A Game drive and Dinner on The Mighty Zambezi River

Our visit to Victoria Falls began with another early start, as we headed out for an early morning game drive in the Zambezi National Park. Our guide for the day, Eddie, greeted us warmly, and to our delight, we had the Jeep all to ourselves.

As we set off, the cool morning air mixed with the fresh scent of the wilderness, making it a peaceful start to the day. While we knew this drive would likely not match the intensity and excitement of our previous experiences in Kruger, it still offered a chance to take in Zimbabwe’s unique landscape and wildlife.

Eddie was incredibly knowledgeable, pointing out every animal we came across. We saw towering giraffes gracefully munching on the treetops, herds of zebra and wildebeest grazing, and a group of warthogs scuttling about, their tails comically raised like little antennas. Baboons were everywhere, a familiar sight after many game drives, and we also spotted several impala, their smooth coats glistening in the morning light. A group of mongoose darted in and out of the bushes, quick and curious.

After taking in the spectacular views, we popped into the nearby town of Victoria Falls for a bit of a mooch around. There wasn't a great deal to see, though the place had its own charm, but the African sun was beating down relentlessly, and before long, we decided to head back to the lodge to escape the heat.

That evening, however, was a real highlight. We made our way down to the Zambezi River for a dinner cruise on the stunning three-tiered boat, The Zambezi Explorer. Boarding the boat felt like stepping into a little slice of luxury. We set sail around 4:30, just as the late afternoon light began to soften, and the river took on a golden hue.

The cruise took us within about a kilometer of the falls, and although we couldn't see them clearly from there, you could still sense their presence, with the faint mist rising in the distance. As we glided along the river, we were treated to some wonderful wildlife sightings. Crocodiles basked on the riverbanks, and every now and then, a hippo's head would bob up out of the water, only to disappear again with a splash. The atmosphere was serene, and the wildlife, combined with the stunning sunset, made the evening truly unforgettable.

Dinner on board was just as delightful. As the sun dipped lower in the sky, we enjoyed a delicious meal while watching the river transform from bright gold to dusky purple, with the sounds of the African bush in the background. It was the perfect way to end an incredible day at one of the world’s natural wonders.

 














We were joined by four lovely people from New York City, who turned out to be delightful company. It was so easy to get along with them, and their infectious enthusiasm added to the fun. After exploring the falls, we made our way to the river for an evening cruise. The boat gently drifted along the Zambezi, with the warm African sun slowly setting behind us. We docked at around 6:45 pm, just in time to soak in the colors of the fading day.