Activities and Day Tours

Zimbabwe

The spectacular helicopter flight over the Victoria Falls is known as the ‘Flight of Angels’.

David Livingstone famously wrote on seeing the Victoria Falls for the first time in 1855 that “Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight”. Little did he know that 150 years later he could have exactly that opportunity. The best way to appreciate the true splendour of the Victoria Falls is to view them from the air. Our helicopters have specially designed ‘bubble shaped’ windows perfect for panoramic viewing and great photographic opportunities from all seats.

Due to the close proximity of Maramba Aerodrome to the Zambezi River, the helicopters are over the spectacular scenery of the Zambezi River within 30 seconds after take-off.

After take off the helicopter turns out towards the magnificent Victoria Falls, our pilot will fly left and right hand circuits over the Victoria Falls in both directions giving you the best viewing, photographic and filming opportunities. A trip up the Zambezi River and back over theZambezi National Park completes your flight.

The Zambezi Sunset cruise is a superb way to relax and enjoy the spectacular beauty of the Zambezi River.

There are great photo opportunities against often-spectacular African sunsets.

Flocks of birds skim the waterline as the sun sets behind the African skyline. Clients may have the opportunity to see a variety of game; including hippo, crocodile, and elephant as well as enjoy the many different bird species.

The Sunset Cruise is very popular and includes finger snacks, beer, wine, local spirits and soft drinks.

Inclusions

Refreshments, local brand beverages and finger snacks, transfers from all Victoria Falls hotels within a 5km radius of the jetty are included in the rate.

Victoria Falls is brimming with craft markets, enticing restaurants and an array of shops. Explore this exciting town, led by your Wild Horizons guide, to your hearts content.

You can also cycle along the Zambezi River, visit the famous Big Tree (a baobab tree estimated to 3500 years old), enjoy spectacular views of the Batoka Gorges below the Falls and cycle across the Victoria Falls Bridge.

We recommend you have basic cycling experience when joining the trip.

It’s a truly awe-inspiring experience – the sight, the sound, the smell; the humbling feeling that here indeed is Nature’s Supreme Masterpiece. No photograph can begin to depict the reality…and nothing prepares you for your first sight.

The Victoria Falls – Now In Its 150 Millionth Fantastic Year – Reaches Its Zenith In About May each year.

This tour is conducted in the morning and afternoon. En route, clients may be taken past the ‘Big Tree’ where they may stop and take photos. Clients will be accompanied through the Rainforest by one of our qualified Guides who will give a brief history of the Falls themselves as well as detailing the flora, fauna, bird & wildlife and other points of interest. Guides are also happy to assist clients with photographs whilst visiting this most spectacular of waterfalls. Raincoats are provided when needed.

Chobe National Park is well known for its large herds of elephant that frequent the Chobe River on a daily basis. In the dry season an estimate of up to 85,000 elephants can be dispersed within the Chobe National Park, where the majority of them can be found along the river. Apart from the herds of elephants, Chobe also has lots more to offer. The Park has lion, leopard, buffalo and a whole host of antelope like sable, puku, kudu, eland, roan and many others which you can get to see. The river is filled with big pods of hippos and some of the biggest crocodiles in Africa.

This tour departs daily to the Chobe National Park in Botswana. Clients will be transferred to the Kazungula border where their Botswana guide will meet them. They will proceed straight to the morning cruise where they will spend the morning game viewing along the Chobe River. The cruise will end at around 12h30 and clients will go to a hotel on the riverbank for lunch. After lunch, guests will board safari vehicles for an afternoon game drive in the Chobe National Park. Following this they will be taken back to the Kazungula Border where they will be met by their Zimbabwean guide for their return transfer to Victoria Falls.

Our Home Hosted meals provide valuable income to local providers. This initiative aims to empower local people by providing income and allowing them to have a fun interaction with visitors while teaching them about local culture and traditions. Families welcome visitors into their homes for a fee and provide them with a traditional meal. This has proved highly successful and greatly beneficial to the individuals involved.

Experience the true flavours of Victoria Falls with a “home dinner”. Wild Horizons will collect guests at their hotels or B&B in Victoria Falls Town. A short transfer takes you to the Chinotimba High Density suburb. Guests will be hosted by a local family in their residence and served a traditional African home made lunch.

A great experience for children or teens who will enjoy meeting other children and learn about other cultures.

Expect an authentic home cooked meal- there will be options you are familiar with that are commonly eaten in Zimbabwe such as beef stew as well as some local dishes that may be new to you. You do not have to try these if you are wary but it is great fun if you do.

Arguably the wildest white water in the world, rafting on the Zambezi River is an adrenaline rush not to be missed. The rapids on the Zambezi River are officially defined as “Grade 5” by the British Canoe Union (Grade 6 not being commercially run). Clients should be reasonably fit for this activity, as there is a steep walk into & out of the Batoka Gorge as well as the white water rafting activity itself. The gorge is over 100 meters deep at the Falls and increases to over 200 meters by the end of a full day raft trip. Despite this rugged terrain, the gorges below the Falls are thick with vegetation and incredibly spectacular.

This is the longest Zip Line (Foofie Slide) ride in the world. Imagine the Adrenalin rush traveling a speed of 106 km’s hurtling 425 m across the gorge, while suspended 120 m above the breath taking beauty of the Zambezi water below!

As the river zigzags down the Batoka Gorges, our cable is suspended across from one side to the other. For this product you are harnessed and attached to a pulley, then launched over the edge picking up speed as you descend over the water and reaching a speed of 106 km an hour.

Clients are taken to an authentic rural village approximately 20km from Victoria Falls town where they are given the opportunity to watch local villagers going about their daily tasks. The tour enables the client to see rural life first hand; visiting rural homes, watching their fields being tended and possibly getting the chance to help in some of the day-to-day chores. Meet the village chief and learn about the way of life from him.

