Ngonye
Falls
Also known as
Sioma Falls, being just outside the village of Sioma. These beautiful
falls mark the transition point of the Zambezi Rivers’ flow from
Kalahari sand floodplain to basalt dyke - the latter eventually
contributing to the magnificent gorges of the
Victoria Falls.
The
horseshoe-shaped Ngonye Falls are mostly impressive because of the sheer
volume of water that cascades over the staggered twenty metre drop. An
interesting aspect is that the river flows underneath the rock on either
side of the falls. It’s quite remarkable to stand upon them, feeling and
hearing the underground flow.
Directly below
the falls are a series of rapids that make for a good day’s white-water
rafting offered by the nearby Maziba Bay Lodge
Getting there
The best
option is to spend the night at the nearby Maziba Bay Lodge and they
will take you to the falls. They can be found five kilometres south of
the town of Sioma.
There are a couple of simple camps at Senanga which
also offer guided trips to the falls.
Alternatively, get to the village of Sioma and ask for a guide to take
you to the falls. It is best viewed by walking about 2 kilometres
downstream of Sioma.
There is usually a dugout canoe that will ferry you
across the Zambezi, then a further two kilometre walk back upstream will
take you to the falls’ best vantage point.
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Mutemwa Camp on the
banks of the Zambezi, 50 kilometres north of Sesheke also offer
trips to the falls as wells as excellent fishing for tiger fish and
bream.
Sakazima Island Camp,
is 70 kilometres from the falls, but an excellent stopover for good
fishing and birdwatching along the riverine jungle and mid river
islands. You can find them 25 kilometres north of Katima Mulilo.
Senanga Safari Lodge
in Senanga offers simple accommodation for low budget travellers and
has conference facilities and fishing safaris.
The Falls provide great
photo opportunities at any time of the year, but the optimum time is
around June or July
Rafting is best from
February to May after the rains. Wildlife is best viewed from July
to November, when water is scarce and the animals are forced to come
to the water holes or down to the river to drink.
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