When I took an African road trip from South Africa to Zimbabwe in April 2024, I was most excited for our final stop: Victoria Falls. Spoiler alert, despite a minor travel horror story, the Falls did not disappoint. I was fortunate to be with a tour group so I didn’t have to do much research prior to visiting, but if you are going on your own, or simply want to be more prepared than I was, then here’s what you need to know before you go (and how to visit the Falls from both Zimbabwe and Zambia).
The Cost of Entry Depends on Which Side You Visit
This is a pretty straightforward tip but an important one nonetheless. The cost of entry (as of April 2024) for foreigners on the Zimbabwe side is 50 USD. The cost of entry for foreigners on the Zambia side is 20 USD. Card and cash are both accepted.
- Steal my style! Vic Falls is HOT, so grab an animal print scarf to protect your shoulders and a bright colored dress to make photos pop.
Zimbabwe Has Better Views
“Better” is obviously subjective — but in all fairness, the majority of the actual falls are on the Zambia side, meaning the views from Zimbabwe are naturally better. While the exact percentage is a unclear, the rough estimate is that “75% of the falls are visible from Zimbabwe, verses 25% of them are visible from Zambia.” If you want to see both sides to compare for yourself, you should! But if you’re on a time crunch and have to only choose one, Zimbabwe is the way to go.
It’s Easy To Cross Between the Two Countries — But Most Need a Special Visa
Most foreigners need a visa to enter Zimbabwe, and if you’re flying into Victoria Falls airport (which is in Zimbabwe) or doing an overland crossing into Zimbabwe from any nearby countries (I did from Botswana), you will want to ensure you buy the correct visa so you can properly enter Zambia. The price varies depending on citizenship, but ask for a double visa on arrival, so if you need to cross back into Zimbabwe, you can without a fuss. For me (US citizen), the cost was 45 USD. Note for most visas on arrival, you must have cash. The official currency of Zimbabwe is USD.
To save you the hassle of navigating the borders on your own (which is a good idea, because even the easiest of African borders are typically quite chaotic!), book a tour to see both sides of the Falls with a trusted local.
Victoria Falls is the Adrenaline Capital of Africa
Want to go bungee jumping? Ziplining? Skydiving? Take a scenic helicopter (one of the most popular activities over the falls)? You’ve come to the right place. Victoria Falls is often regarded as the adrenaline capital of the continent. Bungee jumping is definitely a popular activity here — the bridge connecting Zambia and ZImbabwe (the Victoria Falls Bridge on the Zambezi River) is where bungee jumpers can get their adrenaline-induced kick. If you don’t want to partake, you can watch people jump from the Falls, as they free-fall into the gorge.
For something a little less adrenaline-inducing, go for a simple dinner sunset cruise along the Zambezi River. Some of them are all-you-can-drink if that’s your type of thing!
Devil’s Pool is Only Open a Few Months a Year
Speaking of adrenaline, if you’ve ever researched Victoria Falls, you’ve probably heard of Devil’s Pool. Devil’s Pool is where brave visitors can swim over the edge of one of the many waterfalls of Victoria Falls while a guide hangs onto their ankles to ensure they don’t fall. However, if you want to risk it, you must visit when the waters are lower, aka during the drier months of the year. This usually spans from mid-August to December.
You Need At Least Two Hours to Explore
Victoria Falls are well known as one of the largest waterfall systems in the world, so to properly explore and get your money worth, you’ll want at least two hours to see them from their various viewpoints (at least from the Zimbabwe side). Some areas are not really roped off, so be careful when getting close.
Prepare to Get Wet
Do you need to wear a swimsuit to Victoria Falls? Not necessarily, but you will want to wear something that you’re okay with getting wet. It’s a waterfall, after all! While many of the viewpoints are dry, there are some where you will get absolutely soaked.
I highly recommend purchasing a waterproof phone case (my phone acted up after taking this photo because it was soaked) or simply bringing a waterproof camera like a GoPro.
Grab Lunch at the Lookout Café
Do you want to enjoy amazing views with delicious eats? Then I highly recommend grabbing lunch or a light bite at The Lookout Café, which overlooks the gorge from the Zimbabwe side. I went right before exploring the Falls to fuel up, and got a passion fruit mojito (10/10 recommend) and a lamb wrap. They also have tons of vegetarian options, a few spins on local dishes, and a nice brunch selection.
Where to Stay (On Each Side)
If you’re coming to Victoria Falls for more than just a day trip, you’ll need a proper hotel to stay at. I stayed at Shearwater’s Explorer Village in Zimbabwe, and I thought it was great. The WiFi works well, the bar is nice, the rooms are clean (they come around to clean them twice a day!), and it’s a close drive to the Falls.
For a five-star hotel, you’ll want to head to Zambia. The Royal Livingstone Hotel by Anantara located directly on the Zambezi River is, to this day, the nicest hotel I’ve stayed at on the African continent. Sometimes navigating particular areas anywhere in the world can be tricky, but the Royal Livingstone seems to omit all of the problems. So much so, that there’s even a bank and ATM available on premise. The food is impeccable (definitely the best breakfast I had on my African road trip!), the pool is dreamy, the service is top-notch, and you can even partake in things like feeding a giraffe and taking a helicopter ride from the hotel’s private helipad. Not to mention, there are zebras roaming around the property!
I would recommend either of these properties, but if I had to choose one, it would be the Royal Livingstone Hotel hands down.
You Need Malaria Prevention
A trip to any of Africa’s 54 countries often requires some type of prerequisite — whether it’s visas or vaccinations. And Victoria Falls in both Zambia and Zimbabwe is no exception. You are deep in malaria area where the risk is “high” year-round, so make sure to bring some malaria prevention pills prior to traveling. Consult with your doctor or pharmacist, but it is typically recommended to take them at night since they can cause stomach upset.
Victoria Falls is an Easy Combo Trip with Nearby Hotspots
Most visitors who come to Victoria Falls combine it with other nearby destinations, for one of two reasons. One– a day or two is plenty to explore the area. Two– the flight is quite far for most people, so why not make the most of it? If you’re on a time crunch, the easiest combination trip is a tour of Chobe National Park in Botswana, which is roughly an hour drive away.
You can also simply do a Zambezi Game Drive if you don’t feel like traveling too far.
You’ll also want to check out the flight schedule in and out of Victoria Falls airport, where many connecting flights are in Nairobi (which is a great hub for an African safari on a budget) or Johannesburg, making for an easy connection to explore other nearby nations.
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