Trip of a lifetime

by Peter Crabtree
(Portsmouth, UK)

Having finally got around to doing this trip which was cancelled 3 years ago because of you know what, I contacted Victoria Falls Guide again as they had been so helpful last time. Boo was very helpful (I ask a lot of questions) and after a number of false starts, I finally settled on the recommended accommodation, which was Bayete's Phezulu Lodge. I wasn't sure about it as it is a bit of a trek into town and the Falls, but decided to go for it. This was a good decision, and the lodge was really nice, the staff (especially Karin and Ruth) were very good, the food was good, the room was a good size with a fantastic bed. The walk was safe and fairly easy, although the trip to the Falls, walking around, to the Bridge, and back was 10 miles, so maybe the $5 taxi ride was a good option.

We sorted out the things I wanted to do, and she came back with a number of options. The Flight of the Angels Helicopter flight was truly amazing, and the Sunset Dinner Cruise on the Zambezi river was fantastic. Glasses of fizz, cocktails and a 3 course dinner of excellent food was great, but the accompanying grunts of the hippos, the silent menace of the crocs and the beautiful sunset were a perfect setting. I also met some really interesting people too.

I had planned to leave the last day free, but decided to try and book a trip into Botswana to Chobe National Park. Despite the lack of warning, Boo pulled everything together and I had the most amazing day. The game drive was similar to others I had done, but after a great lunch of Crocodile Steak, the boat cruise on the river led us to lots of elephants, which we were within about 10 metres of, hippos and crocodiles everywhere, and many different birds. As a bonus, on the way back to Victoria Falls, there was a giraffe munching a tree beside the road. Amazing.

It is unlikely that I will be back anytime soon - lots more of the world to visit - but if I do, I will absolutely be contacting Victoria Falls guide. I cannot recommend them highly enough.