Although we may have put a brief hold on travelling, we are continuing to get some fabulous news from the plains, spillways and waterfalls out in Africa. We thought it would be only right to share these positive vibes your way too.

(A usual scene of the stunning Victoria Falls)

We are going to start with Zambia & Zimbabwe. Anyone who has ever been to this beautiful country, and even those who haven’t, will of course know of the famous Mosi-oa-Tunya which translates as the ‘Smoke that Thunders.’ We are of course talking about the breath-taking Victoria Falls. This vast and truly spectacular sight is located about halfway along the ebbing and flowing Zambezi River right on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. This magnificent waterfall is twice as wide and twice as deep as Niagara Falls. Victoria Falls spans the entire width of the Zambezi River more than 1,700 metre (5,500 ft). When you come face to face with this natural wonder, the noise will hit you first – it really does thunder and roar. We have reports that Victoria Falls is experiencing the highest ever water flow over the falls.

(The above image was from November 2019 – it is usual the falls become very dry at this time of year)

As of October 2019, the falls experienced an 11 centimetre below the ten-year average. It was just a few centimetres higher than the lowest level recorded in 1995 – it is not unexpected for the falls to have incredibly low flow during October as this is one of their driest and hottest months. However, there was concern. BUT, the smoke that thunders has come back fighting! In a statement from the Zambezi River Authority, they report the levels have not only got back to the norm, but it has almost boomed!

(March 2020 – The Smoke That Thunders returns with incredible scenes!)

“The Zambezi River flows monitored at Victoria Falls rose form the 349 m3/s at the start of January 2020 to 3,890 m3/s recorded on March 27^th, 2020. Last year on the same date, the recorded flow was 800 m3/s. The flows are now 54% above the recorded long-term average flow of 2,522 m3/s for this station.”

Looking for the best places to stay around Victoria Falls? Then look no further than the following stunning properties, all of which located on the Zambia side of the falls: Thorntree River Lodge is our number one. This small and intimate lodge of only 12 luxury suites, is located within the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and just a mere 20 minutes’ upstream from the falls. The rooms are very spacious and extremely comfortable with stunning views of the Zambezi River – from your rooms you can enjoy listening to the sounds of the African wilderness with the gentle thrumming of the falls in the distance.

Secondly, we would recommend Tongabezi. This lodge is a perfect hideaway on the banks of the Zambezi. Consisting of six private houses and five river cottages that all nestle snuggly within the banks of the river. Each room is totally unique in design: from the nut house, to the bird house, or perhaps you may have your eyes set on the doghouse!

Each of these lodges are in the perfect location to experience the wilderness of Zambia but also a stones throw away from one ofthe best natural wonders of the world, Victoria Falls, Mosi-oa-Tunya – the Smoke that Thunders.