Victoria Falls River Lodge unveils new spa

Victoria Falls River Lodge, in the Zambezi National Park, has built the new Toa Spa, which offers guests a place to relax while overlooking the Zambezi River.

The spa is set on a raised deck and uses products from Africology, a natural, eco-friendly and holistic spa and skincare company in South Africa.

The lodge also has a new riverside bar that overlooks the river and offers birding and wildlife viewing spots.

White Water Rafting

Zambezi River water levels have risen after heavy localized rains yesterday so we have moved to high water as of today, the 28th of January. The High Water run begins at Rapid #11 and goes to rapid #23.

Arguably the wildest white water in the world, rafting on the Zambezi River is an adrenaline rush not to be missed. The rapids on the Zambezi River are officially defined as “Grade 5” by the British Canoe Union (Grade 6 being commercially un-runnable). 

Clients should be reasonably fit for this activity, as there is a steep walk into & out of the Batoka Gorge as well as the white water rafting activity itself. 

 

Wildlife In Zimbabwe

The Victoria Falls is also the launch pad to a Big 5 not only Zimbabwe but also Botswana and Zambia.

 

The three main parks of Hwange, Kariba & Matusadona and Mana Pools are known for their beauty and game densities. With its plentiful and diverse wildlife where you will hardly see another vehicle.

Matobo Hills

 The beautiful Matobo Hills for their rhino, archaeology and rock art, the ancient settlement at Great Zimbabwe and the lush Eastern Highlands for their dramatic scenery and outdoor activities including golfing and hiking.

Hwange National Park 

Hwange National Park is the largest game reserve in Zimbabwe. The park lies in the west, on the main road between Bulawayo and the widely noted Victoria Falls and near to Dete.

Mona Pool

Mana Pools is a wildlife conservation area in northern Zimbabwe constituting a National Park. It is a region of the lower Zambezi River in Zimbabwe where the flood plain turns into a broad expanse of lakes after each rainy season.

For more information please contact us at 

res@zimbabwe-reservations.com

www.zimbabwe-reservations.com

The River Club

The River Club is a oasis on Zambia’s mighty Zambezi River and the perfect location for a visit to the renowned Victoria Falls.

Accommodation
 

River Suite

Each suite is open plan and beautifully decorated with furniture and fittings made from Rhodesian teak wood. Room features include two bathrooms on a split level, a sitting area with screen windows that can be opened to give unimpeded views of the river beyond, a writing desk and large mosquito nets swathing the bed.

Princess Mary Suite (2 Bedroom)

The luxurious double-storey villa is situated in a secluded private garden with its own pool. It offers an intimate experience for a maximum of up to six guests and is ideal for a family or group of friends preferring privacy and space.

The main building, known as the Zambezi House, is an impressive Edwardian-style entertainment area with high plantation ceilings.The large dining room can seat all guests at one sitting at the impressively long teak dining table, although most meals tend to be served outside on the elegant terrace or by the poolside.

Attractions

Victoria Falls

Mos-oa-Tunya National Park

Zambezi Nature Sanctuary

For more information please contact us at  

res@zambia-reservations.com

www.zambia-reservations.com

Zimbabwe Known for its Natural Attractions

Zimbabwe is known for its rich tradition of stone sculpture and for its natural tourist attractions such as the Great Zimbabwe Falls and Victoria Falls.

Bulawayo

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second city, is a major commercial, industrial and tourist centre. The city is rich in historical associations and is the home of the National Museum. Nearby are the ancient Khami ruins, while to the south is the Rhodes Matopos National Park, notable for its exotic formations of huge granite boulders. Dams with excellent fishing, caves with rock paintings, Cecil Rhodes' grave and a well-stocked game park make this area popular with visitors. 

Eastern Highlands

The string of mountains and the lush countryside in Zimbabwe's Eastern Highlands, which form a natural border with neighbouring Mozambique, are particularly sought after by walkers and trekkers. The World's View offers a panoramic view across northern Zimbabwe. From here, a steep footpath leads to the road to Nyanga village with its English gardens, village common and church.

