Livingstone
See also Victoria Falls
Zambia's Kalolo people call Victoria Falls "Mosi-Oa-Tunya". The Zambian view on the falls is as spectacular as it is from Zimbabwe with excellent views on the Eastern Cataract and fine viewpoints from the Knife Edge Bridge, and an ancient baobab tree near the railway line appropriately called "The Look-out Tree".
Livingstone, the town on the Zambian side of the river, hasn't been as extensively developed as the town of Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwean bank but offers some excellent lodge accommodation and activities during the almost obligatory stay to see Victoria Falls.
There is a good selection of activities in the area including all the adrenalin activities, especially white water rafting, but fine fishing and birding is also possible on the upper Zambezi stretches away from the crowds closer to the falls themselves. For more details on adrenalin activities and accommodation deals see Africa's Adrenalin Capital.
Since the political problems in Zimbabwe in 2000, Livingstone and surrounds have developed tremendously. Nowadays there are horse drawn carriages to take you through town and a delicious lunch on an old-fashioned steam train which passes through the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.
Anyone visiting the area with the main purpose of seeing the Falls, would be well advised to visit both the Zimbabwe and the Zambian sides to fully appreciate the full width of the fall. Bear in mind there will be Visa costs to pay to get into both countries, and remember to ask for a multiple entry Visa which costs the same price as a single entry when you first enter the country you'll be staying in. It is also possible to get a cheaper day Visa to either country depending which side you're staying on.
In 1905 the Victoria Falls bridge was completed, linking the two sides together for the main purpose of transporting coal from Hwange National Park to the Zambian Copperbelt. Today this is where bunjee jumpers fly off the side of the bridge into the gorge below!
Excellent lodges and hotels have developed in the last 10yrs or so, stretching along the banks of the Zambezi and most within a short driving distance of the Falls. There is a range of backpacker hostels and cheaper hotels in the town itself plus various campsites of which sadly very few are actually on the banks of the river.
Linking up other areas with Livingstone is very easy. Fine walking safaris in the South Luangwa Valley, for around a week, are a great combination with a visit to see the Victoria Falls. Canoe safaris on the Lower Zambezi are always very popular and we have a range of participatory or luxury trips we run. We also have excellent horse riding safaris available in both Hwange National Park (Zimbabwe) and Kafue National Park (Zambia). Of course Botswana and her excellent game parks are just a 2½ hour drive from Livingstone and we often do a day trip to Chobe National Park from any lodge or hotel in Livingstone.
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Our Recommended Tours
Livingstone on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls
The special rate is for a standard room at the Waterfront per person per night. The normal rate is for a riverside room at the Waterfront per person per night.
A selection of three night accommodation options on the Livingstone side (Zambia) of Victoria Falls. Prices include pick up and drop off from the airport and some meal plans.
- David Livingstone Safari Lodge and Spa - US$698.00 per person, 3 nights, bed and breakfast, airport transfers
- Thorntree Lodge - US$922.00 per person, 3 nights, full board including return airport transfers and activities
- Waterfront - US$317.00 per person, 3 nights, riverside room, bed/breakfast, return airport transfers
Zambezi River below Victoria Falls - Zambia or Zimbabwe side
The special rate is for half day trips only per person, normal rate is for full day trips.
A selection of white water rafting options starting from half day to 5 day trips. Multi-day trips are only available on the Zimbabwe side of the river.
No previous experience is required and you don't need to be a proficient swimmer. At the beginning and at the end of the half, one and 2.5 day raft trip, you will need to negotiate a steep path out of the gorge. The walk out is 750 vertical feet up a gradient of 1 in 3, and a person of average fitness can manage this in about 20 minutes.
Zimbabwe and Zambia - 3 nights/4 days with activities
These special packages are available as a combination of accommodation, airport transfers and a variety of activities.
With a wide choice of accommodation options available on both sides of the Zambezi river, we've put together some of our most popular combinations which also include a wide array of activities. With airport transfers and a variety of accommodation from backpacker to 5 star hotels, these packages offer excellent value for money.
Botswana, Namibia and Zambia - 16 days/15 nights
Set departure dates in November 09
Highlights of this safari include visitng Lake Ngami birding wonderland, panhandle of the Okavango Delta, Caprivi Strip specials, Zambia and the Victoria Falls, the dramatic Chobe National Park, Makgadikgadi Pans, Moremi Game Reserve wildlife and birding on the fringes of the Okavango Delta, scenic flight over the Okavango and boat cruises on the Okavango and Chobe Rivers.
Kafue National Park and Victoria Falls on the Zambian side - 7 days/6 nights
On special for only US$2998.00 the safari is valid June to November 2009 and it really is a great special for the quality and style of camps and high standard of guides and hosting.
The itinerary includes 2 bush camps in the Kafue National Park giving a great look at the changing scenery on this amazing floodplain. After plenty of game viewing on the safari section its off to Victoria Falls staying in a luxury bush camp on the banks of the Zambezi river on the Zambian side of the Falls.
Victoria Falls Zambian side, Chobe NP and Savute - 10 days/9 nights
Prices are guidelines only and valid for 2009.
This excellent trip combines three of The Big Ones to visit and is highly recommended by us as one of our choice safaris. Victoria Falls is so well-known and combines very well with the huge elephant herds of Chobe National Park and the big game herds and predators found in the Savuti area. The safari includes flights from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls and returning to Johannesburg at the end of the trip. For anyone looking for a traditional safari with great opportunities for photographs this is the ideal trip.
Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park and Moremi Reserve - 10 days/9 nights
An excellent safari option which includes Victoria Falls for 3 nights to see the magnificent Zambezi River falling 108 metres to the gorge below; the best elephant herds in the world in Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve, probably the most prolific game viewing spot in Southern Africa.
Okavango Delta, Kwando Concession, Chobe National Park, Victoria Falls - 16 days/15 nights
Price is valid April and May 2009
All camps are of a high comfort standard, small and intimate with en suite hot and cold water. All the game drives are in open four wheel drive vehicles with uninhibited game viewing. Boating and canoeing is also available in each camp.
This region forms the heartland of the proposed immense Upper Zambezi Trans-frontier conservation Area straddling Botswana, Namibia, Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe - one of the greatest wilderness areas on the planet.
Other Options
Livingstone itself is also an important air charter hub from which connections to the Kafue, Luangwa and Lower Zambezi are possible.
There are daily flights from Johannesburg to Livingstone, and road transfers into nearby Chobe National Park (in Botswana), make the town an easily accessible hub to start and end a Zambian safari.
Zambia Safari Spots
South Luangwa National Park | North Luangwa National Park| Lower Zambezi | Kafue National Park | Victoria Falls | Liuwa Plains | Kasanka | Bangweulu Swamps | Western Zambia | Nchila Reserve | Mutinondo Wilderness | Shiwa Ng'andu | Lochinvar | Lusaka | Chimfunshi
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