Fantasy South Africa RV Safari #10

Our time in South Africa came to an end as we reluctantly returned our trusty camper. But the adventure was far from over. From Johannesburg, our group boarded a flight bound for Livingstone, Zambia—home to one of the world’s natural wonders: Victoria Falls. Our beautiful hotel was just a short walk from the falls & you could hear the roar of the powerful falls. The setting was peaceful and deeply relaxing. As if that weren’t magical enough, zebras wandered near the pool and a giraffe strolled the grounds.

Our adventure in Zambia began with a relaxing sunset cruise along the Zambezi River, well upstream from the falls. Drifting gently on the water, we spotted wildlife along the banks and watched the sky come alive with the colors of the setting sun.

The morning we set out for the falls, we were warned to dress to get wet. A quick bus ride brought us to the path leading to the upper edge. As we walked through the trees, the sound grew louder with every step, building anticipation. Then came our first glimpse from a viewpoint, and it quite literally took our breath away. You could see it, hear it, and feel its immense power all at once. And as if that weren’t enough, the sunshine revealed a stunning rainbow arching across the falls.

As we continued along the path, we moved closer and closer to the falls until we could feel the mist rising up from the gorge. Crossing a bridge over a small side valley, a breeze carried the spray across our path, and suddenly we were walking through a thick, wet fog. At one stretch of the trail, with the trees overhead and the sheer volume of water surging below, it felt like standing in a heavy rainstorm. Our guides weren’t kidding when they told us to prepare to be wet—we were completely soaked.

Getting soaked was absolutely worth it. The falls are truly a sight to behold—the sun casting rainbows through the mist, the thunderous roar of water, and plumes of spray rising high from the gorge. Unlike most waterfalls, you can’t take it all in at once. In many places, you only catch glimpses of the top, as the sheer volume of water creates a dense curtain of vapor. The narrow gorge below funnels that force upward, sending mist soaring into the air. Locally, Victoria Falls is known as Mosi-oa-Tunya -“The Smoke That Thunders,” and after visiting you can understand why as the mist and roar can be seen and hear from a distance.

After our soaking at the falls, we opted for the short walking path back to the hotel. The trail wound quietly through the trees, where we came across two baobab trees—often called “upside-down trees”—and spotted a few playful monkeys along the way.

Later in the day, we took in a completely different perspective with an optional helicopter ride over the falls. Seeing it from the air gave me a much deeper appreciation for its sheer size and shape, as the water plunges into a long, narrow gorge along the Zambezi River. From above, I could even spot the bridge we had walked across earlier, which made me realize just how small a section we’d actually experienced from the ground.

We also took a side trip into Botswana for a guided safari and a cruise in Chobe National Park. Crossing the border was quite an involved process. First, as we approached, the bus stopped and everyone had to step into a shallow pan with a wet mat—a precaution to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.

Back on the bus, we moved a short distance and disembarked again for a temperature and health check. Next, we arrived at the border building, which had a large lobby. On one side, we went through Zambian exit formalities with a border agent, and on the other, we obtained our entrance into Botswana. Once across, we switched into different vehicles for our safari adventure. Our original bus stayed behind, waiting to take us back to Zambia, where we would repeat the whole process. In Chobe National Park, we encountered the usual wildlife, with elephants dominating the scene—this park is famous for its exceptionally high elephant population. We were also lucky enough to spot a lion with a fresh kill.

During the cruise on the Chobe River, we enjoyed lunch while watching the wildlife as we drifted by. At one magical spot, a large group of elephants had gathered in the water. The older elephants sipped and cooled their feet, while the younger ones splashed and played. I could have watched them frolic in the river for hours.

One final, unforgettable experience was our visit to Chief Mukuni Village, home to about 7,000 Leya people. We were given a guided tour, had the chance to meet residents, and browse their beautiful, handcrafted items. What stood out most were the children—they eagerly followed us through the village, delighted to have their photos taken and even more excited to see the pictures on our phones afterward. Visiting the village was a truly eye-opening experience, offering a glimpse into a way of life that has endured for hundreds of years, rich with tradition, community, and history.

After that, it was truly time to say goodbye. Following a final farewell dinner the night before, we boarded our plane to Johannesburg. That afternoon, there was one last goodbye at the hotel while picking up any left luggage. Some travelers headed back to the airport for their flights home, while others stayed a little longer to savor more time in this beautiful country. We returned to the airport for first a long flight to Newark, followed by a shorter hop to Key West. All told, the total travel time from leaving our hotel in Zambia to arriving home in the Keys was about 38 hours—a very long “day.”

This was truly the trip of a lifetime, and traveling with Fantasy RV was a great way of exploring the country. The memories of breathtaking landscapes, incredible wildlife, and the warm, welcoming people will stay with me forever. And to top it off, the wonderful new friendships we made were the perfect finishing touch.

Victoria Falls

Fantasy South Africa RV Safari #10

The Big Five