Freshwater fishing
Zimbabwe offers excellent freshwater fishing, the best locations being Lake Kariba (famous for its tigerfish), the Zambezi River above the Victoria Falls (known for its giant catfish), the streams of the Eastern Highlands and the many lakes.

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls, which form a natural border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, are one of Africa’s best-known natural wonders and one of the world’s most impressive waterfalls. The falls, which Livingstone named after Queen Victoria, were known to native Kololo tribes in the 18th century as Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning ‘the smoke that thunders’, and the spray that they generate can be seen for miles around. The cascade is formed as the calm, 2km-wide (1.2 miles) Zambezi River spills out of a flat basalt lip and plunges into the gorge below. At their highest, the Victoria Falls drop a distance of 108m (345ft), almost twice as far as the Niagara Falls.

Lake Kariba

Situated in the northwest of the country on the Zambian border, Lake Kariba covers 7,770 sq km (3,000 sq miles) and holds a million gallons of water. Game can be viewed from the comfort of various safari camps, or from well-appointed cruise vessels and self-contained safari-crafts.

For more information please contact us 

res@zimbabwe-reservations.com

www.zimbabwe-reservations.com

Style,Sophistication and Scenery

Places to see in Zambia

The Taita Falcon Lodge

Located just 11km from the world-famous Victoria Falls and perched on the edge of the Batoka Gorge, high above the mighty Zambezi River, 230 metres below, the exclusive Taita Falcon Lodge provides a unique location and offers its guests a wonderful bush experience, amidst beautiful surroundings. A unique departure from typical hotel fare, the lodge’s focus is on quality and providing guests with a unique and unforgettable African experience. An ideal beginning or ending to your African Safari. 

Accommodation:

Taita Falcon Lodge offers delightful en-suite chalets, constructed using naturally occurring materials from the surrounding area, giving a taste of authenticity without compromising on comfort.

Taita Falcon Lodge provides a perfect haven for relaxing in a luxurious, yet friendly environment.

Things to do:

white-water rafting, scenic flights over the Falls, elephant-back, horse-back, walking or riverboat safaris, abseiling, bungee-jumping.
You can simply relax, with your feet up beside our pool, on the viewing deck or in your own private sun garden.

Enjoy fine dining at the Restaurant while enjoying the view of the natural surrounds.

For more information please conatct us at 

res@zambia-reservations.com

www.zambia-reservations.com

The Historical Railway Bridge - Victoria Falls

!!!!A visit to the Victoria Falls is not complete without an excursion to the famous Victoria Falls Bridge!!!

A visit to the historic railway bridge is an integral part of any Victoria Falls experience.

Learn about its fascinating history on this multi-faceted tour which includes:

A theatrical and entertaining presentation on the history of the Bridge and the men who built it.

A rare opportunity to walk on the catwalks beneath the Bridge, used in the original construction in 1904.

Free entry into the Bridge Visitor Centre where historic photographs of the Bridge can be viewed.

Suitable for all ages – minimum age of 10 years for the “under the bridge” part of the tour

Return transfers from your local hotel (Zimbabwe) or Day Activity Centre (Zambia)

Assistance through the Border posts.

The Bridge Café

Offering a selection of light meals and refreshments from The Bridge Café which provides spectacular views of the Victoria Falls Bridge, Batoka Gorge and the Falls themselves (during high water). It is also a great place to watch the famous bungee jumping, bridge swing and slide. Vegetarian dishes available. Full bar available.

Bungee Adrenaline Activities

Bungee

The original, the one and only, the must do, the ultimate thrill! 4 seconds of freefall, 111m of Pure Adrenalin! Off the famous Victoria Falls Bridge, with a spectacular backdrop of the majestic Victoria Falls, move to the edge, arms out and 5-4-3-2-1- BUNGEE leaving yourself plummeting towards the rumbling waters of the rapids of the Zambezi River and let the adrenaline flow. This bungee, flanked by stunning Victoria Falls, is the most spectacular in the world.

