The Victoria falls: A guide for first time travellers

Tripoto
3rd Aug 2018
Photo of The Victoria falls: A guide for first time travellers by Abinaya Kalyanasundaram

One of the perks of living in Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia, is that you are in close proximity to one of the world's greatest natural wonders - the Victoria falls. As it is known to the world. But I prefer to call it by its other name, a name coined by the Lozi folk of the region long before Scottish explorer David Livingstone first noticed the curtain of mist rising from the gorge in 1855, and named the falls after Queen Victoria. Mosi-oa-tunya, a phrase which translates to "the smoke that thunders". A highly appropriate etymology.

I've experienced the Mosi-oa-tunya three times in my life. The first was when I was just five, and was hardly aware of anything around me. The second was when I was 18, just entering college, preoccupied, indifferent. One thing that’s remained constant throughout these experiences is that bubbling excitement when I spot the tell-tale mist rising from the falls, far in the horizon, as we drive along the Zambezi river toward it.

After all these years the rush is the same. As we drive through the gates, my ears pick up a faint thundering. We pay our entry tickets (USD 20 per person for foreigners) and step into the national park. The thundering intensifies with every foot forward. The rough stone path darkening with wetness, becoming slipperier with every step. One second I’m dry, the next, drenched; the mist falls softly at first, and then all at once. Slowly, the light seeping in through the foliage brightens, the thunder loudens; the mist is now a persistent rain. And, suddenly, the foliage above disappears. I find myself standing, mesmerised, staring at a spectacle of water, rock and a magical ever present mist. A smoke that thunders, indeed. Nature is always dramatic, but here, she's outdone herself.

Photo of The Victoria falls: A guide for first time travellers 1/17 by Abinaya Kalyanasundaram
Photo of The Victoria falls: A guide for first time travellers 2/17 by Abinaya Kalyanasundaram
The Victoria falls in all her glory

The Victoria falls can be experienced in many ways. By foot, you can walk all across the lip of the opposing cliff on a fenced stone walkway, take photographs, or simply enjoy the pleasant sensation of a soft shower. Be warned, carry a raincoat or umbrella, or both. If you didn’t bring one, you can rent one at the entrance. It’s also advisable to wear shoes with good grip, because the path is more slippery than it looks!

Perhaps the most daring experience on foot, would be crossing the Knife edge bridge. Slippery wet steel and treacherous green moss along the edges is adventurous to traverse, especially with fierce winds blowing water upwards, like inverted rain, threatening to push you over the edge to a 100 m drop below into gushing Zambezi waters.

Photo of The Victoria falls: A guide for first time travellers 3/17 by Abinaya Kalyanasundaram
The Knife edge bridge is a slippery adventure to cross. Keep your raincoats ready.

Since entry tickets are one-time only (meaning if you exit, and re-enter on the same day, you have to pay the fee again), I suggest you spend the whole day inside if you want to experience the falls in all its hues. I arrived just before sunrise (6.30 am in August) and was lucky to have the falls to myself for a few minutes. Just me, the falls, a few birds and a blushing sky. As the sun rose in the east, I positioned my camera in anticipation, watching the waters change from a dreamy blue to a warm golden tinge.

Photo of The Victoria falls: A guide for first time travellers 4/17 by Abinaya Kalyanasundaram
Photo of The Victoria falls: A guide for first time travellers 5/17 by Abinaya Kalyanasundaram
Golden hues at sun rise hour at the Victoria falls

As the crowds started arriving around 9, I took a hike across the pathways leading away from the lip of the falls, into dense jungle. I headed towards what’s called the Boiling Pot trail, which leads down the mountain all the way to the river flowing through the first gorge. Known for its whirlpools caused by rocks and water pressure, the trail is many steps of descent into thick jungle. Occasionally you come across wonderful vistas of this bridge, that connects Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is also the site of bungee jumping. I hiked half way across the trail to be stopped by an avalanche of rough rocks, and couldn’t go any further.

Photo of The Victoria falls: A guide for first time travellers 6/17 by Abinaya Kalyanasundaram
A view of the Iron bridge that connects Zambia and Zimbabwe, from the Boiling pot trail

A little before and after noon, the conditions are ideal for chasing rainbows near the falls. Standing on the pathway, camera poised and ready, I witnessed a total of 6 rainbows, as one appears, another disappears. Sometimes I caught two at the same time!

Photo of The Victoria falls: A guide for first time travellers 7/17 by Abinaya Kalyanasundaram
Rainbows appear around 11 am till 3.30-4pm, depending on the sun's angle and mist conditions

As the sun gradually set, golden hues return to the Mosi oa tunya. I headed towards the last point in the trail, to peek at the Zimbabwean side where I heard it is a more raw experience. If you zoom into the cliff top on the left, you can spot people standing at what's called Danger point, braving the strong gushes of rising mist at the edge of an unfenced cliff.

Photo of The Victoria falls: A guide for first time travellers 8/17 by Abinaya Kalyanasundaram
A view of travellers standing on the tip of Danger point on the Zimbabwean side of the falls

Walking back towards the main entrance, another pathway led to the upper side of the falls, from where you get this gorgeous view of the sun setting in the far west, throwing a pink glow across the entire gorge of the Victoria falls. A little further along, you can watch the might Zambezi River make its way towards the falls.

