Reflections on Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River Cruise

After marveling at the breathtaking Victoria Falls, I found myself with a sense of sensory overload. The experience of visiting both the Zimbabwean and Zambian sides of the falls in a single day had been overwhelming. (i mean who doesn’t love a passport swap border-hop?) The sheer scale and power of the waterfalls had left me in awe, but by the time I returned to my hostel, I felt a bit dazed, almost numb from the everything which I’d seen.

At the hostel, I met Rebecca, a professional skier from Germany who’d also explored the falls yesterday. She invited me to join her on an evening river cruise she had planned with some others from the hostel. Rebecca was ready for a relaxed adventure after her day of leisure, while I, still buzzing from the day’s excitement, probably should have taken some time to unwind on my own. Nevertheless, I decided to join her, hoping that the cruise would offer a serene way to wrap up my day.

A Slower Pace on the Zambezi
I paid for the cruise and set off with high hopes. The Zambezi River, renowned for its thrilling tales and adventure opportunities, promised a unique experience. The boats used for these cruises are typically designed to navigate both rapids and shallow waters, offering access to parts of the river that are otherwise challenging to reach. not our boat. it was a slow and old floating pontoon.

As we embarked on the river, I was eager to see the sights. We spotted a lazy crocodile and a few distant hippos, but compared to the excitement of my recent wildlife encounters in Etosha-where I witnessed a massive herd of elephants-the cruise felt somewhat underwhelming.

That night, I came to a poignant realisation: the intensity of the past week had dulled my ability to fully immerse myself in the present moment. While the Zambezi River cruise was undoubtedly a beautiful experience, it felt subdued in the wake of such high-energy adventures. The contrast between the rapid thrills of Etosha and the leisurely pace of the cruise made it clear that I had reached a point where I struggled to appreciate the subtle beauty around me.

Looking back, I know that in a decade, I’ll likely long for the chance to relive these moments, to fully embrace the beauty I may have missed in the moment. It’s a bittersweet realisation, but one that reminds me of the importance of being present, even when overwhelmed by the wonders of travel.