Game drives
These are three hour drives through the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park. Well trained and experienced guides ensure that you spot some of Africa's finest wildlife, including the endangered white rhino, as well as elephant, giraffe, zebra, buffalo and many more. There is also abundant birdlife in the park.
Canoeing
The Upper Zambezi River is ideal for canoeing, with stunning vegetation such as ebonies, water berries, palms and a tremendous variety of acacia and Albizia. The canoe trail whilst operated in Zambia passes through National Parks located in Zimbabwe, and the pristine bush land of Zambia where there is a possibility of chances to see game such as hippo, crocodile, elephant, giraffe and numerous birdlife. The rapids are small and at their peak are only classed as grade two, which is the second easiest grade.
Lion encounters
This offers you the chance to walk and interact with lions that are part of a conservation programme. The program ensures a secure future for the African lion, Panthera leo. This is also Africa's first genuine program to ethically re-introduce the offspring of captive-bred African lions back into the wild.
Boat cruises
The Safari Par Excellence offers three different types of boat cruises. The MV Makumbi and MV Mambushi are based at Victoria Falls Waterfront and the Lady Livingstone is based at David Livingstone Safari Lodge and Spa. The cruise is along the river boundary of the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, around Siloka Island and back with plenty of opportunities for game viewing.
Makumbi
The Makumbi accommodates a maximum of 100 clients max. Freshly baked snacks, light dinner, local beverages, spirits and wine are served.
Mambushi
The boats can be booked out for private group hire as well as breakfast and lunch cruises. The Mambuhi allows maximum of 23 clients max. Freshly baked snacks, light dinner, local beverages, spirits and wine are also served.
Lady Livingstone
This cruise allows a maximum of 144 clients. Freshly baked snacks, local beverages, local spirits and house wine are served.
Elephant rides
Five adult African elephants offer you an unparalleled viewpoint of the mighty Zambezi River and surrounding bush area of Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park. Zambezi elephant trails are located near Thorntree River Lodge, approximately 10 km from Livingstone. Together with this ecologically friendly method of game viewing, a strong emphasis is placed on an elephant experience rather than just an elephant ride and guests are encouraged to interact with these majestic and intelligent African mammals. The training techniques used by Zambezi Elephant Trails are based on the positive reinforcement method as opposed to the controversial 'discipline and submission' technique commonly associated with Asian Elephants.
White water rafting
This activity has grown in popularity to the point where a rafting trip on the Zambezi is now a regular feature in many tourist itineraries, and is now internationally acclaimed as the best one-day white water rafting trip available in the world. Safari Par Excellence has the only guiding team on the Zambezi who are all accredited by the International Rafting Federation.
The morning section of the river is classified as Grade 5 'extremely difficult, long and violent rapids, steep gradients, big drops and pressure areas'. The afternoon section is slightly less challenging and is of a lower grade.
General activities and wildlife
Royal Livingstone express
This is an ultimate fine dining experience going back in time to the age of steam train travel as you travel on the historic Mulobezi Railway line or the Bridge run, formerly one of the largest private rail networks in the world. The train has five carriages and is fully air conditioned.
Quad bike
Discover the spectacular landscapes surrounding Livingstone and the Batoka Gorge on all-terrain quad bikes that cater for either novice or experienced riders. All trips are under the supervision of a qualified guide. The rides offer great opportunities to experience the amazing views and wildlife of the area. Quad bike trips vary from bush track riding, experiencing local village life and quad bike eco safaris.
Walking safaris
Walking Safaris are conducted in the midst of the African Bush in the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, which is just upstream from the Victoria Falls. The walks give you an opportunity to experience up close encounters with the endangered white rhino and other wildlife including, buffalo, hippo, impala, warthog and many more. Walking safaris offer insight into how the local people use the habitat in their daily living, including a chance to touch and even taste the flora. These walks are also a great opportunity to experience some fantastic birding. There are two options of walking safaris offered – choose from a walk concentrating on all wildlife or a specialised walk to find some of the only white rhinos left in Zambia. Well trained and knowledgeable guides accompany you during the walks.
Horse riding
These are horse rides through parts of the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park that offer great opportunities to see some of Africa's wildlife such as giraffe, buffalo, and buck. Horse rides also go along the banks of the mighty Zambezi River. The rides cater for novice and experienced riders. Choose between a two hour or half day ride.
Crocodile farm
Visit the beautiful Gwembe Crocodile Farm houses with a lot of captured crocodiles, including some of Livingstone's most notorious man-eaters. The farm also has a collection of Zambia's most dangerous venomous snakes.
