kak113

Trying to work out our budget (putting it all together is overwhelming!) and just wanted a general sense of these two activities' cost and who you used. I think I will only be able to make the 15 minute helicopter ride over the falls.

Thanks in advance for your help!

hlg22

I didn't do the flight of the angels, but the tea and swim on Livingstone Island was about $75/pp. We booked through our travel agent, but the excursions are run by Tongabezi Lodge so maybe you could book directly through them. Definitely book ahead, as they only allow 10-12 people max on each excursion. I think you could also go in the morning for less and at lunch for more. I highly, highly recommend it, it was a very cool experience.

If you go at tea time, you do the swim immediately after getting to the island, then come back, dry off, and have tea, including alcoholic drinks, and several types of sweets and tea cakes.

matnikstym

The tea on Livingstone Island is around $65.00 U.S. and the 15 minute helicopter flight is around $100.00 U.S., microlight is slightly cheaper. Check out www.safpar.com or www.afrizim for pricing, details and other activities.

kak113

thanks!

hlg22 - I think it was your pictures that made me think this was a can't miss opportunity. Would you say it's an okay idea for a novice swimmer? it didn't seem too deep but I could be misstaken.

hlg22

kak113,
Glad I could help. The cool thing with the pictures is that there is one guide who collects everyone's cameras and puts them in a waterproof bag, and his sole job is to rotate through the cameras and get some good pics. I did not have especially high hopes, but he got some great shots, and lots of them!

I think the scariest part of the entire experience for me (and I am SO not a daredevil/risktaker) was on the little motor boat heading toward the island. You see the edge getting closer and closer and I started to think "hmm, I wonder what would happen if the engine cut out right now..." The actual swimming was pretty easy as the guides give you precise directions. There are parts when you are standing up, and parts when you are actually swimming against the current - the guides direct you exactly where to go. I am 5'1" and not the strongest swimmer, and it was fine. In the pool itself, I could touch bottom although you definitely could feel the current. If you are especially nervous, you can also tell the guides and they will make sure that you are always next to one of them.

One thing I would recommend is to bring some Tevas or Aquasox for the wading part if you can - my sister and I were barefoot and it was ok, but we stepped on some sharp rocks and stubbed our toes pretty good a couple of times. Others had water shoes and I think that would have made it a little easier.

I think you posted that you are staying at the Royal Livingstone, right? The boat for Livingstone Island picks you up and drops you off right there. When you get back, make sure to celebrate not going over the falls with a sundowner on the RL sundeck!

ShellCat

I did both these tours, and the 15 minute helicopter ride is plenty. The 30 minute flight takes you over the game reserve after the Victoria Falls sightseeing portion, and for an extra $80 us dollars, not necessary. People who did the ultra light flight raved about it, so you may want to consider that instead. Also, if you are flying in on a small plane, it seems like most pilots can get clearance to show you the falls when you are arriving. My pictures were not much different.

The Livingstone tour was a blast, however it does depend when you are going to be there due to the water levels. October/November seem to be sure bets for the event while April/May are not.

Not to start a contraversy, the Elephant Outreach program was well-run and was priced at $125-also small groups only once per day, so reservations are needed.

Lastly,if you can arrange to go to the Zimbabwe side of the Falls, worth the morning-except for the sad faces of the people going to the Zambia side for food.

Have fun!

shazyb

what type of camera did you bring to the livingstone island lunch/swim, only a water camera, small digital or possibly a large Nikon or Canon? Are you glad you stayed at RL or would Zambezi sun been ok for 1/2 the price and a walk over to the RL for sundowner?
thanks-sb