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The Perfect African Wedding & Birthday Celebration at Victoria Falls!
The Perfect African Wedding & Birthday Celebration at Victoria Falls!
Getting married at the stunning Victoria Falls and celebrating my birthday in a boat on the Zambezi River was the ideal African vacation!
We decided that a wedding wasn’t for us, therefore it began with my fiancĂ© and I excitedly discussing where we should have our own wedding ceremony beside to a cozy fire. As we stared at each other, knowing that we had discovered the ideal location, one thing led to another, and the words “Vic Falls” came to us.
We eloped to Zimbabwe, the country where I was born, a magnificent place full of mystery, ancient history, kindness, and rainbows. The planning started once it was the ideal fit.
Our amazing voyage started when we took a plane to Livingstone, Zambia, about two months following our epiphany.
Landing in Livingstone and Entering Zimbabwe
It was an incredible experience to fly into Livingstone Airport and see the Victoria Falls’ spray (Mosi-oa-Tunya, the smoke that thunders) after our first aerial view of the winding Zambezi River! After the heat that greeted us as we disembarked from our aircraft and made our way from the plane into the terminal, the cool air conditioning was a welcome addition to the little airport. With our South African passports in hand, we were sent to the SADC line and quickly cleared customs.
The cleanliness of Zambia was another benefit of tourism, in addition to the country’s ease of entry. Despite the automated hand sensors on the soap dispensers and taps, I was shocked to discover two-ply toilet paper because I’ve been to neighboring nations and cities where hygiene is a noticeable problem.
Following our clearance by the cordial customs officers, we picked up our bags and discovered our transfer guide was waiting for us!
Everything is going OK so far.
Our driver informed us about the history and locations we visited throughout our fascinating and instructive journey in Livingstone. Before we were stamped through to the other side, a rather amiable baboon welcomed us at the customs office on the Zimbabwean border. Warm and fuzzy welcomes from everyone!
After meeting our Zimbabwean driver, we were driven to the A’Zambezi River Lodge across the well-known bungee jump bridge, where we got a fleeting first look at the majestic falls and some courageous bungee jumpers!
Getting settled in Zimbabwe at Our Riverside Lodge
The first thing I noticed when I arrived at the A’Zambezi River Lodge was how genuine and welcoming the staff was. We never felt pressured to tip a staff member who offered to carry a piece of luggage or provide a welcome drink from the moment we arrived until the end of our trip. After receiving free hotel wifi and a room with a flat-screen TV and a view of the river, we were shown to our room and felt really welcome! Even though we were on vacation, it was reassuring to know that we could use our own devices to communicate with loved ones and update our own statuses whenever we wanted. After all, we do live in a modern era.
After settling up, we went to the bar with a few hours to spare before our first activity—a sunset dinner cruise on the Zambezi. We experienced local beer and ‘local’ prices for the first time. Unfortunately, the menu’s USD prices make it unappealing to South Africans. We paid R44 (four dollars) for each local beer. At that amount, we could purchase four beers back home!
We were picked up for a dinner cruise and driven through Victoria Falls National Park after exploring the grounds, taking in the magnificent, stormy skies over a huge expanse of river, and observing an elderly warthog that often visited the grassy bank. One of the most important things to do in Vic Falls is to take a leisurely sunset ride on the Zambezi River.
The Enchanting Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River
We quickly boarded our boat, a flatbed platform furnished with chairs and tables, and two amiable crew members—a cook and a skipper. Not to mention the mischievous monkeys who attempted to stow away! The lunch included a selection of drinks, and before we knew it, two other couples and I were sailing toward the setting sun while we watched the lake change a variety of colors, all of which were overshadowed by the serene calm.
The three courses of dinner, which included soup, freshly caught bream (a freshwater fish of the Zambezi), and apple crumble for dessert, were delicious.
We returned to the hotel after being fed and hydrated and carrying more than 100 digital photos of a sunset that will never be forgotten. On the way back, we stopped to admire a single elephant in the national park that was silhouetted against the night sky.
The gift of seeing a leopard marks the start of my birthday.
It was very nice to wake up the following morning on my birthday. I was planning to embark on an overnight canoe safari experience on the Zambezi River with my fiancé and six crew members in this country, where I was born!
