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Water Activities
Please select from the list below:
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Guided tour of the Victoria Falls
To discover how the Victoria Falls were formed and what local customs and traditions surround them it is well worth taking a guided tour. These tours of the Victoria Falls are extremely informative and end with a visit to the local art and crafts centre. Tours may be conducted from the Zambian or Zimbabwean side of the Zambezi River and last for 1½ hours in Zambia and 2 hours in Zimbabwe.
Tour of the Victoria Falls
Meet guests at either the Day Activity Centre or their hotel for a short walk/ short drive to the Victoria Falls. Tours may be booked in the morning or afternoon and times are flexible.
The Victoria Falls Tour includes National Park fees, the services of a qualified guide and bottled mineral water. Children under 12 are ½ price, and children under 2 are free.
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Dr. David Livingstone was paddled in a dug out canoe through swift rapids towards the roar and rising cloud of mist suspended above a cliff over which the whole of the Zambezi River plunged. The Makololo paddlers skilfully landed him on 'Goat Island' (now Livingstone Island) right on the lip of the chasm. A few steps through the small rainforest and, on the 16th November 1855, he gazed upon one of the most spectacular sights in the world - 'Mosi-oa-Tunya' (The Smoke that Thunders) which he named after his Queen as The Victoria Falls.
Today visitors are picked up in a twin engine boat with powerful motors and a skilled skipper re-traces Livingstone?s approach to the island to witness the very best view of the Falls there is. All visits to the island are during the ?low water? season, which usually begins in mid July and goes through to the end of January. High water visits are not possible as the island is continuously covered in the spray/downpour from the Victoria Falls.
Pick up is from the jetty adjacent to the Royal Livingstone River Deck by an aluminium 12 seater launch with twin water jet propelled engines which then transfers guests on a 5 minute ride to Livingstone Island. Drop off is again at the Royal Livingstone jetty one hour later. The trip includes a short guided tour of the island, viewing the Victoria Falls and a light snack depending on the time of the morning visits.
Livingstone Island Morning Tea Tours
Three morning visits of one and a half hours each (giving about one hour fifteen minutes on the Island).
Deparating Royal Livingstone at: 07h30, 09h00 and 10h30
These visits include tea and coffee, soft drinks and light snacks
Livingstone Island Lunch Tour
Departing Royal Livingstone at 12h30 and returning at 15h15
This includes a buffet lunch, with soft drinks, beer and wine.
Livingstone Island Afternoon Tea Tour
One afternoon visit of two hours, departing Royal Livingstone at 15h30 and returning at 17h30
This visit includes tea, coffee, light snacks, soft drinks, beer and wine
Children under 12 are not encouraged to visit Livingstone Island. If for any reason special permission is granted, children then pay the adult fare. Rates are changed mid year in April please double check with Bushtracks before quoting.
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Guests are met by staff from the African Queen cruise boat and driven to the 'Royal Landing' jetty on the Zambezi River for boarding. The African Queen meanders slowly upstream along the length of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park looking for game on the way. A number of animals and a host of bird species can be viewed from comfortable chairs on cool wooden decks. Excellent hot and cold food is served on board and the bar is well stocked with spirits, good wines, beers and soft drinks. All food and drink is included in the price and served throughout the cruise by professional, friendly waiters making the whole experience probably the most luxurious cruise on the Zambezi river.
Transfers to the jetty are from where guest are lodging.
Mid morning cruise
Pick up is at 09h00 with the boat departing at 09h30 from the Royal Landing. The cruise lasts for 2 hours and includes drinks, a continental breakfast and all transfers. Guests are usually back at the Victoria Falls Resort at about 12h00.
Two hour lunch cruise
Pick up is at 12h00 with the boat departing at 12h30 from the Royal Landing. The cruise lasts for 2 hours and includes an excellent lunch, drinks and transfers. Guests are usually back at the Victoria Falls Resort at about 15h00.
