Kruger and Southern Africa

[Jacques Vert]

Finally catching up. I love The Tug, had many great meals here. Great trip report.

Welcome aboard TraceyK90; it was your wonderful TR that inspired us to add Namibia to this trip. We loved it (both the TR and our visit to this wonderful country). So different to anywhere we have been before and the people are just beautiful and so friendly.

 

[TraceyK90]

I can recommend Frans Indongo Lodge, it was lovely.

 

[Gem56]

That shoul be social weaver bird.

Thanks for the clarification JohnM. The staff at one of the lodges told me what they were, obviously I didn't quite get the pronunciation correct. I should have googled them myself.

 

[love_the_life]

What time of year were you there? It's wet season at present and they've had double the usual rainfall.

It was late August but the rains had failed that year so there was a lot less water than usual even though it was out of wet season. Staff told us that the water level was unseasonably low.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Next morning and we have a busy day planned.

First it's back to the Falls. This time we go straight ahead and take the main path towards the Knife Edge bridge.

 

[Jacques Vert]

It was late August but the rains had failed that year so there was a lot less water than usual even though it was out of wet season. Staff told us that the water level was unseasonably low.

We planned this trip to be here specifically during the wet season. We were certainly not disappointed. The Falls were pumping.

 

[Jacques Vert]

We forgot to organise some ponchos this morning and left our money in the safe at the hotel so we couldn't hire them either. So at the point when people were coming back the other way drenched, we turned around. We will head back this way later.

Meanwhile we took the path to the upstream side of the Falls...













We came across another of those signs that just doesn't seem quite right:

 

[Jacques Vert]

Next:




At the Protea we were quoted $US385 for the long helicopter ride (not sure which company); at the Avani they quoted $US360 with United Air Charter.

We booked on line with United Air Charter for $US330 http://www.uaczam.com/

 

[Jacques Vert]

You do a couple of loops of the Falls...

 

[Jacques Vert]

Before heading upstream to do some aerial game viewing...




Not that you can really see much of the animals from this height:




You do get some nice views of the river:




Then it was back to the helipad to drop off our Chinese friends who had only paid for the short flight, before heading down the canyon.

On the way you pass over some small villages and then arrive at the canyon where you descend down to just above water level and scare the pants off the white water rafters as you fly overhead. +1 changed to video for this but took this snap as we approached the canyon:




and some others on the way back:

 

[JohnM]

Looking forward to the pic of you both perched on the edge of the falls on Livingstone Island .

 

[Jacques Vert]

Looking forward to the pic of you both perched on the edge of the falls on Livingstone Island .

Unfortunately you will be waiting a long time. The river level is way too high to attempt it. They even have a heavily armed Policeman on duty to stop people from even thinking about it.

He did tell us that he is also a member of the rescue team and that last year they had to rescue two people who tried when the water level was not appropriate. It's strictly a dry season activity, he says.

What a shame; but at least we have an excuse for not giving it a go.

 

[Jacques Vert]

After our helicopter ride we decided to go for a short stroll after lunch, to Zimbabwe.

Although at 3.5km from the Avani to the Devil's Cataract viewpoint, it was a little further than expected.




Looking down into the gorge from the bridge:




Looking down at the Boiling Pot where we walked/climbed down to the previous day.





Looking across to the Knife Edge Bridge from the Victoria Falls Bridge:





and looking towards the Eastern Cataract:

 

[Jacques Vert]

The border post & immigration office on the Zimbabwean side:









Apart from the great views from the bridge there's not a lot to see until you reach the Nature Park, that is, apart from all the pedlars flogging Elephant carvings and the like. OK, so they are trying to make a living and as +1 reminds me, at least they are having a go rather than just begging; but they do irritate me. Why won't they just accept a polite "no thank you" and move onto the next tourist?

After negotiating all the pedlars , we arrived at the Victoria Falls Park on the Zim side. Entrance Fee is $US30 per person.







Dr. Livingstone, I presume. (Sorry, couldn't help myself.)

 

[Jacques Vert]

There are some great views from the Zim side:











But as it's wet season and there's a huge volume of water flowing down the Zambezi, the further we go towards the centre, the less we can see because of the spray:




But it does bring out the rainbows:

 

[Jacques Vert]

By now we are thoroughly soaked but occasionally the mist clears enough for +1 to take a quick snap...

 

[Jacques Vert]

So back across the bridge to Zambia:




"No, I don't want to buy an elephant carving, thank you."

We get another look at the track down to the Boiling Pot...



I still can't believe we got all the way down there and back in less than an hour; no wonder we were a little tired last night.


At this time of year, I think the view is better from the Zam side, less spray so you can see more:

 

[Jacques Vert]

However you still get wet...

 

[Jacques Vert]

So we head back to the Avani, thoroughly soaked for the second time today, looking forward to a hot shower and some dry clothes.

While talking to the Guest Relations ladies the previous day, I noticed a sign advertising a "Romantic Dinner" in a private setting, six courses for K1,000 per couple, ~$A135 (+ drinks). A choice of two set menus but it had to be booked before noon. Being the romantic old bugger that I am, I went for it.

As we arrive back at the Avani we see our table is waiting:





So later that evening we go to dinner...











We have 2 dedicated waiters, George and Perry, (one for wine and one for the food):

 

[Jacques Vert]

Our starter:




Butternut Soup:




A palate cleanser:





And it's a full moon tonight, but unfortunately the clouds are rolling in: