Africa's action capital

As a result, the region is becoming the action capital of Africa, with activities offered by tour operators including a helicopter 'flip' over the falls, a 111-metre bungee jump, gorge swinging and ultralight flights above ‘the smoke that thunders’.

But if the idea of being hundreds of metres above the falls doesn't tickle your fancy, taking what should be — but certainly isn't — a leisurely canoe safari on the roaring Zambezi River towards the edge of the falls is unmissable.

What you’d think would be a casual cruise down the river instead becomes a matter of dodging rapids, hippos and crocodiles. The raging Zambezi is currently at its highest in some 50 years, and as a result, there are more rapids to outmanoeuvre than is the norm.

Watch out for hippos!

So what happens if your canoe is toppled over by an emerging hippo — a not unlikely occurrence as it's easy to cruise above one while he's holding his six-minute long breath? According to canoe guide, Innocent Chigama: “Swim like an Olympic swimmer” to the bank of the river — and leave your canoe far behind you.

According to Chigama, however, he has only been knocked off his boat three times in his 10 years on the river, and cruising with trained guides surrounded by untamed Africa makes it well worth taking that chance.

If that sounds slightly too nail-biting, the sunrise or sunset cruise on the Zambezi is the pampered version of the canoe safari: a trip up the river, spotting the game at the shore while eating your continental breakfast. And this time the steering of the boat is left in far more capable hands.

Any of these river activities will bring home just how much water is needed to fill the 1.7-kilometre wide curtain that makes up the falls. Some 550-million litres of water tumbles over the edge of the falls every minute — think nearly 300-million two-litre Coke bottles passing you by in just one minute. Locals say that the amount of water that tips over the edge in one day could give the entire Johannesburg enough water for a year.

Yet in order to capture a full view of the Victoria Falls, the helicopter 'flip' over the falls is the best bet, allowing you to see the entire stretch of water in its magnificent entirety. It's less of a flip, and more of a simple 15-minute or 30-minute chopper ride over the falls and up the Zambezi.

Away from the river, and with your feet firmly on the ground, the Vic Falls region — largely made up of national parks, also offers game drives, bush walks and horse riding.

King of the jungle?

A more touristy activity on offer near the Falls is 'Walking with Lions'. This Disney-style concept is ideal for tourists hungry for photo opportunities and involves a very tame wander through the veld with a few well-fed lion cubs. At the end of the walk, you can opt to buy your rubber-stamped DVD capturing the moment.

Cynics may point out that the walk involves less walking, and is simply an extended photo-session — yet it remains popular with the overseas tourists and is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with the king of the jungle.

Slightly less touristy, and more in tune with nature, is the elephant-back safari. Two visitors ride with a guide on the back of an elephant in the national park where you're able to view game up-close and understand just how intelligent these animals are.

And if helicopter flips and lion-taming simply aren’t your thing? Well, you hardly need to be an action-junkie to enjoy the more relaxing Falls-experience: a round on the Gary Player-designed golf course or relaxing in one of the hotels’ spa will certainly help while away the time…

Getting there:

• There are daily flights from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls and Livingstone with BA/Comair, Air Zimbabwe and SAA.
• Alternatively fly to Livingstone on the Zambian side with Nationwide Airlines, and drive across the border.

iafrica.com travelled to Victoria Falls courtesy of Thompsons Tours, Nationwide Airlines and Shearwater Adventures.