Victoria Falls & Chobe Safari: A Detailed Review

Looking for an awesome adventure combining the magnificence of Victoria Falls with the excitement of a wildlife safari? Well, the Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park land and river expeditions provide an unbelievable way to explore Southern Africa, and actually, it could be an absolute cracker. Providing the chance to witness one of the Seven Wonders of the World and also experience exceptional wildlife watching in Botswana’s premier park, Chobe, that makes this expedition so very special indeed. After coming back from my adventure I felt I just had to put pen to paper (well, fingers to keyboard!) and share exactly what it’s like, because in some ways, it was something else!

First Impressions: Livingstone and the Smoke that Thunders

So, the expedition generally kicks off in Livingstone, Zambia, which is close to Victoria Falls. It’s almost impossible to explain in human terms how magnificent the falls can be. Locally called “Mosi-oa-Tunya”— “The Smoke that Thunders”— you will get a proper sense of scale as the water plummets into the gorge and of course sends columns of mist high into the air. You might want to bring a raincoat. Or five.

I remember going on a walk around the cliff-edge trails opposite the falls and stopping to take photographs along the way, that was just outstanding! The very first time you catch sight of the immense curtain of water is very memorable; you just cannot imagine it. It’s almost like standing at the brink of existence in a sense. It might be worth adding a helicopter ride above the falls so that you can enjoy a complete areal picture. That, without doubt, provides you with another aspect of the sheer vastness of it all, and you’ll see that spray rises up from the gorge, this then condenses into clouds which, in a way, creates a localized ecosystem which seems pretty remarkable in itself.

It seems a pretty good idea too that I visited the Livingstone Museum, too it’s actually a very good way to learn more about the past, both of the area and also David Livingstone’s treks in the region. Livingstone, the city itself, offers a taste of authentic Zambian culture. You might find the markets very energetic with the hum of local life; bartering can be part of that too, which seems alright actually.

Chobe National Park: Where Elephants Rule

The trip went onwards into Botswana, namely Chobe National Park which happens to be a drive of a few hours from Livingstone, and trust me, the landscape gets pretty interesting as you travel into Botswana. So, Chobe is wildly famous for its rather high concentration of elephants—estimated to be around 120,000. Witnessing these truly inspiring animals walking to the Chobe River in large numbers is like a movie really; an awesome, awesome sight! The very earth can appear to shake as entire families walk very close to your vehicle.

The park provides various experiences when it comes to safari. The very game drives get you close to the animals, with specialists spotting things that, without doubt, ordinary travelers would simply skip over. Then there are the river cruises which seem remarkable because you’re literally watching nature as you relax down the river itself. We managed to take some truly amazing snaps of the animals that came down to the bank so that they could quench their thirst; you’ll see it is so good for photographers looking to capture creatures without causing too much upset. We caught crocodiles slinking on the shoreline plus many waterbirds too; even the sunset that evening was incredible too, casting like warm colors right across the river— a wonderful sight and memory.

The River Cruise: A Unique Vantage Point

You see, what’s quite special, in some respects, regards Chobe is the river expeditions. As a matter of fact, getting on a boat supplies you with a totally different perspective on nature and also allows you get extremely close to the fauna and wildlife. Picture this: you could find yourself only a few meters far away from a gaggle of elephants that happen to be drinking water at the edge of the river, so cool!. We found the photographic prospects amazing, with fantastic natural light and animals pretty close too. Just be certain you bring lots of storage and a quality lens!

The sunsets over the Chobe River may be almost fairytale-like too. Actually, they color the skies with various oranges and pinks, while wildlife quietly get ready for night; these scenes are totally perfect. This makes these boat outings especially outstanding for landscape and wildlife photographers hoping to capture the perfect moment when all is well on the river. It gives a memory that you know, when it gets later, and colder, that you still feel as if you are there, at one with nature.

Land-Based Safaris: Getting Up Close

Having said that, the land safaris are important too. Seriously, there’s something unbelievably thrilling regarding touring around Chobe in an open-top 4×4, that happens to be as it seems more intense than anything else. Early morning expeditions actually give the ideal conditions for getting great pictures. This tends to be, is that you spot various creatures going back to their homes to evade the temperature in the day, and in some respects, as they hunt when temperatures happen to be much cooler.

It’s important to note though that the specialists you’ll find out on these safaris will greatly enrich the understanding that you may have in mind. Usually, it’s because they can spot unusual animal kinds or give details concerning animal activity. Really, in some ways, I believe I discovered far more in a matter of days using them compared to what I knew, in general. Always listen carefully and don’t, in a general way, make excess sound because you do not know precisely what animals can hear and may get concerned by.

Where to Stay: Lodges and Campsites

You might be wondering if your accommodation tends to be camping or not, as a matter of fact it relies on your budget. It’s fair to say that some luxury lodges really provide stunning views, facilities and expert solutions; still it’s vital that one decides the correct balance that’s appropriate to how long to devote in camps against. You’ll want amenities when the trip goes to get extended a bit.

Being closer to Mother Nature camping sites offer an unbelievably rough yet memorable adventure. Actually, it’s fairly cool at sleeping literally under the African skies and waking to just the very sounds connected with a wildlife-park. Just note that it’s crucial that when working with tenting there could be security processes for safety reasons in terms of the local wildlife, with staff on standby for emergencies of that type. It just offers extra peace in that context.

Planning Your Trip: Tips and Recommendations

Right, for planning a trip, you might want to think through the dry months which tend to be May to October; during these times animals gather at the river areas and they are so much easier to discover, so clearly these months tend to be very busy so definitely plan your expedition.

Visas and health: Confirm your visa requirements and seek guidance about any proposed inoculations or preventive measures you may have to follow before traveling, so seriously, consult your physician and also seek advice regarding what you would probably need to pack for your safety in relation to medication etc..
What to pack: Load up on apparel with light fabrics. Then of course always make certain there is adequate repellent, sun block products, hats plus, of course, superior camera equipment to record remarkable wildlife shots.
Respect the environment: Whenever joining tours actually, it’s vital you stick directly to park procedures when it comes to cutting the effects to the wildlife-park environment. Stay respectfully faraway from the fauna, dispose garbage appropriately, and then, of course, respect local methods.

Right, actually the Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park journey integrates so many remarkable African destinations to give unforgettable images for people with experiences; you may notice a new and profound comprehension as the beauty and wilderness of that awesome spot can then get revealed in that context. Now this spot happens to be for you if at any time you are up for it and fancy witnessing elephants up to a staggering one hundred-twenty thousand alongside all sorts of wonders in just a short bit that would have an affect upon your views for weeks to come.