the zig-zagging Batoka Gorge.

Chances are you'll even be able to spot the grey backs of elephants gathered at the river's edge, and this is the only real way to fit everything in when trying to capture the Falls in a single photograph.

Planning Your Holiday

Take a look at our 'travel fact file' for a few of our favourite Victoria Falls hotels either close to the action within ambling distance of the Falls, or further upstream in the smaller, more personal lodges (we've even included a couple on private islands).

When planning your holiday, give yourself enough time to experience the incredible variety this destination has to offer. After all, where else could you swim with the Devil then fly with the Angels - all within sight of one of the 'Natural Wonders of the World'.

Travel Fact File

Where To Stay - We Recommend:

Cheap and cheerful:

Zambezi Sun - a big hotel with a theme park feel and breakfast buffets for 200+ guests. On the plus side the swimming pool area is great for families, and it really is right next to the Falls.
Chundukwa River Lodge - lovely open-fronted chalets built over the water (although a separate bathroom is a bit inconvenient), owner managed and all inclusive so no nasty bill at the end.

Middle of the road:

The Royal Livingstone - a short walk from the Falls, colonial splendour, cheeky monkeys, zebras on the lawns, and a lovely deck right on the river - but a bottle of 'ok' wine will set you back $40.

Try something different:

Sindabezi - this private island is an adventure wrapped in a whole lot of luxury: all the chalets have recently been rebuilt to very high standards and have bathtubs overlooking the Zambezi.
The Islands of Siankaba - away from the crowds, these chalets have a tented treehouse feel with dinners on a sandbank and management that know how to host a good dinner party.

When To Go:

Feb - March: peak flow, although the drenching clouds of spray can make it tricky to photograph the Falls.
April - May: high volumes of water, very impressive
June - Oct: good game viewing
Oct - Nov: lowest water flow (you'll need to view the Falls from the Zimbabwean side)
Sep - Feb: swimming in the Devil's Pool
Aug - Dec: white water rafting