The nearest town to the magnificent Victoria Falls is called Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwean side and Livingstone on the Zambian side, both just a 5 to 10 minutes drive away. So, no matter where you stay, visiting the falls is not a challenge, and the cross-border crossing is easy for day-trippers. Both sides have their own international airports, making it convenient for tourists from around the world.
With a width of 5540 ft (1688 m) and a height of 355 ft (108 m), during its high season, millions of cubic feet of water plunge over the edge each minute, with sprays visible for miles, reaching up to 1300 ft (400 m) or higher, creating a spectacular view. It’s no wonder why it is often called ‘the smoke that thunders’.
While visiting the Zambian side of the falls, you can walk along the cliff opposite the waterfalls and may get completely soaked. The views of the waterfalls on the Zimbabwean side are slightly different, as you can see the front of the falls from a distance without getting soaked.
Best Time to Visit
For the ultimate experience of the world’s most massive falling water at its highest volume, consider visiting Victoria Falls from February to May, right after the region’s summer rains.
I visited in October, knowing that the falls might be less impressive, but it was my only option at the time. During October and November, which marks the end of the dry winter period, the water level is at its lowest, and the weather is hot and humid. However, there’s a silver lining – the low water levels ensure unobstructed and charming views without mist on both sides of the Falls. Keep in mind that while the Zambian side might dry up and reveal the bare rock face, the Zimbabwean side maintains a steady flow of water, although it recedes in volume with the changing seasons.
For those seeking the most popular and optimal time to visit Victoria Falls, aiming for the July through September timeframe is a great choice. During this period, the falls are gradually transitioning from a flooded state to a low-flow state, striking a balance between having fewer problems with mist and still enjoying an acceptable volume of water. The sweet spot ensures you won’t feel underwhelmed by the experience.
In October – November:
October average temperature in Livingstone is hot about 79 ºF (26 °C).
Afternoons can be very hot with average high temperatures reaching above 93º F (34°C ).
Overnight temperatures are generally somewhat warm with an average low of 65ºf (18 °C).
In February – May
February average temperature in Livingstone is fairly hot about 74 ºF (23 °C).
Afternoons can be very hot with average high temperatures reaching above 85º F (23°C ).
Overnight temperatures are generally somewhat warm with an average low of 65ºf (189°C).
How to Get There
By Air:
There are daily flights from cities like Harare (HRE), Zimbabwe or Johannesburg (JNB), South Africa to below airports which are very close to Victoria falls.
Livingstone Airport (LVI), Zambia
Victoria Falls Airport (VFA), Zimbabwe
Visa – No Visa Required
Zambia Visa:
For US Passport holders, a single-entry visa, valid for up to 90 days, may be obtained at a port of entry. Day visitors from neighboring countries can obtain day-trip visas at the border.
Visitors can apply for the visa on arrival or at your Zambian embassy or you can also apply e-Visa online or click here to see if your nationality require a visa.
Daytripper visa; US$ 20, Transit or Single entry visa; US$ 50; double or multiple entry visas; US$ 80
Zimbabwe Visa:
When traveling to Zimbabwe for tourism, business, or transit purposes, you have the option to obtain a visa upon arrival at the airports or other border ports-of-entry. As of now, the Zimbabwean Embassy in Washington does not offer advance tourist visa processing. The visa fees are as follows: 30 USD for a 30-day/single-entry visa or 60 USD for a 60-day/multiple entry visa. To find out the specific visa requirements for your nationality, please check the relevant information here.
Map of Livingstone, Zambia and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
3 Days in Victoria Falls – Top Things To Do
Johannesburg –> Livingstone, Zambia –> Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe –> Johannesburg
Day 1: Friday October 13, 2017
I touched down at Livingstone Airport (LVI, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport) in Zambia around 12:20 pm and easily obtained a multiple entry visa upon arrival. Luckily, my hotel was conveniently situated in the city center, a mere 3 miles away from the airport. Opting for a pre-arranged airport to hotel shuttle service, available 24/7, I hopped on for a reasonable fee of US$10 per vehicle (one way). Once I checked in at the hotel, I excitedly planned a couple of activities for my stay:
My 1st. Stop Was To Visit Victoria Falls
A taxi to Victoria Falls from Livingstone town costs around $10, also good idea check with the hotel if they provide a free shuttle bus.
The cost of enter the park is $20 in Zambian side of the falls. A guide is usually $20, but exploring on your own is easy so you don’t really need a guide.
