A Beginner’s Guide to Victoria Falls: Facts And Activities

A Beginner’s Guide to Victoria Falls: Facts, Activities, Country and Height – This page is a travel guide to Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls is known as one of the seven greatest natural wonders of the world due to being the largest sheet of falling water in the world.

Victoria Falls, the world’s greatest sheet of falling water, is created when the enormous Zambezi River falls over a basalt rock ledge and plunges 108 meters (354 feet) into a strong whirlpool. The magnificent noise of the cascading water, also known as Mosi-oa-Tunya (which, appropriately, means the “Smoke that Thunders”), may occasionally be heard from 40 kilometers (25 miles) away. Additionally, a brilliant cloud of mist can drift far above the Falls on a windless day during the high-water season, which lasts from roughly February to July depending on the amount of rain. Every safari enthusiast should at least once experience this wonderful natural beauty!

For thousands of tourists from all over the world, we have been organizing excursions to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Zambia since 2017. Vic Falls has accommodations to suit every taste and price range, whether you’re searching for a Zimbabwean lodge nestled amongst trees by the Zambezi River or an opulent hotel where white-gloved servers savor G&Ts on immaculate lawns. For planning your vacation, it’s crucial to be aware of the best time to travel and what to expect. This helpful beginner’s guide to Victoria Falls contains all of our expert advice.

Is Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or Zambia

Victoria Falls are a component of the powerful Zambezi River, which separates Zambia and Zimbabwe. The waterfall is easily accessible from either country via Victoria Falls Town in Zimbabwe or Livingstone in Zambia. It is bordered by Zimbabwe to the west and Zambia to the east.

Girls unbelievable experience at Victoria Falls! Devil’s Pool, Livingstone Island, Zambia

Quick Guide: Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe vs Zambia

Zimbabwe side

• Iconic view of the Main Falls
• Water flowing most of the year at varying degrees of strength
• Most hotels are within walking distance of the waterfall
• Explore Victoria Falls Town and its markets for iconic soapstone sculptures
• A classic ‘tourist town’ with restaurants, bars, and backpackers
• Historic hotels with traditional high tea in the afternoon

Zambia side

• Exceptionally close-up waterfall viewing
• Swimming in Devil’s Pool during the low-water season
• Visit Livingstone Island when water levels permit
• Romantic riverside lodges
• Go game viewing in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
• Livingstone is more of a ‘business town’ and home to the Livingstone Museum

The good news is that you can easily cross the border from whichever side you want to stay on to explore the other or engage in activities like white-water rafting, gorge swinging, bungee jumping, visiting Livingstone Island, or dining on an antique train. Just have your passport ready for the border crossing and your Africa Safari Expert will take care of making all the arrangements for the transfers and activities!

Best Time To Visit Victoria Falls

The Best Time Visit Victoria Falls is during the high water season from January to early May, when the Zambezi River is at full flow. For the average holiday traveller, Victoria Falls provides an absolutely awesome experience, whilst for the adventure-seeker, this is the best time for white water rafting on the Zambezi.

That being said, Victoria Falls makes a fantastic year-round destination thanks to its mild winters, hot summers, and enviable location straddling Zambia and Zimbabwe. It will come as no surprise that a journey to Victoria Falls is a prominent feature on many of our favourite Tours.

Summer runs from October to April, during which time it gets quite hot – up to around 30°C. Evening and night temperatures drop to approximately 14°C. Dramatic thunderstorms may light up your afternoons, while the summer rains wash through the area between November and March.

Winter is from May to September/October. The days are mild and largely dry and sunny – around 20°C, with the temperature at night drops and can sometimes get as cold as 5ºC.

Take a look at our calendar for When To Visit Victoria Falls and find out more about what impact Zambezi water levels have on your visit to Vic Falls.

Getting To & Around Victoria Falls

Getting To & Around Victoria Falls is actually quite easy. The town of Victoria Falls and the Falls themselves are within walking distance of each other – as you arrive the ever present “smoke” from the Falls very quickly orientates you as to the lay out of the town. The Falls are literally situated at the end of the main road into town.

Plane: The Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) is 11 miles south of the city and the Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI) is located three miles north of the city across the border with Zambia. If you land at the Victoria Falls Airport, you can get to town by taking a private transportation provided by your tour operator. If you land at the Livingstone Airport in Zambia, you will have to take a private transportation provided by your tour operator from the Livingstone Airport.

Car: Victoria Falls is 68 miles away from Hwange and 270 miles away from Bulawayo, and the roads are not well maintained. If you decide to rent a car at Livingstone Airport to drive to Victoria Falls, keep in mind that you will have to pay taxes and insurance at the border as well as obtain a temporary import permit for the car.

The Best Guided Victoria Falls Tours & Holidays

Guided Victoria Falls Tours & Holidays: When measured by the sheer volume of pouring water, Victoria Falls is the world’s largest waterfall. It is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and one of Africa’s greatest and most-visited attractions. It is traditionally known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, or “the Smoke that Thunders.”

The area is also renowned as Africa’s Adventure Capital, since you can take to the river in a canoe or white-water raft, fly over the Falls in a helicopter or microlight, or get your heart pumping by bungee jumping off a historic bridge.