Swim at the top of Victoria Falls... - Travel Forum

Welcome to the TravelPod forums

This is the place where TravelPod bloggers exchange travel tips with each other. Have a question? Ask one of our Local Experts by clicking "new topic" in any category. (Please read the forum rules before posting)

TravelPod Forums Activity: Topics Needing Help | Top Contributors

Travel Forum - TravelPod > Destinations > Africa > Zimbabwe

Swim at the top of Victoria Falls..., Are these people crazy?

Options

starlagurl	Jul 14 2008, 04:10 PM Post #1
Rolling Stone Group: Local Expert Posts: 14509 Joined: 5-November 07 From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Member No.: 103914	http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCxKYWhMU18 Here's a video of people swimming just a few feet away from the edge of the world's highest waterfall...What?! Are they crazy, or not? Would you do it? Have you done it? -------------------- My most recent blog: A trip to Toronto that turned into a trip to Niagara

raniroo	Jul 15 2008, 05:18 AM Post #2
Sightseer Group: Local Expert Posts: 946 Joined: 25-September 06 From: Sydney Member No.: 19411	This was one of the highlights of my trip in Africa, although we sat in the Angels Armchair (which could actually be Devil's Pool too). We waded out to the "pool" and hopped in, there is a rock ledge about 1/2 metre wide that stops you floating over....you can only do this at a certain times of year when the water ilevel is lower and water is not flowing so hard. Sitting there leaning over and looking down the falls was just amazing. You can see people on the Zimbabwe side looking at you, because all they can see is your heads bobbing in the water! And yes I would do it again.....(I also bunjied that day so a daredevil day for me) -------------------- If you really look like your passport photo, you need the holiday! "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

starlagurl	Jul 15 2008, 10:09 AM Post #3
Rolling Stone Group: Local Expert Posts: 14509 Joined: 5-November 07 From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Member No.: 103914	Wow, rani, you are my new hero. That's awesome. I want to bungee jump some day too, you are my inspiration now! -------------------- My most recent blog: A trip to Toronto that turned into a trip to Niagara

lou82	Jul 15 2008, 06:33 PM Post #4
Voyager Group: Members Posts: 88 Joined: 28-August 06 From: Northern Ireland Member No.: 14581 Nominate me as a Local Expert	Sounds fantastic Raniroo.. I'm hoping to go there this September time but I've been advised by a local that it may not be a good idea with current political climate. Though flying to the Zambian side may be alright in acouple of months! -------------------- "The rest of those who have gone before us, cannot steady the unrest of those to follow.." ~ Finding Forrester

raniroo	Jul 15 2008, 10:59 PM Post #5
Sightseer Group: Local Expert Posts: 946 Joined: 25-September 06 From: Sydney Member No.: 19411	QUOTE(starlagurl @ Jul 15 2008, 10:09 AM) Wow, rani, you are my new hero. That's awesome. I want to bungee jump some day too, you are my inspiration now! Louise all I can say is DO IT, DO IT, DO IT!!!! I am scared of heights and I was so scared having to jump off a platform over Vic Falls, but I loved it so much I did a second jump 2 days later. (check out photo below). The whole African trip was an extreme sport adventure. We went white water rafting on the Zambezi, and I also skydived and sandboarded in Namibia (which ironically I wasn't scared of!) I think everyone needs to do a jump once in their life! When I decided to do this I wanted it to be Vic Falls. I don't think I will get to do this again anywhere because of my back injuries! -------------------- If you really look like your passport photo, you need the holiday! "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

starlagurl	Jul 16 2008, 07:53 AM Post #6
Rolling Stone Group: Local Expert Posts: 14509 Joined: 5-November 07 From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Member No.: 103914	Ahhh! Oh my god, I got the heeblie jeeblies in my tummy when I saw that picture...How long did it take you to actually jump? -------------------- My most recent blog: A trip to Toronto that turned into a trip to Niagara

raniroo	Jul 16 2008, 08:28 AM Post #7
Sightseer Group: Local Expert Posts: 946 Joined: 25-September 06 From: Sydney Member No.: 19411	I had to really psyche myself up, so a good 15 minutes while they were preparing me and a few minutes on the platform. I know if I didn't jump on the first countdown I would totally chicken out! The thing with Vic Falls is you jump 111 metres and then you have another 110 metres or so under you before you hit water, so you are left hanging there! That actually freaked me out more than the actual jump. Here is the before and after jumping pics. -------------------- If you really look like your passport photo, you need the holiday! "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

