Largest waterfalls in the world!
PLEASE NOTE: Over the years, we've learned that about half of our South Africa clients also want to visit Victoria Falls, which is about 1,300 km north of Johannesburg on the Zimbabwe/Zambia border. (Ironically, this is the equivalent of an African tourist saying "When I'm in Chicago I'd like to see the Grand Canyon too.")
Anyway, in order to accommodate everyone, we have made our VICTORIA FALLS offerings optional add-ons (rather than including it for everyone). TravelMaven also acknowledges that visiting Victoria Falls is relatively expensive. One reason is that the Zimbabwe currency collapsed a few years ago, so they now use the US dollar for everything. Another is that international flights in southern Africa remain relatively expensive. Finally, like many other popular but isolated places, visitors have few options to avoid the high costs presented.
While it is neither the highest nor the widest waterfall in the world, Victoria Falls is classified as the 'largest' based on its combined width of 1,708 metres and height of 108 metres, which results in the world's largest sheet of falling water. By comparison, Victoria Falls are roughly twice the height of Niagara Falls and well over twice its width. Victoria Falls is also one of Seven Natural Wonders of the World, so it's on many intrepid travellers' bucket lists.
For this Haliburton Rotary VICTORIA FALLS tour, guests will see all the sights included in TravelMaven's regular add-on tour, plus spend a day and a half with local Rotarians. At this point, the Rotary agenda is not available, but Ursula will be finalizing details when she's there in early 2025.
In addition to activities in and around Victoria Falls, guests also have a free day. In many cases, guests choose to visit nearby Botwana for a unique Water Safari. Other options include helicopter flights, horseback safaris and visits to local communities. Fortunately, guests will have an opportunity to consider all options and make their decisions after our arrival in Victoria Falls.
TOUR DETAILS
LAND PACKAGE: C$2,660
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: C$700
HOTEL: 3 star
DURATION: 5 days (4 hotel nights)
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
Zimbabwe visa (US$75 in 2024)
Activities booked for Day Three & Four
Tips for guides and servers
Rotary Tour Team
Rotary Tours are a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Haliburton. Ursula Devolin (President 2021/22) chairs the club's Rotary Tours Committee, while her husband Barry (TravelMaven Tours) designs and operates them.
DAILY AGENDA
DAY 1 (Wed Feb 18): Fly Kruger to Victoria Falls (B,D)
This day begins with check-out from Rio Vista Lodge and transfer to Kruger Mpumalanga Airport for departure to Victoria Falls. After checking in at our guest lodge, everyone will have time to relax or take a swim before departing for Pure Africa's Dinner Cruise on the Zambezi River, which includes a four course meal and drinks. (Please note, guests also will consult with Ursula and hotel staff in order to select their a-la-carte activities for Days 4 and 5.)
Bayete Lodge, Victoria Falls
DAY 2 (Thu Feb 19): Victoria Falls tour; Rotary lunch, BOMA dinner (B.L,D)
After breakfast, guests will be picked up by a private guide and taken on a two hour walking tour of Victoria Falls National Park. Afterwards, the guide will drop guests off for lunch with the Victoria Falls Rotary Club. Afterwards, guests will spend the afternoon with local Rotarians (activities tbd). In the evening, guests will be taken to the BOMA dinner show at Victoria Falls Safari Club Hotel.
Walking the trail along Victoria Falls
DAY 3 (Fri Feb 20): Rotary Day (B,L)
Ursula will work with local clubs in Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) and Livingstone (Zambia) to create a program of Rotary related activities. (Ursula will be in Victoria Falls in late January 2025 to sort out details for 2026.)
Cape of Good Hope Walkway
DAY 4 (Sat Feb 21): FREE DAY (B,D)
On this day, guests create their own program from multiple options. These activities are not included in the Land Package price, but can be booked through the hotel. Options include elephant encounters, walking safaris, horse back safaris, fishing outing, zip line, bungee & big swing adventures, jet boat rides, helicopter tours, High Tea at the colonial Victoria Falls Hotel or a full day safari to Chobe National Park in Botswana. At the end of the day, dinner is an experience with local foods at Dusty Road Restaurant.
One of many Stellenbosch wine tastings
DAY 5 (Mon Feb 23): Free Morning; Fly Victoria Falls to Johannesburg to Toronto (B)
Guests will have a free morning to relax around the pool, pick up some last-minute souvenirs, or make one final adventure. For example, guests could add a half-day safari (walking or horseback) and still be back in time for departure.
Hermanus on the Indian Ocean