Devil’s Pool is on Everyones Wish List
At the Zambian side of the falls, a must do activity is to swim in Devil’s Pool. Best time to visit there is during the drier months of August to October when the water level of the Zambezi River drops significantly, and likely to walk around the very tip of the falls.
Good to be aware that it’s not possible to get to the Devil’s Pool year round. Besides, when the tour is permissible you’ll have to take a guided tour only from Livingstone Island to the Pool.
The view from the edge is totally exciting as you sense the strength of the Zambezi rushing past you and smashing down over the cliff; a hundred meter descent.
Zambezi River Sunset – Victoria Falls – Livingstone
The Zambezi River Cruise at Victoria Falls in Zambia is a great way to experience the most amazing sunsets in victory falls. The 2½ hours cruise circles along the river boundary of Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park circling along the river boundary of the nearby Islands and returning to the pier.
During the cruse I was able to see elephants crossing the river, buffalo, and waterbucks coming down to the river to drink. There are also abundant hippos, crocodiles, and birds for viewing during the relaxing cruise. I was picked up from my hotel and the trip started around 4.00 PM. Check with Wild Side Tours and Safaris for reservation.
Onboard the cruise they served all you can drink alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and delicious food. The sunset was spectacular so was the environment.
Day 2: Saturday October 14, 2017
In the morning my plan was to cross the border from Zambia to Zimbabwe, obtain a single entry visa on arrival and head directly to my hotel. During my travel a single entry on arrival visa (for US citizens) was US$ 30.00, double entry US$ 45.00 and multiple entry US$ 55.00. Click here for visa requirements of any specific country.
Game Drive in Zambezi National Park, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Early morning game drive is a good way to start the day to escape the the mid day heat, also a great opportunity to see the Big 5 in Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls Game Drive in the Zambezi National Park in Zimbabwe will cost you about US$ 70.00 and up and the tour starts at 06:00 am and again in the afternoon at 3:00 pm.
Lunch Time Wanted to Have Something Local
There are plenty of nice restaurants in the town of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and you definitely need to try few. I could not miss my lunch despite our full day activities. It was remarkable to have local fish from Zambezi River along with a local Zambezi beer.
Visit Victoria Falls from from Zimbabwe side
In Zimbabwe side the trails opposite a vast stretch of the waterfall that extends for more than one kilometer with a variety of 16 viewpoints. The opportunity to enjoy the spectacular view of the falls varies based on the season you are visiting. During peak flow, you can see few of the several sections of falls on this side like The Devil’s Cataract, Main Falls, Rainbow Falls and Horseshoe Falls.
Dinner at Three Monkeys, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Three Monkeys features a full service cocktail bar, and a wood-fired and flame-grilled menu. The Chef was trained in Cape Town at the Zevenwacht Chefs College and Wine Estate, and he holds an advanced diploma in Culinary Arts. The food there got quality taste and the best of local cuisine. I tried something exotic grilled meat of Kudu, Impala and buffalo but definitely feel bad thinking about it.
Day 3: Sunday October 15, 2017
After an overnight trip to the town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe side, I returned back to Livingstone, Zambia by crossing the border by road.
Activities For Rest of The Day
Half-Day Nature Walk in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park from Livingstone
The beautiful Mosi Oa Tunya National Park is a small gem of a Park which includes the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls and stretches about 8 miles upstream from the Falls, along with the North bank of the Zambezi river. It is just 26 square miles, but excellent for thrilling wildlife experience it offers, especially for enthusiastic photographers.
The Park is divided into two separate regions, the falls area, and the wildlife area. In the wildlife area, you will be able to drive around the boundary of the park in a few hours. Since this park runs along the picturesque Zambezi river, so it attracts many sorts of antelope, zebra, buffalo, giraffe, elephants, and monkeys, also it draws vast numbers of small mammals and birds.
Since there are no big cats in this park, the animals are very relaxed and excellent closeup photo opportunity for the photographers.
Visit the Local Market
Visiting the market in Livingstone is a great way to enjoy local tradition and culture. Like many developing countries, you will constantly be called to buy products but like locals, experience bargaining and make sure to settle for something when you get it at the local price.
Dinner at Cafe Zambezi, Livingstone
Cafe Zambezi is a delightful culinary haven that takes you on a gastronomic journey infused with the vibrant flavors of African spices. Nestled in the heart of the region, this local gem offers a menu that celebrates the rich culinary heritage of Africa.
