Vic Falls - A trip to paradise

Advantages: For me, being married to a Zimbabwean
Disadvantages: Too many sellers

...I took a trip to Zimbabwe back in June 2000 to meet my wife's family for the very first time. During that 3 week visit we decided to take a short flight from harare (about an hour) to stay for 3 days at The Kingdom. Basically this was the 2nd closest hotel to Vic Falls and as my wife was a Zim citizen then we got to stay there for $20US each per night. The usual tourist cost was $120. The falls themselves are just fantastic and I regret not taking the chance to do the helicopter flight over them. We did however fly over the falls on the way in, so that certainly made up for it. The falls are located within a park, which at the time of the year we were there, was very quiet. I dont remember the cost to the park, however on the walk down to the park we encountered an elephant standing in the middle of the path. Obviously we...

Newbs 14.02.2004 · Read review
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Review of Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

The Smoke that Thunders

Advantages: breathtaking
Disadvantages: lack of decent toilets

...Into the northwest of Zimbabwe runs the Zambezi River. This great river enters Zimbabwe from Zambia in an astounding manner. It crashes over one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world - Victoria Falls. David Livingstone was the first outsider to stumble across this incredible nature feature and reported it to the world in 1860, naming it after his Queen - Victoria. However, the 'natives' had already given it a name - Mosi-oa-Tunya - meaning The Smoke that Thunders. This is a very apt name which they gave it as the roar of the falls can be heard from the town of Victoria Falls which is situated about 15mins walk away. The spray - or smoke as they described it - can be seen from miles away as the water falls 100m into a deep gorge. The falls themselves are situated in their own National Park, protecting them from...

Gwenick 18.06.2001 · Read review
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Review of Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

Friendly Zimbabwe - Updated

Advantages: Friendly people, great exchange rate if you've got £'s
Disadvantages: Possible threat to foreign nationals

...Being a British woman who lived in Zimbabwe for 2 1/2yrs, only returning to the UK in April '00, I can sadly no longer recommed visiting Zimbabwe, at the present moment in time. Despite everything you hear on the news about racism and the blacks hating the whites, it simply isn't true. I married a Black Zimbabwean so they can't be that bad! However, President Mugabe has now stated publicly that he "cannot guarantee the safety of diplomats or foreign aid workers based there". Now while he dooesn't state tourists in this statement his small, but trusty, band of violent supporters may well attack any white (or foreigner) without asking what their business is. I must state that I do not know how badly affected the Tourist areas such as Vitoria Falls and Great Zimbabwe have been affected. Therefore if you do decided to travel to Zimbabwe...

Gwenick 04.09.2000 (02.05.2001) · Read review
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Review of General: Zimbabwe

Great Zimbabwe

Advantages: Unique and fascinating sight, plenty to explore
Disadvantages: Climb to Hill Complex is quite steep, can be very hot

...The name Zimbabwe is derived from the Shona word for 'houses of stone' and was historically used to refer to the places where rulers would live or be buried. There are many such 'zimbabwes' around this region of the country but Great Zimbabwe is the largest. It was built and developed over a period of approximately 400 years between 1100 AD and 1500 AD. When Rhodesia became independent in 1980, the country took its new name from the historic site. Little detail is known of the origins of Great Zimbabwe and theories submitted in the past were usually based on the politics of the day rather than any historical evidence. Indeed, the European explorers and archeologists could not believe that such a place could be built by local natives. However, we now know that the site was definitely the work of the local native people. Visiting...

stuartmelvin 20.03.2001 · Read review
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Review of Great Zimbabwe National Monument

Victoria Falls

Advantages: spectacular world-class sight, lots of things to do
Disadvantages: town is tourist trap - unlike rest of the country

...Victoria Falls is the number one destination for most visitors to Zimbabwe (or indeed Southern Africa) and must surely be one of the most memorable sights in the world. The Zambezi River expands to an incredible width of over a mile before thundering 100 metres down a sheer chasm and into turbulent white waters. Before reaching the falls, the river is a peaceful place with palm-dotted islands scattered throughout the water. The area around the falls is rainforest fed by the constant spray from the falls. Rainbows can be seen from all angles. Viewing of the falls is done from within the Victoria Falls National Park where you can see antelope, vervet monkey, warthog and banded mongoose living amid the spray. Beyond the falls, the river winds its way down the gorge and provides some of the best white water rafting in the world. Finally, it...