starlagurl	Jul 16 2008, 10:17 AM Post #8
Rolling Stone Group: Local Expert Posts: 14509 Joined: 5-November 07 From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Member No.: 103914	Oooh really small pictures... So you didn't actually hit the water... I've never seen a whole bungee jump... How do they get you back up? Do they just roll the bungee in? -------------------- My most recent blog: A trip to Toronto that turned into a trip to Niagara

raniroo	Jul 16 2008, 11:24 PM Post #9
Sightseer Group: Local Expert Posts: 946 Joined: 25-September 06 From: Sydney Member No.: 19411	I have seen some jumps where you could hit the water and then you get into a boa, but Vic Falls is so high, they leave you hanging upside and then they winch a guy down on another cable, who helps you "stand" holding your cable and then they winch you back up. That is the part that freaked me out the most, because hanging upside in a harness you felt like you would slip out of and then left hanging spinning around in the wind. -------------------- If you really look like your passport photo, you need the holiday! "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

introducinlyric	Jul 16 2008, 11:28 PM Post #10
Rolling Stone Group: Local Expert Posts: 5348 Joined: 24-May 07 From: Sydney, Australia Member No.: 56605	WOW Rani great photos!! sounds like it was a daredevil day hehehe i dont think i will ever bungee id be too freaked out. can i ask what does it feel like? may sound like a strange question but does it hurt when u reach end of bungee cord??? -------------------- Do You Want The Truth or Something Beautiful?

raniroo	Jul 16 2008, 11:52 PM Post #11
Sightseer Group: Local Expert Posts: 946 Joined: 25-September 06 From: Sydney Member No.: 19411	Hi Gerre, The hardest part is actually jumping off the platform and then you are falling and screaming your head off! You are rushing towards the ground (me with my eyes closed) and then you sort of bounce/jerk back up, it didn't hurt, but my tummy was in my mouth! It was actually quite smooth. The second jump I found that the actual jump was harder but the journey down was better, I kept my eyes open and let it all rush past! Honestly it is freaky but a total adrenaline rush. Some people did the canyon swing (when you jump off a cliff fall and then swing across to the other side) I don't think I could do that... Weird hey? (bunji but not swing!) -------------------- If you really look like your passport photo, you need the holiday! "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - Mark Twain

introducinlyric	Jul 17 2008, 12:02 AM Post #12
Rolling Stone Group: Local Expert Posts: 5348 Joined: 24-May 07 From: Sydney, Australia Member No.: 56605	QUOTE(raniroo @ Jul 16 2008, 11:52 PM) Hi Gerre, The hardest part is actually jumping off the platform and then you are falling and screaming your head off! You are rushing towards the ground (me with my eyes closed) and then you sort of bounce/jerk back up, it didn't hurt, but my tummy was in my mouth! It was actually quite smooth. The second jump I found that the actual jump was harder but the journey down was better, I kept my eyes open and let it all rush past! Honestly it is freaky but a total adrenaline rush. Some people did the canyon swing (when you jump off a cliff fall and then swing across to the other side) I don't think I could do that... Weird hey? (bunji but not swing!) See funny thing is that Canyon Swing you described sounds fun id totally do that but bungee...... hmmm i would need to be pushed -------------------- Do You Want The Truth or Something Beautiful?

ScottWoz	Jul 17 2008, 03:29 AM Post #13
Rolling Stone Group: Local Expert Posts: 6745 Joined: 24-December 04 From: Burma to Cambodia Member No.: 124	QUOTE(starlagurl @ Jul 15 2008, 06:10 AM) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCxKYWhMU18 Here's a video of people swimming just a few feet away from the edge of the world's highest waterfall...What?! Are they crazy, or not? Would you do it? Have you done it? Haven't done it. Would definitely do it. Will definitely be doing it.. -------------------- Woz.. Living on a string of one-way tickets - currently kicking about in: southern Cambodia

rbisset	Jul 17 2008, 03:45 AM Post #14
Planet Pioneer Group: Local Expert Posts: 2215 Joined: 3-May 06 From: Guildford, UK Member No.: 692	I would never bungee. I just couldn't do it! I wouldn't swim at the top of the falls either. I've seen the canyon swing and it looks a lot more fun, but you've still got to step off the side of a cliff!!! -------------------- My Travelogue Rich

introducinlyric	Jul 17 2008, 05:53 AM Post #15
Rolling Stone Group: Local Expert Posts: 5348 Joined: 24-May 07 From: Sydney, Australia Member No.: 56605	QUOTE(rbisset @ Jul 17 2008, 03:45 AM) I've seen the canyon swing and it looks a lot more fun, but you've still got to step off the side of a cliff!!! yeah true but somehow i think i would enjoy that experience better than bungee -------------------- Do You Want The Truth or Something Beautiful?

