Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is the most spectacular sight you will see anywhere in Africa. One of the seven wonders of the natural world, this huge curtain waterfall is situated between Zimbabwe and Zambia, where the mighty Zambezi river plunges 108m down into a narrow gorge, creating a waterfall that is a mile wide.

A visit to Southern Africa is not complete without having seen the Victoria Falls. The falls can be visited from the Zambian side or from the Zimbabwe side. The town on the Zambia side is called Livingstone, and the town on the Zimbabwe side is called Victoria Falls. Both locations are safe, popular tourist destinations with good infrastructure and a variety of accommodation options.

Victoria Falls Highlights

View the Victoria Falls up close

Easily accessible - even for disabled people

See the falls from Zimbabwe or Zambia side

Huge variety of adrenaline adventures

Great safari destination and close to Chobe National Park

Elephant Back Safaris

Helicopter or microlight flights

White water rafting

Safe to visit, open all year

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We are often asked if we would recommend the Zambian side or the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls. In our experience, both sides are safe and worth visiting. About two thirds of the Victoria Falls can be viewed from the Zimbabwe side. From the Zambian side you can see about one third of the falls, and this section dries up during October and November. High water is from December to July, and in general the views from the Zimbabwe side are more spectacular.

A large choice of accommodation options are available in Livingstone and in Victoria Falls, for different budgets. Most hotels in Victoria Falls are booked on a bed and breakfast basis. Various activities can be included, for example a guided tour of the falls, sunset cruise on the Zambezi river, elephant back safari, helicopter or microlight flight over the falls, white water rafting, bungi jumping or gorge swing, high wire adrenaline activities, game drives in the nearby national parks, and much more.

We would recommend a minimum stay of 2 nights, and an ideal stay of 3-4 nights. If you want to experience everything this location has to offer and take part in various activities, you may want to spend 4-5 nights here. On the Zimbabwe side, access to the falls is wheelchair friendly.

This destination can easily be combined with the Chobe National Park in Botswana, which is about 1 hour away by road. Chobe is one of Botswana's top safari destinations, and we can highly recommend combining your trip to Victoria Falls with a few nights at the Chobe National Park.

Tips for visiting Victoria Falls

The falls can be visited all year round, but the most popular time is from June to September. During this time, the temperatures are mild, the risk of malaria is lower and the water levels are dropping, which means reduced spray and better visibility. Once the water level falls below a certain level, the famous Livingstone Island on the edge of the falls is opened for visitor from the Zambian side (the spot from which David Livingstone first viewed the falls). The rafting season also opens around this time (usually in July).

The accepted currency in Victoria Falls is the US Dollar. Bring USD with you in cash, in small denominations. Street vendors will try hard to sell you their curios, and will not easily take no for an answer. At the markets, you can barter for curios with socks, shoes, t-shirts and even underwear!

Be aware of visa costs for entering Zimbabwe and Zambia. Please ask us for details as these costs can change at short notice. Currently the visa fee for entering Zambia is rather expensive, especially for UK and US nationals. If you visit Zambia and wish to visit the Zimbabwe side for a day, you will need a multiple entry visa if you do not wish to pay for another single entry visa. The same applies if you plan to visit Botswana's Chobe National Park for a day trip or overnight stay.

Victoria Falls and Livingstone towns are both a 2-hour flight from Johannesburg. The flights only depart in the morning, so if you arrive in Johannesburg during the afternoon from another destination (like the Kruger Park) you will need to spend one night in Johannesburg before flying to Vic Falls.

We have personally visited most of the lodges and hotels in the Victoria Falls area and are able to offer you first hand advice. Please contact us to request a competitive Victoria Falls safari package, with your choice of accommodation and activities included. You can ask us to arrange flights from Johannesburg for you, or you can book them yourself on the internet.