Victoria Falls and private sightseeing
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Victoria Falls and private sightseeing
Hi,
Whilst planning a private roundtrip through Namibia in a C-182 in summer we developped the idea to make a detour to also see the Victoria Falls from above. Now we wonder whether this is feasible, and, if yes, what would be the best route (via the Caprivi strip, or via Botswana?), if is it actually possible to fly over the falls or if there are any restrictions and what does it mean to stay at Victoria falls airport for a night, ie in terms of cost and organisation. Any information is very appreciated.
courchevel
Whilst planning a private roundtrip through Namibia in a C-182 in summer we developped the idea to make a detour to also see the Victoria Falls from above. Now we wonder whether this is feasible, and, if yes, what would be the best route (via the Caprivi strip, or via Botswana?), if is it actually possible to fly over the falls or if there are any restrictions and what does it mean to stay at Victoria falls airport for a night, ie in terms of cost and organisation. Any information is very appreciated.
courchevel
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Avoid Zimbabwe. Livingstone in Zambia is a better destination.
No restrictions for overflight of the falls AFAIK, but someone on here may have more current information. I was last there about five years ago...
No restrictions for overflight of the falls AFAIK, but someone on here may have more current information. I was last there about five years ago...
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I was there a little longer ago than Rusty. If you're flying from Windhoek, go direct over Botswana. Land in Maun if you have to stop for fuel, as you fly virtually overhead anyway. No probs flying over the Falls. Just tell the TWR what you want to do and then they transfer you to another frequency on which you can broadcast your intentions while overhead the falls. I think there is a minimum altitude to be maintained but am not sure what it is any more. Also keep a good lookout for all the other aircraft sightseeing over the falls.
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There is no need to avoid Zims, plus its cheaper than the Zambia side. Try the Vic Falls hotel, nice place to stay for the night, just don't win too much in the Casino, or you'll be stuck with a load of un-usable Zim dollars!
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Ah, Dr. Livingstone I presume!
Well in the nearby Zambia side casino, you could end up with a bicycle or oven or even a microwave as main prize unless you also the lucky recipient to receive a bunch of kwatcha, ja, that's their currency in Zambia.
Beautifull area, pitty that Zimbabwe has the terrible twist of Africanitis, thus be warned! Close to the Falls is the two very nice resorts depending on how many Swissfrancs you wish to part with, should you wish to make Livingstone a destination, namely the Royal Livingstone and it's sister hotel.
Pitty you already mention we, I presume you already have your crew selected....
Anyway, Rolex Magnum!
MF
Ps. I wouldn't take an organ donor too seriously, those guys are known to have carried machete up there
Edited: the resort name, had it wrong....apologies!
Beautifull area, pitty that Zimbabwe has the terrible twist of Africanitis, thus be warned! Close to the Falls is the two very nice resorts depending on how many Swissfrancs you wish to part with, should you wish to make Livingstone a destination, namely the Royal Livingstone and it's sister hotel.
Pitty you already mention we, I presume you already have your crew selected....
Anyway, Rolex Magnum!
MF
Ps. I wouldn't take an organ donor too seriously, those guys are known to have carried machete up there
Edited: the resort name, had it wrong....apologies!
Last edited by MysticFlyer; 30th Dec 2005 at 06:04.
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The Safari Lodge on the Zim side is a nice place but fuel availability can be a problem in Zim as well as an attitude of "How much can we stiff you for miscellanous charges today?".
Rovos are no longer taking their pax to the Zim side either, AFAIK. Livingstone seems to be the preferred destination. The Holiday Inn in Lusaka is also under new management if you're passing that way. The new GM is an old skydiver who owned his own aircraft at one time and a good bloke all round. He did a great job in Nairobbery and appears to be getting the HI Lusaka in tip top shape as well.
Enjoy your trip...
Rovos are no longer taking their pax to the Zim side either, AFAIK. Livingstone seems to be the preferred destination. The Holiday Inn in Lusaka is also under new management if you're passing that way. The new GM is an old skydiver who owned his own aircraft at one time and a good bloke all round. He did a great job in Nairobbery and appears to be getting the HI Lusaka in tip top shape as well.
Enjoy your trip...
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I found fuel VERY expensive in Zim..... fill her up in Kasane and head back there for fuel if you intend touring southwards or head for Maun if you have enough. 126.7 is spot on with the procedure for sight seeing. Keep small U$ denominations in your pocket for taxes 1, 5, 10`s cause the buggers NEVER have change for you in U$... its U$20 dep tax per person and the exchange rate varies by the minute...get the official one from a bank and haggle from there......
