Day 1:
AVANI Victoria Falls Resort, Livingstone (Victoria Falls)

Located near the Zambezi River in southwestern Zambia, the bustling town of Livingstone is famous as the home of the magnificent Victoria Falls. One of the original natural wonders of the world, the World Heritage Site is known locally as ‘The Smoke that Thunders’. This spectacle is accessible from both Zambia and Zimbabwe and is an ideal place to combine game viewing and water sports. There is much to do including excellent fishing, a thrilling bungee jump and arguably the best commercial whitewater rafting in the world. Visitors can hike around the falls, try zip lining or enjoy the incredible bridge swing. Those seeking more leisurely activities can take sunset cruises along the river, with champagne and snacks included, meander through the vibrant local Livingstone Market, or discover the region’s history and archaeology at the Livingstone Museum.

Consultant Notes

On arrival in Livingstone Airport, you will be met by a Biko Adventures Tours representative who will transfer you to your hotel for check-in. You will have the rest of the day at leisure to relax at the hotel swimming pool, pamper yourself with a spa treatment, alternatively explore the town and plan some activities for the days ahead

Overnight: AVANI Victoria Falls Resort

AVANI Victoria Falls Resort connects the wild side of travellers to Zambia’s wondrous landscapes and big game thrills. With iconic Victoria Falls on its doorstep, a contemporary vibe and essential comforts give roaring adventures a comfy den in dramatic nature.

The resort’s biggest draw is its impressive location, just a five-minute stroll from Victoria Falls, with all guests enjoying free unlimited access to this famous attraction – ranked as one of the Seven Natural Wonders and the world’s largest waterfall.

The resort’s extraordinary setting is easily accessible. Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport (formerly Livingstone Airport) is a swift 25-minute drive away, made even more seamless by a transfer service. AVANI Victoria Falls stands apart for its natural beauty and vibrant local style.

Basis: Bed and Breakfast

Day 2:
AVANI Victoria Falls Resort, Livingstone (Victoria Falls)

Day Itinerary

After a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel, you will be taken on a short drive to the Victoria Falls for your first excursion of the day – a Guided Tour of the fall on the Zambia side lasting 1.5 hours. The rest of the day will be at leisure.

The Zambezi Sunset Cruise is a compulsory outing when visiting Victoria Falls and is an ideal way to end an eventful day in Victoria Falls, providing an opportunity to unwind and relax in the timeless environment while enjoying complimentary sundowner drinks and light snacks. The whole trip is a build-up to the gracious glow of the African Sunset on this vast body of water. The guides and crew are a fountain of knowledge about the river wildlife and will entertain you with numerous tales about local culture and historical exploration.

Activities

Shearwater Guided Tour of the Falls

A knowledgeable guide will take guests on an unforgettable experience through the Victoria Falls rain forest, a journey that not only affords a view of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World but provides a lot of interesting facts about the geology, wildlife and history of Africa’s most famous landmark. Visitors will listen to magical tales of local legend while they enjoy the constant spray from the “The Smoke that Thunders”. The Shearwater guide will also help ensure the best photographic opportunities of this breathtaking World Heritage Site. At the end of the tour, guests can enjoy something to eat at Shearwater’s Rainforest Cafe, which provides an ideal place to stop and refuel before their next adventure.

Shearwater Sunset Cruise

The sunset cruise on the Zambezi River is a definite must on any trip to Victoria Falls. Relax with a sundowner and snacks as you gaze out onto the banks of the river. Have your camera ready to capture one of the most amazing sunsets in Africa.

You’ll be sure to spot wildlife animals as they come down to the river for a drink after a hot day in the Zambezi National Park (Zimbabwe) and the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (Zambia). Sightings of elephant, giraffe and other resident game are common. There’s always an abundance of hippos and crocodiles. Birdlife is superb and the Fisheagles will usually fill the scene with their calls.

Basis: Bed and Breakfast

Day 3:
End of Itinerary

Day Itinerary

Breakfast at leisure. Transfer to Livingstone Airport for your onward travel

Basis: Bed and Breakfast

Transport

Transfers

3 Days Victoria Falls Zambian Side  Travel Information

This unique, peanut-shaped country, once known as Northern Rhodesia, offers visitors an authentic African experience complete with adrenalin pumping adventure sports, a variety of fascinating cultural activities, and an abundance of indigenous wildlife, which finds refuge in Zambia’s vast national parks. Spend your evenings enjoying the spectacular site of the world’s largest waterfall, the Victoria Falls, while sipping on sundowners after an exhilarating day of whitewater rafting down the rapids of the mighty Zambezi River. If that sounds a little too adventurous for your taste, take a houseboat cruise along the exquisite Lake Kariba while watching wild elephants drink at the riverbank as you try your hand at catching the elusive tiger fish. However you choose to spend your time in this unique country, you are bound to leave with a heavy heart and a desire to return again soon to this exceptionally beautiful Southern African country.

Banking and Currency

Currency

Zambia’s unit of currency is the Kwacha (ZMW), formally ZMK which was rebased in 2013. The denominations are K100, K50, K20, K10, K5 and K2.  It is subdivided into 100 ngwee. Coins available are K1, 50 ngwee, 10 ngwee and 5 ngwee.

