Vic Falls Travel Guide

VICTORIA FALLS TRAVEL GUIDE

This Travel Guide covers where Victoria Falls is in Africa, how to get there, what to do once there and other travel info. We have also included some fun Victoria Falls Facts. A Victoria Falls Safari is often combined with a Botswana Safari, a visit to the Zimbabwe or Zambia wildlife areas and a South Africa or Kruger National Park Safari.

WHERE IS VICTORIA FALLS?

Victoria Falls is located in both Zimbabwe and Zambia, in Africa. The Zambezi River forms a border between Zimbabwe and Zambia before it tumbles down 360ft (108 m) of sheer vertical cliffs into the zigzagging gorges below. As the Zambezi River spills over Victoria Falls, it churns up a mist, which inspired the local tribe’s name: Mosi-oa-Tunya (translated as “the smoke that thunders”). When the Victoria Falls is at high water from April through to July, the entire cliff face is covered in cascading torrents of water, the power and force of the river pushing up so much mist that you will be drenched while enjoying your tour around the viewing points. You can hear the thunder from all over the town of Victoria Falls and Livingstone.

Brought to the Western world’s attention in 1855 by missionary turned explorer, David Livingstone, Victoria Falls has been a source of wonder for visitors ever since. David Livingstone gave the falls their English Name, after his Queen Victoria.

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TOUR OF THE VICTORIA FALLS

The considerable width of Victoria Falls means there are many places to stop and enjoy the views! With 19 viewpoints available, you need to set aside 2 to 3 hours to enjoy a walking tour. The first 2 hours will be spent at Victoria Falls National Park in Zimbabwe, in the rainforest, exploring the first 15 viewpoints on this walk. A guided walking tour of Victoria Falls is a great way to ensure you do not miss anything.

Top Tip: Hire a local guide to take you around, there are so many incredible facts and stories to learn from the guide that it is well worth it!

The final 4 viewpoints are in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park on the Zambia side, an easy walk to do on your own.

TOUR OF THE VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE

Starting at the statue of David Livingstone you catch your first glimpse of the first stream, the Devil’s Cataract. The Devil’s Cataract is the smallest of the falls but will always have water flowing. From there you wander through to the following few viewpoints, giving you a different view of Devils Cataract and then on to the Main Falls, with Cataract Island between them. Main Falls is the largest stretch of tumbling water and is visible from viewpoints 3 to 10. Viewpoint 10 overlooks David Livingstone Island, home to the Devil’s Pool, a super low water activity. Viewpoints 11 and 12 overlook the stretch after David Livingstone Island, and Horseshoe Falls. Rainbow Falls is front and centre at viewpoint 13 and at stop 14 you can see the Eastern Cataract on the Zambia side of Victoria Falls. At the final viewpoint 15, the Victoria Falls Bridge is visible with the Zambezi waters raging underneath it. From here you will return to the start of the park.

Top Tip: Even in low water expect to be “rained” on from the water spray churned up from the falls into the gorge below. At high water, you will be drenched through the whole tour so pack away the camera unless waterproof and just enjoy the experience!

TOUR OF THE VICTORIA FALLS, ZAMBIA

The Eastern Cataract is on the Zambia side of the falls, which has 4 viewing points from where you can see the other parts of the falls. This is a great walk to do yourself, as the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is right at the border post. You can walk from the Victoria Falls National Park, across the iconic Victoria Falls Bridge, through the border post and wander around the final viewpoints without a guide. There are quite a few steps so be careful. The Knife’s Edge connects the path to the final viewpoint, a narrow bridge over a deep gorge. As most passports can now get a multiple entry KAZA Univisa for Zimbabwe and Zambia, it has never been easier to stay on either side and enjoy both tours.

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Read: My Victoria Falls Safari Experience

VICTORIA FALLS FACTS

Victoria Falls is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Victoria Falls in Africa is the largest waterfall in the world, surpassing Niagara Falls and Iguazu Falls in volume, height and width.
The cliffs are 5603ft (or 1708 m) wide creating the longest curtain of falling water in the world, at high water.
Victoria Falls has never dried up completely, with media cropping images of the dry cliffs at low water.
The spray kicked up by the river keeps the Victoria Falls Rainforest alive and flourishing all year round and ensures that it rains every day in the forest!
Home to the incredibly unique Devil’s Pool, accessible by the brave at very low water.
19 Viewpoints, 1-15 in Zimbabwe and 4 in Zambia.
Victoria Falls is the halfway point of the Zambezi Rivers’ journey from its source in North West Zambia, through Angola, along the border of Botswana and Namibia, before forming the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. After falling over Victoria Falls, the Zambezi plunges down the gorge and empties into the Kariba Dam, before continuing its journey to Mozambique and the Cahora Bassa Dam, then finally into the Indian Ocean.
Beautiful rainbows are common and an incredible “moonbow” a rainbow created by the light of a full moon.
Victoria Falls plunges into First Gorge, then through a series of gorges in a zigzag pattern, with the second gorge at the Boiling Pot – where the river makes a sharp turn carving out a deep pool.
The Victoria Falls Bridge: Built in 1905 as part of the Cape to Cairo railway dream this bridge made of steel was built in England and shipped to Mozambique before being transported by rail to Victoria Falls. Interestingly when the final piece was laid into place, it didn’t fit! Out by a few millimetres, the engineers were devastated but called it a night and decided to tackle the problem in the morning. When they got to the site the next morning the entire bridge was complete! The cool night’s air had contracted the steel enough to slot perfectly into place, proving there was no error in the original measurements.

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HOW TO GET TO VICTORIA FALLS

Zimbabwe and Zambia share Victoria Falls with international airports in both Victoria Falls and Livingstone.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe’s International Airport:

Through South Africa: an important connection through Johannesburg and Cape Town Airports to the rest of the world.
On Kenya Airways through Nairobi, connecting to East Africa, Europe, Cape Town and New York, alternate days
On Ethiopia Airways, through Addis Ababa, linking to their extensive route network.

Livingstone, Zambia’s International Airport:

From South Africa’s Kruger Mpumalanga Airport, creating an outstanding safari connection between Kruger Park, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Botswana.
On Kenya Airways through Nairobi, connecting to East Africa, Europe, Cape Town and New York, alternate days
On Proflight Zambia, from Lusaka and other safari hotspots in Zambia.

WHERE TO GO BEFORE OR AFTER VICTORIA FALLS

Victoria Falls is an adrenaline packed gateway to the entire region. Visit Victoria Falls at the start, end or middle of your African Safari.

Zimbabwe:

A short flight or 3-hour drive to Hwange National Park
A charter flight to the incredible Mana Pools and other National Parks

Zambia:

A charter flight to South Luangwa National Park and Lower Zambezi National Park.

Botswana:

A short drive to Kasane and the Chobe River and Chobe National Park. Generally the starting or ending point on a northern Botswana safari that includes the Okavango Delta and the Savuti area.

South Africa:

With daily flights from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls and Livingstone Airport, from Cape Town to Victoria Falls and daily from Kruger Mpumalanga Airport to Livingstone, a South African holiday can easily be combined with a Victoria Falls visit.
Self Drivers can connect through Zimbabwe from South Africa

Namibia:

Namibia is made for Self-driving safaris, with an extension to Victoria Falls

VISAS FOR VICTORIA FALLS

Most passport holders can purchase the KAZA Univisa on arrival in either Zimbabwe or Zambia, allowing multiple entries to both countries. This way you can visit both sides of Victoria Falls!***Some nationals must have a visa before arrival in both Zimbabwe and Zambia, all travellers must check with their local consulates before arrival in country***