Victoria Falls – our favourite World Wonder so far!
The attraction is not only to go and witness the mighty Victoria Falls but the variety of other activities that both Zambia and Zimbabwe have to offer. These countries, which are rich in culture and unique to Africa, ensure a memorable holiday whether you are strapped for cash or can afford the luxuries.
Here’s why we love it…
It’s a quick hop, skip & a jump (aka a 1 hour and 40-minute flight!) from Johannesburg in South Africa to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe – just long enough to enjoy a delicious snack on Fastjet’s regional flight, and just short enough to type up your “out of office” notice for the few days ahead because you won’t be answering any emails!
They say the best time to visit Victoria Falls is between February to May, directly after the summer rains, when you’ll see the world’s largest sheet of falling water flowing at its greatest volume – however, if you can’t get away during these months, don’t despair because our lodges offer fantastic special offers in the “off-season”, and there is still so much adventure to be had throughout the rest of the year!
Expert tip: October is the hottest month of the year in Vic Falls (around 38°C / 100°F), and one of the very best months for safari. The animals don’t stray far from the little remaining water, but the Falls' water levels are at their very lowest and the Zambian side will the completely dry. Be sure to choose which is most important to you – game viewing or spectacular Vic Falls views – if you’re travelling around this time.
A map of Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe & Zambian sides
We’ve just finished up a 4-day trip to Vic Falls (both Zim & Zambian sides) and what a magical 4 days it was.
We started off by stocking up on a few treats at Duty Free after we’d checked in and had our ±2 hours to bide before departure, followed by a browse around the shops that have managed to remain open post-Covid. If you’re booked on an all-inclusive package through AFT, then you can give the Duty Free a miss for sure, as it’s absolutely not necessary! Though if you’re on B&B or Half Board for the days ahead, it’s always lovely to have a bottle of your favourite sundowner to enjoy on your veranda at sunset, that is IF you’re not heading out on a lovely game drive or sunset cruise on the Mighty Zambezi River. Nightcap then, perhaps?
The short flight was smooth sailing all the way, with a lovely snack box packed for us by the airline, filled with an OJ box-juice, something sweet, some biltong, and a little box of pringles. Only thing missing was the sunset! On arrival, you’re warmly welcomed (literally, it was 36°C when we disembarked!) by friendly faces, and the very colonially-styled Victoria Falls airport. After clearing immigration, which is quick and easy as the friendly staff direct you towards the correct queue where you either get a stamp in your passport on an SADC passport and go straight through, or purchase your tourist holiday visa (click here for more info), you collect your bags and head through the Arrivals Hall where you’ll be met by your driver, a trusted representative of African Fusion Travel.
A +- 20-minute drive takes you from the airport into the small town of Vic Falls, which is situated in the province of Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe. It lies on the southern bank of the Zambezi River at the western end of Victoria Falls itself. According to the 2022 Population Census, the town had a population of 35,199 – so all-in-all, quite quaint! From here, depending on your package booked, you will either be taken to your lodge, or across the border to Livingstone, which is on the Zambian side. This was the case for us;
Passport control was a breeze, and after getting our stamps we decided to walk across the Vic Falls bridge to the Zambian border, however after about 26 steps in the scorching sun, lugging a 16kg suitcase and our hand-luggage, we thought better of it and bumped into a lovely friendly gent who had a bicycle/tuk-tuk service where you can pay around US$5 – US$10 to be cycled across to the other side. What a hoot! We put our suitcase on the roof (the shade was so welcome in the heat), the driver (or should we say “Cycler”!) turned up the volume on his little make-shift surround sound system – which was wired on to the back of the seat, very innovative – and off we went! After about 1.8km of cycling, our poor “driver” was puffing and panting, and we still had to get us up the little hill to the Zambian border post. So in true kind, African culture, another passer by who was selling curios decided to help push from behind so that we could make it to our final destination! We got to the border in good time and with belly-laughs in tow, and after a generous tip to both of the helpful lads, we set off on the next leg of our journey – to where we’d be staying for the next few nights.
We spent our days exploring the town of Livingstone, visiting the local market, a dream activity – the Flight Of Angels helicopter flip over Victoria Falls, game drives, sunset cruises on the Zambezi River, and delicious lunch at The Victoria Falls Waterfront, and on the Zim side - the Vulture Culture experience, dinner cruise on the Zambezi, and a bubbles at Lookout Café, to name a few! These tried and tested offerings are some that we’ll never forget, and we can gladly say that when you travel to Vic Falls, you should have them on your bucket list!
