Active Pursuits

Most of the hotels will arrange reservations and give advice on activities, but for the widest range of activities listed below, visit Safari Par Excellence (www.safpar.com), which has branches in Zimbabwe (Phumula Centre, Park Way Dr.; tel. 263/4/704-4424) and Zambia (Waterfront; tel. 260/3/32-1629), and in South Africa (tel. 27/11/794-1446); alternatively, contact Backpacker's Bazaar in Vic Falls Village.

Abseiling, Gorge Swing & "Flying Fox" -- Rappel down a 50m (164-ft.) drop into the Batoka Gorge, then tackle the gorge swing or traverse the "flying fox." Attached to the world's highest commercial high wire, the gorge swing allows you to experience free fall for 70m (230 ft.), then swing over the Zambezi, churning 120m (394 ft.) below. "Flying fox" is one of the world's longest cable slide lines, whereupon you more or less fly, fully harnessed to the cable, above the Zambezi rapids at speeds of up to 105kmph (65 mph). Cost is US$85 (£44) for a half day, US$95 (£49) for the full day, and you can do any activity as often as you want.

Bungee Jumping -- The checklists of most adventure-sportsmen aren't complete until they've done the heart-stopping 111m (364-ft.) bungee off the Vic Falls Bridge, stopping about 10m (33 ft.) from the boiling waters in the Batoka Gorge. Jumps take place daily (9am-1pm and 2-5pm); the first jump costs US$90/£46 (US$130/£67) for tandem). Jumps may be delayed during the months of heavy spray (Mar-June).

Bush Walks -- "Walking with lion cubs" is a new activity in which you actually walk the bush with a lion cub between 5 and 18 months old, affording you a unique opportunity to interact with the king (in-waiting) of the jungle, accompanied by an armed guide; book through Safari Par Excellence (US$100/£52). You can do the Zambezi River walk (take the river path from just outside the Falls National Park fence upstream to Zambezi River Lodge) without a guide, but frankly, it's not safe on your own. Robin Brown (tel. 263/11-605063; www.natureways.com or www.cansaf.com) will accompany you on a variety of expeditions, from 2-hour bush walks to 2-night walking safaris, as well as canoe safaris.

Canoe Safaris -- Canoe safaris offer a more sedate option than rafting, with the added bonus of seeing hippos, elephants, and crocodiles while you paddle the broad expanse of the Upper Zambezi. There are no (or very small) rapids on this trip, so you won't get your hair wet, though be aware that hippos do occasionally upend canoes (in which case, your guide will whisk you aboard almost immediately). Sunset cruises are particularly recommended (US$40/£21). Contact Robin or book through one of the adventure outfits.

Elephant-Back Safaris -- A number of companies now offer elephant-back safaris, so you might want to compare costs before booking. Safari Par Excellence, which offers rides on both sides of the falls, charges US$100/£52 for a 2- to 3-hour amble, breaking for a light lunch along the way.

Flying -- Take to the skies on a microlight or ultralight flight -- both are quieter than helicopter or fixed-wing flights, and you'll be sailing a great deal closer to nature. Ultralights, considered marginally safer than microlights, cost about US$100/£52 for 30 minutes. Batoka Sky (book through any of the adventure-activity operators) operates tricycle-style microlight flights from Zambia and charges US$90/£46 for 15 minutes. You can't take a camera (if you drop it, it may stop the engine below), so Batoka has a camera attached to the wheels; your pilot will take a photograph of you at the most appropriate moment -- flying past the falls.

For helicopter trips, book through an adventure center or direct with the Zambezi Helicopter Company (tel. 263/13/45806; reservations@shearwater.co.zw; US$95/£49 for 15 min.); for fixed-wing flights, book with Southern Cross Aviation (tel. 263/13/44618 or 263/13/44453; sca@zol.co.zw; US$65/£34 for 25-min. scenic flight). United Air Charter (tel. 260/3/32-3095 or 263/11/407573; www.uaczam.com) offers scenic flights (US$95-US$190/£49-£98 for 10-30 min.) over the Zambezi and the falls in a vintage Tiger Moth biplane; flights leave from Livingstone International Airport.

Golfing -- The 6,786-yard Elephant Hills Intercontinental (tel. 263/13/44793) course is at times just a stroke from the roaring Zambezi River, and the constant presence of the falls -- not to mention wildlife -- makes this Gary Player-designed course one of the most interesting in Africa.

Horseback Safaris -- Zambezi Horse Trails (tel. 263/13/44611) provides riders with an opportunity to get closer to game than they can on foot or in a car. Rides are led by an experienced guide with an extensive knowledge of the flora and fauna of the area, and take place on 30,000 hectares (74,100 acres) of the Matetsi River Ranch, which borders Zambezi National Park. Experienced riders can choose among half-, full-, or multiday riding safaris (US$65-US$90/£34-£46). Novices are taken on a 2-hour ride (US$50/£26) into areas where potentially dangerous animals like elephants are avoided. Alternatively, if you stay at Chundukwa , you can hire the owner's horses for guided game-viewing trips along the river.

Quad-Biking -- If you enjoy your adrenaline rush with the ground firmly beneath you, why not explore the terrain around the Batoka Gorge on a four-wheel motorbike? Batoka Sky caters to experienced riders as well as first-timers (US$65-US$120/£34-£62).

Skydiving -- If you think bungee jumping is for babies, a tandem skydive -- accelerating toward Victoria Falls before enjoying a restful 5-minute parachute ride -- is for you. Gary Wellock of Skydive Zimbabwe (tel. 263/11/60-1340) is the person to contact; weather permitting, you'll be whisked up to 2,700m (9,000 ft.), ready for the most exciting outlook on the falls.