Travel Professionals International - TPI World Report

TPI World Report - Victoria Falls

Imagine having a personal travel agent who can supply you with on-location information from time-to-time. TPI can do just that. Here’s the latest from our roving reporter, Carl Henderson, TPI's Director of Marketing & Communications.

In September 2005, a member of TPI’s head office staff, Carl Henderson, set out on a year long, around the world journey. The TPI WORLD REPORT is based on Carl’s reporting in from around the world which can be followed at http://www.mytripjournal.com/TPITraveller.

Carl's 10 Travel Tips for Victoria Falls

1. If you are using Vic Falls are a starting or finishing point for a safari and are only interested in seeing the falls a half day should be sufficient.

2. If you are interested in doing adventure activities Victoria Falls is a great place to try bungy jumping, abseiling, night safaris, river cruises, helicopter rides, crocodile farm etc. Budget these into your agenda for both time and money when you are planning your trip to the falls.

3. Viewing the falls can be very different experiences depending on the time of year you visit. Dry season can mean very little water flowing over the falls and they will be much smaller. Peak of the wet season and there can be so much water flowing over the falls the mist is so heavy visibility can be very poor.

4. Visiting the falls you can stay on either the Zimbabwe side or the Zambia side. From many of the hotels on the Zimbabwe side you can conveniently walk to the falls and then across the bridge to Zambia. Most hotels on the Zambia side are further from the falls although there are a couple in walking distance.

5. You see much more of the falls from the Zimbabwe side but recommend you take in the views from Zambia too so you get both perspective as well. The experience varies on each side depending on the time of year you visit.

6. When visiting the falls be prepared to get wet! Mist, mist and more mist will thoroughly soak you so pack a rain jacket or just be ready to get wet.

7. Some opinions vary as to which side of the falls you should stay on. Some refuse to stay on the Zimbabwe side as a protest against the Mugabe government who has destroyed what was once one of the most prosperous countries in Africa. From what I saw, the Zimbabwe side is more beautiful and although do not support at all the Mugabe government, know that staying there is giving some of the innocent locals jobs to support their families.

8. Inflation has spiralled so far out of control that prices change almost daily for local goods. Make sure you don't exchange too much money at once and you do not want to have any left over when you leave Zimbabwe as you are sure to get a very poor rate, if anything at all, trying to exchange it back to another currency.

9. The historic Victoria Falls hotel has great views of the gorge, mist from the falls, bridge and into Zambia. If you don't stay there, at the very least head to the restaurant and sit on the patio for a meal or drinks and take in the views.

10. Due to the poor economy often petrol for vehicles is very hard to find. If you plan on renting a car this may be a challenge you will face and clarify the situation with the rental company in advance. Alternatively you can take organized tours anywhere you would like to go.