Bridge Swing

Swing, Rock and Roll off the famous Victoria Falls Bridge. Take a leap of faith before freefalling for up to 70 metres before you fly out over the rapids of the Zambezi River in a huge arc with the mighty waterfalls rumbling by your side… what a thrill!

Slide (Zipline)

Enjoy this fun and mildly adventurous Slide (Zipline), which can be done alone, or with a friend.

Experience a scenic and age-old technique of “sliding” across the Batoka Gorge from the Zambian side, landing up on the Victoria Falls Bridge while enjoying spectacular views of the mighty Zambezi River, the Batoka Gorge and the Falls themselves during the high water season.

Exciting for all ages, starting from 6 years old – even something Granny can do!

A whole new World of Adventure - Low Water Rafting

...For you who love the kick of Adrenaline the Low Water Rafting is to commence in approximately one week. 

The Zambezi River levels are dropping by an average of 1cm per day, which means that the start of the Low Water Rafting Season will commence in about 7 days from now. Low Water is the best rafting season for white-water adventure seekers.
The Zambezi River, which borders Zimbabwe and Zambia, is widely acclaimed as offering the world’s best white-water rafting run in the world. With a large number of it’s turbulent rapids which occur in the Batoka Gorge (below the Victoria Falls) achieving a high ‘Grade-5’ status or higher, adventure enthusiasts revere its reputation across the globe. Even the rapid names are enough to get the adrenalin pumping - from “Stairway to Heaven to “The Gnashing Jaws Of Death”, and “The Overland Truck Eater”

Grades of white water:

Grade 1: Very small rough areas, might require slight maneuvering. (Skill level: very basic)
Grade 2: Some rough water, maybe some rocks, might require some maneuvering. (Skill level: basic paddling skill)
Grade 3: Whitewater, small waves, maybe a small drop, but no considerable danger. May require significant maneuvering.
Grade 4: Whitewater, medium waves, maybe rocks, maybe a considerable drop, sharp maneuvers may be needed.
Grade 5: Whitewater, large waves, large volume, possibility of large rocks and hazards, possibility of a large drop, requires precise maneuvering.
Grade 6: Class 6 rapids are considered to be so dangerous that they are effectively unnavigable on a reliably safe basis. Rafters can expect to encounter substantial whitewater, huge waves, huge rocks and hazards, and/or substantial drops that will impart severe impacts beyond the structural capacities and impact ratings of almost all rafting equipment. Traversing a Class 6 rapid has a dramatically increased likelihood of ending in serious injury or death compared to lesser classes. 

News:
Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Please take note of the following information released by South African Tourism on the recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa:

We have noted with concern recent media reports related to the Ebola virus. While we understand the concern about this virus, which is fatal in nature, it is imperative to take note of the following:

Ebola is a virus transmitted primarily via bodily fluids. It is not airborne. As such, it is still safe to make use of our airlines.
The incidents of infection and death are reported and prevalent in West African countries, most notably Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone and the DRC. South Africa does not share borders with any of the countries in that region, nor do our neighbouring countries.
The geo-location of the countries affected makes it very difficult for a person with the virus to enter the country via the land borders. Owing to the quick infection to fatality rate of this virus, people with the disease often succumb to the virus within a few days of infection.
The South African National Department of Health have stated unequivocally that there are no cases of Ebola in South Africa. Having said that, we remain on high alert for any potential threat or infection.

All relevant stakeholders across all our nine provinces have been adequately briefed and outbreak response teams in all provinces have been trained and are on high alert for any possible cases.
Body temperature sensors have been installed at OR Tambo International’s immigration queuing points to detect the body temperature of passengers. The airport also has a quarantine facility in an event that passengers are required to be held in isolation prior to be transferred for further treatment.
To safeguard against the deadly virus, a decision has been made by the South African National Department of Health that should a foreign national test positive, they will be denied entry into South Africa.
Our destination remains open to all who wish to come and visit South Africa, and South African Tourism will assist with all relevant information. 

Should you wish to receive more information on this edition, please contact us at:
info@southern-africa-travel.com or just visit www.southern-africa-travel.com for any of your travel needs.