Between the Thundering Falls and Serene

Between the Thundering Falls and Serene Shores

7:35 am - Arrival in Windhoek.
2h 55m layover at Windhoek airport.
Continue with flight 4Y138 from Windhoek to Victoria Falls airport in Zimbabwe.
12:15 pm - Arrival at VFA airport.
Visa for Zimbabwe: Romanian citizens need a visa. We opt for the double entry visa at 45 USD/pax, obtainable on arrival.
Transfer to the hotel: 40 USD/pax. After passport control on the Zimbabwe side, we change cars for crossing the bridge and continuing to the hotel.
After crossing the bridge, a stop for immigration in Zambia is required. Romanian citizens do not need a visa for Zambia.
Check-in at Radisson Blu Mosi-Oa-Tunya, Livingstone Resort, Zambia, and resort exploration.
Taxi to Victoria Falls: 10 USD from the resort to the falls on the Zambian side.
Entrance fee to view the falls from the Zambian side: 30 USD/pax.
Exploration of Victoria Falls: Extensive views and photo opportunities along the path and bridge parallel to the waterfalls. Expect to get wet due to the spray, especially in February when the falls are at their most powerful.
Duration: Approximately 2 hours at the falls, from 4 pm to 6 pm.
Souvenir shopping: After exiting the park, with negotiation recommended due to high initial prices.
Return to hotel: Taxi back to Radisson Blu Mosi-Oa-Tunya, arriving just before sunset after a 10-minute drive.
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Mosi-Oa-Tunya, Livingstone Resort.

Lazy morning at the Radisson Blu Mosi-Oa-Tunya, Livingstone Resort.
Weather: Very hot with temperatures reaching 39°C and a UV Index of 14.
3:30 pm: Departure from the hotel to view the falls from the Zimbabwe side. To save money, took a taxi to the Zambia Immigration point for 10 USD, then walked 2km to the entrance of Victoria Falls National Park in Zimbabwe.
Crossed the bridge by foot, encountered baboons.
Entered Zimbabwe and paid 50 USD/pax for entrance to Victoria Falls National Park.
Explored the park, noting more viewpoints than on the Zambian side but preferring the Zambian views.
Negotiated a taxi back to the hotel for 25 USD after spending 2 hours in the park.
Dinner at the Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara was disappointing despite prior reservation.
Accommodation: Radisson Blu Mosi-Oa-Tunya, Livingstone Resort.

10:00 am: Departure from the resort to Victoria Falls Airport, Zimbabwe, with an additional visa purchase for USD 30/pax.
1:05 pm: Flight ET823 with Ethiopian Airlines from Victoria Falls to Addis Ababa via Gaborone (stayed onboard in Gaborone).
9:40 pm: Arrival at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.
Overnight layover in Addis Ababa with complimentary accommodation at the Ethiopian Skylight In-Terminal Hotel, booked due to no visa for Ethiopia allowing easy transit.
Overnight: Ethiopian Skylight In-Terminal Hotel.

9:30 am: Flight ET879 with Ethiopian Airlines from Addis Ababa to Victoria (Mahe Island, Seychelles).
2:20 pm: Arrival in Victoria as rain started. Required submission of an eTA for Seychelles online.
Taxi transfer to the hotel for 900 SCR (approx. 65 USD).
Checked into DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles - Allamanda Resort and Spa.
Car rental for island exploration due to limited public transport.
Visited Baie Lazare beach despite the rain.
Swimming in the hotel pool after returning.
Hotel location: On Anse Forbans beach, noted for its beauty.
Dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles - Allamanda Resort and Spa.

Morning: After breakfast, visited Beau Vallon beach on the northwestern side of Mahe. Enjoyed the wide and long beach, especially the northern part with its famous granite rocks.
Daytime: Also explored Grande Anse and Anse Takamaka beaches, experiencing more of Seychelles' stunning coastline.
Dinner at Green House restaurant, enjoying the local cuisine.
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Seychelles - Allamanda Resort and Spa, continuing your comfortable stay.

Early morning: Departed the hotel for a flight to Praslin, choosing air travel over ferry due to cost-effectiveness and shorter travel time.
10:35 am: Flew with Air Seychelles on a Viking DHC-6-400 Twin Otter for a quick 12-minute journey from Mahe to Praslin.
Arrival in Praslin: Took a taxi to the hotel, costing 600 SCR / 40 USD.
Check-in: Acajou Beach Resort, located on the beautiful Cote D'Or beach.
Afternoon: Relaxed and enjoyed the beach at Cote D'Or.
Evening: Explored nearby shops and restaurants on a short walk.
Dinner at Pirogue Restaurant & Bar, experiencing another aspect of local gastronomy.
Accommodation: Acajou Beach Resort, settled into your new surroundings on Praslin.

Afternoon: Visited Anse Lazio Beach, one of Praslin's most beautiful spots. Opted for bus transportation, utilizing a 10 SCR bus card purchased in local shops.
Travel and exploration: Managed the 1km walk from the bus drop-off to Anse Lazio Beach, navigating a steep climb.
Beach time: Spent several hours at Anse Lazio, soaking up the sun and scenery.
Return: Walked back to the bus station and caught the last bus, returning to the hotel by 6:30 pm.
Dinner at the hotel's restaurant, Les Boucaniers, enjoying very good food.
Accommodation: Acajou Beach Resort, concluding another day in paradise.

Departed from the hotel to the Praslin ferry harbor by bus, waiting approximately 15 minutes for the bus.
Booked Cat Cocos ferry tickets at the harbor for a 10am departure to La Digue and a 5pm return, costing EUR 32/person round trip.
Arrived at La Digue around 10:15am, where options for bicycles and golf carts were available for island exploration.
Traveled by golf cart, visiting several beaches: Anse Fourmis, Anse Patates, Anse Severe (saw huge turtles), Grand Anse (noted for its clear, turquoise water)
Anse Source d’Argent (the most popular beach, with shallow water and algae; entrance fee of SCR 150/person to L'Union Estate)
Explored shops for souvenirs along the path to Anse Source d’Argent.
Caught the 4pm ferry back to Praslin under heavy rain.
Returned to Acajou Beach Resort by bus, arriving around 5pm.
Dinner at the hotel.
Accommodation: Acajou Beach Resort.

Morning spent on Cote d'Or beach before taking a van-taxi to the airport, costing 600 SCR.
Flight from Praslin to Mahe was rescheduled from 4:20pm to 3:55pm due to operational reasons; passengers are advised to check their emails and check in online in advance.
Connected at Mahe for the Turkish Airlines flight TK749 to Istanbul at 9:00pm.
Spent remaining time at the airport, avoiding luggage storage due to high cost (240 SCR/luggage).
Departure: 9:00pm from Victoria to Istanbul.

Arrival in Istanbul at 4:10 am.
Layover in Istanbul airport for 3 hours and 55 minutes, stayed within the terminal.
Departed with Turkish Airlines flight TK1629 to Munich at 7:55 am.
Layover in Munich for 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Departed with Lufthansa flight LH1656 from Munich to Timisoara at 11:20 am.
Arrival home at 1:45 pm.