The Victoria Falls " Mosi - oa - Tunya / Photo by Plains of Africa Safaris / Copyright 2010
The first time I visited the Victoria Falls, I was no more than 5 years of age, in the old Rhodesia days! My parents drove from the small village of Essevale in Southern Matabeleland, via Bulawayo, on little more than a strip road traversing beautiful Rhodesian Teak forests of the Bembezi and Gwaai Valley’s. The halfway stop and only refueling station at the old Gwaai Hotel was a welcome break from the long drive of more than 400km.
The village of Victoria Falls had little more than one hotel, a small railway station and a couple of thatched rest houses along the banks of the Zambezi.
In those days you did not pay to visit the vic falls and there were no fences, except for a scraggly knee high thorn barricade demarcating where it was unsafe to walk at the gorges edge!
Dr David Livingstone’s statue overlooks the main falls, inscribed at its base following his name is … “Missionary, Explorer and Liberator”. To a little kid these very words conjured up visions of great pioneering treks into the heart of Africa, that left me inspired and I never forgot them on all my treks round the continent.
Historical records describe Livingstone’s visit in 1857, one of the first Europeans to see the falls, as “scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight”. He had traveled up stream of the falls where he transferred to a smaller canoe and proceeded to the island between the Main and Rainbow Falls, which today is called ‘Livingstone Island’. There, to see for himself the area which the ‘Kolo’ people, who invaded from the south in about 1838, called “Mosi – oa – Tunya” ….. The Smoke that Thunders!
For almost 100 years, visiting members of Royal families, international and local statesmen, celebrities worldwide and general tourists have continued to travel from all corners of the world to see The Victoria Falls.
The entire “Upper Zambezi” region is a wildlife enthusiast’s hot spot, with interesting bird species, ancient geological formations, unique biological habitats, including the rain forest eco niche surrounding the falls and an unrivaled “Big five” safari game experience along its river banks.
A visit to Victoria Falls leaves one’s visit filled with nostalgia from an atmosphere steeped in fascinating African culture & pioneering history, combined with the charm of the old and the comfort and convenience of today in modern Victoria Falls. It is a place that is unspoilt and that can truly claim to be unique. To view the vic falls from the foot of Dr David Livingstone’s statue overlooking this incredible natural wonder of the world, “The Victoria Falls”, is a must for all guests to this Central region of Africa.
Experience a wide variety of adventure sports from canoeing the Zambezi River to white water rafting, walking safaris, anti poaching field conservation, horse riding, helicopter rides over the falls, sunset cruises, game drives, game viewing from pontoons, fishing, bungi jumping – you name it your adventure experience is waiting for you.
Contact us and we will customise your Victoria Falls experience for you!
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