Victoria Falls Travel Guide
Where the Zambezi thunders over the edge of the world.
Victoria Falls Travel Guide
There are few places in the world that live up to the weight of their reputation, but Victoria Falls is one of them. The Zambezi River, wide and unhurried as it crosses the plateau above, gives no warning of what is about to happen. Then the ground disappears, and 1,708 metres of river pitches over a sheer cliff into the gorge below. The roar is constant and physical. The mist rises in columns visible from miles away. The Kololo people who have lived near the falls for centuries named it Mosi-oa-Tunya, the smoke that thunders, and no description since has improved on it. One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls is an experience that stays with you.
Where Is Victoria Falls?
Victoria Falls sits on the Zambezi River on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia in southern Africa. The town of Victoria Falls lies on the Zimbabwe side, within walking distance of the national park entrance. The town of Livingstone lies on the Zambia side, a short drive from the falls. Both are small and manageable, and the border crossing between them is one of the most straightforward in southern Africa.
The falls themselves face south, which means the spray and mist blow northward across the plateau in a permanent weather system of their own. The rainforest along the cliff edge on the Zimbabwe side exists entirely because of this mist, receiving rainfall every single day of the year regardless of the season, and is home to plants and trees found nowhere else in southern Africa. Both the falls and this forest sit within Victoria Falls National Park on the Zimbabwe side. The wider landscape around the town falls within Zambezi National Park, and wildlife moves freely through it: it is not unusual to encounter baboons near the town centre or elephant crossing the road on the outskirts.
The formation of the falls dates back roughly two million years, when the Zambezi River was formed as the supercontinent Gondwanaland separated. Over time, the river found the fault lines and cracks in the underlying basalt plateau, and the water carved out what we know today as Victoria Falls.
David Livingstone was the first European to see the falls, arriving by canoe in 1855. He named them after his queen.
Zimbabwe or Zambia: Choosing Your Side
Both sides of the falls offer a genuinely different experience, and most visitors with adequate time choose to explore both.
Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls
Zimbabwe has the majority of the viewpoints: approximately three-quarters of the falls are visible from the Zimbabwe side, and the 15 viewpoints within Victoria Falls National Park give you the most complete overview of the main falls. The town of Victoria Falls is small, lively, and within walking distance of the national park entrance. There are good restaurants, curio markets known for Zimbabwe’s distinctive stone carvings, and a wide choice of accommodation at all price points. Water flows over the cliff face on the Zimbabwe side throughout the year.
Zambia side of Victoria Falls
Zambia offers a different character. Livingstone is a larger, more spread-out town and has fewer viewing points immediately at the falls, but what it does offer is often more intimate and adventurous. The Devil’s Pool and Livingstone Island are accessible only from the Zambia side, and only at low water. The Royal Livingstone Hotel, set directly on the Zambezi River with its own entrance into Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, is one of the finest hotel positions in Africa. It is worth noting that the Zambia side of the falls can run dry during the low-water season from around October to November, when the Eastern Cataract is no longer flowing.
The Walking Tour of Victoria Falls
With 19 viewpoints across the two sides of the falls, a full tour takes two to three hours at a relaxed pace. The Zimbabwe side holds the first 15 viewpoints and offers the most complete overview of the falls. The Zambia side adds the final four and is particularly rewarding for its close-up views of the Eastern Cataract.
The Zimbabwe Side: Viewpoints 1 to 15
The walk begins at the statue of David Livingstone at the entrance to Victoria Falls National Park. From the first viewpoint you catch sight of the Devil’s Cataract, the smallest but most reliable section of the falls and the only stretch that carries water throughout the year, even at the lowest water levels.
Moving east along the path, the Main Falls come into view from viewpoints 3 through to 10, with Cataract Island sitting in the middle of the flow. This is the longest continuous curtain of falling water and at high water the spray here is intense enough to make photography difficult. Viewpoint 10 looks across to David Livingstone Island on the Zambia side, the launch point for the Devil’s Pool swim at low water.
Viewpoints 11 and 12 overlook Horseshoe Falls, named for the curve of the cliff at this point. Rainbow Falls appears at viewpoint 13, a section that generates particularly strong rainbows on sunny afternoons. From viewpoint 14 you can see the Eastern Cataract on the Zambian side. The final viewpoint, number 15, brings the Victoria Falls Bridge into view with the Zambezi pounding through the gorge far below.
We strongly recommend hiring a local guide on the Zimbabwe side. The guides here are knowledgeable and entertaining, and the geological and historical layers of the walk are far more rewarding with good interpretation.
Practical note: expect to get wet, regardless of the season. At high water from April to July you will be thoroughly soaked at the first few viewpoints. At low water the spray is lighter but still persistent. Keep cameras in a waterproof bag and accept that the first part of the walk is a rainfall experience in its own right.
The Zambia Side: Viewpoints 16 to 19
The four Zambian viewpoints sit within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, directly accessible from the border post. This section is an easy self-guided walk, well signposted and manageable on your own, though the steps at certain points require care.
