Zimbabwe · Southern Africa
Victoria Falls.
The Zimbabwean side holds most of the panoramic frontage, and the town is the region's adventure capital.
Photo Venti Views / Unsplash
The rainforest walk faces the full width of the falls and holds a view even when the river is low, which is the practical argument for this side over the Zambian one in a dry year.
Rafting the Batoka Gorge, bungee from the bridge, helicopter flights and sunset cruises all operate from here, and the town is well set up for a two- or three-night stop.
How do you get to Victoria Falls from Zimbabwe?
Victoria Falls Airport has direct regional flights, most often from Johannesburg, and is around twenty minutes from the town. The falls are within walking distance of the town centre, and Livingstone on the Zambian side is a few minutes away across the bridge.
Which side of Victoria Falls is better, Zimbabwe or Zambia?
The Zimbabwean side faces most of the falls, and its rainforest path has a series of viewpoints along the gorge that hold water even when the river is low. The Zambian side gets you closer, and when the water drops it has Devil's Pool. Seeing both takes a short border crossing, and entry rules differ between the two countries.
What is there to do at Victoria Falls?
Walking the rainforest, a helicopter flight over the falls, white-water rafting in the Batoka Gorge, the bungee and bridge swing from the Victoria Falls Bridge, and sunset cruises on the upper Zambezi. Zambezi National Park, upstream, offers game drives without leaving the area.
How long should you spend at Victoria Falls?
Two or three nights. It sits well at either end of a safari: Chobe is close enough for a day trip, and Hwange is a short flight or a few hours by road.
What is there to see in Victoria Falls?
What does Victoria Falls pair well with?
- Victoria Falls and Livingstone, ZambiaThe Zambian side of Victoria Falls gives the closest, wettest views, and Livingstone is the town that serves it.
- HwangeHwange is Zimbabwe's largest park and holds one of the biggest elephant populations in Africa.
- Chobe and the Linyanti, BotswanaChobe holds one of the largest elephant populations in Africa, concentrated along its river frontage in the dry months.
- Mana PoolsMana Pools is a World Heritage Site on the Zambezi and one of the few African parks where you may walk unguided — though almost nobody should.
Planning
- Victoria Falls and Livingstone from Zambia →
- Entry requirements for Zimbabwe →
- When to travel, month by month →
- The full Zimbabwe guide →
Elsewhere in Zimbabwe
- Matobo and the Eastern HighlandsMatobo is granite, rock art and rhino tracking on foot; the Eastern Highlands are green mountains that look nothing like the rest of the country.
Start planning your adventure