To learn more about what I experienced in Africa, read part 1, part 2, and part 3.
After a long journey through South Africa, we have finally arrived at the last destination of my African trip in 2014. Victoria Falls at Livingstone, Zambia is the place I chose as my final entry to the Solo Traveler's Journal for Africa. The reason I chose Africa was to see this mighty waterfall with my own two eyes, and now, from experiencing it firsthand, I can say it was worth the long hours' flight from Bangkok.
What is so special about this place? Everything. The sound roaring across the cliffs dividing Zimbabwe and Zambia, the strong current that even avid adventurers will be scared to jump into, the generally friendly people of Zambia, and the opportunity to jump off a 110m high bridge overlooking the Victoria Falls. What more can you ask for in a 4-day getaway in Africa?
Still not convinced? Scroll down and see for yourself.
Note: Before you enter Zambia, you need to have been vaccinated against Yellow Fever, and you will be required to prove this at the airport with the yellow booklet the doctor gave you. They will ask for it.
Africa Travel Video
1. Witness the Lunar Rainbow
Wade and I grabbed a taxi at 7 pm, and we went to the Fall. We walked around in the dark, trying to find the best spot for viewing the falls and the lunar rainbow.
After waiting for a couple of minutes for the clouds to go away and let the full moon shine at the Fall, the rainbow started to appear. That was my first glance at the fall, an impressive one for sure.
That night, I met up with a couple of guys and girls at Jollyboy's bar. They were having a couple of beers, grilling braais (African barbecue), and were about to head out to a local bar called Fez. And off I went with them, ended up competing in a couple of beer pong tournaments and returned to the hostel at 2 AM. Slept like a baby.
2. Visit the Victoria Falls on the Zambian Side
As most of my friends went camping at one of the parks under a gigantic baobab tree in the very early morning, I decided to dedicate this day to the Victoria Falls. I went out at 10 AM and arranged for my taxi to pick me up at 5 PM. The Victoria Falls during the day are even more impressive!
I found a pretty isolated spot at the top of the fall where I sat and watched the violent current of the Zambezi River. It was April, and the water level was at an all-time high.
Surprisingly, I found solitude in the chaos of the current, watching each stream collide with one another while the falls roared like thunder.
Because of the height of the falls and the water level at that time, the contact between the falls and the river below caused a shower as high as the falls themselves, and even higher.
Same spot as the night before but during the day. Stunning no matter the time.
In my hand was a raincoat that I had prepared for the shower. As it turned out, it was not enough to withstand the raw power of nature.
There was a bridge that went right under the shower, and I was completely soaked by the time I was halfway on the bridge. I quickly grabbed my camera and took this picture just to show you how powerful it was.
This is the amount of water during April. It was crazy and awesome at the same time.
This is the bridge that crossed between the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. This is also the place where people casually jump off to test their bravery and soon tested mine as well.
3. Hike Down to The Boiling Pot at Victoria Falls
Before jumping, I decided to survey the area and went to the bottom of the falls. It was a couple of minutes' walk down the falls, and I was able to put the height of the fall into perspective as I watched people almost plunge to their death. The bungee cord saved them right before they were crushed against the crazy current of the Zambezi River. At this point, I started to feel something in my stomach.
Even as I walked further away from the waterfall, I could still see the shower blowing outward. It was mind-boggling.
I decided to sit at the bottom of the waterfall to dry myself before doing the bungee jump. It was a breathtaking view.
Someone just jumped off the bridge, and in a few moments, that will be me!
On the far left was the bridge I mentioned earlier.
I barely saw the fall up to this point, and yet I still felt its power. It's really crazy to think that such an amount of water flows like this all day and all night.
As I walked back to the entrance the same way I came in to go out to the bungee jump bridge, I took another shot at the falls, this time to capture its full height.
The little orange dot at the bottom was where I was a minute ago. As I walked to the bridge, my heart sank as I saw this. The bungee jumping seems like a bad idea at this point.
Damn... maybe I should just watch...
4. Bungee Jump off the Victoria Falls Bridge
At the end of the day, my excitement trumped my fear, so after I asked for a bungee jump pass at the immigration, I had lunch, registered for the jump, and went for it.
The Zambezi River from the No Man's Land bridge.
And there it was, the platform where my body would free fall for 100m straight down into the violent river of the falls.
After the instructor strapped me with hooks and filmed my jump, I had to act like I wasn't scared, but to tell you the truth, I was scared shitless.
After they made sure everything was in place, they directed me to the edge, counting down from 3, and there I went.
This was the moment when my body started to reject my action. It felt that something was wrong, so it tried to convince me not to do it, but it was all too late.
Everything happened so fast; it was impossible to realize what was happening.
The first fall was already scary, but the second free fall after the first bounce was just as scary.
The feeling afterward was so awesome, I had rainbows shooting out of my ass. :)
After the jump, I simply sat and watched the sunset at the falls, feeling proud of all the things I've done. It was a moment of epiphany.
5. Cruise Along the Zambezi River
On this last full day in Zambia, I decided to give myself a break and learn more about the people I hung out with at the hostel. We chilled out at the common area the whole day, talking. In the evening, Wade and a couple of guys went on a sunset booze cruise at the Zambezi river.
We had braais for dinner as usual, together with unlimited booze.
We drank and talked and drank some more. It was a great epilogue to my glorious African trip.
Sunsets and sunrises in Africa never disappoint.
And this was the last sunset I experienced in Zambia... for now.
On the last day, I packed everything ready to leave, and as I was about to go, I decided to take a little stroll with Bonnie. I had one final Mosi beer at the local's watering hole and flew back to Jo'Burg. I ended up sleeping at the nearest hotel at the airport and headed back to Bangkok.
And that's the end of my 10-day first contact with Africa. The place and the people there left me impressed, and I assure you, this will not be my last time. I hope you enjoy this little photo essay, and if you are planning a trip to South Africa and Zambia and you need help, please do let me know in the comment below.
Next up, I'll be heading to Singapore for a few days to conclude my 10th country traveling alone in one year. Time flies, isn't it? It felt like yesterday when I took the leap of faith and traveled to Cambodia alone.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
4 Comments
This is an amazing blog on Victoria Falls. We wish we had seen this during your stay and would have taken you on our Gorge Swing. https://zambeziecoadventures.com/tour/gorge-swing
Let us know if you come back again.
And thanks for visiting and the great time you had
Would totally go back in a heart beat :)
Hei Pete R. Hope you are wll, i am from bangladesh. I am a follower of yours. Many of my desires are to travel but not for money. I hope you will come to my country Bangladesh. Here is the world's largest beach, Moreover, there are many places in Sylhet, Chittagong. There is more to it than that....