I'm going on this trip with Victoria Falls add on on 31 January and would be pleased to hear from others booked on the trip and to receive any useful tips......I haven't been on a holiday like this before!

I did this tour in 2011 and had a fantastic time, so much so that it is still my favourite holiday of all time!  You will have such a variety of experiences with amazing scenery, wildlife and fun things to do!  Any specific questions, feel free to ask!  The only general tips would be to visit your medical centre in good time to get the necessary jabs, bring high factor sun cream and mosquito repellent with 50% DEET - this will especially be needed at Kruger and in Zambia.  Put on the sun cream first and apply the DEET about 20 mins later after the cream has dried in.  Use the DEET morning and evening in Kruger and Zambia.  Wash your hands carefully and avoid getting the DEET on clothes etc as it is powerful stuff!  If you are inclined to get sun rashes or anything like that, bring Piriton.  I had no tummy troubles on this tour but bring Immodium Instants just in case.  Make sure you have a large capacity SD card for your camera - and if you don't have a decent zoom, consider getting a new one as the animals may not come that close.  Having said that, at various times we had hippos, crocodiles and zebras in the hotel grounds!!  Be sure to do either the helicopter or microlight over Vic Falls and the Royal Livingstone Express is a great experience.  Have a blast!

Cheers,

Bob

You were lucky to see the falls in full force. In September there was only a trickle of water. We were told that when the falls were in full force, the spray went as far as the bridge, which was quite a distance away!

Jac

You will have a great time. We only had zebras and giraffes grazing in the ground of the hotel in Livingstone plus some monkeys - no hippos or crocodiles! Do the micro light flight as it is an amazing experience. There were no mosquitos in Kruger in September, but not sure about January. We were told that usually Kruger does not require any mosquito repellant as it is not in an area where they are present. There were mosquitos in Zambia.

Regards

Jaya

The downside with the falls in full spate was that Livingstone Island was closed. I wasn't brave enough for the microlight but the helicopter was amazing, especially when we flew along one of  the  gorges.  The holiday still ranks as one of my favourites.

We did not get a chance to visit Livingstone Island anyway as there was hardly any time to do so, but I saw it from the micro light. I have never been in a helicopter and decided to be brave and do the 30 minute micro light flight and it was amazing. You felt like a bird! Yes, t his was one of my favourites too and I would not like going back one day if ever I got a chance to do so.

Jaya

Best regards

Lynne

Hi Jac,

I did this tour in 2011 and had a fantastic time, so much so that it is still my favourite holiday of all time!  You will have such a variety of experiences with amazing scenery, wildlife and fun things to do!  Any specific questions, feel free to ask!  The only general tips would be to visit your medical centre in good time to get the necessary jabs, bring high factor sun cream and mosquito repellent with 50% DEET - this will especially be needed at Kruger and in Zambia.  Put on the sun cream first and apply the DEET about 20 mins later after the cream has dried in.  Use the DEET morning and evening in Kruger and Zambia.  Wash your hands carefully and avoid getting the DEET on clothes etc as it is powerful stuff!  If you are inclined to get sun rashes or anything like that, bring Piriton.  I had no tummy troubles on this tour but bring Immodium Instants just in case.  Make sure you have a large capacity SD card for your camera - and if you don't have a decent zoom, consider getting a new one as the animals may not come that close.  Having said that, at various times we had hippos, crocodiles and zebras in the hotel grounds!!  Be sure to do either the helicopter or microlight over Vic Falls and the Royal Livingstone Express is a great experience.  Have a blast!

Cheers,

Bob

Hi Jac,

I did this tour in 2011 and had a fantastic time, so much so that it is still my favourite holiday of all time!  You will have such a variety of experiences with amazing scenery, wildlife and fun things to do!  Any specific questions, feel free to ask!  The only general tips would be to visit your medical centre in good time to get the necessary jabs, bring high factor sun cream and mosquito repellent with 50% DEET - this will especially be needed at Kruger and in Zambia.  Put on the sun cream first and apply the DEET about 20 mins later after the cream has dried in.  Use the DEET morning and evening in Kruger and Zambia.  Wash your hands carefully and avoid getting the DEET on clothes etc as it is powerful stuff!  If you are inclined to get sun rashes or anything like that, bring Piriton.  I had no tummy troubles on this tour but bring Immodium Instants just in case.  Make sure you have a large capacity SD card for your camera - and if you don't have a decent zoom, consider getting a new one as the animals may not come that close.  Having said that, at various times we had hippos, crocodiles and zebras in the hotel grounds!!  Be sure to do either the helicopter or microlight over Vic Falls and the Royal Livingstone Express is a great experience.  Have a blast!

