Is Victoria Falls really worth another plane hop/expense?
 

I am spending a couple of weeks in late June in South Africa and Botswana. I have gone over my itinerary and realize must drop one destination. Here is what I am looking at:

- 2 nights in Mashatu
- 2 nights in Kruger
- 6 nights in Botswana/Okavango Delta area
- 4 nights in Cape Town

I have 2 more nights but think I should spend the last night in Johannesburg prior to my flight and have one more night which would have been devoted to the Falls. I am now leaning toward spending one more night is Kruger or Botswana. Any advise would be appreciated.

I would give some thought to dropping Mashatu and adding the two days to Kruger, and adding a night in Vic Falls. Otherwise, you are doing a lot of traveling and going to much expense for 1 full day in Mashatu and Kruger (and the Kruger region deserves more than 1 full day). As long as you are in Botswana it makes sense to me to go to Vic Falls, which can be reached by land transfer from Kasane. Unless you don't mind getting a yellow fever jab, you might want to stay on the Zimbabwe side. If you go to Zambia you'll need to have the jab to get into SA, even if just transiting.

I'm glad we took a couple of nights to see the Falls.

Thanks for the suggestion. Mashatu is really one of our favorites. Maybe dropping a night in Northern Botswana and adding it to Mashatu would be a good idea.

I'd add to Mashatu, too. And Kruger. Two nights in each place makes it feel too rushed for me. Three would be much better. Where will you be in Bots? If Chobe, you can do a day trip to the Falls. (I'd lose a night in CT for more time on safari). You are already spending a lot of time and money on transfers - I'd probably not want to add another one.

Hi,

I'd skip the Falls and consolidate your time in and around Kruger. If you are really, really keen to see the Falls it may work out better to skip Kruger and add more time in Hwange in Zimbabwe. Wilderness are offering this interesting special, and if you don't have this much time you could always ask about a 'pay 3 stay 4' deal http://www.wilderness-safaris.com/do...Zam%202012.pdf

Another great deal in Zambia is the Norman Carr Safari 60th anniversary special and this would certainly help you cut down on travelling time between camps whilst still seeing the Falls, http://www.normancarrsafaris.com/cm/...luangwa_safari


Happy planning,



Pol

I will be visiting Hwange and Chobe this August instead of returning to Kruger/Sabi Sands. Should be an interesting alternative. :)

One of the scant handful of travel GASPS I've experienced came after walking through the old Victoria Falls Hotel in Zimbabwe & out onto their terrace to see the Falls spanning the horizon! The experience may be unique to staying at that hotel, but it is extraordinary & a memory that will never leave you.

I could never advise anybody to give it a miss...

You could easily do the falls in one day if you are in Chobe. But Chobe is quite a distance from the delta area. I might add another day in Cape town.

Many thanks for all the advise.
We are all set and decided to do the Falls on a future trip.

Good decision. You'll be back. We're going back in October (we gave Vic Falls a miss on our 1st trip). We're starting in Vic Falls :-)

LivingAmused,

I want a recount of the ballots :(

I casted my vote for Vic Falls and I did not leave any chads hanging.

If "LivingAmused" is any reflection of your character how can you miss the chance to swim with "The Devil"?

Visited Vic Falls after flying from JNB to Livingstone, ZM. Easy to do, although I already had a yellow fever shot. However, if you are "LivingAmused" you should already have one :)

Vic Falls Video:http://youtu.be/O_nEi-tCGBA