Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge – Livingstone
Early morning transfer to Sabi Sabi Airstrip for your light aircraft flight to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in Nelspruit. You will be assisted with check in for your scheduled flight to Livingstone, Zambia. On arrival in Livingstone you will be met and transferred by road to the Royal Livingstone Hotel and assisted with check in for your two-night stay.
This charming colonial town, named after the legendary Victorian missionary and explorer Dr David Livingstone, was once the bustling capital of Zambia. Established in 1905 as the country’s key European settlement, it enjoyed the excellent facilities synonymous with high society – the town still boasts the elegant Edwardian architecture of this era. Today, Livingstone acts as Zambia’s adventure gateway, as it is conveniently situated near the mighty Zambezi River and the breath-taking Victoria Falls.
This afternoon enjoy a sunset cruise along the Zambezi River. Heed the call of Africa while sipping traditional cocktails and enjoying delicious snacks in the fading twilight hours on this fabulous two-hour cruise. The Captain’s Cabin provides the ultimate in luxury and exclusivity. Enjoy your cruise on the top deck, in the exclusive company of the Captain.
Includes light aircraft flight to Nelspruit, Economy class flight to Livingstone, road transfer to Royal Livingstone Hotel and Sundowner Cruise on the Zambezi River
Livingstone
This morning, after breakfast at the Royal Livingstone Hotel, enjoy a guided walking tour of the Falls. To discover how the Falls were formed and what local customs and traditions surround them it is well worth doing a walking tour of the Falls. Described by the Kololo tribe living in the area in the 1800's as 'Mosi-oa-Tunya' - 'the Smoke that Thunders' and in more modern terms as 'the greatest known curtain of falling water', Victoria Falls are a spectacular sight of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur on the Zambezi River, bordering Zambia and Zimbabwe. A path along the edge of the forest provides the visitor who is prepared to brave the tremendous spray with an unparalleled series of views of the Falls. One special vantage point is across the Knife edge bridge, where visitors can have the finest view of the Eastern Cataract and the Main Falls as well as the Boiling Pot where the river turns and heads down the Batoka Gorge.
Other vantage points include the Falls Bridge and the Lookout Tree which commands a panoramic view across the Main Falls. Different times of the year will provide completely different experiences of the Falls region. Peak flood season is around March and April and the full power of the falls can be experienced in all its glory. As the floods abate the view of the falls gets better and better through the year, but at its lowest, around November and December the Falls become little rivulets running over the edge and in some places along the 1,7km width no water falls at all.
Enjoy one of the following activities that the Falls has to offer:
HALF DAY CANOE SAFARI: Canoe on the mighty Zambezi through narrow channels and drift down endless stretches of one of Africa’s most majestic rivers.
Accompanied by a professional guide, experience breath-taking scenery and incredible game viewing. Choose either a morning canoe safari from 08h30 – 12h00, or an afternoon on the Zambezi from 13h30 to 17h00. Both activities include light snacks and beverages.
MICROLIGHT 15 MINUTE FLIGHT OF THE ANGELS: An exhilarating Microlight flight offer unique, uninhibited and literally breath-taking views of the Victoria Falls and the spectacular gorge that the Zambezi River has carved into the surrounding landscape over many thousands of years. This is an experience not to be missed... you may even feel like you have been kissed by an angel as you fly through the “smoke” of the Falls. An exhilarating introductory flight over the Victoria Falls, the islands near the Falls and thundering Zambezi River.
For safety purposes you may not take your own camera, however we offer a wing-mounted digital camera that is operated by the pilot during your flight. These images can be purchased after your flight. Passenger weight limit of 100kg/220lb.
SHORT HELICOPTER FLIGHT (approx 15 mins): To put the Victoria Falls into true perspective, they must really be seen from the air. The sheer size and grandeur of the spectacle becomes all the more clearer from above. The huge Zambezi River flowing slowly south with hippos and crocodiles clearly visible in the shallow waters, elephant quietly browsing on bright green islands as the water spreads across the full width of a great rent in the earth before crashing over the lip in a burst of spray and then squeezing into a narrow, foaming, blast of water rushing down the zigzag funnel of the gorges. A 12-15 minute flight will take you over the Falls and the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. This can be extended at an additional charge to a 25-30 minute flight that will take you into the Batoka Gorge hovering over rapids 21 to 26, over the Falls, the Zambezi River and the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Flights begin at 07h30 and continue until last light.
