Although my G Adventures 35 Day Overland Truck Adventure was challenging because of the long bumpy driving days, the lack of creature comforts while camping, and being in close confines with a diverse group of people (ages, nationalities and personalities), the rewards were tremendous! By day 19, some of the highlights had been Fish River Canyon in Namibia (see my post here); Dune 45 and Deadvlei Salt Pan in Namibia (see my posts here and here); Etosha National Park in Namibia (see my post here); visiting the San Bushman in Botswana (see post here); the Okavango Delta in Botswana (see posts here and here); and Chobe National Park in Botswana (see post here).
Today, we drove four hours from Chobe National Park in Botswana to Livingstone, Zambia, where the mighty Victoria Falls are. After crossing the border into Zambia, we arrived at the Zambezi Waterfront Campsite, where we would stay put for four nights (a welcome change after moving almost every day). I paid $10 to upgrade to a tent with electricity and a bed (see below)! And for the first time on the trip shared my space with someone (lovely Kelly from Australia) for two evenings! Here’s a photo of her in Botswana after a dog went wee wee on her leg…
Her trip was ending here, so the last two evenings, I had the tent to myself and had to pay $15 per night. There were only 5 of us from the original 17 that were going all the way from Cape Town to Zanzibar or Nairobi, and we were getting a new Overland Truck, Tour Director and driver, along with some new passengers.
The following day, Kelly, Timo (from Germany) and I left at 8am for Victoria Falls on the Zambia side (it’s a full day excursion if you visit both sides like we did – we didn’t return until 4:30pm). The falls are over a mile wide and 354 feet deep and are also known as the “Cloud (or Smoke) that Thunders”.
Here is one of our first views….
We crossed the “Knife Edge” bridge and were drenched from the spray of the pounding water. I felt like I was part of the falls! There were rainbows everywhere!!
Next, we hiked down over 350 feet to the “Boiling Pot” at the water level and watched the swirling water!
There were quite a few baboons on the trails and suddenly one of them jumped up at Timo and scratched his arm. It thought he had food. He was quite shocked and a bit concerned afterwards about disease. We gave him a wet wipe and some hand sanitizer for it. Later we heard another one of the girls in our group had one jump on her backpack and try to scramble away with it.
After consulting with a few people, including our Tour Director, we decided to pay the extra money to walk across the bridge into Zimbabwe to view the front side of the falls.
I had read that it was a must do! When we inquired of a local which side was better, he said it was similar to asking which side of his face was better. If I remember correctly, I had to pay $30 extra for a double entry Visa for Zambia, $30 for a Visa to enter Zimbabwe, and $30 to enter the falls on the Zimbabwe side.
We decided to walk across the bridge rather than take a taxi (no man’s land – since you’re really not in either country) and we stopped to watch a girl bungee jump. This was the bungee jump that broke a while back and a girl broke her collar-bone, but survived!
Here she’s ready to jump.
And here she is dangling down below….
As you can see, the falls are spectacular! Although photos don’t do it justice…the spray from the water doesn’t lend itself to great photos! From September to January you can see the falls really well because it during the dry season. But then you miss the experience of the thundering powerful falls.
I was surprised at how few people we encountered! If you are able to visit Victoria Falls, I definitely recommend seeing them from both sides!
I’ve always wanted to go there.
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I hope you get to go some day! Thanks for stopping by!
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“When we inquired of a local which side was better, he said it was similar to asking which side of his face was better.” 🙂
what are those ropes across the gorge for?
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I wondered the same thing! Maybe for the bungee jumping, in case something goes wrong.
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All of Your photos are amazing.also story is wonderful!
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Thanks Stafan!
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wow!! this is absolutely gorgeous! I made that same jump a few weeks before that girl who fell in water did .. i jumped from Zambia, but was returning from Zimbabwe .. with no visa : ) Glad you saw the falls in full bloom, but you can’t swim in the Devil’s pool at this time of year.. Did you manage to walk with Lions?
Love your tent!!
ps – off to Uganda for Gorilla trek at the end of August and then a month in Morocco : )
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I’d love to see the gorillas! And Morocco!
