Vic Falls Bridge Company introduces guided tours

The company recently took agents from tour and adventure companies in Victoria Falls on a familiarisation tour of the bridge that straddles the Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
In an interview at the bridge, the bridge company’s marketing manager, Mrs Sonja Clay, said a visit to the Victoria Falls area was not complete without a trip to Victoria Falls Bridge.

“It is for a good reason that the bridge is the area’s second most visited landmark. Built in 1905, it was at the time the highest railway bridge in the world.

“It is truly a wonder of Victorian engineering and provides striking views of the falls, Batoka Gorge and Zambezi River,” she said.

“Our bridge tour includes a special presentation on the history of the bridge and the men who built it, a guided tour of the bridge, visitor centre and a rare opportunity to walk on the catwalks used in the original construction of the bridge.” She said tours were conducted three times daily at 9.15am, 12.15pm and 3.15pm.

Victoria Falls Bridge was part of Cecil John Rhodes’ dream of a railway line linking the Cape to
Cairo, which was fuelled by investment and speculation about the potential of central Africa. This famous bridge was designed by GA Hobson, and the preliminary calculations were made by Ralph Freeman, who would rise to fame as the designer of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932.
It was built by Cleveland Bridge Company, and cost 72 000 pounds at the time.

Source: Vic Falls Bridge Company introduces guided tours (12/10/10)