Talking about logistics, another one was a night over in Johannesburg because there was no other option to combine the flight from Nairobi. And if this was all … we spent about 5 hours at the Nairobi airport after we landed on time from Amboseli and there was no heavy traffic between the airports. The night in Johannesburg and more specifically the trip and finding the hotel were nightmare (one person who was supposed to be part of the airport had to show us where the shuttle bus to the hotel is, then he asked another one and then they asked for money for the service and it was dark, cold, raining so.. don’t wanna repeat it again!). then they gave us a room on the first floor were you can use either the WC or the shower because they utilized the same door which was closing on one side or another. And then what? we asked for a new room which was better. The best thing of the hotel was the breakfast buffet which was the best I’ve seen on this trip and among many others!
Only if this was all regarding the logistics :) When we arrived in Vic Falls, there was no one waiting for us, so after a series of calls to the agent, we had to take a taxi (after the unpleasant experience in Joburg we were suspicious of everything and everyone. After that came a lengthy discussion why the transfer's not there and a few apologies. The hotel was nice, old and we had mosquito nets above our beds :).
The falls were 10-15min walking from the hotel and we visited them in the morning. The Vic Falls, Niagara and Iguazu are viewed as the most famous one as Niagara being the one with most water, Iguazu being the widest and Vic being the highest if I remember well. I should say that the pictures of Vic in high season were showed greater power, but we saw them in the low season.
Above all, the stay in Vic Falls was relaxing and for the other 2 days we had a horse riding and a canoe trip - both particular in their way. The village and area are not typical Zimbabwe though - the prices were all in USDs and real high even for Swiss standard!
The horse riding.. we were 4 - hardly with any experience.. so we were all on our horses (mine being one of the wildest if you ask me who even stumbled at one point) and we were with 4 guides - not that they could have helped if you fall down haha. So we went on almost 2hrs ride in the nature where also animals were walking around. It was interesting and physical I should say but not too scary. The lady, owner of the stable was quite a particular case and far from nice, but the guides were local and nice.
The canoe trip was another experience... so starting in the morning, we were picked up real early and we ended up being 7 (the 2 of us, 2 US girls, an Italian couple and another US lady) tourists with 2 guides. The canoes were inflatable canoes for 2 meaning that we were canoeing by ourselves. After an hour or so car ride we arrived at the starting point and the instructions which went like this: you paddle this way and that way.. there are hippos in the river.. if a hippo pushes your canoe or hits it from the bottom the canoe can just land as it is or turn, if it turns and you end up in the water, swim to the nearest canoe or the coast whichever closer (in fact a hippo can kill a person in 3 sec but ... that's life). Do not put your hand in the water - the crocs see the canoe as something big if they see your hand they might try to bite you.. if a crocodile bites the canoe, it consists of 2 parts and the other half will be OK for you to get to the coast.. so reassuring. We had sandwiches etc. for breakfast and then... 2-3hour paddling along the Zambezi river. At one point, it appeared that hippos are close and not where they usually are so we had to be careful and close to the coast in rapid waters - it was quite an experience I should say. At the end, we arrived all safe and had a lunch in the nature before heading back to the village.
Above all, I do not think I'm eager to go back to Vic falls truth to be told, but I can say I've been there already :)
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