Have fun and avoid getting bitten by the mozzies
Have fun and avoid getting bitten by the mozzies
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Victoria Falls
Courcheval
Must say I cannot recommend Victoria Falls enough, it was a goal for 30 years finally made it in December 2002.
We stayed at the Royal Livingstone Hotel a 5 Star Hotel on the Zambian bank of the Zambesi, and worth every cent, or dollar or Swiss Franc.
As you can see from the pics of Zambesi and the Bridge we were able to fly over the Falls on Zimbabwean and Zambian side, and also into the Gorge entering at the 5th Rapids, that is another experience reserved for helicopters.
Whilst I enjoyed the heli trips the Sultana went on to the Bridge for Bungee Jump (111 metres), White Water Rafting and a Microlight flight also over the Falls.
The Royal Livingstone has a Landing Stage on the bank of the Zambesi, the ideal spot to enjoy a Sundowner watching the wall of spray backlit by the setting sun.
In the "Livingstone" picture you can see the full length of the Falls at 1,3km with the Zambesi on the left. The Royal Livingstone is a row of thatched chalets at top left and the 3 Star Zambesi Sun just to the right at the end of the Falls.
Particularly note in the extreme bottom of the picture the statue of David Livingstone who named the Falls for his Queen.
The "Bridge" picture shows the relationship of the bridge to the Falls and its importance in joining 2 halves of the continent. The little hut in the middle of the bridge is the launch point for the Bungee jumpers.
Make the trip you will never forget it.
Bonne Année
Courcheval
Must say I cannot recommend Victoria Falls enough, it was a goal for 30 years finally made it in December 2002.
We stayed at the Royal Livingstone Hotel a 5 Star Hotel on the Zambian bank of the Zambesi, and worth every cent, or dollar or Swiss Franc.
As you can see from the pics of Zambesi and the Bridge we were able to fly over the Falls on Zimbabwean and Zambian side, and also into the Gorge entering at the 5th Rapids, that is another experience reserved for helicopters.
Whilst I enjoyed the heli trips the Sultana went on to the Bridge for Bungee Jump (111 metres), White Water Rafting and a Microlight flight also over the Falls.
The Royal Livingstone has a Landing Stage on the bank of the Zambesi, the ideal spot to enjoy a Sundowner watching the wall of spray backlit by the setting sun.
In the "Livingstone" picture you can see the full length of the Falls at 1,3km with the Zambesi on the left. The Royal Livingstone is a row of thatched chalets at top left and the 3 Star Zambesi Sun just to the right at the end of the Falls.
Particularly note in the extreme bottom of the picture the statue of David Livingstone who named the Falls for his Queen.
The "Bridge" picture shows the relationship of the bridge to the Falls and its importance in joining 2 halves of the continent. The little hut in the middle of the bridge is the launch point for the Bungee jumpers.
Make the trip you will never forget it.
Bonne Année
Gatvol
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If you are into Helicopters stop by and say Hello to Ignatius for me. Hes at www.onairtours.co.za
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hey courchevel...
living in zambia... i would definitely recommend stayin on the zambian side... heard there are just way too many issues across the border in zimz.
you can overfly the falls... in fact im thinkin of goin' there middle of january so trying to get info together myself. you may need to get a flight clearance n all to fly into Livingstone... from the zambian airforce... forms are available on the internet @
I believe the min alt. over the falls is 500'. i know there are always plenty of choppers n microlights... oh yes, and one sole chap in a tiger moth giving scenic tours.
There are plenty of places to stay on the zambian side... from real nice ones to low budget backpacker types ... depends what you are looking for:
The Zambezi Sun Hotel - US$120/night (3 star but damn good)
The Royal Livingstone - not sure... prolly more (5 star)
The Waterfront Lodge - US$44/night/person -- chalets/tents
Fawlty Towers - something like US$18/night/person (backpackers)
Anyway, i'm also lookin into flying there in jan like i said, if i get any more info i'll be sure to post it up for ya.
pm me if you'd like any other info...
cheers,
pilotezulu
living in zambia... i would definitely recommend stayin on the zambian side... heard there are just way too many issues across the border in zimz.
you can overfly the falls... in fact im thinkin of goin' there middle of january so trying to get info together myself. you may need to get a flight clearance n all to fly into Livingstone... from the zambian airforce... forms are available on the internet @
I believe the min alt. over the falls is 500'. i know there are always plenty of choppers n microlights... oh yes, and one sole chap in a tiger moth giving scenic tours.
