Victoria Falls, a complete guide

Explore Victoria Falls with our complete guide to Zambia and Zimbabwe. Discover the best viewpoints, accommodations, and activities to do. Victoria Falls are located on Zambezi river along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Each country offers a unique perspective of the falls along with a wide range of activities to do including helicopter flights, bungee jumping, white water rafting, boat cruise, swimming in the Devil’s Pool, bridge crossing, and village walks. The transborder area comprises Mosi-oa-Tunya and Victoria Falls national parks in Zambia and Zimbabwe respectively. Visitors can get the KAZA Univisa at $50 valid for 30 days for multiple entries between the countries to explore both sides of the falls.

Victoria Falls is a UNESCO world heritage site due to its due to its outstanding universal value and exceptional geological features including 8 gorges. It is the world’s largest sheet of falling water, measuring 1,708 meters wide and up to 108 meters deep. The high humidity and mist rising from there is visible from 50 km away and supports a unique tropical forest rich in biodiversity including four endangered migratory birds which include the Taita falcon, Verreaux’s eagle, Black stork (Ciconia nigra), and Peregrine falcon (falco peregrinus). 

Quick facts

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe holds almost 75% of the Victoria Falls with 16 viewpoints including view of the main falls, the Devil’s cataract, horseshoe and rainbow falls that are accessible along paved walking paths. The bustling town of Victoria Falls serves as the base to explore the falls. Viewing the falls takes place almost year-round due to the steady water flow, making Zimbabwe ideal for first time visitors and keen photographers. The best time to see Victoria falls from the Zimbabwe side is April to June. Due to a shearing water flow following the rainy season, the falls produce powerful spray responsible for trademark rainbows. The mist from the falls will moderately get you wet. August and September are also good months to view the falls when the water levels relatively reduce, the atmosphere becomes clear allowing good visibility. The best viewpoints at Victoria Falls Zimbabwe include the main falls, Devil’s cataract, horseshoe and the rainbow falls, danger point and bridge. 

The Devil’s Cataract 

At the Devil’s Cataract along the western end of the Victoria Falls plunges 70 meters into the gorge below forming spectacular rainbows. A guided walk along a fenced trail offers an opportunity to get a closeup view and feel the vibrations as the ground trembles. 

The Main Falls 

Victoria Falls has the world’s largest curtain of falling water spanning 1,708 meters wide with an average depth of 100 m and the deepest point is 108 meters. The Main Falls viewpoint can be reached via a 1.6 km forest trail.   

Danger Point and the Bridge Viewpoint

This viewpoint offers panoramic views of the Eastern Cataract, the gorge, and the Boiling Pot where the Zambezi River turns its course in a dramatic S-shape. Some parts of this trail are not fenced. Even when accompanied by a tour guide, visitors must exercise extreme caution and stay safe away from the wet and slippery cliff edges. 

Victoria Falls, Zambia

The Zambian side covers about 25% of Victoria Falls along the rugged northwest banks of the Zambezi river in the historic town of Livingstone. Zambia offers unique features and activities to explore Victoria Falls including standing on the Knife Edge Bridge, swimming in the Devil’s Pool, boat ride to Livingston Island and hiking on a steep path to the boiling pot. Some trails are built on the extreme cliff edges and there’s maximum supervision for those intending to swim in the pool. 

Activities to do at Victorial Falls

Bathing in the Devil’s Pool

The Devil’s Pool is a 3-meter deep natural pool located on the edge of a cliff near Livingstone Island in Zambia. The pool can be reached by a short walk across the bridge into Zambia followed by a boat cruise on Zambezi river to the island. Visitors intending to bathe in the pool must adhere to the instructions of a professional tour guide. Without exercising safety, swimmers can easily be swept by waves and fall over the edge. The best time to swim in the Devil’s Pool is between August and January when water levels are low. When water levels are high, visitors can swim in an alternative upstream Angel’s Pool from March to June. 

Bungee Jumping

Experience the thrill of jumping from the Victoria Falls bridge standing at 111 metres high, making for one of the highest in the world. Adventurous travelers intending to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime thrilling adventure of jumping can do it either from Zimbabwe or Zambia side. The Victoria Falls Bridge is situated in the neutral area between Zambia and Zimbabwe borders and can be reached from either side.

The Batoka Gorge Swing stands at 120 meters above the gorge. visitors stand on the platform looking down into the valley where they jump in a sitting position a freefall way and swing back and forth on a cable at speeds reaching 160 km/hr. The minimum age to participate is 12 years. Visitors can participate in the swing solo or with a friend. The swing is located at the Lookout Cafe on Zimbabwe side meaning that children or those not intending to participate can watch you taking a leap.