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Ohh this has been on my bucket list for some time, it looks just as stunning as I’d imagine! Still loving your trip updates :D!
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Thanks Brittany!
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Wow. These falls are breathtaking!!
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Thanks Vic! They were powerful!
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the Falls are definitely worth seeing at least twice if you can, once when in full flood and once when empty so that you can actually see how big they truly are.
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I’ve heard that!
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I know you made brief mention of it on your page but I’m passionate about Zimbabwe.
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I wish I’d had time to explore more of it!
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Your blog is so wonderful, the writing and the photos! You are such an inspiration and I hope I can accomplish as much worldly travel as you in my lifetime 🙂
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Thanks for the kind comments Laura! I hope you can too!
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What an amazing journey!!! Lovely pictures!
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Thanks very much! It was an adventure!
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Wonderful journey. Your story is very tasty and full of details, I follow these roads magic.
Take care of you…
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Yes…the roads were magical in Africa!!
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Hi,
They certainly are magnificent falls, and what a great idea to walk across the bridge, you only get one chance to do something like that.
Fantastic photos. 😀
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Thanks Mags—they were magnificent!
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I found your blog’s link through Madhu’s …
I love traveling too, but now I do it less adventurous 😉 (with two kids is a great responsibility).
I’ll read and look at your beautiful photos with marked pleasure!
See you soon
serenity
🙂 claudine
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Hi Claudine – Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to reading more of your blog!!
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Wow!! (I know I’ve overused that word in my comments, but I can’t think of another to do your posts justice) … love that you really are taking us along with you on the ride! What an experience to get to see the Falls… from both sides! (But as for that bungee jump? no thanks — I actually saw the video on a blog from a girl who’d done the jump the week before and then posted the one of the girl’s rope breaking and that just about did it for me with the bungee jumping temptation … )
GREAT to hear you are home safe and sound … let’s TALK! I get home from Romania tomorrow!!
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Thanks Betty!! Romania’s on my list…can’t wait to hear how it was!!
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This tour of the Africa I have been experiementar too, since one of my greatest joys is to know Africa. But with their photos and their experience also told through this wonderful blog, has blown up a world of fantasy and extreme beauty. Thanks for giving us this wonderful space.
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Wow! That looks awesome! We went to the Iguassu falls last year. Victoria is the big daddy of them all! Definitely on our bucket list.
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Hope you’re able to see it soon!
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Fantastic experience, Sherry. You won’t forget this Africa trip!
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That is so true Anneli!
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Sherry, I absolutely LOVE all of your photos and blogs! You are such a fabulous writer….I felt as though I was in Africa with you while reading your blogs. And your pictures are “National Geographic” worthy! So happy you had such a rewarding and enriching experience in Africa.
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Thanks Sherry…I’m working on the writing part! I’m happy you’re following along!!
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Another fantastic blog entry: I enjoy reading them all!
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Thanks Pit! I love to entertain!
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Every time I read one of your African blogs I go “oh wow!” It’s getting monotonous. I wanna go there.
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Thanks Jo!
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I must catch up on you blog soon! Been busy with my friend and catching up on life! lol What I’ve read so far sounds amazing!!!!!
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Thanks Zully…take your time!
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Victoria Falls is one of the places on my list. Rainbows are fantastic and everywhere!! I`ve seen them in Iguazu Falls in my country and loved them!!!
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Rainbows are magical!
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I worked in Vic Falls for 4 months and never got tired of looking at that magnificent sight…
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That’s cool you worked there! What an experience!
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Still loving the adventure. Vic falls on the list of places I would love to visit. I love watching the power of the water as it thunders down – mesmerizing!
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You’re right Anita…it was mesmerizing!
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Ace, this is a BIG tick list for me…. blessings to you, you look like you are certainly having a great time 🙂
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It was invigorating! Maybe the positive ions in the water!
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I am a born and raised Niagara Falls girls and along with many others have never quite captured the essence of “The Falls” on camera. I think you did a great job, but TheSweetKitten says it best…”I think the smile on your face says it all!”
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Thanks Michelle!
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I think the smile on your face says it all!
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I was happy!
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