From Jo'burg to the Gorge Swing

Once you bid farewell to Thornybush Game Reserve, it is time to move on to Johannesburg, South Africa.  Johannesburg or Jo’burg as it is affectionately called is a great stopover before heading to Victoria Falls.   Johannesburg is mainly a business destination, but it has a wealth of art galleries, museums, andparks to explore.   The city is also known for the richest gold reefs in the world, and Gold Reef City was built as an amusement park and a mine tour where visitors can explore the legendary mining of the old days. The top places to visit in Johannesburg are Constitution Hill which is one of South Africa’s most important historical sites.  Constitution Hill is a place where you will hear and see some shocking facts about the prisoner’s incarceration there.  This was a place where many high profile political activists like Nelson Mandela and Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi were once held. Another top site to see is the Apartheid Museum which showcases the rise and fall of South Africa’s segregation and oppression and gives some understanding to many of the inequities that still exist today.  ​

One of the most impressive hotels in Johannesburg is The Michelangelo.  This hotel is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World and offers luxury and style in the accommodations and atmosphere at the hotel. The hotel is ideally located next to Nelson Mandela Square with many shops, restaurants, and boutiquest to explore. There are many amenities like the lareg outdoor pool and spacious deck to relax along with several excellent dining options.

​Once you have had a restful night’s sleep at The Michelangelo, it is time to take a short flight over to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The Victoria Falls Safari Lodge will be the accommodations for your time here.   The Lodge is built on a plateau overlooking the Zambezi National Park and has a majestic view of Victoria Falls.   The Lodge has been made to resemble a tree house with the thatch and timber and fits perfectly into the landscape.  The Victoria Falls Safari Lodge faces the west with an onsite waterhole which attracts many different animals all year long. All the rooms have balconies where you can sit and enjoy the elephant, kudu, and buffalo as the sun sets.  ​

​The Victoria Fall, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, is the largestwaterfall in the world.  It receives this recognition since the falls are the largest when you combine the height and width of the falls. The Falls sits along the Zambezi River, and the local tribes living near the falls, back in the 1800’s referred to the falls as “The Smoke that Thunders.”  At sunset, you can take a sunset cruise down the Zambezi River which is bordered by Zimbabwe on one side and Zambia on the other side.   There are plenty of activities to do in the area, many of which are an adrenalin rush for all participants.  You can zip line on the longest zip line in the world that takes you over a 425-meter gorge that is 120 meters above the Zambezi River below.  There is also a Gorge Swing which is like a child’s swing except it is suspended high above the water, and you have a 70-meter free fall before you begin to swing.  You can also go white water rafting on the Zambia River.  The tour of Victoria Falls brings you to the “Big Tree,” know to be one of the largest in the world and the guides take you through the rainforest and explain the history of the flora, fauna, along with the many bird and wildlife populations at the Falls. One last stop while at the falls is Livingstone Island, also know as Devils Pool. The island is located in the middle of the Zambezi River and is a seasonal island that visiting depends entirely on the water levels in the river.   The skilled guides will get you as close to the Falls for the best views.

With a wealth of activities, natural wonders and amazing wildlife to see, a visit to South Africa is a wonderful trip to take at least once in your lifetime.