QUAD BIKE TRAILS: Hop onto the back of a quad and be treated to awesome panoramic views and wildlife sightings with friends or family under the supervision of a qualified guide. Our quad bike trips vary from bush track riding (while experiencing the local village life) to quad bike eco safaris.
60 minute Eco Trail at Batokaland: An exciting fun-filled ride through the African Bush which takes you over humps, through ditches, around bends and down hills. The chance of meeting game along the way adds to the thrill of the trail. Departure times, every 2 hours from 07h00.
150 minute village trail: An exhilarating trail which takes you from Mukuni to Machenje Village over a dune, through dense bush and on to the Sichilobe Village. Stop for a refreshing drink, turn around and... the adventure starts all over again! Departure times on request.
HORSE BACK TRAILS: Get up close and personal with wildlife while exploring the magnificent Zambian landscapes.
Offering magnificent horseback rides from the Falls Resorts along trails within the National Park which lead to spectacular views of the Victoria Falls.
Two Hour Horse Trail: Exhilarating horseback ride along trails within the National Park with stunning views of the Victoria Falls and Zambezi River. Departure times between 07h00 and 15h00.
Half day ride with lunch: A horseback safari adventure through pristine African Bushveld followed by a delicious lunch served at the stables. Departure time from stables at is at 08h00.
WHITE WATER RAFTING: Commercial rafting first commenced on the Zambezi River in 1981 and since then this activity is now internationally acclaimed as the best one day white water rafting trip available in the world. The Zambezi River is classified as a high volume; pool-drop river i.e. there is little exposed rock either in the rapids or the pools below the rapids. The morning section of the river is classified as Grade 5 "extremely difficult, long and violent rapids, steep gradients, big drops and pressure areas". The afternoon section is slightly less challenging and is of a lower grade. The "Low Water" Rafting Season runs approximately from the middle of July to the middle of January, depending upon the water level each year this can change as and when levels increase or decrease.
The popularity of the Low Water Rafting run on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River is both due to the opportunity of experiencing the incredible view of the Victoria Falls from the Boiling Pot and the added advantage of a lift out of the gorge at rapid #25.
ELEPHANT INTERACTION & LUNCH: Three magical experiences in one. We invite you to enjoy a speedboat transfer (approx.40 mins) from Livingstone up the Zambezi River to an exclusive tented restaurant built on a wooden deck, upstream from Victoria Falls – the centrepoint of a riverside location that has been home to a herd of hand-reared elephants for many years.
You will have the opportunity to meet the herd, learn their stories and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime close encounter with these gentle giants before you are welcomed into The Elephant Café for a unique dining experience with Chef de Cuisine Annabel Hughes and her team who specialise in creating a foodie’s delight of fresh locally-sourced food and wild edibles.
ABSEILING, GORGE SWINGING & FLYING FOX: Set below the Victoria Falls in the beautiful Batoka Gorges, offering the ultimate in adrenalin filled adventure. Abseiling, Gorge Swing and Flying Fox - the 3 ways to release adrenaline by going over the edge of a cliff face.
Abseiling: Slide 53m down the gorge on the end of a rope either facing the cliff face or looking down into the void. The hike out of the gorge is a steep slope (a person of average fitness can manage this in approximately 20 minutes).
Gorge Swing: Fling yourself over the edge in a body harness free falling 53m of the 97m drop and swinging right across the gorge and back until the momentum runs out and you are lowered to the ground. The hike out of the gorge is a steep slope (a person of average fitness can manage this in approximately 20 minutes). A tandem swing is also available.
Flying Fox: A cable slide across the gorge high above the floor. Guests can sit on the ‘chair’ or be strapped, face down, looking at the ground far below as you fly across the gorge. No walk out is necessary because you are pulled back.
Enjoy a Hosted Dinner This Evening!
Includes breakfast, dinner, private guided tour of the falls and your choice of one incredible activity
Livingstone – Johannesburg
After breakfast, check out at the Royal Livingstone you will be transferred by road to Livingstone Airport in time for your scheduled business class flight to Johannesburg. On arrival in Johannesburg you will be met and assisted to International departures and assisted with check in for your departure flight.
Includes breakfast, private transfer to Livingstone Airport, scheduled business class flight to Johannesburg and departure assistance in Johannesburg
