THE BOMA
The Boma provides a unique cultural experience that bombards the senses with the tastes, sights, sounds & smells of Africa – together with the warmth & hospitality of Zimbabwe & its people. It is open for dinner 365 days of the year. Adjacent to the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge complex. The Boma nestles in a Gusu Forest and is partly open to the spectacular African night skies. Guests staying at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge enjoy a courtesy shuttle to/from The Boma whilst those from other hotels may be transported for a nominal charge.
THE MENU
Specialising in a superb selection of traditional Zimbabwean dishes, The Boma offers a four-course meal combining a mouth watering choice of starters from the kitchen, soup from the campfire and a substantial barbeque buffet served on cast iron plates. Everyone’s tastes are catered for and whilst the adventurous are enticed with local delicacies such as Mopani worms and game stews, those wishing to enjoy beef, pork, fish and chicken or a variety of vegetarian meals are welcome to do so. The Boma is renowned for its warthog fillet.
ENTERTAINMENT
The Boma is open for dinner from 7 p.m. We highly recommend that you are seated by 7:15 p.m. for an evening filled with entertainment. Guests are welcomed with a traditional greeting in the local languages, Shona and Ndebele. The guests are then dressed in ‘chitenges’ (traditional robes) and prepared to enter the main enclosure. They are invited to take part in a hand washing ceremony before sampling traditional beer and snacks, as a prelude to dinner. A feast of nightly entertainment incorporates Amakwezi traditional dancers, singers, a local story teller and a witchdoctor. After dinner, guests are invited to join in the drumming extravaganza from 9 p.m. This is the highlight of the evening and all are invited to participate in the 20 minute drumming and dancing show.
DRESS
Dress casually in light clothing in the summer months from September to April and warm clothing during the winter months from May to August.
THE BOMA SHOP
An on-site shop sells some of the frequently requested accessories such as The Boma cruet sets, Potjies, polo shirts, chitenges and caps. In addition, tapes and CD’s of our traditional entertainment are a favourite memento.
WHITE WATER RAFTING
Get ready for a wet, ADRENALIN-filled day down the mighty Zambezi River…
Shearwater started Rafting in Zimbabwe 22 years ago and offers you the opportunity to experience the exhilaration and thrills of some of the biggest rapids in the world with our highly trained professional rafting guides.
View the spectacular scenery of the gorge; learn about the vegetation and wildlife, while you raft your way down the mighty Zambezi River.
RIVER BOARDING
Take on the meanest Zambezi rapids with flippers and a boogie board. Challenge the huge rapids and yourself. This product combines with rafting.
Overnight options are available on request. Certain rapids are considered unsafe for river boarding and clients will either portage or raft through these sections.
The trip returns to Victoria Falls at approximately 16h30. Alternatively,if the client has chosen to include the option of an overnight, the client will return to town at approximately 10h00 the following day.HALF Day Rafting & River Boarding Combination Trip…combines the best of rafting with the challenge of spectacular river boarding. This product runs during LOW water and for a limited period only during High water. The trip commences at rapid #11 and finishes at rapid #21. Check in is at 10h30.
Full Day River Boarding / Rafting Combination Trip…runs during the Low season only. Not all the rapids are suitable for river boarding so the trip offers both rafting and river boarding in a full day excursion, from rapid #1-21 depending on the water level and where the best surfing spots are at the time.
Clients MUST be good swimmers and understand and speak English for safety reasons.
UPPER ZAMBEZI CANOEING
Gently paddle your way on the upper Zambezi River, enjoying the playground of the hippo, the shimmering green home of the crocodile and the watering holes of the buffalo and elephant as you canoe against the majestic backdrop of the Zambezi River.
Drift through the channels of the upper Zambezi and enjoy the ever-so-slight turbulence of the more placid rapids, just above Kandahar Island. The professional canoe guide orientates you through the flora and fauna, birding and animal life spotted all from within the unique inflatable canoe boats.
You may be fortunate to spot the Marshall Eagle or watch the Tiger fish jumping and the clawless otter playing in the shallow waters.
The guides will share all the realities of the amazing environment around you. Canoeing is available throughout the year.
BUNGI JUMP
Located on the Victoria Falls Bridge, you will get to experience 111 meters of sheer adrenalin, as you plummet towards the mighty Zambezi. This is without a DOUBT one of the most spectacular jumps in the world! 4 seconds of free fall, of speeds up to 120km/hr. You can either do a Solo or Tandem Jump.
The 102 year “Grand ol’ Dame” Bridge is suspended between 2 countries and the only place in the world that you get to jump in “no-mans land.”
Is there more than one type of bungi jump?
• Yes. If you are a first timer we suggest that you dive head first, bound at the ankles. This is the most common jump position and most natural feeling because it feels like diving into a swimming pool, except it’s the mighty Zambezi River racing down the Batoka Gorge 111 meters below the bridge!
