Text and photos by Mary L. Peachin
Vol. 17, No. 12
Like being enveloped in the action on the screen of an IMAX theater, the Eurocopter EC130B helicopter swooped over Victoria Falls banking deep into the gorge following the Zambezi River. The sensation was exhilarating, the up close view was awesome.
Victoria Falls, known by the Kololo’s as “Mosi oa Tunya” or “The Smoke that Thunders” and Zambezi National Park span the border between the countries of Zambezi and Zimbabwe, Considered one of the “Seven Wonders of the World,” the mile wide waterfall drops approximately five hundred feet into the Zambezi River. Victoria Falls combines five different Zimbabwe falls: Devil’s Cataract, Main, Rainbow and Horseshoe Falls with Eastern Cataract falling in the country of Zambia.
While the primary attraction to the area is Victoria Falls, equally interesting is boat tour safaris on the Zambezi River. Found in the River and along the bordering Zambezi National Park are elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard and white rhinoceros. The Zambezi River is also home to the fighting tiger fish, a seasonal inhabitant with a hefty set of incisors.
Departing from the David Livingstone hotel, we enjoyed the open air double decked steamboat-like Lady Livingstone. Our waiter Webster served us appetizers and drinks while we admired hippos with young popping in and out of the river’s surface, elephants crossing the river, a camouflaged crocodile, and a multitude of birds including the blacksmith lapwing or plover, pink ibis, mud banks dotted with nests of the white fronted bee eater, the black African open bill stork, a black headed heron, and African jicana. The Zambezi River is the fourth largest river in Africa following the Nile, Niger, and Zaire rivers flowing through six countries on its journey from central Africa to the Indian Ocean. Less developed than other rivers, its lack of human settlement and areas of protected status add great value.
Stanley Safari Lodge sits on a ridge bordering Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Its garden and infinity pool, shaded by the bright red flowers and long brown pods of flamboyant trees overlook the uninhabited bush to the distance spray of Victoria Falls, a distance of almost two miles. African paradise split tail flycatchers like to dip into the pool for a drink of water.
The open air lodge has tables scattered around the yard where guests enjoy three course dinners with wine. A computer with wifi is available as is a cozy library for reading or playing board games. During dinner, while server Peter is ordering dinner, manager Clara Ibarra helps guests plan the following day’s activities.
Visiting the Falls is almost like going to an adult camp. A wide variety of lodges have a large list of activities in which guests can participate daily. In addition to fishing and walks, there are daytime and sunset cruises on the Zambezi River, bungee jumping, ultra-light flying, and scenic helicopter rides over the Falls.
Each of the cottages is individually designed. Unique to Stanley Safari Lodge is the open air design of many of its ten rooms. Some of the cottages offer private plunge pools. This lodge is definitely tranquil and intimate.
Final of a Six part series on South Africa
If you go: South African Airways, www.saa.com , South African Vacations, www.flysaavacations.com, Zambia Tourism, www.zambiatourism.com, Stanley Safari Lodge, stanleysafaris.com
Additional information: Africa and Zambia requires that visitors have two empty visa pages in passport. This is important as entry into the country will be denied. Check with physician for malaria prophylaxis. Yellow Fever inoculation is required for Zambia. Summer temperatures and rainy seasons should also be checked for travel enjoyment.