Zambezi Sun & Livingstone Review

Suzie was born in the Kalahari Desert so Africa runs strongly through her veins. She travels the world extensively, writing as she goes along. She has spent a fair deal of time in Zambia's Livingstone and on one such trip stayed at the Zambezi Sun.

When you decide to take a short break from doing battle with morning traffic there are a couple of rules that have to be obeyed:

1. Don't spend a lot of time travelling.
2. Make sure the destination is as different as possible.
3. Throw in a spa treatment, an adventure activity or (even better!) both

A two hour flight away from Johannesburg, southern Zambia is an easily accessible tropical wonderland - all the rule boxes above were easily ticked and the decision was made to go on a short 3 day fly-in safari to Victoria Falls in February. Having searched 30 sites and 800 000 hotel deals we found the most competitive accommodation price. (Oh allright! we used HotelsCombined to do it for us!)

We picked the Zambezi Sun (check rates and availability at HotelsCombined) in Livingstone - a typical three star Southern Sun experience. The decor is bright and a touch of bling here and there makes it all feel quite special. With temperatures in the high 30s (°C, or about 100°F) before lunchtime the star attraction is the huge pool.

The food at the Zambezi Sun was standard and not particularly spectacular (it is a Sun hotel after all!) - we did find the extras quite expensive and the drinks even more so! Basically everything costs roughly twice as much in Zambia as it does in SA.

In February the Victoria Falls were pretty perfect! They were quite full but not so that many of the activities around were closed. This area is well known for its adrenaline activities - but there are also plenty to do if being terrified doesn't push your relaxation buttons!

The local park, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, has one rhino and other plains game including giraffe, zebra and the gorgeous impala's. You can choose to walk through the park (also the original site of Livingstone town and still contains an old cemetery) or alternatively book a game drive.

Nothing will beat seeing the Falls from Livingstone Island though! Following a short boat ride (departing from the Royal Livingstone jetty five minutes from the Zambezi Sun) you arrive at a little beach for a three minute walk to the very lip of the abyss. You are wined and dined by Tongabezi Lodge staff and when the water levels are low you can swim in the Devils pool… An activity which is both exhilarating and calming (and not nearly as daring as it will look on the photo's you take home!).

TOP TIPS

• Prepare for Africa - it is hot, it is full of bugs. And the service can be quite hilariously slow. (So pack sunscreen, bug spray and your sense of humour!)
• Don't get too excited by the package deals - as the extra's can easily double the costs.
• Remember that the Victoria Falls are rain dependent (and these rains fall in Angola!) So during the later parts of the year they have little water on the Zambian side (although the geographical formations are wonderful - and all the activities are generally open when the Falls are drier).

More Zambia Safari Reviews