stuartmelvin 20.03.2001 · Read review
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Review of General: Zimbabwe

Elephant Safari

Advantages: Great Scenery, beautiful animals.
Disadvantages: a little pricey

...My original opinion has mysteriously gone missing. I am trying to find it and replace it as soon as I can! These safaris can be arranged from Victoria Falls, and you will be picked up and returned to you hotel. The safari itself lasts about 1.5 hours, and don't forget that elephants walk very very slowly! Before you start, you are given various instructions and then away you go! You should get the opportunity to see other game, and at the end of the walk you get to meet 'your' elephant! You are then plied with free drinks and food while they quickly put the video together - watching it is good, but it usually turns out a bit naff! A lovely peaceful afternoon out....

LeilaR 18.06.2001 (22.07.2001) · Read review
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Review of Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

One place everyone should see in their lifetime

Advantages: beautiful; abundant experiences; affordable
Disadvantages: currency fluctuations and political instability

...There are few that have seen the wonderful Victoria Falls that can sit down and put the experience into words. Although visiting the Zimbabwean side of the falls is rather different to the Zambian side, the experience is unforgettable either way. There are different seasons during which Victoria Falls offers its visitors a different and yet still memorable experience. During the rainy season (Nov to Apr) the fury of the falls is so powerful that a little walk in the nature reserve directly opposite the waterfall feels like walking through a monsoon. There is little to see but the power and magnitude of this natural wonder can be felt and heard. During the dry season it is possible to watch and marvel at the width and beauty of the falls. As any other top quality holiday resort, Victoria Falls is well equipped with places to stay...

nikolo21 28.06.2007 · Read review
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Review of Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

Victoria falls and the lunar rainbow

Advantages: Breathtaking scenery, and an amazing atmosphere
Disadvantages: It can be a bit on the wet side!

...I spent 5 days in Livingstone after working in schools in the north of the country for 3 weeks. I went in May, which is considered winter time, buti t was dry and as hot as a good day in the English summer (but very cold at night). The rainbow from the falls can be seen from the road leading to it, about a mile away, but nothing can prepare you for the sound of the water crashing down! It cost around $10 to go to the falls, but you can pay the equivalent in kwacha. There are several viewing points where you can see the falls, which are astounding. It can be tricky getting the perfect photo if it is busy, as the viewing areas are quite small, but that is the nature of this beautiful area.They made me feel very humble, and closer to nature-away from our materialistic world. You can carry on past the falls and walk alongside...

slp123 25.05.2006 · Read review
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Review of Victoria Falls (Zambia)

Are We There Yet?

Advantages: the cabin crew is very friendly...
Disadvantages: boring music offered, no T.V on board, not enough milk and sugar for the tea etc

...Air Zimbabwe is a Zimbabwean airline which operates both domestic and international. Domestically it operates in Big cities such as Harare, Victoria Falls, Bulawayo etc. Internationally it operates in countries such as England, China, Egypt etc. However nowadays due to the country's economy corruption the services to other various countries and cities has been limited and some services have been stopped. I used air Zimbabwe once when I went to Zimbabwe for a holiday for three weeks. I used air Zimbabwe because it is the only non-stop plane to Zimbabwe and is cheaper compared to other airlines that travel to Zimbabwe such as Kenya airways, BA, Egypt Airways, KLM etc. However, because I live in England the only airport that air Zimbabwe operates at is Gatwick airport, which I don't have a problem with as I live two minutes drive...

shaaza 28.07.2008 (31.07.2008) · Read review
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Review of Air Zimbabwe

Showing signs of improvement

Advantages: Good one day side
Disadvantages: Have lost influential players

...Just as Sri Lanka were when they had entered Test Cricket in 1981/2, Zimbabwe entered the test arena as the whipping boys. Mind you England's failure to beat them in Harare in 1996/7 showed that they had got some resilience. In recent times they have troubled the West Indies, and showed a certain degree of resilience against England, having been initially humbled. They still remain the bogey team for England, although this summer's NatWest triangular series has hopefully shattered this. Unfortunately Zimbabwe are losing the services of Neil Johnson and Murray Goodwin, and with the number of injury stricken bowlers they have, then things promise to be difficult, and this also with the current situation in Zimbabwe, which must prey heavily on the players' minds....

Morgenhund 02.09.2000 · Read review
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Review of Zimbabwe