One hour lunch cruise
Please note that transfers are not included in the price of this cruise.
Pick up is at 12h00 with the boat departing at 12h30 from the Royal Landing. The cruise lasts for an hour and includes lunch and drinks. Guests are usually back at the Victoria Falls Resort at about 14h00.
Sunset cruise
Pick up is at 15h30 from May to August (winter), and 16h00 from September to April (summer) with the boat departing at 16h00, or 16h30, respectively from the Royal Landing. The cruise lasts for 2 hours and includes hot and cold snacks, drinks and transfers. Guests are usually back at The Victoria Falls Resort at about 18h30 in the winter and 19h00 in the summer.
All cruises include National Park fees, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and food. Children under 12 are ½ price, and children 4 and below are free. |
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The 4 x 4 vehicles of the river. Aluminium hulled, jet propelled boats have been carefully designed so they can cross the 'rough terrain' of the river giving them access to places where other normal boats cannot go. This is a unique wildlife safari through the channels and rapids between the islands littering the wide part of the river just before the Victoria Falls. Elephant, hippo and wonderful birds are the main wildlife attractions and the views and sunsets are highlights.
Pick up at the Day Activity Centre, drive to the launch site, board the boat and set off. Pick-up for the breakfast safari is at 08h00, the lunch safari is 11h30 and the sunset safari is 16h00. Each lasts for 2 ½ hours.
Light meals and/or snacks are provided on each safari. Drinks include mineral water, soft drinks, selected beers, tea and coffee.
Children 4 and under are free while children aged between 5 and 12 pay 65% of the full price. |
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Probably the best way to appreciate the beauty, peace and wildlife of the Zambezi River above the Victoria Falls is to paddle slowly downstream in a canoe with some of the best wildlife guides in Africa. Watch the Pied Kingfisher hover and dive, listen to the haunting call of the fish eagle and the grunts of the hippo, see elephant, buffalo, and other animals come down to drink and explore the islands and waterways along the route. There is time to stop for something to drink and listen to tales of Livingstone's journey to the Victoria Falls.
There are 5 ½ hour river safaris which begin in the morning and include tea, coffee, and soft drinks. A full day safari lasts 9 hours and includes a cold lunch with wine, soft drinks and beer. Guests are picked up from the Day Activity Centre at 08h00 and dropped off again at 13h30 for a half-day safari and 17h00 for the full day safari.
Children must be 12 or older to go for a full day and 10 or more to go on a ½ day safari. Price is the same for all ages. |
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Low white water rafting runs from about mid July to the end of January. The best months are usually August and September.
A full day white water rafting trip includes 21 rapids, lunch and 9 ½ hours in the day, including the walk out of the gorge and the drive home.
A half-day white water rafting trip in the morning takes in rapids 1 - 10, breakfast, a light lunch and a lift out of the gorge.
The afternoon white water rafting trip includes lunch, rapids 11 - 21, includes a lift out of the gorge
Full Day: Pick up is from the Day Activity Centre at 08h30 getting back at about 17h00.
Half Day in the morning: Pick up is from the Day Activity Centre at 08h30 getting back at about 13h30.
Half Day in the afternoon: Pick up is from the Day Activity Centre at 11h30 getting back at about 17h00.
No children under 14 are allowed however if someone younger is big enough for the life jackets then they are welcome. Prices are the same for all ages.
High white water rafting
High white water rafting runs from approximately the end of January to mid July. IF THE WATER IS TOO HIGH THE RIVER IS CLOSED FOR SAFETY REASONS - this usually happens between April and May.
A full day begins with breakfast and takes up to 8 ½ hours through rapids 1 - 25 with lunch in the middle. This section of the river flows swiftly and features huge wave trains and whirlpools. includes a lift out of the gorge;
Full Day: Pick up is from the Day Activity Centre at 08h30 getting back at about 16h00. Please note that the water runs swiftly so half days are too short. The 'full day' can end sooner than 16h00 hrs depending on how fast the water is running at the time.