In order to enjoy the incredibly rich buffet breakfast spread and a decent, strong cup of coffee, we got up pretty early. On schedule, our guide greeted us with a kind grin and a kind handshake. We left for the Zambezi National Park with five other crew members in a massive open safari van that had camping gear in the back and kayaks on the roof.
I apologize for my ignorance; I know that working in the tourism sector means I “should” be aware of these things, but what happened next caught me off guard. With hindsight, I see that I had no idea what to anticipate, and it is this mindset that invariably enables the traveler to relish every moment of the subsequent voyage!
In contrast to Johannesburg, where one has travel great distances to get from point A to point B, everything is conveniently located in Vic Falls! After ten minutes, we reached another national park, the Zambezi National Park, which I had thought was the Vic Falls National Park but was mistaken. After a half hour or so, our guide returned with our entry credentials and we left after he asked us to wait a few “African” minutes. The abrupt shake of our car when we came to a stop was unexpected because we had no notion what to anticipate. As though in a kid’s amusement park, the guide leaped to his feet and climbed onto the vehicle’s roof!
The crew was chatting enthusiastically among themselves; they had sighted a leopard, we heard. I was unable to really understand this until I actually saw him—a leopard! Leopards were the first animals we saw in Zimbabwe. Unaware that we would be traveling through a wildlife reserve to get to our destination on the river, we were ecstatically taken aback by this unique opportunity! Our guide had to get out of the car and follow the leopard for a short while before we all witnessed him mysteriously vanish into the tall grass because it was the first time they had seen him in three years.
On the powerful Zambezi River in a canoe
We next spotted some warthogs, followed by the usual bushbuck, a variety of the brightest, most colorful birds I’ve ever seen, and monkeys. After getting stuck and having all the boys push-start the car “IN THE WILD,” we made it upstream, received a briefing on what to do if you fall out and run into a crocodile or hippo, got safety jackets, and headed off on the powerful Zambezi in our reliable canoes! What a sensation! The weather was perfect—it was sunny and warm, and there was a wind to help us move with the flow.
With two crew members in one canoe leading the way, my fiancĂ© and I are in ours. We barely paddled for the most part because the river’s flow carried us along happily, passing a few opulent lodges that were hidden along the river’s banks. One jumped out in especially because it was on an island in the center and had a man fishing over a balcony from what appeared to be the main bedroom. It looked like something from Robinson Crusoe.
We soon encountered some rapids! Since I’ve never encountered rapids, they seemed big to me! However, I was informed that they were only mild compared to the white water rafting that most tourists do at Victoria Falls when the water level is safe. For further information, check the Best Time to Visit Victoria Falls. These were rapids to me, and I nearly lost my paddle as we struck what appeared to be a tsunami-sized wave! Adrenaline partly subsided after the rapids, so we took a lunch break on the banks, enjoying a delicious spaghetti, salad, and chicken dish paired with a warm Zambezi beer. So cool!
When our canoe safari came to a conclusion, we were greeted by our crew and the truck that would transport us back to camp after another hour or so of paddling past some hippos and tiny crocs on the farthest banks.
A magnificent night at camp next to the Zambezi River on that special night
A fantastic setup was in store! Two stretcher beds, mattresses, blankets, pillows, and a towel are included in this cozy walk-in tent. After a challenging day on the river, we were welcomed into the main camp for the evening with a dining table that served cool beer and salty food, as well as a separate bucket shower hidden away under a friendly tree.
We talked with our guide about current political happenings, wildlife in the park, which I had been thrilled to find, and life in Zimbabwe while the campfire was burning brightly and dinner was being prepared.
While sitting next to my soon-to-be husband, I paused and thought, “What an unusually unique and terribly exciting way to spend a birthday with the stars shining down over us, the smell of ebony wood as it crackled and flames dancing to happy voices chattering and laughing, and the sudden screech and grunts of a hippo in the Zambezi.”
If that wasn’t already unique, imagine waking up to the first hazy rays of sunlight spilling over the water’s edge while lying on cozy tent mattresses furnished with cushions and warm blankies. Beyond us, a mass of woodland and river is covered in a deep pink haze with enigmatic smoke trails. The hippo, of course, woke up and spoke up, making a sound I will always love.
