"Judging by the other "embellishments", I do wonder if the incidents at Victoria Falls and the over-flight of the Presidential Palace, and the subsequent hauling over the coals and summons to ATC actually took place."
They did, entirely accurate.
We did not, though, 'overlook' the European winter. It was the subject of much discussion decided on the basis that better weather in Africa was more important than better weather in Europe (the best periods for VMC in each continent are diametrically opposed).