Victoria Falls

The Smoke That Thunders

Victoria Falls lies on Zimbabwe’s western border with Zambia where the mighty Zambezi River plunges into a deep gorge creating one of the world’s largest waterfalls. The spray rises high enough to be seen from miles away and the sound can be heard long before you reach it. Local communities have lived here for generations enjoying fishing tourism and cultural traditions tied to the river. Visitors walk trails along the edge feel mist on their faces and watch wildlife gather at the water’s edge making each visit distinct without relying on tourist clichés.

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Town in Zimbabwe

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 6.4

General Safety:	7
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	4
Tap water:	6

Read details

4/5

English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas. Locals in hotels, restaurants, and tour services generally have a good level of English proficiency.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Victoria Falls Summary

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World-class for powerful waterfall scenery. Walk rainforest trails, view dramatic cascades, take boat cruises on the Zambezi River and enjoy adventure activities.

Place score

7.5

Best at:

Natural sites

Waterfalls

Wildlife

Rivers

Guided tours

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 9

Couples

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

Zimbabwe – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type D , Type G Type D: Type G: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) (ZWG) £1 ≈ ZWG 35.66
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common in Zimbabwe, especially in larger cities. However, cash is still widely used, and credit card acceptance may be limited outside urban areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated in Zimbabwe but not mandatory. In restaurants, a 10% tip is standard. Small tips are also welcomed in taxis and for hotel services.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in Zimbabwe, but alcohol is typically consumed in licensed venues or private spaces.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces but is allowed in designated outdoor smoking areas.

Independence Day (18 April)	Celebrates Zimbabwe’s independence from Britain
Christmas (25 December)	Celebrated with family gatherings and festive meals

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 999 (General), 995 (Police), 994 (Ambulance), 993 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Uber
Other:	Zimbabwe is known for its natural beauty, wildlife, and landmarks such as Victoria Falls. It offers a variety of outdoor and adventure experiences.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

🌦️

Jan

🌦️

Feb

🌦️

Mar

🔥

Apr

☀️

May

☀️

Jun

☀️

Jul

🔥

Aug

🔥

Sep

🔥

Oct

🔥

Nov

🌦️

Dec

High season:	May - Oct.
Shoulder season:	March - April, Nov.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Falls peak March to May: heavy spray hides views and soaks visitors, so views are clearer later

Devil's Pool swims and white-water rafting only at low water, roughly September to December

Don't miss

🌊 Admire the thundering Victoria Falls from lookout points
🪂 Bungee jump from the historic Victoria Falls Bridge
🚤 Take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River
🏊‍♂️ Swim in the famous Devil’s Pool at the falls’ edge
🛶 Experience thrilling white-water rafting on Zambezi

You've been here?

Why travel to Victoria Falls?

Visiting Victoria Falls is like stepping into a natural paradise. The falls are among the largest in the world, creating mist clouds visible from miles away. Beyond the views, you can enjoy adrenaline-pumping activities like white-water rafting and bungee jumping or go on a safari in the nearby national parks. However, it can get quite busy during peak seasons and the spray from the falls can drench you – bring a rain jacket!

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Victoria Falls National Park
2 Victoria Falls Bridge
3 Livingstone Crocodile Park
4 David Livingstone statue

🎡Places for activities

1 Devil's Pool
2 Gorge Swing & Zipline (Wild Horizons)

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Victoria Falls
2 Livingstone Island
3 Zambezi
4 Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
5 Zambezi National Park
6 Batoka Gorge

🛍️Shopping

1 Shearwater Explorers Village

🎈Events

Victoria Falls Marathon (July)
Livingstone Cultural & Arts Festival
Zambezi White Water Festival
Carnival of Victoria Falls
Wildlife Conservation Expo
Jikinya Traditional Dance Festival
New Year's Carnival
Victoria Falls Music Festival
Elephant Charge Event
World Travel Awards Africa Ceremony

Explore on map

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Knowledge before you go

Bring waterproof clothing; spray from falls is intense.
Wear sturdy, non-slip shoes due to slippery paths near the falls.
Stay hydrated and use sunscreen; heat and humidity are high year-round.
Respect wildlife and follow safety signs to avoid accidents and preserve the natural environment.

How to travel to Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) offers direct flights from major hubs in southern Africa. Alternatively, fly to Livingstone Airport (LVI) in Zambia. Buses and trains from Harare or Bulawayo are budget-friendly options.

Access summary

From Victoria Falls Airport (VFA): Taxi or shuttle to town, about 20 minutes.
From Livingstone, Zambia: Cross border by taxi and bridge transfer, roughly 30–45 minutes.
From Kasane, Botswana: Road transfer via Chobe and border posts, usually 1.5–2 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Victoria Falls

Accommodation ranges from luxury lodges to budget-friendly guesthouses. Camping is possible in some areas and staying near the falls offers the best convenience for activities and views.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Victoria Falls Rainbow Hotel

8.3

Elephant Hills Resort

8.6

N1 Hotel & Campsite Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

9.2

Nkosi Guest Lodge

9.1

The Kingdom at Victoria Falls

8.8

Bayete Guest Lodge.

8.9

Cresta Sprayview Hotel

8.4

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Victoria Falls

Walking is great in town, while taxis and shuttles connect major attractions. Guided tours are helpful, especially for crossing into Zambia. Many activities offer pickup services from hotels.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-58 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 58% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-42 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to ZWG) is 42% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is a lot cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£49	£107	£292
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£29	£72	£198
🍝 Food per day	£17	£30	£77
🚕 Transportation per day	£3	£5	£18

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£11
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£5.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£6.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£5.50
☕ Cappuccino	£3.70
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£0.80

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.70
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£11
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.95

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£3.20
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£14
🤧 Cold medication	£5.50
💇 Basic haircut	£4.70

Safety information overview

General safety

Victoria Falls is relatively safe for tourists. Stick to well-lit areas at night, avoid showing valuables and take guided tours for wildlife excursions to ensure safety.

Health & Medical

Medical facilities in Victoria Falls are basic, but larger hospitals are in nearby towns. Malaria prevention is recommended and bottled water is advised for drinking.

Accessibility

Accessibility varies. Some paths and hotels are wheelchair-friendly, but natural terrain and steep trails may be difficult for those with mobility issues.

Tap water

Tap water is not always safe to drink. Stick to bottled water and avoid ice in drinks unless you are sure of the water source.