Victoria Falls Budget Safari
This Victoria Falls budget safari is a 4 days African budget safari in Zambia. It is an ideal add on for tours that start or end on the Zambian Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls budget safari can be a short getaway to the spectacular “Smoke that Thunders”. You’ll stay in en-suite rooms at a luxurious yet affordable Zambia hotel. Your Zambia budget hotel is only 5 minutes drive from Victoria Falls. Transfers and breakfasts are included in this Victoria Falls budget safari. There are other activities included on this Victoria Falls budget safari. They are a Zambezi River Sunset Cruise and a tour to Chobe National Park, Botswana. You’ll have a half day Canoe Trip on the Upper Zambezi. There is also a Cultural Village Tour and a 15 minute helicopter flight over the falls.
Day 1: Zambezi River Sunset Cruise
You’ll be met on arrival at international airport in Livingstone, Zambia. This will be by our Zambia safari rep. He will brief you on the Victoria Falls budget safari. This is to be followed by a transfer to the Protea Hotel. This hotel is located on the outskirts of Livingstone town. It is not far away from the Victoria Falls waterfall. You will be accommodated on bed and breakfast basis. Dinner and lunch will be a direct cost on you.
Zambezi River Sunset Cruise
In the afternoon your Victoria Falls budget safari head to the Royal Landing. Here you’ll be greeted by a Marimba Band. It is from here that you embark on a scenic sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. The cruise departs at around 1530hrs. It is a two hours cruise travelling downstream towards Vic Falls. Yoy will go as far as Siloka Island and back. The tour goes along the edge of Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park.
The cruise is the ideal way to end your first day at Victoria Falls. You’ll catch a spectacular African sunset over the tranquil river and bush. The laid-back boat cruise includes sun-downers and tasty snacks. Hippos and crocodiles are commonly spotted from the boat. There are also various other wild animals along the banks. They include elephants, giraffes, buffalos and even rhinos. An amazing array of birds can also be sighted on this cruise in nature. After your mellow sunset cruise we return to the hotel. This is in time for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Chobe National Park, Botswana
Your Victoria Falls budget safari set out early today. Your adventure heads to Chobe National Park. This is considered one of the best game parks in Botswana. You’ll travel to the Zimbabwe border post for clearance. Once through there you head to the Botswana entry gate. You’ll stop en route to step on a sanitised mat. This is to prevent Foot and Mouth disease entering the country. On arrival in Botswana you’ll change into an open safari vehicle. This is to enable great game viewing in the park. Your Victoria Falls budget safari goes to the northern section of the park. Here the Chobe River forms the border in the north. Your Victoria Falls budget safari adventure begins with a river cruise into the park. This provides an opportunity to view the many waders and animals. They frequent the river banks at this major watering spot. This is a very popular animal spot particularly in the dry season. This area is known for its dense woodland. This has attracted herds of elephant resulting in a huge elephant population. It is estimated that there are about 50 000 individual elephants here.
You’ll take a break for buffet lunch at the Chobe Game Lodge. This includes a complimentary drink and tea or coffee is served with lunch. A short rest will prepare you for the afternoon game drive. You should expect to see up to 15 different animal species. They include buffalo, giraffe, kudu, roan and sable. There are also impala, warthog, bushbuck, monkeys and baboons. The predators here are lion, leopard, hyena and jackal. Be sure to have your cameras ready and binoculars if you have them. It’s also advisable to have sunscreen and a hat. This is a 3 hour game drive in the hot, afternoon sun. It’s time to go back after your exciting Victoria Falls budget safari day. You’ll go through the border posts arriving at your hotel around 1800hrs.
Day 3: Upper Zambezi Canoeing Trip
This morning, your Victoria Falls budget safari set off on our half day canoeing trip. Your destination is the Upper Zambezi River. This is above the spectacular Victoria Falls. Canoeing is the best way to explore the scenic Upper Zambezi River area.
You’ll receive a safety briefing by the professional river guide. This will be followed by a quick practice session on the water. Let the paddle begin. This will not be a challenging paddle. You’ll be navigating only small, easy rapids. Therefore there is no canoeing experience is required. You’ll take a lazy paddle down the Upper Zambezi. This is as you look out for hippos, buffalos, crocodiles, elephants, kudus, and impalas. There will be other untamed creatures including birds along the banks. Canoeing along the river is also a great way to spot birds. This includes the powerful Martial Eagle, among the over 50 bird species commonly sighted. Canoeing along the river goes to the Zimbabwean banks and pristine bush on the Zambian side. This gentle paddle is all about soaking up the beautiful scenery. You’ll enjoy the local fauna and flora up close. Afterwards there’s time for a picnic lunch on the riverbank.
Guided Victoria Falls Tour
This afternoon the Victoria Falls budget safari adventure tours the Victoria Falls. You’ll be led by an experienced and knowledgeable local guide. You’ll walk through lush rainforests on the Zambian side of Vic Falls. Your Victoria Falls budget safari visits vantage points. This is to have spectacular views of this natural wonder. The walk takes you across Knife Edge Bridge and through the forest. Here you’ll see plant species rarely found in other parts of Zambia or Zimbabwe. During peak season you’ll feel the spray of the “Smoke that Thunders”.
Victoria Falls is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It is an awe-inspiring sight to behold. This is truer especially when the Zambezi water levels are high. Victoria Falls is considered the largest waterfall in the world. The falls plummet 100m’s into the gorge below and span 1.5 km’s across. About 550 million liters of water flow over Vic Falls per minute. The skilled guide explains the geology of Victoria Falls. He will also tell you more about this epic waterfall as you walk. You’ll retire to your hotel later. This is in time for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Departure
Today your Victoria Falls budget safari lifts off on our thrilling helicopter flight. This Flight of Angels takes you on a scenic chopper ride over the thundering Victoria Falls waterfall. This provides a fantastic views and a whole new perspective of this natural wonder. This is a 15 minute flight that gives an uninterrupted bird’s eye view of Victoria Falls. You’ll also see the Zambezi River and surrounding bush. You’ll fly upstream over Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park. This is a great way to looking out for game below. You can also see downstream over the impressive Batoka Gorge. What a great way to end your Victoria Falls budget safari. You will finalize your Victoria Falls budget safari with a transfer to the airport. You will be there in time for your departure flight.