Photo of The Victoria falls: A guide for first time travellers 9/17 by Abinaya Kalyanasundaram
I fancy myself a collector of sunsets across the globe, and this here is my prime jewel

Day 2

We decided to experience the falls by another means – by air. There are many adventure companies in Livingstone that offer various helicopter and microlite rides. I chose the helicopter as I wanted to take photographs. It is a little heavy on the pocket, but really worth it for the amazing aerial views. Our lodge helped us book with Batoka Sky Adventures – a fifteen minute heli ride is $100. AS we take off from the grounds, the pilot gives us basic information about the falls, and heads towards the falls. He banks on all sides so everyone gets a good view of this gorgeous natural formation. “You see the crack in the western end, that’s a new crack line forming. Over the next 100 years, that will develop into the new line of the fall,” he explains. He then takes us over the river, towards the national park abutting the falls. We spot a herd of buffaloes, and elephants grazing in the swamps. And before you know it, you’re back on solid ground.

Photo of The Victoria falls: A guide for first time travellers 10/17 by Abinaya Kalyanasundaram
A helicopter ride over the Vicotria falls provides surreal aerial views
Photo of The Victoria falls: A guide for first time travellers 11/17 by Abinaya Kalyanasundaram
The Victoria falls is a two kilometre chasm, lying on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe

After lunch at an Indian restaurant, where we had tick naan and delicious paneer butter masala. we headed back to the room to rest before our sunset cruise with Livingstone Adventures. Promptly at 3.30pm, we were picked up by the shuttle (inclusive in the cost of the cruise) and taken to the African Queen, awaiting us. If you ever visit Livingstone, a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River is highly recommended. Wine, cocktails and food aboard a luxurious pontoon with warm wooden interiors and hilarious signs from the captain. We spotted hippos, several endemic birds and a spectacular sunset, sipping on sundowners.

Photo of The Victoria falls: A guide for first time travellers 12/17 by Abinaya Kalyanasundaram
The African Queen is one of the many cruises on the Zambezi river
Photo of The Victoria falls: A guide for first time travellers 13/17 by Abinaya Kalyanasundaram
Drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), snacks and a whole lot of wonderful views
Photo of The Victoria falls: A guide for first time travellers 14/17 by Abinaya Kalyanasundaram
Hippos spotted along the river banks
Photo of The Victoria falls: A guide for first time travellers 15/17 by Abinaya Kalyanasundaram
Sunset hour aboard the African queen
Photo of The Victoria falls: A guide for first time travellers 16/17 by Abinaya Kalyanasundaram
Post sunset hues as we sip on sundowners

Other activities:

Livingstone is an adventure destination with various activities available all year round, based on the season and water level in the falls.

December to mid March – Summer time means no water. The falls is dry and you can see the rocky surface. This is prime water rafting season – you can go on day-long rafting tours, or half-day. I hear the scenery from the gorge looking up to 100 m cliffs on either side is stunning. Rains begin slowly around January and the river swells.

April to June – This is when the water is at its highest, so rafting activities are stopped. This is the best time to experience the thunderous falls in all its glory.

July and August – This is the best time to see the entire falls without too much mist blocking the way. Obviously, this is the best season for photography. Also, the adjacent national park is teeming with wildlife, ready to be seen.

September to December - The water levels start receding, so rafting is possible again this time of the year. This also throws open the famous Devil’s pool, the natural infinity pool at the edge of the falls. Accessed by a guided hike in waist-deep waters from Livingstone Island, this is one for the thrill seekers. But do follow your guide’s instructions well, to avoid mishaps that may lead to injury or death.

Certain activities can be done all year round – like helicopter and microlite rides, bungee jumping, and visits to the national park. There are also cheetah and lion walks, where you can walk alongside these animals, but I’m not sure about the ethical maters behind this activity. So do proceed after research.

Photo of The Victoria falls: A guide for first time travellers 17/17 by Abinaya Kalyanasundaram
The oldest Baobab tree in the region. A ladder leads to the platform view point to the falls.

Other tips:

- Save on accommodation and use that money on activities instead. Nothing is cheap in Livingstone, so if you want to experience the cruise, bungee, and helicopter rides, do not splurge on luxurious accommodation. You won’t spend much time in it anyway. We stayed at Olga’s Italian corner, run by an NGO, at one-fourth the rate of the resorts situated in the banks of the river.

- Always carry your passport and visa with you. There are many road blocks on the way from Lusaka to Livingstone, and you will need it to enter the falls gates.

- If you plan to do what I did, and stay inside the falls premises all day to avoid paying one more entry ticket, carry a backpack with food. There is only a small restaurant inside that serves sodas and lacklustre sandwiches.

- Cameras can get really wet in the mist near the falls. Invest in a waterproof cover designed for your camera model, or do what I did and wrap it up in cling film. Restricted zooming capabilities, but safer camera lenses. A friend with an umbrella is an added advantage.

- If you have more days, and cash, you can also cross the border to view the Zimbabwean side of the falls. Visas cost extra, but since 2/3rd of the falls is on this side, might be worth the visit.

- This is for the Indians – there are three restaurants that serve Indian cuisine in Livingstone. From briyani to paneer tikka, it is all cooked by Zambian chefs who know what they’re doing. Ask for extra spicy food, as that is our normal.

[All photographs copyrighted to Abinaya Kalyansundaram]