Highlights of our trip, and top tips on what to include in your itinerary, when you book your Vic Falls trip with us:
Vic Falls, Zimbabwe:
The Vulture Culture Experience - don’t miss the opportunity to witness the spectacular sight of hundreds of vultures swooping down and feeding on leftover meat scraps and bones from the on-site restaurants in front of Victoria Falls Safari Lodge at 1pm daily (this activity is complimentary), followed by Cocktails on the deck with the most spectacular sunset views
Siduli Hide - A sit in the Siduli Hide at the edge of the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge waterhole offers the incredible opportunity to watch wildlife at very close quarters for a sustained period of time.
Dusty Road Township Experience - This unique restaurant and cultural experience is found in the heart of the Victoria Falls township where most of the local inhabitants live. Experience warm Zimbabwean hospitality and hearty meals with a strong Zimbabwean heritage in this quirkily designed and charming restaurant.
Explore Victoria Falls Town and its markets for iconic soapstone sculptures
Bamba Bus – this unique experience offers a hop-on-hop service in Victoria Falls with a distinctly African flair. It makes getting around town easy, fun and affordable.
Elephants Walk Shopping and Artist Village is home to the small but excellent Jafuta Heritage Centre, which is tucked between the town’s best shops.
Victoria Falls town has some of the best restaurants in central southern Africa. For African food, it’s hard to beat the bushbuck lasagna at Lola’s Tapas and Carnivore Restaurant, which serves game meats with Mediterranean flair. If you’re really hungry, opt for the buffet feast at Boma, which includes traditional dancing and interactive drumming. Three Monkeys is the place to go for pizza, burgers, and excellent service, and Nam Took, in the Elephant’s Walk complex, turns out terrific Thai food.
For an afternoon treat, book ahead for high tea (US$30) at the resplendent Victoria Falls Hotel – Zimbabwe’s oldest and grandest hotel – which offers superb views across manicured lawns towards Victoria Falls Bridge as you munch on jam-and-cream scones.
Perched on the edge of Batoka Gorge, right near the bridge, Lookout Cafe is arguably the best spot on the Zimbabwean side to enjoy a sundowner.
Back in town is The River Brewing Company, perhaps the most atmospheric spot for a brew in town, while the bar at Shoestrings backpacker’s hostel is the place to party on.
Livingstone, Zambia:
More relaxed activities in Vic Falls include sunset cruises, and high tea on Livingstone Island, the spot from where British explorer David Livingstone first viewed the falls in 1855. If you’re planning a trip to Livingstone in Zambia, don’t miss the Livingstone Museum.
Upper Zambezi Canoe Safaris
Horseback Trails – in the Mosi-o-Tunya National Park.
Gwembe Reptile Park and Safaris crocodiles and snakes at close range
Tandem Kayaking – An experienced kayaker will take you through the raging rapids of the Zambezi River, below the Falls.
Swimming at Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island Tour
Dinner cruise on the Zambezi River
Pizzas after 3pm at The Victoria Falls Waterfront
Delicious authentic Indian Curry at The Golden Leaf Restaurant
Dinner on a steam train - The Royal Livingstone Express is a unique and different experience; a trip back in time to the luxury and grandeur of the bygone era of steam trains. An actual red carpet welcomed us and we mounted the stairs to the train with a glass of wine in hand. Wandering through the fabulously restored and renovated carriages, we chose a seat in the elegant lounge car.
Available on either side of the Falls:
Visit the mighty Victoria Falls
White water rafting
Helicopter flights
Microlight flights
Gorge Swing & Zipline
Sunset booze cruise
Game drives
Bird watching
Bungee Jumping
Chobe National Park Day Trip - One for the animal lovers, this tour involves two safaris (one river-based, the other in a 4x4) in the Botswana's incredible Chobe National Park (no, that's not a typo - you go to Botswana for the day!)
We hear you wondering; “Can I Combine a Safari With Victoria Falls?”
Absolutely! In fact, we’d recommend combining your visit with a safari, as Vic Falls is a travel hub for the region and very close to many outstanding Big 5 destinations.
Great Game Reserves to Combine With Your Visit to Victoria Falls:
- Hwange and Mana Pools in Zimbabwe
- Kafue and Lower Zambezi in Zambia
- Chobe National Park in Botswana
- Kruger National Park in South Africa (there is a very convenient direct flight)
Ready to Plan Your Visit to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or Zambia?
Chat with someone on our team who's been there – get in touch with one of our Africa Safari Experts to help tailor-make a trip that's perfectly suited to you.
