Zambia has surpassed Zimbabwe as the most popular destination for tourists seeking to see Victoria Falls since Zimbabwe’s economic and political problems began in the 2000s. The relaxed town of Livingstone is only 11 kilometers from the falls, and it offers a fantastic setup for tourists, with accommodations to fit every budget, superb restaurants, and a wide variety of adventure and cultural activities.
When at South Luanga National Park, it is not uncommon to see a herd of elephants making their way over a river.
There are more vantage spots in Zimbabwe to see Victoria Falls, but in Zambia, you can go right into the midst of the spray as you cross the Knife-Edge Bridge and reach tantalizingly near to the Eastern Cataract. You can also swim under the spray of the falling waterfalls at Boiling Pot, which is located at the base of the falls, or in the Devil’s Pool, a natural rock pool located just at the brink of the waterfall and one of the world’s finest infinity pools.
Being one of the most breathtaking infinity pools in the world, Devils Pool is a sight to behold.
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, located on Zambian territory, is a wildlife hotspot with easy game viewing thanks to its tiny size. The park’s reintroduced white rhinos are the only ones in the country, and they may be tracked on foot for an exciting wildlife encounter while you see elephants and zebras against the picturesque backdrop of the Zambezi River.
Highlights
It is the purpose of a trip to Livingstone to experience the majesty of Victoria Falls up up and personal. Paths along the valley wall within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park provide breathtaking views of the Eastern Cataract, one of Victoria Falls’ five cascades. After getting your feet wet on the Knife-Edge Bridge just feet from the waterfall, you have two options for getting a bird’s-eye view of the falls: either do a helicopter flip for breathtaking views, or, for the truly daring, hop on the back of a piloted microlight, which is essentially a paraglider with an engine. Don’t miss the lunar rainbow over the falls if you visit during a full moon. The lunar rainbow of Victoria Falls is a show of refracted light from the moon in the spray of the falls, and visitors are allowed in on the nights before, on, and after each full moon to witness this phenomenon. There is a lunar rainbow from February to May, when the spray from the waterfall is at its strongest, and while you can see it from both sides of the border, the view is better from Zambia than from Zimbabwe. Besides providing the most spectacular swim you’ll ever experience, Devil’s Pool also offers the most exciting perspective of the falls. You may go as close to Victoria Falls as you like in this natural rock pool located on the edge of the cascade. You may get there by taking a boat to Livingstone Island and then swimming across the Zambezi River. It’s not as scary as it sounds thanks to a natural ledge that prevents you from falling in, but the swim is dangerous and can only be attempted when the river is low, which is often between the months of August and January. In addition, there is a view of the falls from below, accessible by a steep 20-minute climb to the Boiling Pot, a churning whirlpool at the foot of the cascade (note that this hike can only be done in the low-water season of August to December). Paddle through the Boiling Pot to get drenched by the world’s largest sheet of cascading water, and you won’t get much closer to Victoria Falls than this!
Most visitors to Livingstone are looking to get their adrenaline pumping, and the Victoria Falls Bridge bungee leap into Batoka Gorge between Zimbabwe and Zambia is the most extreme option. This bungee jump, often regarded as among the best in the world, promises breathtaking scenery and a hefty dose of adrenaline. The bridge swing and the Flying Fox, which involve jumping across the canyon on a cable slide, are slightly less dangerous because participants plunge feet first into an 80-meter freefall rather than diving upside down. Alternatively, you can walk across the walkways under the bridge while wearing a safety harness to get the same breathtaking views without the adrenaline rush. While abseiling more over 50 meters down a rope, you need to be able to slide down the gorge without swinging back and forth like a human pendulum. A horseback ride down the Zambezi River is a fantastic chance to see the local wildlife and birds up close and take in the breathtaking surroundings. Whether you’ve got a few hours or a full day, you may ride through teak forests and camp by the river. White-water rafting the Zambezi’s massive rapids on an adrenaline-pumping experience and jet boating are two of the more extreme river sports, while others include canoe safaris, tranquil sunset river cruises, and the Livingstone Float. Anybody interested in catching the world’s most thrilling freshwater fighting fish—the toothy tiger fish—should sign up for a fishing tour around the islands upstream from the falls.
Anyone with a weak heart should avoid the Batoka Gorge swings.