The most dramatic moment on the Zambia side is the Knife’s Edge Bridge, a narrow walkway suspended above a deep gorge between two sections of the falls. The views from the bridge in both directions are extraordinary, and at high water the spray is so thick that you can barely see across. It is slippery underfoot and the experience is exhilarating.
Safari Ideas
From the thunder of Victoria Falls explore the wilds of Mana pools, south luangwa and more
Plan Your Victoria Falls Safari
Let’s design your Zimbabwe safari. Share your travel dates and interests, and we’ll craft an itinerary that combines the Falls, Hwange’s elephant herds, and Mana Pools’ wild beauty.
Water Levels Throughout the Year
The Zambezi’s water levels follow the pattern of the summer rains that fall across Zambia and Angola far upstream. The river begins rising from around December as the rains build, reaching peak flood between April and May when the falls are at their most dramatic and the spray can be seen from miles away. During high water, more than 500 million litres can pour over the edge every minute. From June the levels start to drop steadily. By August the mist clears enough to see the cliff face properly, and by October and November the river is at its lowest, the rock exposed between sections and the Devil’s Pool open on the Zambia side. December brings the first rains again and the cycle begins once more.
For most visitors combining Victoria Falls with a safari, the sweet spot is July and August: the falls are still impressive, the Devil’s Pool is either open or about to open, and the surrounding game areas are at their most productive. This is also peak season, so accommodation books up well in advance. April and early May offer the most dramatic water but the least visibility across the gorge. September and October are excellent for the Devil’s Pool and for a clearer view of the full cliff face, though the Zambia side will be running low by late October.
Activities at Victoria Falls
The range of things to do here is broader than most visitors expect, and it suits travellers who want something more than a single morning at the viewpoints.
A sunset cruise on the upper Zambezi is one of the great understated pleasures of a Victoria Falls visit. Several operators run boats of different sizes and styles, from larger social cruises to the intimate Ra-Ikane boats carrying a maximum of 16 guests, which we consistently recommend to our clients. Morning and lunch cruises are also available and are a quieter way to experience the river, with excellent bird watching along the banks. A specialist bird watching cruise is available for those with a particular interest.
The Lookout Café above the Batoka Gorge is worth visiting in its own right, with spectacular views of the Victoria Falls Bridge and the gorge below. The zip line that launches from here is longer and more dramatic than it sounds, sending you across the gorge above the churning river. Helicopter flights over the falls give you the full width and geography in a perspective no viewpoint on the ground can match. At low water from late August, swimming in the Devil’s Pool on Livingstone Island is one of Africa’s most talked-about experiences.
For those who want more, the Victoria Falls Bridge tour is a fascinating half-day excursion, and the Boma Dinner and Drum Show in the evening is a lively introduction to Zimbabwean culture and food. Game drives in Zambezi National Park make for a pleasant morning or afternoon activity, with elephant and buffalo regularly seen close to the river. The Dusty Road Township lunch and dinner tours offer a genuine glimpse into local life that many visitors find among the most memorable parts of their stay.
White-water rafting through the Batoka Gorge is one of the world’s great rafting experiences, suitable for those with a tolerance for genuine grade-five rapids. Bungee jumping from the centre of Victoria Falls Bridge needs no description. Chobe National Park in Botswana, less than an hour’s drive away, is a very popular day trip and gives you some of the best elephant viewing on the continent.
Wildlife at Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls is not a traditional big wildlife destination in the way that Kruger or the Okavango Delta are, but there is more wildlife here than most people anticipate. Elephant are common on both sides of the river and are regularly seen crossing the banks at low water or even walking through Victoria Falls town. Hippopotamus and crocodile are present throughout the Zambezi, and buffalo come down to drink near the water’s edge. The surrounding national parks support lion and hyena, and smaller mammals including warthog, impala, mongoose and otter are found close to the falls. The bird life is exceptional, particularly along the river, and the spray forest supports species that are difficult to find elsewhere in southern Africa.
For serious wildlife watching, a day trip to Chobe or an overnight extension into Hwange or South Luangwa will provide experiences of a different order entirely.
Victoria Falls: Key Facts
Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world, greater than Niagara Falls and Iguazu Falls combined when measured by the volume of water falling over its full width. The cliff face is 1,708 metres wide, creating the longest curtain of falling water in the world at high water. The drop is 108 metres into the First Gorge below.
At peak flood the falls can push more than 500 million litres of water per minute over the edge, and the resulting mist rises high enough to be seen from 50 kilometres away. The Devil’s Cataract on the Zimbabwe side is the only section that carries water year-round. Contrary to some widely shared photographs, the falls have never completely dried up.
Victoria Falls is the halfway point of the Zambezi River’s journey from its source in north-western Zambia through Angola, along the borders of Botswana and Namibia, and eventually into the Indian Ocean through Mozambique. The spray forest along the Zimbabwe cliff edge receives rainfall every day of the year, sustained entirely by the mist generated by the falls.