sianeth	Jul 17 2008, 08:37 AM Post #16
Jet Setter Group: Local Expert Posts: 2643 Joined: 9-June 07 From: Edinburgh, Scotland Member No.: 60100	Wow, I am all over this. I'm with Scott... its gonna happen! Rani - well done, those photos are incredible

starlagurl	Jul 17 2008, 09:11 AM Post #17
Rolling Stone Group: Local Expert Posts: 14509 Joined: 5-November 07 From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Member No.: 103914	QUOTE(raniroo @ Jul 17 2008, 12:24 AM) then they winch a guy down on another cable, who helps you "stand" holding your cable and then they winch you back up. Whaaaaaa? I don't get it...Are you holding on to your cable with your hand? QUOTE(ScottWoz @ Jul 17 2008, 04:29 AM) Haven't done it. Would definitely do it. Will definitely be doing it.. When Scott? Sian and Scott, you guys should meet up and do it together! Maybe I'll come along too! Scott will you take your motorbike? QUOTE(sianeth @ Jul 17 2008, 09:37 AM) Wow, I am all over this. I'm with Scott... its gonna happen! Rani - well done, those photos are incredible -------------------- My most recent blog: A trip to Toronto that turned into a trip to Niagara

starlagurl	Jul 17 2008, 09:17 AM Post #18
Rolling Stone Group: Local Expert Posts: 14509 Joined: 5-November 07 From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Member No.: 103914	QUOTE(introducinlyric @ Jul 17 2008, 06:53 AM) QUOTE(rbisset @ Jul 17 2008, 03:45 AM) I've seen the canyon swing and it looks a lot more fun, but you've still got to step off the side of a cliff!!! yeah true but somehow i think i would enjoy that experience better than bungee I think I would do both...maybe...not sure how much money it's worth to me though, that's the thing... -------------------- My most recent blog: A trip to Toronto that turned into a trip to Niagara

starlagurl	Jul 17 2008, 09:36 AM Post #19
Rolling Stone Group: Local Expert Posts: 14509 Joined: 5-November 07 From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Member No.: 103914	QUOTE(rbisset @ Jul 17 2008, 04:45 AM) I would never bungee. I just couldn't do it! I wouldn't swim at the top of the falls either. I've seen the canyon swing and it looks a lot more fun, but you've still got to step off the side of a cliff!!! It's all about trust...trust Rich... -------------------- My most recent blog: A trip to Toronto that turned into a trip to Niagara

starlagurl	Jul 29 2008, 10:52 AM Post #20
Rolling Stone Group: Local Expert Posts: 14509 Joined: 5-November 07 From: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Member No.: 103914	I probably would, my heart would be beating out of my chest! -------------------- My most recent blog: A trip to Toronto that turned into a trip to Niagara

« Next Oldest · Zimbabwe · Next Newest »

Display Mode: Standard · Switch to: Linear+ · Switch to: Outline

Track this topic · Email this topic · Print this topic · Subscribe to this forum

Lo-Fi Version

Time is now: 18th June 2013 - 02:31 AM

Top Hotel Destinations
	Acapulco Hotels Atlanta Hotels Austin Hotels Beijing Hotels Cancun Hotels Charlotte Hotels Chicago Hotels Dallas Hotels Denver Hotels Honolulu Hotels	Houston Hotels Indianapolis Hotels Kissimmee Hotels Las Vegas Hotels London Hotels Los Angeles Hotels Mexico City Hotels Miami Hotels Miami Beach Hotels Montreal Hotels	Myrtle Beach Hotels Nashville Hotels Negril Hotels New Orleans Hotels New York City Hotels Orlando Hotels Paris Hotels Phoenix Hotels Playa del Carmen Hotels Puerto Plata Hotels	Puerto Vallarta Hotels Punta Cana Hotels Rome Hotels San Antonio Hotels San Diego Hotels San Francisco Hotels Seattle Hotels Tampa Hotels Toronto Hotels Washington DC Hotels