Cheers,

Bob

Thanks for this very useful information Bob, you have answered so my questions! All the best. Jacqui

Hi Jacs, I will be the Tour Manager taking this tour and look forward to meeting you at Heathrow. This really is one of my favourite tours and I look forward to sharing it with you in a few weeks.

Best regards

Lynne

Hi Lynne

Thanks for your response and I look forward to meeting you too. As far as you are concerned, is there any 'must do' optional excursions?! 

If I understand correctly only local currency is accepted in Zambia but the visa needs to be paid in US dollars?

Jacqui

A couple of things to add to Bob's  comprehensive list. Spare camera batteries are a must.   I was in Zambia  in February when the falls were  in full spate.  Spectacular, but  at that time of, year prepare to get very wet. Our guides kitted us out with waterproof ponchos, but we still got very wet feet. The  walkways and viewing platforms were quite  slippery  from all the  water, I  would  recommend  shoes  with a good grip.  Also  a poly bag to protect cameras  would be  useful.

Thanks so much Sarah, I'll definitely take on board the footwear! Reading all the responses, I'll do a flight too, my inkling in to brave the micro flight ??

Best wishes

Jacs

Hi Sarah

We did not get a chance to visit Livingstone Island anyway as there was hardly any time to do so, but I saw it from the micro light.  I have never been in a helicopter and decided to be  brave and do the 30 minute micro light flight and it was amazing.  You felt like a bird!  Yes, t his was one of my favourites too and I would not like going back one day if ever I got a chance to do so.

Jaya

Hi Jaya

Thanks for all the information, I guess you need the 30 min flight if you wish to see Livingstone Island? Is sounds amazing, I'm still feeling somewhat nervous but guess that'll pass when I meet my travelling companions!  

Many thanks

Jacs

Hi Jacs, I will be the Tour Manager taking this tour and look forward to meeting you at Heathrow. This really is one of my favourite tours and I look forward to sharing it with you in a few weeks.

Best regards

Lynne

Hi Lynne

If you are aware of anyone travelling from Bromley, Kent to Heathrow, please put them in touch as we cans share a cab. 

Thanks

Jacqui

Don't worry about currency for Zambia as they will take most things including Rand, Sterling, Dollars etc. You must have dollars for your visa though. I will explain the best thing to do re currency for Zambia when we're in SA, but if you have extra dollars or rand etc that will be fine. There is a bank next door to our lovely hotel, if required, however I wouldn't advise anyone to change money to Zambian kwacha.

As for excursions, well it so depends on what sort of thing you enjoy, but for me, I love anything to do with safari, so Chobe is my favourite from Zambia. I also did the microlight a few years ago and that too was fabulous, but guests always enjoy the helicopter......its all decisions!

Really look forward to chatting it all through with you after we meet at Heathrow.

See you soon

Lynne

I thoroughly recommend 30 minute micro flight. 15 minutes is too short. You will enjoy yourself once you relax. The views are fantastic. I am not sure if each 'pilot' follows the same route, but I hope so. Mine pointed out all the sights though I was able to point out some zebras and a mother rhino with a baby to him! You can't take anything up with you, but there is a camera who takes photos and you can buy the flash drive once you land - I think it was $20, but worth every cent. They let you see the photos before you decide if you want to buy or not. You are in for an amazing trip. Hope you will book the optional Chobe National Park trip to Botswana as it is definitely a highlight. Have lots of fun.

Kind regards

Jaya

Hi Jacs

I thoroughly recommend 30 minute micro flight.  15 minutes is too short.  You will enjoy yourself once you relax.  The views are fantastic.   I am not sure if each 'pilot' follows the same route, but I hope so.  Mine pointed out all the sights though I was able to point out some zebras and a mother rhino with a baby to him!  You can't take anything up with you, but there is a camera who takes photos and you can buy the flash drive once you land - I think it was $20, but worth every cent.  They let you see the photos before you decide if you want to buy or not.  You are in for an amazing trip.  Hope you will book the optional  Chobe National Park  trip to Botswana as it is definitely a highlight.  Have lots of fun.

Kind regards

Jaya

Thanks Jaya

It all sounds amazing and I'm definitely going to take your advice and do the 30 min micro flight!

Kind regards

Jacs

Have a wonderful holiday and enjoy the adventure. Do write a review to let us all know how you got on.

Regards

Jaya