Day 4: Monday October 16, 2017
Returning to Johannesburg
My South African Airways flight departed from Livingstone Airport at 1:00 pm, so got plenty of time to discover more of what Livingstone town has to offer. I rented a taxi for few hours to visit different part of the town before heading to the airport.
Other Activities to Consider
Zambezi River white water rafting
Rafting the Zambezi River is truly a blast and an awesome experience. This river is acclaimed as the “wildest one-day whitewater run in the World” highly regarded by whitewater rafting enthusiasts as one of the top ten paddling rivers on the planet! The one-day low water trip is considered to be the best one-day whitewater experience available in the world.
The Royal Livingstone Express Steam Train Dinner
Take a trip back in time on this 5.5-hour steam train dinner tour to the Victoria Falls Bridge. Experience all the luxury and grandeur of a bygone era, as you’ll enjoy 5-star service, while savoring a silver service dinner, marveling at the surrounding beauty of Victoria Falls at sunset. This is the ultimate Victoria Falls gourmet dining experience.
Bungee Jump from Victoria Falls Bridge
Experience Africa’s biggest adrenaline rush with this bungee jumping, bridge swing or biplane adventure at the Victoria Falls Bridge. Take a dive into open air surrounded by epic landscapes, rushing waterfalls and the roaring Zambezi River. It’s the thrill of a lifetime and it only takes place here!
Experience the Microlight Flights
Try the 30 minute flight over the Victoria Falls, the Batoka Gorge, the Zambezi River and the Most-Oa-Tunya National Park and capture the breathtaking views from the sky.
How To Get Around
Livingstone, Zambia:
Getting around Livingstone is quite easy. It’s a small town so very much walkable as long as you can handle the heat.
Taxis are available for a fare of $5 – $10, hotel reception will call them for you or you will find them in and around town.
Bicycles are also available for hire in the town center. Those cost $5 for one hour, $10 for half a day or $20 for a full day.
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe:
If traveling by air, the first thing you need to think about is getting from the Victoria Falls airport to town (a distance of about 22kms). Airport transfers to any of the hotels in town are relatively cheap about US$ 14 per person. If you are in a group then Taxi will be a better option as the cost from the airport to the hotel may cost you between US$ 25 – 35.
Getting around Victoria Falls town is easy as this is also a small town and relatively easy to cover on foot.
Local Food & Drink in Livingstone
A great place for having local food is Heritage Site on John Hunt Way between Airport road and Obote Ave. Little local restaurant in Livingstone for delicious Nshima made from maize flour, fish, meat and local vegetables.
Are you looking for a cool place to stay in Livingstone, Zambia
Ngoma Zanga Lodge, Livingstone, 963 Kariba Crescent, 217 Area, Livingstone, Zambia
Ngoma Zanga Lodge is a family owned upmarket lodge which brings about a symbiosis of Western and African flares of hospitality. This hotel provide delicious cuisine and safari excursions into the wilderness of Victoria Falls National Park, exploration of the mighty Falls, Mukuni Big Five Zoo
Are you looking for a nice place to stay in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Cresta Sprayview Hotel, Victoria Falls, Corner Livingstone Way & Reinhard Rd, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
My Opinion and Tips
Currency Zambia: Zambian Kwacha, in Zimbabwe, 1 US$ = 19.00 ZMW (Zambian Kwacha), ATM is available at Livingstone Airport.
Capital of Zambia: Lusaka, about 6 – 7 hours drive from Livingstone.
Currency Zimbabwe: Zimbabwean Dollar, 1 US$ = 361.90 ZWD
Capital of Zimbabwe: Harare
Credit Cards & ATM: Credit cards are widely accepted. There are ATMs at the airport where you can get local currency upon arrival (but you need to notify your bank before your departure so that transactions does not raise any alert).
October Sunrise & Sunset: The sunrise in Livingstone, Zambia at 5:49 and sunset at 6:15pm. Click the link to see current timetable.
Electricity: 220-240 volt– Square 3pin 13 amp plugs – same as the UK. Even you may get lucky to borrow an adaptor from your hotel receptions but it is advisable to carry of your own international adaptor.
Have you been to Victoria Falls? Any additional tips to share?
Please leave a comment below! I’d love to hear from you to improve my knowledge.
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This blog is a one-stop travel guide. No need to go to another site for more information. You can write a travel guide booklet from this blog! The photos are impressive too!
Thank you Em for the nice comment, appreciate you find this blog useful.
Awesome pics and very useful information. The sunset clicks are simply out of this world.