The Victoria Falls Bridge was completed in 1905 as part of Cecil Rhodes’s Cape-to-Cairo railway vision. Built in England and shipped to Mozambique before being transported by rail to the site, the bridge was engineered to such precision that when the final section was fitted, the steel had contracted slightly in the cool night air and slotted perfectly into place. Moonbows, rainbows created by the light of the full moon, are visible from the viewpoints on clear nights around the full moon period.
Where to Go on Safari Before or After Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls sits at the centre of one of Africa’s finest safari regions and connects in several directions with minimal effort.
Botswana: Kasane and the Chobe River are less than an hour’s drive from Victoria Falls town, making a day trip or overnight extension to Chobe National Park one of the most popular additions to any visit. From Chobe, charter flights connect to the Okavango Delta, the Savuti Channel and the Linyanti. We design many itineraries that move through northern Botswana and end at Victoria Falls.
Zimbabwe: Hwange National Park is a short charter flight from Victoria Falls and is one of Africa’s most underrated wildlife destinations. Mana Pools, on the Zambezi to the northeast, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with exceptional canoeing and walking safaris.
Zambia: Livingstone is the natural springboard for South Luangwa National Park with its epic wildlife viewing and high concentration of leopards, and for the Lower Zambezi, where river-based safaris are one of the continent’s most distinctive experiences.
South Africa: Daily flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town connect directly to both Victoria Falls and Livingstone. Kruger Mpumalanga Airport has a direct link to Livingstone, making the combination of a Kruger safari and Victoria Falls particularly efficient.
Namibia: Namibia’s self-drive circuit connects naturally with Victoria Falls, either via the Caprivi Strip into Livingstone or through Zimbabwe. It is one of the great southern African road trips. A newly introduced flight runs a few times a week connecting Windhoek with Victoria Falls, making it even easier to experience both regions
Contact us to chat about a visit to Victoria FAlls
Victoria Falls Travel Guide Frequently Asked Questions
Victoria Falls Weather
The dry season from May to September brings the most comfortable conditions, with warm sunny days reaching 25 to 27 degrees Celsius and cool nights dropping to between 7 and 10 degrees. This is the most popular time to visit and the period that coincides with the best game viewing in the surrounding parks.
October is hot and dry, with daytime temperatures climbing to 32 to 34 degrees Celsius, and the build-up to the rains from November makes it feel even warmer. The rainy season runs from November through to April, with afternoon thunderstorms that are usually short and dramatic rather than all-day affairs. Temperatures remain high and the landscape is lush and green. Nights during the summer months stay warm, rarely dropping below 15 degrees.
How to Get to Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls is served by two international airports.
Victoria Falls Airport in Zimbabwe receives flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town with Airlink and South African Airways, from Nairobi on Kenya Airways on alternate days, and from Addis Ababa on Ethiopian Airlines. From Johannesburg the flight takes approximately one hour and forty minutes.
Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone, Zambia receives flights from Johannesburg and from Kruger Mpumalanga Airport, creating a particularly convenient connection for clients combining a Kruger safari with Victoria Falls. Kenya Airways also serves Livingstone through Nairobi. Proflight Zambia connects Livingstone to Lusaka and other destinations within Zambia.
The border crossing between Victoria Falls town and Livingstone is a short drive and is straightforward for most visitors.
Do I need a visa?
Visa requirements differ between the two countries. Zambia admits most nationalities without a visa, while Zimbabwe requires one for the majority of passport holders. Zimbabwe has introduced an online eVisa platform, allowing you to apply and pay before you travel rather than on arrival. Visa rules change, and we always recommend checking your specific requirements with the relevant consulates or embassies before travel. We are happy to help with this as part of the planning process.
Currency
Currency at Victoria Falls is primarily the US Dollar. When we send quotes and make bookings, all rates are priced in dollars, as they are throughout the wider safari industry in southern Africa.
We provide all our clients with comprehensive destination-specific notes before departure, covering everything from what to pack to how to handle border crossings. If you have specific questions about planning a Victoria Falls visit, we are glad to help.
How much time should I spend at Victoria Falls?
Two nights is a workable minimum and covers the walking tour on both sides, a sunset cruise and one or two other activities. Three nights is our preferred recommendation: it allows for a day excursion to Chobe or Hwange, a more relaxed pace on the falls themselves, and time for Livingstone Island at low water if conditions allow. Given the journey involved in reaching this part of the world, it is always worth building in adequate time rather than rushing a visit.
Is Victoria Falls safe to visit?
Victoria Falls town and Livingstone are both well-established tourist destinations with good infrastructure. Standard travel precautions apply: be aware of your surroundings, avoid displaying valuables in public, and use reputable operators for activities. The national parks are safe and well managed.
What should I pack for Victoria Falls?
Comfortable walking shoes are essential for the viewpoint path, which can be uneven and is always wet at certain sections. A lightweight waterproof jacket or poncho is useful, particularly at high water. Sun protection matters throughout the year. If you plan to swim at the Devil’s Pool or take a river cruise, bring a change of clothes and a small dry bag for your camera and phone.
