Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: BA Gold Lifetime, AA 2M, Delta 2M, Hilton Diamond, Hertz President's Club, EK Platinum
Posts: 1,018
We were just in Livingstone, Zambia - four days ago. The falls are at unprecedented levels. In Botswana the 2010 water levels are the highest they have been since records have been kept.
Livingstone and most of the hotels is virtually empty of tourists. We stayed at the Royal Livingstone. This property and several others doubled their rates in a greedy attempt to capitalize on World Cup. They are now at 10% occupancy and it looks like the season is a complete disaster for them.
Zambia Government has gotten very money hungry as well. They would not give us a $20 USD day tripper - 24 hour visa - on arrival. They insisted on a $50 USD. It is $80 USD for a double entry. They also charge a $25 USD departure tax for international flights. This is the highest charge I have seen in anywhere in the world.