Helicopter and Microlight flights 

Fly above the Victoria Falls in either a helicopter or a Microlight aircraft and enjoy spectacular aerial view of the surrounding landscape. The duration of flights ranges from 15 to 30 minutes with Microlight flights available only on the Zambia side and helicopter flights on both sides.

White water rafting

Zambezi river offers one of the best white water rafting experiences in Africa. The stretch of the Zambezi river that is ideal for white water rafting is in the Batoka Gorge estimated to be 24 to 26 km (16 miles) long and contains Grade 3 to 5 rapids. Both experienced and beginners can take part in white water rafting trips available for booking through a tour operator in both Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Accommodation 

The bustling town of Victoria Falls Town in Zimbabwe offers an opportunity to stay in grand luxury resorts and hotels that date back to the 20th century including Victoria Falls Hotel and Kingdom Hotel. In addition to these, Victoria Falls has boutique safari lodges of which most are located in the central or outskirts of the town. Basing yourself in the center is safe and convenient with access to the town’s best restaurants, markets, historical sites, nightlife, as well as banks and forex bureaus. 

Ilala Hotel

Ilala Lodge Hotel is a 5-star family owned boutique hotel famous for being the closest hotel to Victoria Falls, just an 8-min walk from the entrance of Victoria Falls national park. With a total of 73 rooms including an ultra-luxury suite, the lodge can host up to 150 guests. Rooms at Ilala Lodge Hotel are categorized as standard Twin or Double and deluxe with private patios and suites standard, executive, and a family villa that can accommodate up to 6 people. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms with separate showers with some suites having bathtubs or spa baths, hair dryers, and safe boxes, air-conditioning and overhead fans,  high-speed Wi-Fi connection and satellite TV; coffee and tea making machines, and a mini-bar with complimentary alcoholic drinks.

Victoria Falls Hotel

Step back in time at Victoria Falls Hotel, a 5-star landmark built in 1904 built for the passengers and travelers of the Cape railway. The hotel is a 10-min walk from the falls and has a private path winding through the lush forest to the falls. The 149 rooms ranging from 55 standard rooms to the high-end executive and presidential suites are equipped with modern amenities including air-conditioning, en-suite bathrooms, high-speed Wi-Fi, international dial telephone, satellite TV, and coffee making machines. The stables Wing and executive suites offer dedicated butler service, spacious lounge areas, en-suite bathrooms featuring large soaking tubs, and private balconies that overlook the gardens toward the bridge. Victoria Falls Hotel has two restaurants which include the formal Livingstone and the grass-thatched outdoor Jungle Junction with night African entertainment.

Accomodation in Livingstone town

Taita Falcon Lodge is a midrange lodge located high on top of the Batoka Gorge in a secluded area. The lodge offers 7 private chalets open-fronted with spectacular views of the gorge. Each chalet is equipped with en-suite bathrooms and private verandas. This lodge is highly recommended for bird watchers given that the Batoka gorge is a breeding grounds for the rare Taita falcon bird. Given that the lodge is remote, it offers full-board accommodation including breakfast, lunch, and a three-course dinner focusing on fresh, local ingredients and international dishes alike. Among other facilities include swimming pool, Bar, and complimentary laundry services and high-speed Wi-Fi. In-room service is available allowing guests to order for morning coffee and enjoy sundowners on their private verandas overlooking the Zambezi River. The lodge is 13 km from Victoria Falls. 

Waterberry Zambezi Lodge

The luxury lodge is located on the banks of the Zambezi river away from the town ideal for those intending to enjoy the tranquility of the riverside.  It has 7 thatched cottages including a family house, each with en-suit bathrooms and private balconies. The lodge is 40 min drive from Livingstone and 2-hour drive from Victoria Falls international airports, making for an ideal place to start or end your safari Victoria Falls. The lodge’s facilities include swimming pool, a restaurant, lounge and sundeck overlooking the river where guests eat, drink and relax. When staying at the lodge visitors can go for sunset cruises inclusive of drinks and snacks along the Zambezi river famous for harbouring elephants, hippos and crocodiles. 

How to get there

Victoria Falls can be reached by air through Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) in Zimbabwe and Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone town Zambia. Visitors can cross the bridge between the two towns on foot, by a taxi, or shuttle.

What to Pack

Due to the permanent mist on most of the viewpoints, visitors should pack waterproof gear such as ponchos and dry bags to protect their cameras and phones.

Sturdy shoes and sandals with good grip for the forest paths are very slippery.

Sun protection high-SPF sunscreen and insect repellent.