The Smoke That Thunders

Have you been to Victoria Falls?

The falls are a perfect add-on to any safari in Southern Africa and the perfect way to kick off (or wind down) a safari. Just a short plane ride from Johannesburg, Livingstone, Zambia is the perfect base for exploring the Falls.

At over 5,600 feet wide and dropping over 300 feet, it is the largest curtain of water in the world. When you visit, you will have the chance to explore Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park and Victoria Falls itself.

Toka Leya is located right beside the Zambezi River, about 6km upstream from the Victoria Falls. There are in 12 spacious safari-style tents on raised wooden decks. Each tent has a large deck out front which leads into an air-conditioned open-plan lounge area and bedroom. These beautiful tents will give you just the right amount of luxury and lots of exciting activities to choose from.

Here is the latest activities report directly from our partners at Wilderness Safaris and Toka Leya Camp.

With the dry season reaching its peak, the water levels of the Zambezi are spectacularly low, particularly at the Victoria Falls. More than half of the rocky face of the Falls became dry at the start of October and even the bottom of the first gorge can now be seen. This water that flows over the Falls' edge during this month is roughly a tenth of the April volumes.

Located in the middle of the Zambezi River on the edge of the Victoria Falls, Livingstone Island is the place from which David Livingstone first saw the Falls in 1855. As an add-on activity, we offer our guests the opportunity to visit the Island in October and they are able to share the same incredible views that Livingstone experienced.

A famous feature of the island is the Devil's Pool. This Pool is probably the world's most exciting natural pool to bathe in - but only between September and December, mind you! Situated not more than half a metre from the very edge of the Falls, the water you bathe in flows directly over the edge into the gorge far below you. This is the place to immerse yourself and really enjoy the sheer size of the Victoria Falls. The low water levels make the pool safe enough to swim in and it's often a highlight of any visit to Livingstone Island. It is a great way of making the most of a Victoria Falls visit during low water periods.

If you wish to visit the Falls, or to add a Livingstone Island excursion to a trip you already have planned, call us so we can plan it for you! Happy swimming!!

Devil's Pool & Toka Leya room photos courtesy Wilderness Safaris