"Zambia" Top 5 Page for this destination Zambia by Acirfa

Zambia Travel Guide: 812 reviews and 1,588 photos

The Zambezi River and Mosi-oa-Tunya

This is pure Africa, the look, the feel, the stunning natural beauty of it. Our visit took us to one of the wonders of the world, Mosi-oa-Tunya, translated as the Smoke that Thunders, to the majority of us better known as the Victoria Falls.

A Little History About The Falls
Discovered by Livingston, a Scots missionary and physician, who arrived in Africa in 1840, aged 27. He remained mainly in Africa from this age, becoming one of the greatest explorers of his era.
A battle with a lion cost him the use of his arm during his four year exploration of the Zambezi area, it was during this expedition that he came across the falls, the first European to do so. Livingstons words when he saw the falls were " scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight".

Livingston continued his exploration, this time to locate the source of the Nile. He lost contact with the outside world and so Henry Stanley a journalist for the New York Herald was sent to find him. When eventually he did track Livingston down, in a village in deep Africa, Livingston was extremely ill, suffering with dysentry, sypholus plus a mass of other illnesses of which he died in April 1873 aged sixty.
His African escorts, took his heart and burried it in Africa whilst his body was carried by his loyal bearers to the coast to returned to England, where it lies in West Minster Abbey.

Experiencing Victoria Falls

The falls not being in full flood (this happens between March to May time) meant we had the opportunity to walk across the river bed and explore the small rock pools where locals fish and swim. It also meant we could take advantage of swimming in the pool on the edge of the falls and be crazy enough to hang over the edge of the falls and peer into the crevice below where the river flows and the currents rush by at 40 mph. An exhilarating experience indeed, one that will stay with me as one of the moments that took my breathe away in life.

Zambezi River

Hanging over the edge of Vic Falls

The Zambezi is everything and more that one can expect; with the sun setting, the rays casting their last fingers across the surface of the shimmering river, reaching into the bush to lure the wildlife out for a sundowner before partaking of the nights rest or feast - words are lost to me for description enough to express the inner feeling of emotion and wonderment brought about by this oh so splendorous piece of nature on our Earth.

To add to it's beauty, the people enhance the country, friendly, helpful and a smile ready to be exchanged.

Last visit to Zambia: Nov 2007
Intro Updated Jan 17, 2008
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Reviews (19)

Choma Village Accommodation Hotels (8)

Great accommodation after a long hard cycle....um all except those inviting and large looking showers did not live up to... more travel advice

Kaloma's Best. Hotels (8)

I did not in fact stay here, I stayed at First Choice but ate both evening meal and breakfast at this Guest house. The... more travel advice

.... First Choice Hotels (8)

The Village of Kaloma found itself over run with cyclists and hence it's hostels and hotels taken over. Some of us... more travel advice

Livingston's Rest Place Hotels (8)

Although this new accommodation is not due to officially open until June 2009, the owners decided that with 25 cyclists... more travel advice

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Comments (11)

hunterV Nov 24, 2009 at 7:46 AM Report Abuse

Hello, Donna! Thanks for your interesting story about that faraway destination!<><>
MikeBird Jun 3, 2009 at 12:10 PM Report Abuse

Congratulations Donna. A real achievement by you and all the others in the group. I'm about to add to your collection via the donation link. Well done you. Mike
Suzze Jun 1, 2009 at 10:58 AM Report Abuse

and you did all of this whilst I was sunning it out on deck on our cruise ship!! Shame on us!! Lovely informative page and proud of you hun.....well done!! XX
Krumel May 27, 2009 at 11:38 PM Report Abuse

Thank you for you b'day wishes, and well done for completing that cycle trip! Amazing accomplishment!
junecorlett May 19, 2009 at 1:56 AM Report Abuse

I imagine, the overview pic for Zambia was taken from the banks of the Royal Livingstone - great pic. Nice new tips.
JessH May 19, 2009 at 1:55 AM Report Abuse

Hi Donna. Great tips and great photos about a great cause. Thanks for sharing! I'm hoping to visit this fascinating continent one day, but for now I'm exploring further north... Scotland once again :-) Greetings from Dubai / Jess
jo104 May 17, 2009 at 12:05 PM Report Abuse

Congrats for completing your race & raising so much cash for a good cause, hope you are having a well deserved break :-)
cachaseiro Feb 16, 2009 at 1:43 AM Report Abuse

good luck with your bike trip. i bet that will be one heck of an adventure.
Kid-A Jan 9, 2009 at 3:53 PM Report Abuse

Zambia is one of the best countries I've visited yet -- the people are wonderful. You couldn't hang out over the edge of Victoria Falls when I was there, though! :) In January, the Zambezi gets pretty lively!!!
Bwana_Brown Jan 13, 2008 at 2:41 PM Report Abuse

What a fantastic adventure you had at Vic Falls!!! I could not believe it when I saw you in the water staring down into the gorge! One of these days, I must get back and do the place up properly!