April 27, 2016
I’m staying on the edge of the Zambezi River, just about one kilometer up from Victoria Falls, known as Vic Falls to the locals. The river here is wide, with islands in the middle. On the other side is Zimbabwe. There is an island in the middle of the river, right at the falls. Apparently, this is where David Livingstone stood and first viewed the falls that he named for Queen Victoria of England.
On the other side of my tent, about 200 meters through the trees, is a runway. I’ve been listening to helicopters and micro-lights take off and land all afternoon, so I decide I’ll go check it out.
Rather than spend the money, time, and hassle to take the motorcycle across the border to Zimbabwe, where there is a better view of Victoria Falls, I decide to do a 15 minute helicopter flight over the falls. It’s possible to go through immigration and get a pass to walk out onto the bridge that connects Zambia and Zimbabwe in order to view the falls from this no-man’s land, but I’ve decided the best overall view is from the air. It’s a big bite out of my budget, but I’ve been saving quite a bit by camping every night, so I reward myself with the helicopter ride.
It is definitely worth it. I don’t think I would have understood the geography of the falls without seeing it from the air. Victoria Falls drops into a canyon that, unlike most waterfalls, runs perpendicular to the river above the falls, and zig-zags back and forth several times before continuing on into Zimbabwe. Each of these canyons was once where the falls were, but over time the falls have edged back to where they are today.
View from the top of Victoria Falls
Approaching the falls in a Robinson R44.
You can see the bridge connecting Zambia and Zimbabwe, and the bungee platform in the middle of the bridge.
Gotta love the attitude on the warning signs.
The bridge connecting Zambia to Zimbabwe has a bungee platform, a swing, and a zipline. Tempting, but I’ve spent enough here already. Tomorrow I’ll pack up and start heading north towards Lusaka.
I shot video with the GoPro from the helicopter also, but I’ll have to find some better wifi before I can upload it. I’ll add another post once I get it uploaded.
And one more photo tribute to Lloyd…I don’t recall if he ever made it here, but this is definitely another one of his kind of places.
Pat, amazing shots of the falls! Can’t wait to see the video! Safe travels.
Yeah Pat you are fine tuning your picture taking.Fantastic shots!
I particularly like the copter shot with the road….instruments….Falls.
I should know by now about Lloyd but I don’t ?
Carry on and thanks for carrying us domestic loafers.
What is Truth ? Ah the old question.Pilate asked Jesus the question…the Bible doesn’t
record a response from Jesus …not directly
So..we are left to answer it ourselves…me thinks on the road…Closer to truth.
With regards to what you miss…not much you say,ay…but then theres the cat…the sofa…the guitar…
And deep in the distant horizon…your brothers and sisters…Alas lad… how the road broadens
and lifes little pleasures…refined and defined…narrows back one fine day full circle until over the final ridge down the little road you arrive back to where you started with the cat…couch….
Guitar and good friends…and your Ruby Riding Boots….home…home…home at last.
Awsome , just Awsome ! Oh and from us chickenshit , cant get out of our own shadow . Lazy ,will never go to Namibia home bound . Wanna be ” motorcycle riders “. You suck ! With all love and respect Your Texas buddies !
Well, hopefully I’m at least motivating you to get out and ride some. Maybe I’ll ride with you next time I’m around…
Hope all is well.
Cheers.
Excellent idea to helicopter over falls, it’s like doin da same over da Grand Canyon in AZ n da Napoli coast in Kuaui, it’s a no brainer.