TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
Victoria Falls / Livingstone:
• Sundowner Cruise on Zambezi River
• Tour of Victoria Falls
• Afternoon cultural village visit
• Dinner on the historic train, the Royal Livingstone Express
DETAILED DAILY ITINERARY FOR VICTORIA FALLS EXTENSION
(3 nights/4 days)
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| Royal Livingstone Hotel and Falls |
Today you will be collected from Livingstone Airport and transferred to the Royal Livingstone Hotel. This afternoon you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to the Royal Landing to meet the African Queen. She gracefully meanders slowly upstream along the length of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in search of a number of animals and a host of bird species which can be viewed from comfortable chairs on the cool wooden decks. Excellent hot and cold food is served on board and the bar is well stocked with spirits, good wines, beers and soft drinks. All food and drink is included in the price and served throughout the cruise by professional, friendly waiters making the whole experience probably the most luxurious cruise on the Zambezi River. The duration of the cruise is about 2 hours and you can expect to be back at your hotel by 19h00. Children under 12 are half price, and children under 4 are free.
The completion of the Victoria Falls bridge gave birth to the city of Livingstone in 1905. The town prospered as the gateway to trade between the north and south sides of the Zambezi. A number of colonial buildings were erected, which still stand today, creating an atmospheric welcome to travelers using Livingstone as an entry point to explore this beautiful region. Be sure to experience the Victoria Falls on foot or by air, catch up on the local history at the Livingstone Museum as well as the Railway Museum, shop at the extensive craft markets, get active with white water rafting, sport fishing and kayaking, or relax and enjoy unforgettable African sunsets on a river cruise.
The Royal Livingstone Hotel is located immediately upstream from the Victoria Falls, on the forested banks of the great Zambezi River in Zambia. This hotel opitomises the regal stature of a bygone era, with the main section being a sequence of double volume thatch roofed buildings housing large and elegant lounges, bars and shaded verandahs of authentic colonial furnishings. The sparkling Victorian swimming pool visually links the river with the terraces of the hotel, and there is a sweeping timber deck jutting into the swirling water of the Zambezi.
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| Royal Livingstone Riverfront Pool |
All the rooms are air conditioned and have satellite television, electronic safe, hairdryer, mini-bar, telephone and tea/coffee making facilities. The en-suite bathrooms have free standing Victorian baths and oversized showers and all the rooms have private balconies or terraces with spectacular views of the Zambezi River.
Hotel guests are welcome to hop onto a passing golf cart to gain unlimited access to view the Falls themselves or with a local guide.
DAY 2 – Victoria Falls / Livingstone
Today’s tour takes you on a discovery of how the Victoria Falls were formed and what local customs and traditions surround them. One special vantage point is across the Knife edge bridge, where visitors can have the finest view of the Eastern Cataract and the Main Falls as well as the Boiling Pot where the river turns and heads down the Batoka Gorge. Other vantage points include the Falls Bridge and the Lookout Tree which commands a panoramic view across the Main Falls. Different times of the year will provide completely different experiences of the Falls region. Peak flood season is around March and April when the full power of the falls can be experienced. As the floods abate the view of the falls gets better, but at its lowest, around November and December, the Falls become little rivulets running over the edge and in some places along the 1,7km width, with no water falls at all. This guided tour is extremely informative and ends with a visit to the local art and crafts centre. The tour is 1.5 hours in duration and it includes National Park fees, the services of a qualified guide and bottled mineral water. Children under 12 are ½ price, and children under 2 are free.Later this afternoon, enjoy a visit to a traditional Zambian village. This is a Royal village which was founded around the 13th Century. It is home to about 7,000 Leya people. The chief has invited visitors into his village to get a glimpse of how his people have lived for generations and to learn a little about their traditional customs and beliefs. The Chief's guides and the people of the village are more than happy to show visitors their huts and take you inside, explain how they are built and decorated, introduce you to various craftsmen and women at work and ask you to taste some traditional foods and beer. This is a working village, not a purpose built tourist attraction, and it is a privilege to be welcomed into their lifestyle. Cultural Tours last for 2 hours and may be booked in the morning or the afternoon. This tour may be combined with other historical or cultural tours to make a full morning or day out with a very good lunch.
This evening enjoy dinner on board the historical Royal Livingstone Express. The Royal Livingstone Express consists of 5 air-conditioned carriages, 2 dining cars, a kitchen car, lounge car, and an observation car and is pulled by either a 10th class 156 or a 12th class 204 locomotive. One of the dining cars, The Wembley, was built by the Birmingham Railway Carriage and Wagon Company, and went on display in London at the British Empire Exhibition in 1924. It was shipped to the Union of South Africa and entered service on 19th May 1926.
The Steam Locomotive, 156 is a 10th Class originally belonging to the largest private railway network in the world, Zambezi Sawmills Limited. It was used on the Mulobezi Line to pull logging carriages from the forests in Mulobezi to the railhead in Livingstone. David Shepherd, renowned wildlife artist, rescued the locomotive and totally renovated it, to its previous grandeur. He then donated it to National Heritage and it has subsequently restored the locomotive to working order.
Your dinner takes place in the Edwardian splendour of this steam locomotive as it winds its way from Livingstone, through the local countryside, with wines and drinks included in your experience.
Return to the Royal Livingstone for overnight.
DAY 3 – Free day / Livingstone
Today will be at leisure to relax and enjoy your surroundings or perhaps to enjoy some of the many activities on offer in Livingstone. These could include helicopter flights over the Falls, jet boating, a walk with lions at the Lion Sanctuary – or even a full day tour to the Chobe National Park. Activities can be booked in advance and are at an additional cost. Return to the Royal Livingstone for overnight.
DAY 4 – Departure
Today you will be collected from Royal Livingstone Hotel and transferred to the Livingstone Airport.
Images courtesy of the Royal Livingstone Hotel.