There are plenty of places to stay on the zambian side... from real nice ones to low budget backpacker types ... depends what you are looking for:
The Zambezi Sun Hotel - US$120/night (3 star but damn good)
The Royal Livingstone - not sure... prolly more (5 star)
The Waterfront Lodge - US$44/night/person -- chalets/tents
Fawlty Towers - something like US$18/night/person (backpackers)
Anyway, i'm also lookin into flying there in jan like i said, if i get any more info i'll be sure to post it up for ya.
pm me if you'd like any other info...
cheers,
pilotezulu
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Courchevel
Zim not as bad as guys are making out. Still living in Harare. As you're not an operator in the area, you'll find that you'll only be allowed over the falls at about 5000' I think? Be very carefull though as there is a lot of traffic around keep your eyes open, Microlights, helicopters as well as the sight seeing C206's etc. Falls hotel good as well as Ilala Lodge both offer free (at least it used to be?) transfers from the airport to town and both are very central and within walking distance of the falls and town. If you want to see the falls from the ground the best side is definately the Zim side no 2 ways about it. Now's a good time to go rafting as it's low water lots of rapids! Check with BP as close to the time about fuel if not then Kasane is a good option.
Fly safe and good luck
Zim not as bad as guys are making out. Still living in Harare. As you're not an operator in the area, you'll find that you'll only be allowed over the falls at about 5000' I think? Be very carefull though as there is a lot of traffic around keep your eyes open, Microlights, helicopters as well as the sight seeing C206's etc. Falls hotel good as well as Ilala Lodge both offer free (at least it used to be?) transfers from the airport to town and both are very central and within walking distance of the falls and town. If you want to see the falls from the ground the best side is definately the Zim side no 2 ways about it. Now's a good time to go rafting as it's low water lots of rapids! Check with BP as close to the time about fuel if not then Kasane is a good option.
Fly safe and good luck
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Re: Victoria Falls and private sightseeing
Ok guys. Here we go so that every Pilot planning his trip to the Vic Falls viewing area knows what to do.
It's a special rules area and the frequency is 122.9
Minimum altitude for visiting aircraft = 6000ft on QNH.
The non-visiting tourist operators i.e. Choppers, Tigermoth, Microlights etc. fly between 4500ft-6000ft on QNH.
First make contact with either Livingstone Twr on 124.3 or Vic Falls Twr. on 121.1, depending which of the 2 countries (Zambia or Zimbabwe) you are over-flying.
The Zambian side of the falls is called MOT (“Em” “Oh” “Tee”) or Mosi.
The Zimbabwean side of the falls is called Devils Cataract or just Devils
The traffic can become quite hectic and the normal separation in the stagger is 200ft between aircraft, so keep a good look out and keep the radio calls short and to the point, especially the Fixed-wing guys that like to blabber a lot of useless information over the radio. And if your flying in formo with a buddy, use the chat frequency to chat and not the special rules frequency!
So I’m sure you all have a clearer picture of what is happening in the air over one of the 7 wonders of the world!
The Eurocopter 120 and 130 as well as the Tigermoth flying for On Air/United Air Charter is great!
Fly safe!
It's a special rules area and the frequency is 122.9
Minimum altitude for visiting aircraft = 6000ft on QNH.
The non-visiting tourist operators i.e. Choppers, Tigermoth, Microlights etc. fly between 4500ft-6000ft on QNH.
First make contact with either Livingstone Twr on 124.3 or Vic Falls Twr. on 121.1, depending which of the 2 countries (Zambia or Zimbabwe) you are over-flying.
The Zambian side of the falls is called MOT (“Em” “Oh” “Tee”) or Mosi.
The Zimbabwean side of the falls is called Devils Cataract or just Devils
The traffic can become quite hectic and the normal separation in the stagger is 200ft between aircraft, so keep a good look out and keep the radio calls short and to the point, especially the Fixed-wing guys that like to blabber a lot of useless information over the radio. And if your flying in formo with a buddy, use the chat frequency to chat and not the special rules frequency!
So I’m sure you all have a clearer picture of what is happening in the air over one of the 7 wonders of the world!
The Eurocopter 120 and 130 as well as the Tigermoth flying for On Air/United Air Charter is great!
Fly safe!
