Article written by Amy Green, Hills of Africa Travel’s Director of Client Services
To me, there is just something very special about watching the sunset. I grew up on the coast of the Florida panhandle where sunsets are best enjoyed sitting on the beach, waiting for the play of color in the sky to signal the end to another day. My husband even proposed to me on the beach at sunset one October many years ago. I’ll never forget how vibrant the colors were that evening.
I’ve stopped along the Blue Ridge Parkway and sat on the roof of my car to watch this spectacle unfold over the mountains of North Carolina, in awe as the colors danced along the tops of the mountains, painting the world pink and purple and orange. Who knew sunsets in Africa would be even more spectacular . . .
In May, my husband and I were fortunate enough to visit Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. On our first evening we enjoyed a sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River, just upstream from the Victoria Falls. As we arrived at the dock, we were greeted by tribal dancers, showing off their skills with some great dancing and singing. Once on board, the spoiling began with a smile and glass of champagne. We selected a table and settled in for what would prove to be a delightful evening.
There were several boats preparing to launch for the evening’s show, offering everything from an intimate 14-seat luxury experience to a 3-story “party on the water.” Our cruise boat was perfectly in the middle, a single level pontoon boat with 6 tables comfortably sitting 4 guests each. The décor was gorgeous and things were very nicely spaced out, so we didn’t feel in the least crowded. After a briefing by the captain on safety regulations and expectations for our journey, we set off to cruise the shoreline of the Zambezi, searching for anything that would present itself.
You never know what you may see on any adventure and we were certainly not disappointed. First, we headed upriver where we were delighted by many spectacular bird sightings. Because we were in one of the smaller boats, we could ease our way into little inlets along the way to get as close as possible for fantastic photo opportunities. Not much of birders ourselves, Steve and I spent our time enjoying the sights and the delicious snacks and drinks. The food was quite tasty, and kept coming! We had four different offerings, starting simple with olives, cheese, nuts, and chips and, of course, our first drink selections. Steve started off with a simple gin and tonic, but I opted for something that looked like a sunset in a glass and was simply delicious! Next up was samosas and mini veggie quiches, then a plate of meatballs and chicken wings, and finally a fruit kabob to satisfy sweet cravings with a healthy twist. We were never at a loss for a drink in hand and there were many specialty drinks to try out, plus local beers and lovely South African wines.
Ready to prepare for the main event, we headed back down stream to set up for the perfect viewing spot. Along the way we came across several groups of hippos who seemed to be as curious about us as we were them. But little did we know we were in for a big surprise! The captain noticed an elephant on the shore and steered us to get a closer look. All of a sudden he started toward the water and swam across to an island in the middle of the river! What a treat! I knew elephants could swim, but to see this in person was amazing.
We finally settled in for the sunset, and were not disappointed. There is something so peaceful and renewing in watching the sun simply slide out of the sky, slowly inviting the evening to begin. And to be surrounded by the river and all the life in and around sets the tone for a simpler, quieter pace.
If you haven’t experienced a sunset in Africa yet, you are missing out! I would love to help you enjoy this magical place, whether from atop Table Mountain in Cape Town, deep in the bush, or cruising down the Zambezi River with elephants swimming alongside…it will be a trip you never forget!
