Search results
People also ask
Why should you visit Victoria Falls?
What is the best way to visit Victoria Falls?
Is Victoria Falls a good safari destination?
Is Victoria Falls a good holiday destination?
Aug 18, 2016 · Featuring as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the Victoria Falls is a bucket list travel destination for travellers planning an African safari. Located at the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, it creates the biggest curtain of falling water in the world.
- Overview
- Why is it worth visiting?
- Where is it?
- How do I get there?
- Which side is better?
- Can I do both sides in a day?
- What else can I do at the falls area?
- I’ve seen photos of people standing at the edge of the falls. How do I do that and is it dangerous?
It’s not the widest or the tallest falls in the world, but it is without doubt the most impressive.
Victoria Falls is on almost everyone’s bucket list, but few people know the best way to experience it. On a recent trip to southern Africa, I saw it from every which way, so you don’t have to.
It’s not the widest or the tallest falls in the world, but it is without doubt the most impressive.
Known by locals as Mosi-oa-Tunya, or “the smoke that thunders,” it was first seen by Western eyes in 1855 when British explorer David Livingstone came upon it and named it after his queen. Reflecting on the experience of seeing Victoria Falls for the first time, he wrote, “Scenes so lovely must be gazed upon by angels in their flight.”
The cataract still has that power to strike awe. It spans about a mile—the entire width of the Zambezi River—and drops a distance about twice the height of Niagara into a narrow gorge in one seemingly continuous sheet, forcing mist to rise high into the sky.
Not only can you see it, but you can hear it (from about a mile away), feel it, smell it, and taste it.
The falls straddles Zimbabwe to the west and Zambia to the east. You can access it from either country, via the town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or Livingstone in Zambia. Both have good air connections.
Zimbabwe has historically been the more popular entry point, but political turmoil and hyperinflation in the 2000s made Zambia preferable.
Zambia has been one of Africa’s most stable and understated democracies; its safari lodges are known for their old-fashioned hospitality and plentiful wildlife.
Tip: At the airport of the country you enter first—Zimbabwe or Zambia—make sure you obtain the UniVisa (currently U.S. $50 for nationals from many countries) that serves as a multicountry pass.
There are national park entrances on both sides of the falls, easily accessible from the towns of either Livingstone or Victoria Falls.
If you’ve booked through a safari operator, your guide will simply drive you to the entrance. The per-person fee is $20 on the Zambia side and $30 on the Zimbabwe side.
Put very briefly: To see the falls, go to Zimbabwe; to feel the falls, go to Zambia.
But I recommend seeing it from both sides, and here’s why:
The Zambia side at high flow (February to June) is an exhilaratingly visceral experience; visitors walking on the other side of the narrow gorge can feel the spray (get drenched or rent a poncho). In the dry season, because the falls are at an incline, portions of land stay dry, which opens up other opportunities (see question on Devil’s Pool, below).
The Zimbabwe side tends to offer the more picturesque views because the viewpoints are farther, offering perspective. If you go in the height of the dry season, say, in November, the water volume is at a low point and the falls can feel a little underwhelming.
Yes!
In fact, I did both sides in a couple of hours. Make sure you have a multiple-country visa in your passport. From either Livingstone or Victoria Falls, visit the border-crossing office and get your passport stamped for exit.
You can drive or walk across the bridge between the two countries, get your passport stamped for entry, and walk to the national park entrance.
If you wish to return, make sure you get your passport stamped leaving the country and entering the other country.
•Nat Geo Expeditions
Book your next trip with Peace of Mind
A luxury dinner train crosses from Zambia to Zimbabwe over the Zambezi River and stops in the middle for a view of the Falls (though plans call for an additional departure in the other direction).
For an aerial view, microlight flights are popular, and so is bungee jumping. There are comfortable or luxury lodges near both towns, often the launching points of multiday wildlife safaris.
Devil’s Pool is an experience you can have only on the Zambia side and only during the dry season (mid-August to mid-January). It involves a boat ride on the Zambezi to Livingstone Island, from which you can swim in a natural pool at the edge of the falls.
Breathe easy: An unseen lip prevents you from actually going over. Run by a well-regarded tour operator, the Devils Pool is not a dangerous activity—provided you follow the directions of the guides. There are other unofficial natural pools in which people have gone over the edge; make sure your outfitter is licensed.
- Norie Quintos
Dec 20, 2023 · Table of Contents. About Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls Brings Together Two Countries. Which Side Is Better To Visit From? Zimbabwe or Zambia? How To Get To Victoria Falls. What is the Cost of Entry? When is the Best Time to Visit Victoria Falls? Exploring Victoria Falls. Visiting The Devil’s Pool. Keep An Eye Out for Wildlife.
- Best time to visit Victoria falls. Though Victoria falls is a year-long destination, not every time of the year is perfect to visit depending on what you want to do.
- Which side of the boarder should you stay at. This might be the hugest debate and the most asked question about visiting the Victoria Falls. Since the Falls are right at the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, it’s sometimes not easy to decide where to stay or visit from.
- Check to see if you need a Visa. If you have zeroed down on the side of the border you’ll be staying at, check with your government to see if you need a visa to enter either country and that should be easy.
- How to get to the Victoria Falls. The best part about visiting Victoria Falls is that it’s easily accessible regardless of where you’re coming from and which side of the border you choose to stay at.
Jul 28, 2022 · This article will provide you with a list of the most compelling reasons to visit Victoria Falls. In it, we’ll touch on Angel’s Pool, Zambezi National Park, Activities, and Spirituality. In addition, we’ll give you some insider tips on the best places to stay while visiting Victoria Falls .
Roaring Splendor: A Guide to Visiting Victoria Falls. Located on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia in Southern Africa, this awe-inspiring waterfall is a must-visit destination for adventurers, nature enthusiasts, and those seeking a travel experience unlike any other.