A New Day: a Return to Civilization and a Bit of Heaven
A pot of hot milk and traditional Koffiehuis enticed us to the breakfast table, which was set up beneath the enormous ebony trees. Yes, that went down nicely. Fruit, cereal, and soon after, a hearty English breakfast consisting of bread, bacon, eggs, and sausage. A wonderful way to begin the day in this gorgeous location.
We regrettably had to depart after a very warm and refreshing bucket shower beneath the amiable tree, but our open-sided safari truck was loaded and prepared to return to reality. Fortunately, there is only one way out—a leisurely, rhythmically bumpy journey through the national park, where we can see some of the most amazing birds playing all around us, as well as some tall giraffes, a giant tortoise, and several elephants that say goodbye for the time being. I promised to come back!
After dropping off our bags, I made the decision to take our group into Victoria Falls for a look around. I wanted to see the Adventure Zone employees, who I have known for many of my travel years and who have assisted in booking our amazing excursions thus far, and I needed some money. The opportunity to touch hands and put names to the endless email and Skype banter was fantastic. Since it was the second time, drawing cash was easy. I initially selected the nearest ATM, Stanbic, which must be the younger sibling of Standard Bank, since it accepted my FNB card, made all the necessary noises, acknowledged the amount of money I requested, and went through all the procedures, but nothing was released!
I walked into the bank after experiencing a little panic and was reassured by a pleasant young woman that this had happened before and that I should travel farther into town, where the ATM in Barclay was reportedly much more dependable. Fortunately, it was.
Drawing US dollars in an African town was a surreal experience for me. Also, it hurts a little bit when you bring Rands. Overall, though, I encountered the friendliest, most upbeat, and most proud individuals. I had the impression that this small fragment of Africa was dazzling, affecting everyone who came, and becoming more alluring every day. I realized that we still hadn’t seen THE Falls in light of this.
The staff returned me to the hotel, where I had a cocktail by the pool with the fiancé. It was summed up in one word: paradise.
We ordered lunch beside the pool, and because the temperature was always a pleasant 27 degrees, I took a cool dip. But instead of burning you to a crisp, the sun would softly roast you to a uniform golden color. I was completely at home.
We spent some more time relaxing in the deck chairs after a delicious and substantial lunch before preparing for the last expedition on the Zimbabwean side. a falls tour with a guide.
The Rainbows at the Heavenly Victoria Falls
Well, that encounter changed my life! In addition to passing a 1500-year-old baobab tree and entering a gorgeous jungle, I will always remember the first time I saw and heard the powerful Falls in full force, rushing over at a rate of many kilometers per second. At the same time, impressive and powerful, each view only gets better and better—and wetter and wetter! There were occasions when you thought you had made the ideal shot, but then an even better one appeared! There are rainbows everywhere. I was ecstatic.
Fortunately, our guide brought raincoats so we wouldn’t be completely saturated by the conclusion of the hike. After a little dragging our heels, we returned to the hotel for a vibrant and cultural dining experience. anything distinct.
Time to elope as we return to Zambia for Royal Treatment!
As we packed our things and made the short journey across the border to Zambia’s Royal Livingstone Hotel, where we intended to elope and get married the following day, we quietly grinned as we woke up on Wednesday, April 30.
Even though it was a short distance—literally a stroll—we were stranded at the border due to a late and inebriated customs officer and an ink problem. We couldn’t wait in the bus any longer due to itchy feet, so we got off and walked the bridge that bungee jumpers are known to jump off of. Although it was an exciting tourist trap, we couldn’t afford the cost, but we still enjoyed watching till our guide took us to the next Livingstone border entry. At border crossings, there is always a lengthy wait, especially on the one day of the week when all the trucks with their loads of copper plating are allowed to pass through.
The Royal Livingstone lived up to its name when we finally reached our opulent residence for the next three days. The relaxed, carefree atmosphere that the A’Zambezi offered was a big change, but this was no typical trip. This was to be the start of a new chapter in our life, and we wanted it to be unique, a little extravagant, and full of magical moments that only such a place could offer.
Mervin, our butler, met us after we were checked in and treated like royalty by what I assumed was the doorman. He was wearing a bright and colorful dress and a frumpy chef’s hat. However, he must have been the front of house because he took us through everything from top to bottom, gave us our key, and had us and our luggage taken off in an electric golf caddy to our room.