Duration 2 hours 30 minutes

When All year round

Where Zimbabwe

Weather n/a

What to Wear Comfortable attire that provides sun protection · comfortable shoes · Hair ties (for longer hair, which must be tied up)

Things to Bring Comfortable attire that provides sun protection · Sunscreen · Mosquito repellent · Hair ties (for longer hair, which must be tied up)

Guests or Spectators No spectators allowed

Imagine taking a running jump into thin air over the chasm, soaring horizontally through the air over the turmoil of the Zambezi below. The gorge at this point is 200 meters wide and 120 meters deep. This is a great appetizer before you try the Zip Line and Gorge Swing.

Duration Open Ended
When All year round
Where Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Weather Weather permitting What to Wear Clients are advised to wear the following:

• Comfortable attire that provides sun protection
• Hiking/running shoes
• Hair ties (for longer hair, which must be tied up)
• Warm clothing in winter (April to August) Lockers are available, but guests are encouraged try to leave valuables at home/the hotel.

Things to Bring Clients are advised to bring the following with: · Sunscreen · Mosquito repellent · Hair ties (for longer hair, which must be tied up) Lockers are available, but guests are encouraged try to leave valuables at home/the hotel. Guests or Spectators Spectators allowed

There is only one way to see and understand the magnitude, historical relevance and sheer beauty of this Natural Wonder of the World, by guided tour. Working with the finest guides we ensure that you see Victoria Falls from the best angles and learn the lesser-known secrets of the area. A sight of awe-inspiring grandeur described by the Kololo tribe in the 1800s as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ – ‘The Smoke that Thunders’. Around two-thirds of Victoria Falls can be viewed within Zimbabwe, with paths leading through the rain forest to the Devils Cataract, Main Falls, Horseshoe Falls and aptly named Rainbow Falls viewing points.

Our Home Hosted meals provide valuable income to local providers. This initiative aims to empower local people by providing income and allowing them to have a fun interaction with visitors while teaching them about local culture and traditions. Families welcome visitors into their homes for a fee and provide them with a traditional meal. This has proved highly successful and greatly beneficial to the individuals involved.

Experience the true flavours of Victoria Falls with a “home dinner”. Wild Horizons will collect guests at their hotels or B&B in Victoria Falls Town. A short transfer takes you to the Chinotimba High Density suburb. Guests will be hosted by a local family in their residence and served a traditional African home made lunch.

A great experience for children or teens who will enjoy meeting other children and learn about other cultures.

Expect an authentic home cooked meal- there will be options you are familiar with that are commonly eaten in Zimbabwe such as beef stew as well as some local dishes that may be new to you. You do not have to try these if you are wary but it is great fun if you do.

The Victoria Falls Canopy Tour offers fantastic views of Zambezi rapids, Victoria Falls Bridge & the spray of the Falls.

Observe the riverine forest from a variety of different vantage points – from above, below and within the canopy itself — experience forest bird-life, which can include the Knysna and Purple-crested Turaco (Lourie) and Peregrine Falcons. The Victoria Falls Canopy Tour offers a network of slides, trails and rope bridge walkways within the canopy of the hardwood forest of the Zambezi gorges. This experience is suitable for adventure seekers of all ages including families and groups. The Canopy Tour is family fun with a unique birds-eye view of one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

The Canopy Tour consists of nine slides, varying in length and one cable bridge walkway. The longest slide is about 85 metres long and the shortest 40 metres in length. Our friendly and experienced staff will give you a detailed safety briefing before the canopy tour, taking you step by step through your upcoming adventure. There are two guides on each tour, and the activity lasts for between two to two and a half hours.

The Wild Horizons Gorge Swing is a thrilling and mind blowing experience. Leap into the wide-open air as you plunge into the mouth of the Batoka gorge, Victoria Falls. Scream as you break free of the fear and trepidation you felt before you threw yourself off the platform. Zero Gravity!

Imagine swinging in a child’s swing in the playground…now imagine a giant swing 95 m long and 120 m high above water…now imagine a 70 m free fall before you begin swinging. Stop imagining and come and try it out! Our high wire is suspended across the gorge at a point where the width is 316 m and 120 m deep. A harness is attached to the jumper and then the jumping ropes, the other end of which is pivoted to the middle of the cable. The jumper leaps off the edge of the gorge, free falling about 70 m before going into a 95 m long pendulum type swing.

Like the exquisite bird after which it was named, “Malachite” is one of the Zambezi River’s crowning gems, offering the best dinner cruise in Victoria Falls. Guests are welcomed on board with a refresher towel and chilled flute of sparkling wine before they settle down on the top floor of the vessel for a sunset cruise before dinner.

Amuse bouche and snack platters are served while the sun sinks below the shimmering surface of the Zambezi. A barman and three intuitive waiters anticipate guests’ needs, serving a selection of lively cocktails and imported premium spirits throughout their journey. The plush, cushioned furniture and high vantage point on the upper deck provide the ideal space to watch one of Victoria Falls famous sunsets.

After the sun has sunk below the river line, dinner is served on the lower deck of the vessel, exemplifying the hallmarks of exquisite cuisine prepared on board by two Chefs. The rich aroma of locally sourced, fresh ingredients wafts around diners as the dishes are plated.

Time seems to stand still as the boat gently glides along to the sound of water lapping up against her sides. Far removed from the glare of city lights and noise, the moon and stars shine brightly in the sky and an atmosphere of mystery and romance envelopes the evening’s experience. The seven-course meal and all-inclusive drinks on board the luxurious Malachite are great value for money and promise an exceptional sunset dinner cruise experience in Victoria Falls.