• If you are not brave enough to do this alone, you can always try a tandem jump. Convince a buddy to leap off the bridge with you. Please note that there is a maximum combined weight limit of 140 kg’s. Both of you are tied by your ankles and leap off the bridge side by side.
• If you are looking for a bigger kick, speak to the jump master and ask if you qualify for one of the following jump options:
• Ankle tied back flip; Elevator; Running star – not for first timers.
Recovery System
After the client has jumped, a recovery operator is lowered down to the jumper, who then attaches a recovery line to the body harness of the jumper. Both the jumper and operator are then winched back on to the catwalk below the bridge. During this process, the jumper is pulled into an upright position.
Clients are attached to a safety line on the catwalk and checked by a senior jumpmaster before being escorted onto the bridge road-deck.
SCENIC FLIGHT – FLIGHT OF ANGELS
It is unfortunate that Dr David Livingstone never got to see Victoria Falls from a helicopter. So vast is the Victoria Falls in its settings that perhaps the best way to see this magnificent wonder is to take a Helicopter flip… Let the flight tell its story.
Experience the ‘Flight of Angels’ perspective first hand. Coined by Dr. David Livingstone when he first documented discovering the Falls; “scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight”
“Flight of Angels” …Experience the unrivalled view of the majestic Victoria Falls, the Mighty Zambezi and all its wildlife, and see first hand Victoria Falls and all its beauty as one, with our 12/13minute flight over the falls.
Study the topography of the surrounding areas and experience the beauty and depths of the Batoka Gorge.
“Game Flight”… a 30 minute scenic flight encompassing the majestic waterfalls and the adjoining Zambezi National Game Park, home to many wildlife species, you will be given the opportunity to game view, as well as fly along the banks of the Zambezi river, including flying time over the enthralling falls themselves.
LION WALKS – WALK WITH PRIDE
Come walk with the Pride….. no leashes, no collars, and the pride roam freely with you through the African bush.
Morning or afternoon walks are on offer at our very own Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve.
Morning safaris include a continental breakfast. Afternoon safaris provide drinks and snacks.
ELEPHANT BACK SAFARIS
View wildlife from another level, and ride the wilderness’ very own 4×4. These majestic creatures will take you through the bush and enable you to see game from another perspective at our very own Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve.
Morning or Afternoon Elephant Interactive Safaris – allow you the opportunity to ride, learn about and interact with these majestic creatures, on a 55 – 60 minute Elephant experience. Morning safaris include breakfast. Afternoon safaris include drinks and snacks.
Game Drives/Walks and Rhino Adventures
GAME DRIVES (including Night Drives with a Bush Dinner)
Join us for a morning game drive or a night drive. Capture the essence of the African bush at its best, in the age-old tradition of game driving.
Open, well-kitted 4-wheel drive vehicles will take you on a meander along the shores of a scenic lake, through basalt plains to Teak forests and Kalahari sands within Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve.
Let our professional guides impart their immense knowledge of the many species of mammals. With animals such as the African Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Warthog, Caracal, the majestic Sable, Eland, Waterbuck, Kudu, Bushbuck, Tsessebe, the elusive Grysbok, and the possibility of seeing the endangered Black Rhino. The birds and wilderness elements you encounter will leave you wanting more.
• Morning game drives include an approximate 2-hour game drive and bush breakfast.
• Evening game drives include an approximate 2 hour game drive and bush dinner beautifully set out beneath a blanket of stars as you enjoy your evening under a true African sky and all its glory.
• Highly trained professional guides with extensive knowledge in various fields are there to enhance your wildlife knowledge and give you further insight to your game drive experience.
GAME WALKS (Morning only)
See Africa through the eyes of the wilderness, as you set foot into the vast and open land that is home to the wild. Let your natural senses and instincts come to life as you retune your sensory perceptions to the sounds and smells of nature.
Accompanied by a professional guide you will be able to encounter game and become one with nature as you are taken on an adventure into the heart of Africa. Learn important lessons about the natural elements of being part of this wildlife wonder, where we are the visitors. Use these skills to encounter the game more closely.
Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve is home to a great variety of southern African wildlife which includes species such as the African Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Caracal, Serval, Hippo, Giraffe, Zebra, Wildebeest, Warthog, Sable, Eland, Waterbuck, Kudu, Bushbuck, Tsessebe, Grysbok and many more.
There are many species of Raptors and western Zimbabwean specials for the birders such as Red-billed Helmet Shrike, Kori Bustard, Crested Guinea Fowl and many more. Witness the reserves incredible array of insect life and discover medicinal and other uses of the abundant flora.
