Other Attractions in and around the Victoria Falls, Zambia

MOSI-AU-TUNYA NATIONAL PARK
This 'small' National Park is 66 square kilometers in size, stretching from, and including The Falls for about 12kms up river.  The park supports an abundance of wildlife, from elephant, giraffe, zebra and warthog to various antelope species and in more recent years, the reserve has acquired two white rhino.  These white rhinos are now the only two to be found anywhere in Zambia, as the species was entirely wiped out by poaches!  One can either enjoy this National Park on foot with a guide, or on a safari drive.  Most species can be viewed at close quarters, as there are no predators and the wildlife has become quite 'relaxed', which makes for excellent photo opportunities.

LIVINGSTONE This lively little town came to be in the 1980's, when Britian established Imperial Rule north of the Zambezi, in order to explore prospects for mining minerals and other natural resources.  The main crossing point of the Zambezi River during that time, and prior to the construction of the Victoria Falls bridge, was above The Falls at the Old Drift and was navigated by dugout canoe.  The settlers initially pitched camp on the banks of the Zambezi, but as more and more settlers succumbed to malaria, or fever sickness as it was known at the time

(the settlers believed the sickness was brought on by a beautiful light green tree that is prolific along Africa's water courses and to this day is still referred to as 'fever trees') moved to higher ground, to escape the sickness brought on by the trees, and this area grew into the town known today as Livingstone, in honor of the explorer.

THE LIVINGSTONE MEMORIAL
In 1840 David Livingstone a 27 year old Scottish doctor and ordained minister sailed from Britain to the Cape to work as a medical evangelist with the London Missionary Society.  In his exploits and expeditions, Livingstone succeeded in bringing central Africa to the attention of the British Imperialists.
In 1851 Livingstone first heard of the great waterfall, but it was only in 1855 that he set out to view the spectacle.  Setting off in a small canoe to approach the thundering smoke, he landed on the biggest island on the lip of The Falls now called Livingstone Island and from this vantage point, he was the first Western visitor to the Zambezi to view The Falls.

Excerpts taken from Livingstone Journal: 1857 "Creeping with awe to the verge, I peered down into a large rent which had been made from bank to bank of the broad Zambezi and saw that a stream of a thousand yards broad leaped down a hundred feet and then became suddenly compressed into a space of fifteen to twenty yards, the most wonderful sight I had witnessed in Africa".  "No one can imagine the beauty of the view from anything witnessed in England, but scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight."

If you have admiration for the man who trekked across most of Southern Africa in search of the source of the Nile, the Livingstone Memorial is worth a visit - Livingstone's life was filled with adventure and new discoveries - one of the most poignant tales is of his two trusted servants, who buried his heart in Africa, because they believed that was where it belonged, and on foot carried his wrapped body 1500kms over 11 months to the coast where it was shipped back to England for his burial.  Livingstone is reported to have died suffering from malaria, exhaustion and dysentery.   The memorial itself is simply a plaque placed upon the spot where he drew his last breath. 

MAKUNI VILLAGE & SONGWE VILLAGE
These two quite different villages both provide a unique glimpse into the life of local Zambians. 

The Makuni Village is an authentic tribal village where thousands of people live and work.  One can visit this village on a guided Thompsons Tour. At Songwe Village one can overnight and experience traditional Zambian fireside cuisine, customs, song and dance.  It is an authentic experience, where the Zambian customs are discussed and experienced - 'westerners' will find it amusing that Zambian men and woman sit apart to dine, and men in the Zambian household are served before the ladies of the household.  The village itself is perched on the edge of the Batoka Gorge with incredible views into the gorge.  Songwe arguably lays claim to one of the most magnificent views from any bathroom in the world, as one can soak in a bubble bath and view the expanse of the gorge below, with one side of the bathroom entirely open to the elements and your view unhindered.