When I first went to see Victoria Falls, I had one of those wonderful days when everything just falls into place, and the day just couldn’t work out any better.
After seeing the Falls I collected my bags from the security post, and walked down to the Zimbabwean border, exiting the country, and then out onto the bridge, and across to the Zambian border on the other side. I knew my visa here was going to cost US $50, but only had $30 left. A bit of negotiation meant my visa cost me $30 plus 10 Pounds Sterling – for once I was on the winning side in a currency exchange.
I managed to find a taxi, and shared with three local heading into Livingstone, paying a bargain price of $2. The town was named in honour of Dr. David Livingstone, who discovered the Falls in 1855. He, of course, had named the Falls after his Queen.
I was dropped off at the door of the backpacker place I had chosen, Livingstone Backpackers, and was very pleased that it was less than half the price of any other place I have stayed in Africa so far, and has twice the facilities! Free internet, swimming pool, climbing wall, and in the afternoon that I arrived, climbing and canoeing practice!
I met Cameron, who was sharing my dorm room, and on the advice of one of my fellow canoeists, we headed by taxi to the Royal Livingstone Hotel, where on a beautiful wooden patio we sat sipping local beer, watching the sun set over the Falls.
Back in town we headed to a local bar, as Zambia were playing Cameroon in the African Nations Cup (soccer), and the atmosphere in town was very festive!
We were the only travellers in there, but were made very welcome, as we were cheering for the local team, of course! Unfortunately Zambia lost 3 – 2, but each time they scored, the place erupted – what a great end to a fantastic day.
The next morning I headed by minibus taxi to the Zambian side of the Falls, and was equally impressed once again, The views are magnificent, and the sheer scale of the whole scene is hard to comprehend. It truly is an extraordinary place.
Across the Knife Edge Bridge, I wandered around the rocky outcrop a couple of times, once taking photos, and once just to try to soak up the view for myself. The rainbows at the base of the Falls were beautiful.
A path led down rhe steep vally to the Boiling Pot, where the river exits from the gorge below the falls, and the view up to the bridge high above is impressive.
What a place! I really am glad that this was on the list of 100.
And that pretty-much brings to an end my time here in Africa, at least for now. I would love to come back, and spend more time travelling around – it is so friendly, and so much fun.
On next to South America. I fly from Livingstone to Johannesburg, and plan an overnighter at the airport, as my flight to Santiago, via Buenos Aires, departs early the next morning – another couple of long days of travelling ahead!