Victoria Falls

[campbellking]

Am going to reach the grand old age of forty next May, and would like to visit Victoria Falls. Am then going to spend a week on horse riding safari in Botswana ( have done this before and it was brilliant) Any recommendations for places to stay around Victoria Falls, is it as tacky around there as Niagara (surely not), wouldn't mind spending few days on walking safari. Suggestions please

[jno]

well, Zimbabwe is going through upheavals of course, though they have affected the Falls region less. The Vic Falls hotel is still pretty grand, though there are (or used to be, it's several years since I was there) a huge number of curio shops - souvenir shops with local crafts which mostly aren't that good.

Why not stay on the Zambian side? There are several nice hotels there too, of differing grades and prices. The craft shops are quite a lot better, and not many of them. Click on the accommodation links here

[KARL]

It is also many years since I was there on the Zimbabwean side and I found the atmosphere delightful, very friendly and kind people (both white and black). But already then, they were struggling to keep things going but I rather think things may have gone downhill. It was in May that we were there and the falls were really spectacular with masses of water thundering down - you can expect to enjoy the visit. It might be worth considering deliberately visiting both Zimbanwe and Zambia to get the flavour of currently contentious issues in Africa from two perspectives.

[campbellking]

Thanks for your input. Am happily staring at the beautiful website recommended by jno. Can't wait to go...

[malajusted1]

Due to the amount of water thrown up by the water fall there is a rain forest around the falls. And a permanent rainbow. So make sure you visit the falls at night- clear skies and bright moon- result in moonbows!

Quite amazing- and no i'm being serious.