After showing us around our room, Mervin showed us the location of all the light fixtures, the remote controls, the air conditioning settings, the tea and coffee stations, the honesty bar, and the sliding doors. The monkeys would otherwise open up and help themselves to the facilities, so she advised us to make sure our sliding doors were securely shut before leaving the room. She then left us to acclimate to our new environment.
Getting ready for our wedding in Africa near Victoria Falls
We realized it was the deck we would be exchanging vows on in the morning when we stepped out onto the balcony that overlooked a wooden deck situated on the banks of the now-familiar Zambezi River. The sight of the spray of Vic Falls rising into the sky just beyond the deck, encircled by verdant grass with trees, was dreamlike. What a unique location.
The rainbows played a significant role in what happened next morning! We needed to schedule our ceremony early enough to view them, and because our hotel gave us unrestricted access to the Falls, we made the decision to check out the potential photo ops.
I was a little apprehensive that one could just catch a glimpse of them and that the vista from Zambia would not be similar to that from Zimbabwe. Okay… following a quite lengthy trek (duly acknowledged) during which we passed a herd of zebras! When we reached the Falls’ entrance, I must admit that my heart jumped up and down once more. I was both relieved and excited at the same time since the sights, sounds, and various vistas were so amazing; everything would be exactly as I had dreamed.
We made our way back to the hotel with a variety of fresh and amazing emotions. After dropping off my dress to hang overnight, I had a quick consultation with Leona at the Spa to discuss some cosmetic matters, including hair and makeup. It didn’t take long because I wanted to minimize everything, but to make sure we covered everything, I was instructed to return to the spa by 05:30 am. I didn’t mean to pun!
Our African Wedding from a Fairy Tale at Vic Falls
The groom had time to get ready and drink a good cup of coffee because we were meeting just before 7 am. I was greeted by a really attractive man at the perfect time, and we headed out hand in hand on the wooden deck with the breathtaking spray of the Falls as our backdrop.
Our script reader, Luke, was excitedly awaiting our arrival. We decided to elope to Victoria Falls on the spur of the moment, and I had two months to organize the process, including finding the proper person to read our ceremony script and harnessing through all the channels. We were quite lucky to locate Luke!
When I emailed him with my request for a bazaar, he was a complete stranger, but his kind response and desire to assist with this request for our wedding day made him a friend right away. Luke readily agreed when I established that it was 7 am and stated he would ride his bicycle from Vic Falls Town to cross the border faster than he could by car. A legend, you have our sincere gratitude and we look forward to rewarding you with that braai the next time you visit Cape Town!
I was lucky to discover Lesanne Dunlop, a professional photographer with a fantastic love and eye for her work, after using our script reader through the amazing connections and different methods. The ceremony started as soon as Lesanne reached the deck.
We were so fortunate to be able to experience everything and say “I Do” at the end; the words said, the people who helped us make it our special day, the breathtaking setting, and the majesty of the Falls were all more perfect than we could have ever dreamed.
After saying our goodbyes to Luke, we were driven to the Falls in an electric car to witness rainbows and fairy stories where dreams come true. We went back to warm breakfast and dry clothes after all the emotions, including laughing, giggling, and smiling, were captured on camera by the spray. Our talented photographer then quickly created a collage of photos for me to send to loved ones.
We received a complimentary high tea from the hotel as a surprise for our stay, and after informing our loved ones, we sipped champagne and relaxed by the pool until dinnertime, when we were shown to a table tucked away in the gardens under towering trees and a plethora of stars. We had an amazing meal as zebras grazed in the moonlight all around us.
The day ended once more under the warm African skies, with my spouse by my side and the sounds of nature all around. It was an unforgettable, thrilling, wonderful, and fairytale-like day.
Our ideal African wedding trip came to a perfect conclusion.
On our penultimate day, we took advantage of the free admission to Victoria Falls, the verdant grounds, and the luxuriously cushioned chairs under the shaded trees. For once, time seemed to stop and the river flowed violently. We were prepared to face reality and begin the trek back home to a cold Cape Town after overindulging, especially with our complementary high tea.
Everything about our trip was flawless. Africa never fails to astound and enchant me; it is always genuine, friendly, upbeat, and breathtakingly gorgeous, with surprises of all sorts and shapes around every turn.