Livingstone’s Challenge

Duration: 8 day(s)
Priced from: EUR available on request

David Livingstone’s actual exploration challenges included: rafting, canoeing, trekking, wildlife & community support – so does your challenge!

Included in the price:
Meals as per itinerary, accommodation, activities stated in the itinerary, transport, services of a qualified tour guide, park entries and permits.

Not included in the price:
Travel insurance, flights, pre and post tour accommodation, optional activities, all drinks, tips and curios, all personal expenses.

David Livingstone:
Few Europeans have contributed as much to the exploration of Africa as a gentle Scottish missionary named David Livingstone.

Livingstone was a curious combination of missionary, doctor, explorer, scientist and anti-slavery activist. He spent 30 years in Africa, exploring almost a third of the continent, from its southern tip almost to the equator. Livingstone received a gold medal from the London Royal Geographical for being the first to cross the entire African Continent from west to east and He was the first white man to see Victoria Falls (He named after Queen Victoria).

Although popular among native tribes in Africa, Livingstone made enemies of some white settlers there because he learned African languages and had an unusually keen understanding and sympathy for native people and cultures. In 1843, while settling the Mabotsa valley, Livingstone shot a lion. Before it died, however, the lion attacked Livingstone, costing him the use of his left arm.
In 1865, at age 52, Livingstone set out on his last and most famous journey. He soon lost his medicine, animals and porters, but struggled on almost alone.

Without doubt, the Victoria Falls constitutes one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. The Mighty Zambezi is home to some of the most breath-taking scenery and wildlife (Elephants, Hippos, Crocs, Antelope and many more) and from a placid meander it forms a seventeen hundred metre wide plunge into the gorge below; later to be followed by the roar of numerous massive rapids before making its way to fill Lake Kariba.

You will arrive in Livingstone and the afternoon will allow participants to view the falls and acclimatise to the area. There are plenty of activities in which to partake – e.g. Sunset cruise, flights over the falls, Bungi Jumping, Golf, Game Viewing etc.

The scenery is breathtaking and wildlife that can be seen includes elephants, warthogs and diverse bird life. The main challenge activities available are rafting and canoeing in the Zambezi and game walking.

Day 1: Livingstone
On arrival in Livingstone you will be transferred to your accommodation for the night. The rest of the day can be spent at leisure, partaking in the numerous activities on offer or take a trip to the place from where David Livingstone first saw the mighty Victoria Falls, the only land accessible in the middle of falls, known as Livingstone Island. This evening we enjoy a BBQ dinner on the banks of the Zambezi River.

Day 2: Zambezi Rafting
The spectacular Batoka Gorge is the highway for our overnight Rafting trip the wildest one-day run in the world. All equipment is taken on the rafts and camp is set on a remote sandy beach only accessible by raft. The river varies from long peaceful stretches to renowned and wild Grade 5 rapids such as “Ghostrider”, “Chimamba” and “Moemba Falls”.

Day 3: Local village Visit
After breakfast we hike out of the gorge and walk to one of the local villages, where we have the opportunity to learn more about this interesting culture whilst being shown around the village homes, as well as having the opportunity to try out their traditional food & beer.

Day 4: Zambezi Canoeing
Probably the best way to appreciate the beauty, peace and wildlife of the Zambezi River above the Victoria Falls is to paddle slowly downstream in a canoe as Livingstone would have done. Watch the Pied Kingfisher hover and dive, listen to the haunting call of the fish eagle and the grunts of the hippo, see elephant, buffalo, and other animals come down to drink and explore the islands and waterways along the route. Lunch is enjoyed on one of the islands and we set up camp on another where we spend the night.

Day 5: Elephant Interaction and tour of Victoria Falls
After breakfast we paddle to Thorntree Lodge in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park where we experience an Elephant interaction before paddling back to Livingstone for lunch. In the afternoon we visit Victoria Falls to discover how they were formed and what local customs and traditions surround them. Described by the Kololo tribe living in the area in the 1800’s as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ - ‘the Smoke that Thunders’ and in more modern terms as ‘the greatest known curtain of falling water’, Victoria Falls are a spectacular sight of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur on the Zambezi River, bordering Zambia and Zimbabwe. A path along the edge of the forest provides you with an unparalleled series of views. One special vantage point is across the Knife edge bridge, where you can have the finest view of the Eastern Cataract and the Main Falls as well as the Boiling Pot where the river turns and heads down the Batoka Gorge.

Day 6: Community Day
Today is a Community day which will be spent at one of the local schools where we can deliver some useful resources & a football or two. Assist in school activities, maintenance and sports.

Day 7: Trekking
A full day of trekking through the bush, which will be relatively flat with a few up and downs in the gorges is on today’s itinerary. A beautiful way to get acquainted with nature. Tonight we celebrate your achievements over the last week with a Gala dinner.