Day 1:
The Kingdom Hotel, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Resting on the southern banks of the Zambezi River at the western end of the eponymous falls, this popular tourist town is compact enough to walk around and makes an ideal base for travellers exploring the seventh wonder of the world, the unfathomably vast Victoria Falls. About two-thirds of the falls can be viewed from the Zimbabwean side and, while the falls are undoubtedly the star attraction, the area provides both adventure seekers and sightseers with plenty of opportunities to warrant a longer stay. Popular activities include scenic flights over the falls in helicopters or microlights, bungee jumping off the Victoria Falls Bridge, white-water rafting (seasonal), and day trips to Chobe National Park. The town itself offers some excellent accommodation and restaurant options as well as an eclectic variety of African curios and authentic art sold by friendly Zimbabwean locals who are wonderfully welcoming and eager to help you enjoy your stay.

Day Itinerary

On arrival in Victoria Falls 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: The Kingdom Hotel

Quatermains, The Rapid Pool, The Wild Thing and The Pit sound like titles of movies or books not quite suitable for all ages. They are in fact the names of the four bars in African Sun’s closest hotel to the Victoria Falls, The Kingdom at Victoria Falls.  This is a fun-filled resort hotel aimed unashamedly at the tourist who wants to take in the majesty and excitement of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

Complete with its own food court offering a wide choice of relaxing or quick meals, suiting all ages, The Kingdom at Victoria Falls also offers three swimming pools and a toddlers pool, a children’s play area and, for the ladies, planning a “night on the town” or a visit to the resort’s spa and beauty parlour.

The architecture draws on the ancient Kingdom of Munhumutapa, with great domes, pillars, and bridges over the many water features, The Kingdom’s fun-filled atmosphere gives guests a unique blend of African tradition and Western leisure.

Basis: Bed and Breakfast

Day 2:
The Kingdom Hotel, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

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 Zimbabwe 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 great deal 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 Shear water 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.

Zambezi River Cruise

Guests are met by the boat staff and driven to the jetty on the Zambezi River for boarding. The boats meander slowly upstream along the length of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park as you spot animals and birds from comfortable chairs on cool wooden decks. Excellent food is served and the bar is well stocked with spirits, good wines, beers and soft drinks.

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

Travel Information

A nation of spectacular natural beauty, friendly people and rich culture, Zimbabwe’s status as one of Africa’s leading safari destinations was dampened for years by its political instability. But now that the country is transcending its strife and returning to a state of equilibrium, it is once again emerging as a vacation highlight of the continent. Victoria Falls – known to locals as ‘The Smoke That Thunders’ – is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and the sheer power of this massive body of water plunging into the Zambezi Gorge is awe-inspiring and unforgettable. Lake Kariba, with its game-rich shores and islands, is an idyllic safari spot featuring mind-blowing sunsets; Hwange National Park is known for its huge herds of elephants; and a kayak trip down the Zambezi through the Mana Pools National Park will appeal to the intrepid traveller, providing close encounters with crocodiles, hippos and a host of other wildlife.

Banking and Currency

Currency

Zimbabwe uses its own unit of currency, the Zimbabwe Dollar.  No other currency is accepted. Do not plan on being able to use cash machines in Zimbabwe to draw money. Before leaving home please exchange all the money that you will need for your trip. Most of this should be in 1, 5, 10 and 20 denominations because change is not always available. In an emergency you can try Barclays Bank, Stanbic Bank or Standard Chartered Bank as they will infrequently accept foreign debit cards for withdrawing cash.

Banking

Banks in Zimbabwe are open for business Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 08h00 to 15h00, on Wednesdays from 08h00 to 13h00 and Saturdays from 08h00 to 11h30. They are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.

Only VISA and MasterCard are accepted in Zimbabwe, however it should be noted that very limited facilities will have credit card machines, and the connection is not always reliable so it is advisable to carry cash as back up.

Travel, Transport and Getting Around

Taxis are safe and reliable, and can be booked through your hotel front desk. Taxis in cities travel within a 40km radius of the city. Always take a taxi at night.

Major airlines fly into Victoria Falls, Harare and Bulawayo. Charter flights are available to most attractions and camps.

Zimbabwe has a good road infrastructure, by African standards, although potholed. Between major towns, there are frequent road blocks. Traffic drives on the left side of the road.

If you are driving yourself around Zimbabwe, be sure to check on fuel availability in advance. If you are covering long distances within the country, ensure you carry extra fuel in 5 or 10lt metal containers in case of emergency. Fuel is generally available, but supply can fluctuate. Fuel is only available for cash.

3 Days Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe Side Food, Drink and Cuisine Advice

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

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

If you are driving yourself around and plan to cook, then get most of your supplies in main towns. There are a number of South African shopping chains operating in Zimbabwe which will generally have all that you will need.

Water in the main towns is usually purified.. 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 Zimbabwe for just a short period of time, then try to drink only bottled, boiled, or treated water available in towns and from all camps, lodges and hotels.

3 Days Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe Side Climate and Weather

In Zimbabwe, the rains come principally in December, January,February and March; the further north you are, the earlier the precipitation arrives and the later it leaves. Zimbabwe’s higher eastern areas usually receive more rainfall than the lower-lying western ones.

By April and May most of the rain is gone, leaving a verdant setting, which is starting to dry out. Especially in more southerly and higher locations, the night-time temperatures start to drop.

The nights in June, July and August become much cooler, so don’t forget to bring some warmer clothes, in case you want to spend an evening outside; the days are still clear and warm. For Zimbabwe, this is the start of the ‘peak season’– days are often cloudless and game sightings continually increase.

Into September and October the temperatures rise once again: Zimbabwe’s lower-lying rift valley – Mana Pools – can get very hot in October. During this time, you’ll see some fantastic game, as the Zimbabwe’s wildlife concentrates around the limited water sources.

November is unpredictable; it can be hot and dry, it can also see the season’s first rainfalls – and in this respect it’s a very interesting month, as on successive days, you can see both weather patterns.

3 Days Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe Side Clothing and Dress Recommendations

When in Zimbabwe the cardinal rule is to wear casual, comfortable clothes during the day as temperatures can get very hot. It is advisable to wear light loose-fitting clothing, such as cotton or linen, as they are cool and easy to wash. Warmer clothes are advised for the evenings and rainwear for the wet season.

A brimmed hat and sunglasses are a good idea year-round. Long-sleeved shirts and long trousers will also guard against the scorching sun rays. It is recommended you wear light shoes, especially if your itinerary entails a lot of walking.

For safaris, please remember to wear appropriate clothing and shoes. Earth colour clothes, such as browns, greens and tans are advisable.

3 Days Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe Side Electricity and Plug Standards

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