When I tried to decide how to describe my family, it wasn’t words that came to mind but an image of the Zambezi River. I think this is because the Zambezi is a river that crosses boundaries, travels to places far away, and yet always leaves a part of itself in Victoria Falls. So I decided to dedicate this weeks blog to four activities that embody my family, what they have each taught me and might just show you.
Activity: Visit the Rainforest
The first time you see the Victoria Falls, you breath will hitch in your throat, the world will fall away and you will feel consumed by the sight of this cascading curtain of water that plummets into a cloud of mist below, before bouncing back in a wave that drenches and engulfs you. That is how I felt the first time I explored the rainforest, and it is how I feel every time I return. It is not often that parents get to feel the same rush of undiluted excitement as their children. But when confronted with such raw natural power, every member of your family will be struck with the same sense of awe and incredulity. Whether it is the dramatic legacy and history of the waterfall that enamors you, or the chance to dance in the rain on a cloudless day, there are levels to this experience that will surprise and delight every age group.
Family member: my mum
Why: When I think of strength, beauty and natural wonder, I picture my mum. She reminds me to take lessons as well as photographs from an experience. And whether it is high or low water, she is there to point out the rainbows.
Age restrictions for a guided tour: Minimum age, 2 yearsold
Activity: Rafting
Nothing bonds a family more than a wall of white water to tackle together. The rapids don’t care whether you are the parent or the teenager; you are all in for the same set of flips and dunks if you don’t work as a team!
Family member: my dad
He is fun, he is loud and he can be a little intimidating when he wants to be. He might show me up in public, and he will record the whole thing to post on Facebook. Dads teach us that it is ok to go off course sometimes, and it is ok to fall off the raft - as long as you swim to the surface and face the next challenge with the same enthusiasm as before.
Like the river, my dad has hidden depths. When we reach a stretch of calm water, he always prompts me take a breath and appreciate my surroundings. Because when you stop and look around, the world will take your breath away.
Age restrictions: minimum age, 15 years old
Activity: Sunset Cruise
At every age, we are presented with a set of responsibilities that require time and attention, whether it is school, work, sports or friends. On holiday, those rare, special evenings arise when the whole family can be together without external distractions and obligations weighing on our minds. With candyfloss clouds overhead and a shimmering body of water beneath you, cruising along the Zambezi River with your family feels like home in motion.
Family member: my sister
My sister gives me the confidence to meander along channels I wouldn’t have explored alone, and we have an amazing time doing it. Her personality symbolises the free flowing nature of water and when I join her on that journey, the air feels lighter and the gin and tonics taste better.
I used to think that a sunset cruise was a break from reality- but the sun sets every day. This experience reminds you how important it is to get outside and appreciate it.
Age restrictions: N/A
Activity: a village tour
There are three things I believe to be essential to family travel – bonding, learning and forming a cultural connection in the areas that you visit. These all come together in the Village Tour. It is a form of education that transcends the walls of a classroom, a cultural tapestry that comes together to inform the heart as well as the mind. Parents teach their children many things, but this is an opportunity to learn together.
Family member: my brother
One of the things I love most about my little brother is his unique perspective on life, his willingness to embrace every experience with an open mind and the way that he approaches every person and situation with unwavering respect. The Village Tour does not happen on the banks of the Zambezi, but it is the activity that ideally encompasses his outlook and demeanor. He has taught me that the ‘norm’ is an illusion that we are welcome to redefine, and in 19 years, he has not stopped doing just that. Sometimes, I am lucky enough to be part of the process, and I am always better for it. He is entirely his own person, and he is one of the best people I know.
What he and the Village Tour taught me: At the end of the day, your feet should be dusty, your heart should be full and your mind should be open.
Age restrictions: N/A