The five-course supper on a 1920s steam train is a beautiful and unforgettable experience, following the train as it slowly travels along the Zambezi River through Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park as the sun sets. Before the train stops for dinner and makes its way back to Livingstone, you’ll have time to go on a wildlife safari and enjoy a glass of wine. The sights of the stunning valley from the Victoria Falls Bridge are beyond picturesque, and you can get there by taking a steam train ride from Livingstone.
About three kilometers outside of Livingstone is Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, which is divided into two parts: the Victoria Falls sector and the wildlife area. Despite its tiny size and lack of large predators, the park provides a wonderful introduction to Zambia’s wildlife, including elephant, buffalo, Burchell’s zebra, wildebeest, and giraffe, as well as lovely birds like the Livingstone’s turaco and the Livingstone’s flycatcher. The park’s small size makes it simple to see the animals within; visitors can arrange for a guided game drive through their hotel, or they can rent a car and drive themselves throughout the park in a few of hours. Mosi-oa-reintroduced Tunya’s (and well-protected) white rhinos are the park’s main draws, and they may be tracked on foot, providing a unique opportunity to get close to these critically endangered animals.
The Burchell’s zebra is a variety of the plains zebra found in southern Africa.
Mukuni Village, founded in the 13th century and currently home to approximately 7,000 Leya people, is a great place to gain insight into Zambia’s past, culture, and rural life. During your guided tour of the working village, you’ll get the chance to chat with locals in their huts, sample some local fare and beer, observe artisans at work, and peruse the market for unique souvenirs.
Directions for the Region in Practice
Two hotels are within walking distance to Victoria Falls, while the town of Livingstone is only a short drive away. You can take a private taxi or take use of the complimentary shuttle service provided by some hotels to reach the falls. A tour guide is unnecessary for seeing the falls. The park is open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the entrance charge to view the falls is $20 (USD). Visit the falls at dawn or dusk for gentle illumination. Bring waterproof attire, or buy a poncho at the entrance gate, and make careful to protect your devices from getting soaked if you plan on visiting the falls between February and May, when the water levels are at their highest. Walk only on designated paths, always keep behind barriers, and always wear shoes with adequate traction. In spots where there are no guardrails, exercise extra caution when getting to the edge of the trails, as you might easily lose your footing on the wet, slick rocks below. Don’t give the monkeys or baboons any food!
Mist and spray from the Zambezi River at its highest (February–May) can hamper views on the Zimbabwean side of the falls, making Zambia a preferable choice for viewing. Nevertheless, the falls on the Zambian side dry up after the dry winter season, around October or November. Staying on the Zimbabwean side of the falls is the best bet for tourists visiting Victoria Falls right now.
Vic Falls – the smoke that thunders
If you’re travelling with children, be careful to verify the minimum age requirement before you book any activities. For example, youngsters need to be at least 12 years old to track white rhino, 15 for white-water rafting and 14 for bungee-jumping and bridge swinging.
On the edge of town, Harry Mwaanga International Airport Flights has flights from Lusaka, Johannesburg and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, which serves Kruger National Park in South Africa — a very convenient route if you’re combining a safari in South Africa with a visit to Victoria Falls.
If you stay in Zambia, it absolutely makes sense to visit the Zimbabwean side of the falls to obtain the more panoramic views. A KAZA Uni-Visa can be purchased for US$50 upon arrival in Zambia at the Victoria Falls border, the Harry Mwaanga International Airport in Livingstone, the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, or the Kazungula frontier. If you want to visit Chobe National Park in Botswana for the day and then head back to Livingstone that evening, you may do so with this 30-day visa, which also permits you to move freely between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Who Shouldn’t Visit the Zimbabwean Side of Victoria Falls and Why?
On the Zambian side of Victoria Falls, there is a mind-boggling variety of experiences available, ensuring that every style of traveler will find something that is right up their alley. Bungee jumping, white water rafting, gorge swinging, and abseiling will keep the adventurers happy, while gorge hiking, game drives in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, horseback rides, and canoe safaris will satisfy the nature lovers. Spa treatments and sunset river cruises are just two examples of the calming activities available to honeymooners and couples on romantic getaways at the many five-star hotels and lodges that provide honeymoon suites and other romantic perks. Travellers visiting the area alone will have lots of opportunities to mingle at bars, restaurants, and organized activities, but they may also enjoy some quiet time on nature trails or a horseback ride. Hotels and lodges often accommodate families by providing family accommodations, kids’ activity programs, and kid-friendly meal options. All ages, from newborns to teenagers, may enjoy the many attractions and events in and around Livingstone.