THE BIG 5 INTERACTIVE SAFARI
Guests will be transported to the Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve and be transferred onto the Game Drive vehicles upon arrival. Once on the Reserve there is a high probability of spotting a variety of game species at any time while engaged in the following activities:-
Tracking the usually elusive Black Rhino (Diceros bicornis). The Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve is the only property in and around Victoria Falls that hosts the rarest, most endangered of the Big Five species. Because of their familiarity with the staff and their eating habits on the Breeding Programme, the Black Rhino are easier to find near the start or the end of the day.
The Royal Experience – Get up close and personal and take a walk with the undisputed Kings of the Jungle – the African Lion (Panthera Leo). These lion cubs are by no means tame but have been habituated to human interaction. Our guests can stroke and play with these majestic cats as they relax with each other in their natural environment creating awesome photographic opportunities. The lion handlers are trained, knowledgeable and co-exist with the lions in a relationship based on mutual respect.
Guests get up close and personal with largest land mammal on earth – the African Elephant (Loxodonta Africana). The near-spiritual feeling of touching, feeding, communicating, mingling and riding these incredible giants is overwhelming and this time one will be learning more about this captivating species from our knowledgeable Induna or elephant handler. Again the photographic possibilities are some of the best – ever!
Finally, drop into the Scavengers Restaurant. Take the opportunity to observe at close quarters various species of vulture and the Marabou stork. Learn about their crucial ecological role in the African environment and challenge your own interpretations of beauty.
These fantastic experiences are laced together by a game drive through the unspoilt forests, riverine woodlands and gusu sands of the Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve. The bonus of the sunset Big 5 Interactive Safari is that this final journey is a Night Drive opening up the chance of seeing a completely different set of animals after dark. (Clients would be expected to pay extra for the Night Game Drive and Bush Dinner)
On the morning Big 5 Interactive Safari, more often than not after a spectacular sunrise and deep in the bush, guests are invited to a wholesome bush breakfast in an open vlei and just as filling are the mouth-watering snacks and a well stocked cooler box throughout the afternoon safari.
05h30 Departure
30 minutes drive to the Private Game Reserve
10 minutes for welcome teas/coffees
10 minute briefing on the rundown of activities, the reserve history, signing of indemnities, questions
10 minutes for visiting the ablutions and getting onto the vehicle to leave for the first activity.
1.5 hour Rhino tracking, on 4×4 Game drive vehicle
Visit the Vulture Restuarant during the drive, while spotting other animals as we drive along
30 minute Lion Interaction
10 minutes ablutions and changeover
30 Minute Elephant interaction
45 minutes for Edutainment centre and breakfast
30 minutes drive back to town
This, is expected to be a 5 hours turn-around time activity
13h30 departure
30 minute drive to the Reserve
10 minute welcome drink
10 minute briefing on the activities
30 minute Elephant Interaction
10 minute ablutions and changeover
30 minute Lion Interaction
30 minute Edutainment centre and refreshments, questions, before getting onto the Game drive vehicles
1.5 hours Rhino tracking
Visit the Vulture restuarant during the drive while spotting other wild animals
10 minute for ablutions before getting onto the return vehicle
30 minutes drive back to town
SWA TOURS – SUNSET CRUISE
“A river of enchantment and magical colors bursting in the sky creating nature’s own masterpiece”, is the only way to describe the African Sunset on the Mighty Zambezi.
Cruise along the banks of the river, and view the spectacular scenery that is nature’s own sanctuary, and home to the “laughing hippos”, the “singing birds” and the “snapping crocodiles”, as you sip on your drink and indulge on mouthwatering snacks.
Enjoy the hospitality of our professional guide and Captain as you relax and enjoy the delicious snacks and chilled refreshments.
See the “smoke that thunders” as you gently cruise the upper Zambezi River.
Enjoy the myths and legends as our guide shares stories of the local tribes.
Experience the Zambezi River as David Livingstone did and travel through waters once journeyed by him on his way to the Victoria Falls.
Observe the aquatic bird life and other resident or migratory species.
You may be fortunate enough to witness the great African elephant swimming from island to island, grazing or dusting themselves on the riverbanks.
The Zambezi sunset is a highlight of the trip and captivates your magical experience on the Zambezi River.
GUIDED TOUR OF THE FALLS
As you behold this famous wonder you will be completely enthralled to see and listen to ‘The Smoke that Thunders’. You will have a qualified guide as your escort, who will tell you all about the amazing wonder, how it was formed, the history and beliefs attached to it, and events that led to its discovery by David Livingstone.
CRAFT MARKET TOURS
Witness the beauty of African sculpture, crafts and still life that will help you capture the essence of different African cultures and traditions.
Let our well-informed Guides take you on the tour of a lifetime as they enlighten you on the finer details of the lifestyles and customs of the various African tribes.
ZAMBEZI NATURE SANCTUARY – CROC FARM
TRADITIONAL VILLAGE TOURS
Experience and encounter the rustic beauty of our country’s rural villages. You are guaranteed firsthand information of every detail from the Guides who are more than willing to answer all your questions and demystify the traditional Zimbabwean way of life.
