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Top Travel Tips for Victoria Falls
Choosing sides: the Zambian side of the Zambezi River has a wider selection of accommodation and activities while across in Zimbabwe you’ll be rewarded with impressive views of the Main Falls. Whichever country you choose to stay in, we’d recommend budgeting enough time to visit both sides of the Falls for the full experience.
Plenty to do: Victoria Falls has long been Africa’s adventure capital; popular activities include scenic flights over the falls in helicopters or micro lights, white-water rafting (seasonal), elephant-back safaris and day trips to Chobe National Park.
Don’t miss out: most hotels or lodges will gladly arrange activities on arrival for you, however, booking in advance is recommended to ensure availability on elephant-back safaris as these are often fully booked.
Bring the kids: Victoria Falls is a top choice for a family holiday: there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained plus a good selection of kid-friendly accommodation ranging from large resorts to private 2- and 4-bedroom villas.
Go for tea: for around a century, celebrities and royalty alike have enjoyed high tea at the elegant Victoria Falls Hotel. Expect white-gloved waiters, expansive lawns and manicured gardens; the spray from the Falls provides the scenic backdrop.
Sundowner stop: the riverside deck at the Royal Livingstone in Zambian is the most popular spot to sip cocktails and toast the sunset.
Livingstone Airport (Zambia): the easiest way to fly into Livingstone is from Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport but there is a regular flight from Lusaka as well. You’ll be transferred to your lodge by minibus or 4X4.
Victoria Falls Airport (Zimbabwe): served by regular flights from Johannesburg, this airport is also on the route of a handy Windhoek/Maun flight. Moreover, as Victoria Falls is only 70km from the Botswana border, travellers can fly to Kasane Airport from the Okavango Delta or Maun Airport and then transfer to the falls by road.
Getting around Victoria Falls depends on which side you are based:
- In Zimbabwe the town of Victoria Falls is compact enough to walk around. Most accommodation is located in town or close by and hotels run regular complimentary shuttles to the falls and other places of interest. Several hotels have such a convenient location that makes it possible to simply walk to Victoria Falls. Transfers to activities are built into the price and may be by minibus or 4X4.
- In Zambia the town of Livingstone is located nine kilometres from Victoria Falls and accommodation on the Zambian side is set along the Zambezi River rather than in town itself. Several lodges are set close enough to the falls to access them by foot while most others offer complimentary shuttle busses. Visitors to the Zambian lodges should note that a trip to Victoria Falls is often built into their day’s activity.
It’s also relatively simple to go across the border to view the Falls from a different angle, and several activities may involve a border crossing.