However, some prices are quoted in US$. It is therefore possible to use dollars and pounds as well.

Banking

In the cities and larger towns, you can change cash and travellers cheques at branches of Barclays Bank and Standard Chartered Bank. Larger branches have ATMs that accept Visa. Foreign exchange offices are easy to find in cities and larger towns.

Banks are generally open on weekdays from 08h150 to 15h30 and 08h15 to 12h00 on Saturdays. Banks are closed on Sundays and public holidays.

3 Days Victoria Falls Zambian Side Travel, Transport and Getting Around

Proflight flies from Lusaka to Mfuwe (South Luangwa), to Livingstone and the Copperbelt and also does charters.Various air charter companies will fly to any of the many airstrips around the country and most of the areas worth visiting are accessible by air.

Public Transport

There are many taxis available. Prices are negotiable. There is a good bus service to Chipata, Livingstone, the Copperbelt and Harare, but they don’t always follow strict schedules. The main bus terminus is in Dedan Kimathi Road in Lusaka where one can inquire about timetables. Other private bus companies offer more reliable services to Livingstone, Harare and Johannesburg.

Travel by Bus

Long range buses frequently leave from Lusaka to all the main towns. The intercity bus terminal can be found one road up from Cairo Road at the station.

Minibuses and taxis, local transport – all painted blue – can be jumped on at pretty much any juncture. They’re not expensive and you can always find a minibus that won’t cost too much to buy all the seats in it to get your own private minibus to wherever you want to go but you’ll have to negotiate.

Travel by Road

Zambia has 38,763 kilometres of roads, about 10,000 kms of which are tarred and another 8000 kms are gravel road. The rest range from reasonable to bad dirt roads.

If you’re doing a vehicle trip through Zambia it is a good idea to carry a range of tools and essential spares with you.

Be really careful, especially if travelling at night for road markings are usually non existent. Do watch out for animals in the road, vehicles without lights, pedestrians, unannounced roadworks, bad drivers and broken down trucks with no warning triangles. If you see a tree branch in the road, slow down immediately – these are improvised warning triangles and there’s bound to be a truck or car in the middle of the road up ahead.

Be sure to have all your vehicle papers on hand as you’re bound to encounter a few roadblocks.

3 Days Victoria Falls Zambian Side Food, Drink and Cuisine Advice

Zambia’s native cuisine is based on nshima, a cooked porridge made from ground maize normally accompanied by some tasty relish, perhaps made of meat and tomatoes, or dried fish. Safari camps will often prepare nshima if requested, and it is almost always available in small, local restaurants.

Camps, hotels and lodges that cater to overseas visitors tend to serve  a range of international fare, and the quality of food prepared in the most remote bush camps is typically excellent.

Water in the main towns is usually purified, provided there are no shortages of chlorine, breakdowns, or other mishaps. The locals drink it, and are used to the relatively innocuous bugs that it may harbour. If you are in the country for a long time, then it may be worth acclimatising yourself to it. However, if you are in Zambia for just a few weeks, then try to drink only bottled, boiled, or treated water in town.

Out in the bush, most of the camps and lodges use water from bore-holes. These underground sources vary in quality, but are normally perfectly safe to drink.

3 Days Victoria Falls Zambian Side Climate and Weather

The rains in Zambia come mostly in December, January, February and March though the further north you are, the earlier the rains arrive and the later they leave. Eastern areas and higher areas generally receive more rain than western and lowland areas.

By April and May most of the rain has faded away, leaving a landscape that’s still green, but starting to dry out. Nighttime temperatures start to drop, especially in higher and more southerly locations.

In June, July and August the nights become much cooler, but the days are clear and warm. Make sure you bring warm clothes to wrap up if you’re out at night, as some nights get very cold! Most of Zambia’s small ‘walking bush camps’ open at the start of June, when the roads have dried out sufficiently to allow access. This is the start of the ‘peak season’ for these countries – with often cloudless days and continually increasing game sightings.

Into September and October the temperatures climb: the lower-lying rift valleys – Lower Zambezi, Mana Pools and Luangwa Valley – can get very hot in October. However, you’ll see some superb game as the animals concentrate around the limited water sources.

November is variable; it can be hot and dry like October, or it can see the season’s first downpours. Often it’s a very interesting month as you can see both patterns on successive days.

3 Days Victoria Falls Zambian Side Clothing and Dress Recommendations

Zambia has mild winters and the summer days can be scorching hot. Lightweight casual clothes can be worn all year round, with a jacket or jersey for early winter mornings and evenings.

On safari, keep clothes to neutral colours – khakis, browns and greens. A sunhat, sunscreen, sunglasses and insect repellent are a must.

3 Days Victoria Falls Zambian Side Electricity and Plug Standards

Current is 220/240 volt at 50 cycles per second. Both square and round wall plugs are used.

3 Days Victoria Falls Zambian Side Terms and Conditions

Itinerary Terms and Conditions

Itinerary Terms and Conditions

• Minimum of 2 passengers.
• Excludes Certain Block Out dates – Available on Request
• Children is considered from 2 years till 12 years old
• Infants 2 years and under