Zambia > Flying over the Victoria Falls

The last day of the journey. I pack my things and keep the hand luggage for the flight separate. At seven o’clock we are picked up for the microlight flight over Victoria Falls. The little airfield is right next to our resort. Taking turns, we fly in about fifteen minutes to the falls and back. Heiko is the pilot and he welcomes me on board. He checks carefully that I really have emptied all my pockets. If anything were to fall out, it could end up in the propeller behind the microlight, with all the consequences that might bring. I step into the back of the microlight and the harnesses are fastened carefully.

Zambia - Taking off with the microlight

Via the microphone I am in contact with the pilot. Heiko taxis the microlight to the beginning of the runway. He accelerates and, once we have enough speed, pulls the microlight up. I watch the landscape below me quickly shrink. I also see the wide Zambezi River. Heiko points out the hippos in the river. We follow the river toward Victoria Falls. It is a magnificent sight to see the waterfalls from the air at less than two hundred meters’ height. Heiko flies past the falls several times. From the air, the rugged landscape behind the falls is also visible. In fact, the waterfall is gradually retreating. It once lay further away, but through erosion an earlier chasm was formed. By now the waterfall lies eight chasms back. Heiko occasionally presses a button to take a photo. A camera is attached to the wing, allowing pictures of both the microlight and the falls. I can also see the Devil’s Pool, where we swam yesterday. On the way back, I am allowed to steer the microlight myself. By pulling the wing to the right, the little plane banks to the right. For the landing, Heiko takes over the controls again. Rita is allowed to go up twice. Just after she takes off, her pilot indicates they have to return. There is a small problem.

Zambia - A microlight flight over Victoria Falls gives a spectacular aerial view

The microlight disappears into the hangar, and with another microlight she finally still gets her fifteen minutes in the air. Back on the ground we look through the photos and order the photo CDs. At ten o’clock I empty the tent and bring the luggage to the truck. Aron and Israël drive us for the last time—this time to Livingstone Airport. At 14:00 we check in for the flight to Johannesburg. When we arrive in South Africa, the KLM transfer desk is still closed. Our flight is not until nine hours later. There is a single self-service machine, where we can also check in for the flight to Amsterdam. The process is very slow, but we have time. Around half past five everyone is checked in, and we stroll around the airport. What can you do at the airport? We have a drink, do a puzzle, eat something, and mostly wait. Around half past nine most of the shops are already closing. We have the very last flight of the day, around one o’clock at night. When we are even asked to get up because the cushions are being cleared away, we walk towards the gate. Around midnight we join the boarding line. On board I have one last drink and fall asleep.