Savvy Navigator posted on October 08, 2008 10:21
A checklist item for any gay tour or trip to Southern Africa is a visit to Victoria Falls, located on the Zambezi River between Zambia and the turbulent Zimbabwe. “Vic Falls” as it’s known, was typically visited from Zimbabwe, but today it’s far easier (and safer) to access this World Heritage site from Livingstone, Zambia.
Most tour operators and travel agents book their clients at large properties such as the Royal Livingstone Hotel. While there’s nothing wrong with this big hotel - and it does offer anachronistic colonial elegance - Savvy Navigator much prefers the Islands of Siankba, a remote lodge, located on two islands, upstream from the falls on the Zambezi. Their recently-updated website, which still does not do justice to the lodge, describes the property:
The Islands of Siankaba Lodge is the most classic of forested retreats. Siankaba’s seven secluded chalets, each with its unique and individually different view of the mighty Zambezi River, are linked by a foot bridge to a haute cuisine restaurant. All of this is located on two untouched islands in the middle of the mighty Zambezi River situated between the ‘Seventh Wonder of the Natural World’, the magnificent Victoria Falls, and the world famous Chobe National Park.
While the lodge and the tented suites were indeed fabulous, it was the other travelers we met in the lodge that made the stay so special. There was a fun Australian/American couple from Sydney, in addition to a well-traveled and interesting pair of retired Brits. We dined together at a large table in the evenings, and our sundowner cocktail cruises were the highlight, complete with tasty gin and tonics, peppered with lively conversation about world travels.
The Islands of Siankaba has rapidly become a Savvy Navigator Tours favorite destination for our guests, and while most travelers really only need to experience Vic Falls once, many have a great desire to return to the Islands of Siankaba.