Victoria Falls Tour
An exciting visit to one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The Victoria Falls is an immense 1.5 km wide curtain of water cascading 100m into the gorge. Around 550 million litres of water fall over the lip every minute. Surrounding the falls is a luscious rainforest, sustained year round by spray created by the thundering falls. There are plant species here which are rarely seen elsewhere in Zambia. During peak flow, the Zambian side of the falls is a spectacular sight and walkways lead to vantage points across the Knife Edge Bridge. You can either go on a guided tour that can be organised with Safari Par Excellence which includes return transfers and refreshments or if you don't want an organised tour then speak to the friendly staff that can organise a taxi to take you there. Water levels from Dec / Jan to July are very high so clients can expect to get showered by the spray. The water is very low in October, when not much water flows over the falls on the Zambian side. Experience three days of the Lunar Rainbow (moonbow) during high water levels. The best times of year are April to August.
Helicopter flights
Enjoy short and long flights that last approximately 15 and 30 minutes respectively. The short flights are over the Victoria Falls, offering stunning views from every angle. Long flights are over the Batoka Gorge below the falls, flying above the rapids of the Zambezi River and then once out of the gorge the flight circuits the falls and finishes off by flying over the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park in the hope of spotting some wildlife such as elephant and rhino. The Safari Par Excellence offers three, four or six seater flights. Helicopter flights take place from 07:30am until 16:30am.
Microlight flights
These are short and long flights that are available as per helicopter flights but long flights do not go down into the gorge but fly overhead.
Livingstone Island
Based at the top of The Victoria Falls, this is where David Livingstone first set eyes on the falls. A short boat ride is taken from The Royal Livingstone hotel over to the island where you walk across the top of The Falls and even get a chance to swim in a natural rock pool right on the edge – Devils Pool or Angels Armchair.
Water based activities
Upper Zambezi Raft Float
This activity takes place on the Upper Zambezi River (as for canoeing) above Victoria Falls. Raft Floating is ideal for groups who want something a little calmer than the extremes of the white water rafting.
Jet boat
Run by Jet Extreme, this is an exciting jet boat ride in the lower gorges of the Zambezi River, based at rapid 25. The boat is a custom built, super twin, 22-seater 700 HP Jet Boat and provides a thrilling ride – buzzing rocks, jet spinning and crashing through the huge rapids of the mighty Zambezi. There is also a cable car in and out of the gorge which makes the activity easily accessible to varying ages and abilities.
Victoria Falls River Safaris
Unique propeller-free safari boats will take you to remote places that no other craft can reach. This activity allows you to enjoy close-up game viewing as well as experiencing the wide, winding river, the myriad of islands and narrow channels above the falls.
Fishing Safaris
Fishing safaris are offered by Angle Zambia and are conducted on the upper Zambezi River. Try your hand at catching the renowned tiger fish while enjoying an abundance of wildlife.
Adrenalin inducing activities
Abseiling
This activity is based above the Batoka Gorges only 3km from Victoria Falls and is offered by Abseil Zambia. Abseil Zambia provides full or half day excursions or single activities. The full or half day excursions include all of the following activities: – gorge swing, abseil, rap jumping and flying fox. On the full day, they can do these activities more than once. Tandem gorge swing is also available.
Bungee jumping
This is 111 metres of pure adrenalin on the Victoria Falls Bridge. The Bungee jump, gorge swing and cable slide can certainly be classed as the most scenic in the world.
Cultural activities
Tour of Livingstone
The tour can be catered to clients specific requests and comprises a visit to the Livingstone Museum, which displays a comprehensive collection of David Livingstone memorabilia; a trip to Maramba Market, which is a bustling colourful market where you will find everything from fresh fruit and vegetables, to chitenge (local fabric). Or even more exciting the Salaula market, and see large displays of second hand clothes, a great favorite of the locals.
Chief Mukuni village tour
This tour offers a great opportunity for you to interact with the locals. The local Livingstone Chief, Chief Mukuni, encourages visitors to his village which is home to some 7,000 Leya people, to gain valuable knowledge of how an African village is run and the day-to- day routines of the people who live there. A headman will escort you around the village to show how traditional huts are made and decorated, to explain village politics and to answer any questions that you may have. The tour lasts approximately two hours. There is also a large craft market in the village for you to buy some locally made crafts.
Musokotwane village trip (full day)
This is a tour of a typical African village packed with a variety of activities including language and cooking lessons, lunch, food shopping, house tour, kraals, dam and springs visits, time in the village gardens and viewing a community support village project. If all that is not enough you learn how the villagers relax by taking part in dance lessons.
Culture and cooking lunch trip
This tour is tailored to give insight on all the essentials of African cooking. You get to experience shopping in an African market, have a cooking class in African meals and eat a full African lunch. If that was not enough to tempt you, you are also given a Tonga or Lozi speaking lesson, and an insight into Livingstone and Zambian history.
African impact interact
This is a volunteer programme based in the Livingstone area that gives you an opportunity of giving back to the local community. Through the community programme that African Impact has in place, you are able to make a real and sustainable contribution to the development and refurbishment of local schools and orphanages. This consists of doing anything from laying bricks, painting walls and murals, cleaning to interacting with the local children.