No children under 14 are allowed but if someone younger is big enough for the life jackets then they are welcome. Prices are the same for all ages. |
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'Surf' the Zambezi River below the Victoria Falls on a body-board accompanied by an expert. Wild and exciting, these trips combine those rapids which can be 'surfed' on the board with the bigger ones which have to be ridden from the raft. These trips link in with the rafting schedules and itineraries.
No children under 14 are allowed but if someone younger is big enough for the life jackets then they are welcome. Prices are the same for all ages. (Maximum 15 people) |
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Pumping vast amounts of power from huge jet engines, these powerboats shoot down the rapids below the Victoria Falls at 100 km an hour. A thrilling half hour spent flying over the water and 'buzzing' rock faces between rapids 23 and 27.
The Jet Boat Extreme tour starts at The Victoria Falls Activity Centre and you are transferred by specially adapted Land-Rover vehicles (approximately 1 hour) to your entry point at the gorge. You meander down the gorge approximately 880 feet in a scenic cable car lift, where you meet your jet boat pilot for a briefing. Water and soft drinks are available. One of the most thrilling 30 minutes of your life is about to begin. After the ride, you no longer have to walk the 880 feet out of the gorge as you now board the cable car for the 8 minute ride out. Ice-cold beer and soft drinks await you at the top after which you are transferred back to the Victoria Falls Activity Centre.
The two departure times are 077h30 in the morning with clients being back at the hotel by 12h00 & 12h30 in the afternoon with clients back at the hotel by 16h00.
Children must be 7 or older. Prices are the same for all ages. |
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The Livingstone Drift tour departs from the Victoria Falls Day Activity Centre at 14h30. Clients are taken to Mukumba Village in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, where the trip begins. They are given a glass of wine to sip while the safety brief is being given before boarding the inflatable rafts.
Each raft has it's own guide who does all of the paddling while clients are invited to take in all of the sights and sounds whilst helping themselves to a cheese platter and South African wines.. The rafts slowly meander their way down to the take out point with their informative guides pointing out animals, bird life and flora & fauna of interest. Animals, which may be viewed, include hippos, crocodiles, elephants, giraffe, rhino, and various antelope, as well as numerous bird species. The drift ends at about 18h30, still in the national park where the clients board open game drive vehicles for their drive back to the hotel.
Rates include transfers, park fees, wine, mineral water and cheese platters. |
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The Zambezi water taxi is booked through Bushtracks and is operated in conjunction with River Safaris.
Bushtracks will collect the clients at the airport and drop them at the African Queen Royal Landing. The River Safaris boat will slowly meander its way down to the Royal Livingstone, where the clients will disembark at the deck. The Bushtracks vehicle will already have dropped off their luggage. On return to the airport the clients go straight to the airport in the Bushtracks vehicle...
Please bear in mind that a river taxi is dependant on water levels. They are closed between October & February as the boats can not get through the rapids. |
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The Zambezi River at the heart of the Victoria Falls is famous for one of the great freshwater game fish - The Tigerfish. Powerful, swift predators Tigerfish are a thrill to catch and require a great deal of fishing skill with a good river specimen weighing over 15 lbs. Bream, or Tilapia, also live in large numbers in the Zambezi river and although they don't fight quite as aggressively as the Tiger a good 5 lb fish will quickly snap light tackle given half the chance. Spinners and lures are the most common method of catching these fish although using light tackle, a fly and a fly-rod is becoming very popular and brings an extra dimension to a very exciting sport.
Pick up is at the Victoria Falls Day Activity Centre before a drive to one of the launch sites to board the boat and set off to the fishing grounds. A half-day trip either begins at 06h30 and ends at 13h30 or pick up is at 13h30 and drop off is at 18h30. The trip includes transfers, tea and coffee, full English breakfast, or lunch as applicable, soft drinks, beer and fishing tackle.
No children under 12. Prices are the same for all ages.. |
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