Sindabezi Island is the current location of this Walk on the Wild Side Safari. The trip to Sindabezi Island marks the conclusion of the walking safari portion of this safari but, there is still plenty of time left on the current journey. Sindabezi Island is in Zambia - and I describe Sindabezi Island and the Victoria Falls Region in great detail following the itinerary and map which are presented below.

Please see the itinerary and map below for details on Bill's current Walk on the Wild Side Safari.

• Leg 1: Arrival in Johannesburg, South Africa (Oct 4th)


• Leg 2: Mfuwe Lodge, Zambia(Oct 5th)


• Leg 3: Bilimungwe Bush Camp (Oct 6th - 7th )


• Leg 4: Chindeni Bush Camp (Oct 8th - 9th)
  
  • Walking Safari Details


• Leg 5: Chamilandu Bush Camp (Oct 10th - 11th)


• Leg 6: Mfuwe Lodge, Zambia (Oct 12th)


• Leg 7: Sindabezi Island, Zambia (Victoria Falls Area - Oct 13th - 14th)


• Leg 8: Mapula Lodge, Botswana (Oct 15th - 18th)


• Leg 9: Sandibe Safari Lodge, Botswana (Oct 19th)


• Leg 10: Savute Under Canvas, Botswana (Oct 20th)
  
  • Walk on the Wild Side Safari Wrap-Up

Sindabezi Island

Sindabezi Island is the current stop where Bill and his group will be for two days. The island is located in the Zambezi River and is in very close proximity to Victoria Falls.

Sindabezi Island Activities

Sindabezi Island offers a wide range of opportunities - including the opportunity to relax after Bill and his group have just wrapped up the walking portion of the Walk on the Wild Side Safari. Activities include:

• Victoria Falls (details below)
• Boat/Canoe excursions
• Bush Walks
• School / Village Visits
• Craft / Market Shopping

Sindabezi Island Accommodations

Sindabezi Chalet on the Shore of the Zambezi
Photo © Sindabezi and Tongabezi Lodge

Sindabezi Island has the capacity to sleep just 10 guests in 5 open sided chalets. Bill's group will have the entire island to themselves for their two day visit. Chalets feature hot showers (bucket) and absolutely no electricity. The camp has recently been redesigned. The camp also includes regular visits from Horace, the resident hippo.

Sindabezi Chalet viewed from the Zambezi River
Photo © Sindabezi and Tongabezi Lodge

For more information about Sindabezi Island, be sure to check out the official Sindabezi Island website.

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls - The Smoke that Thunders
Photo © Bill Given

The group will be travelling to Victoria Falls by boat or canoe right from Sindabezi Island. Even just the trip down the river to the falls offers great opportunities for game viewing. During October, water levels are low for the river and falls. This has its advantages - while Bill and his group won't need a raincoats visit the 'Smoke that Thunders' - they will be afforded a fantastic view into the gorge. During higher water times - the view into the gorge is usually obscured by mist. The view is actually a bit better from Zimbabwe during October and it is possible that Bill and his group will make their way over to the Zimbabwe side of the falls if the political climate is stable. Visitors to Victoria Falls can also view the

   

Tongabezi Lodge, Zambia

While staying in Zambia in the Victoria Falls region, Bill was staying at the Tongabezi Lodge. This blog post gives a lot of information about Tongabezi Lodge. Other stops on the Summer Safari of 2009 can be viewed by clicking the appropriate link below. The next destination is Botswana's Okavango delta.

• Leg 1: Arrival in Nairobi, Kenya (Aug. 24th)


• Leg 2: Serengeti National Park, Tanzania - Lemala Mara Camp (Aug 25-28)
• Serengeti National Park August 27th Text Update
• Serengeti National Park Videos
• Lemala Mara Luxury Camp
• Final Serengeti Game Drive
• Leg 3: Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda (Gorilla Trekking!) - Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge (Aug 29-31)
• About Gorilla Treks
• Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
• Leg 4: Overnight in Johannesburg (Sep 1st)


• Leg 5: Victoria Falls, Zambia - Tongabezi Safari Lodge (Sep 2-3)
• Tongabezi Lodge, Zambezi
• Leg 6: Okavango Delta, Botswana - Mapula Lodge (Sep 4-7)
• Mapula Lodge Accommodations and Guiding
• Leg 7: Okavango Delta, Botswana - Sankuyo Bush Camp (Sep 8-9)

Tongabezi Lodge

Tongabezi Lodge is truly a one-of-a-kind luxury property nestled along the Zambezi River. The lodge is independently owned and operated and contains four unique open-sided houses. These all have open-air baths with stunning views of the Zambezi River. Each house has its own valet to ensure optimal service. The style is relaxed. During this portion of the safari, the schedule is more flexible. The Lodge has received numerous international accolades.

Tongabezi Lodge Accommodations
Photo courtesy of Tongabezi Lodge

Tongabezi Lodge of course has access to Victoria Falls. Other activities include bush walks, visiting the nearby national park, visiting local villages, or shopping.

Victoria Falls - Zambia

Victoria Falls
Photo by Bill Given

The safari has moved on to Zambia for September 2nd - 3rd. The primary draw here in Zambia is Victoria Falls. To see other portions of the Summer Safari of 2009 - click on the appropriate link below. The next destination is Botswana, where Bill will be visiting two separate lodges in the Okavango Delta.

• Leg 1: Arrival in Nairobi, Kenya (Aug. 24th)


• Leg 2: Serengeti National Park, Tanzania - Lemala Mara Camp (Aug 25-28)
• Serengeti National Park August 27th Text Update
• Serengeti National Park Videos
• Lemala Mara Luxury Camp
• Final Serengeti Game Drive
• Leg 3: Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda (Gorilla Trekking!) - Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge (Aug 29-31)
• About Gorilla Treks
• Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge
• Leg 4: Overnight in Johannesburg (Sep 1st)


• Leg 5: Victoria Falls, Zambia - Tongabezi Safari Lodge (Sep 2-3)
• Tongabezi Lodge, Zambezi
• Leg 6: Okavango Delta, Botswana - Mapula Lodge (Sep 4-7)
• Mapula Lodge Accommodations and Guiding
• Leg 7: Okavango Delta, Botswana - Sankuyo Bush Camp (Sep 8-9)

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls or Mosi-oa-Tunya (the smoke that thunders) as it is referred to in Zambia, is over 100 meters high and offers incredible views. This time of year, water levels are approaching their lowest levels - which occur in November an December. This means that Bill won't need a raincoat to view the "Smoke that Thunders". The lower water levels to provide a less obscured view of the gorge itself and the mighty Zambezi River. Aerial opportunities to view the falls are available to visitors, and Bill will be taking this opportunity to view the falls from above in a helicopter.

Other Victoria Falls Activities

While spectacular, Victoria Falls certainly isn't the only game in town. Shopping is available to visitors. Mukuni Victoria Falls Craft Village offers an opportunity for visitors to purchase Zambian handmade crafts. Also nearby is Mosi O Tunya National Park. While it is small by African National Park standards, it features giraffe, zebra, and white rhinos. Mosi O Tunya National Park is actually the only place where you can see Rhinoceros in Zambia.