Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls lies on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, where the Zambezi River drops into a narrow basalt gorge with astonishing force. It’s one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – but more than that, it’s a place defined by movement, sound, and scale – and it still feels very much alive.

As the world’s largest waterfall by combined width and height, Victoria Falls stretches for roughly 1,700 metres and plunges over 100 metres at its deepest point. Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, “the Smoke That Thunders”, the Falls send towering plumes of mist into the air, often visible from kilometres away during peak flow. It’s visceral, powerful, and impossible to ignore.

What Makes Victoria Falls Extraordinary:

• Two countries, two perspectives: Victoria Falls can be experienced from both Zimbabwe and Zambia, each offering a different way to engage with the Falls.
• Multiple viewpoints: Guided walks, helicopter flights, and Zambezi River cruises reveal the Falls from land, air, and water.
• Safari-ready location: Game reserves on both sides of the Falls make wildlife viewing a natural part of the experience.
• Adrenaline-fuelled activities: Gorge swings, microlighting, white-water rafting, and swimming in Devil’s Pool right on the edge of the Falls, delivers plenty of ways to get closer – if you’re inclined to do so.

Why Choose Victoria Falls for Your Luxury Safari

Victoria Falls earns its place on a luxury safari by offering real variety in a short stay. You can experience one of Africa’s most iconic natural sights, add in wildlife encounters, and move easily between destinations – all without feeling rushed or over-scheduled.

Southern Africa Safari Circuit Benefits:

• Multi-country journeys: Easy flight links across Southern Africa make Victoria Falls a natural start, finish, or in between addition to your adventure.
• Effortless safari pairing: Combine Victoria Falls with nearby wildlife areas like Chobe or Hwange National Park.
• Multi-stop itineraries: Straightforward onward travel to Kruger National Park, the Okavango Delta, or Cape Town.
• Meaningful impact: Carefully chosen lodges support conservation and local communities.

Victoria Falls also allows you to experience both Zimbabwe and Zambia in a single visit. Zimbabwe offers the broadest views of the Falls, while Zambia brings you closer – right to the edge at viewpoints such as Knife Edge and Devil’s Pool.

When to Visit Victoria Falls

Timing your visit to Victoria Falls isn't about finding the single "best" season. Instead, it’s about choosing the mood of the Falls that suits you. The Zambezi’s seasonal rise and fall create two distinct experiences, each with its own appeal.

High-Water Season (February to July)

At full-flow – usually peaking around April – Victoria Falls shows its immense scale, with mist billowing high into the air and the sound carrying well beyond the gorge.

Highlights

• Peak power: Towering spray visible from kilometres away
• Rainbow displays: Near-constant rainbows forming in the mist
• Milder temperatures: Cooler conditions compared to the hotter months
• Safari sightings: This period overlaps with the start of the prime safari months (June to October), making it ideal for combining the Falls with nearby national parks

Insider’s Tip: When the Falls are in full flood, you could get drenched during your guided rainforest walk in Zimbabwe. So, bring a rain jacket or poncho to keep you dry. It’s part of the fun! 

Best for: River cruises, scenic flights, and dramatic wildlife and waterfall viewing

Low-Water Season (August to January)

As water levels drop, Victoria Falls reveals a more detailed side of itself. Channels open up, rock formations emerge, and access expands – particularly on the Zambian side, where activities that aren’t possible during high flow come into play.

Highlights

• Season-specific access: Devil’s Pool and Cataract Island Pools become accessible, subject to water levels.
• Zambezi adventure: Low water brings prime conditions for white-water rafting on the Zambezi River.
• Strong wildlife viewing: Neighbouring reserves offer excellent sightings through October as animals gather around remaining water sources.

Insider’s tip: October and November are hot, often exceeding 30°C, with the possibility of afternoon thunderstorms – early mornings are best for exploring.

Best for: Devil’s Pool and Cataract Island Pools, white-water rafting, and combining the Falls with late dry-season safari viewing

Peak Safari Season Integration (June to October)

From June to October, dry conditions and clear skies create prime safari viewing across Southern Africa. This makes it an ideal window to combine Victoria Falls with a wider safari journey, particularly in nearby wildlife-rich regions.

What to Do in Victoria Falls

By now, you may have realised that Victoria Falls isn’t a single moment – it’s a series of ways to engage with the landscape. Some are high-energy, some slow things down, and others simply place you in the right moment. How much you do is entirely up to you.

Viewing the Falls from Both Sides

Zimbabwe: Walk rainforest trails in Victoria Falls National Park for expansive views along the full length of the Falls.

Zambia: Get closer views at Knife Edge Bridge, with seasonal access to Livingstone Island when water levels allow.

Our Travel Experts help shape the timing, lodge selection, and activities around how you want to travel – whether Victoria Falls is the starting point, the finale, or a seamless pause between safari destinations.

Unique Activities

• Access to Devil's Pool/Cataract Island Pools
• Guided lunar rainbow tours, available on select full moon nights
• White-water rafting through the Zambezi’s world-famous rapids
• Bungee jumping from the historic Victoria Falls Bridge
• Helicopter flights, microlight tours, zip-lining and the Flying Fox

Note: Private helicopter flights and special access experiences are subject to availability and seasonal water levels.

Safari and Wildlife Activities

Victoria Falls makes it easy to add wildlife viewing without travelling far. River corridors, nearby parks, and well-connected safari regions allow you to combine the Falls with game viewing that feels considered, not rushed.

Wildlife experiences nearby:

• Game drives in Mosi-oa-Tunya and Victoria Falls National Parks
• Boat safaris and sunset cruises on the Zambezi River
• Guided walking safaris focusing on tracks, terrain, and the smaller details
• Day trips to Chobe National Park or Hwange National Park for Big 5 sightings

Cultural Experiences

Victoria Falls sits within a living cultural landscape shaped by the Zambezi for generations. Time spent here offers insight into local tradition, heritage, craftsmanship, and ways of life – experiences that add texture and meaning without feeling staged.

Cultural and historic highlights:

• Village visits: Spend time with local communities to understand daily life of living alongside Victoria Falls
• Victoria Falls town markets: Browse locally made crafts, including soapstone sculptures and woodwork, sold directly by artisans.
• Livingstone Museum: Explore history through archaeological evidence of early human occupation by hunter-gatherers, dating back millions of years.
• Colonial-era landmarks: The Victoria Falls Hotel and the early-20th-century Victoria Falls Bridge offer glimpses into the region’s colonial past.

Planning Your Victoria Falls Adventure

How to Get to Victoria Falls 

Getting to Victoria Falls is refreshingly straightforward, with two international airports serving either side of the border. Whether you arrive via Zimbabwe or Zambia, transfers into Victoria Falls town or Livingstone are short and easily arranged.

Primary routes:

• From Johannesburg: Direct flights reach Victoria Falls and Livingstone in around 90 minutes.
• From Cape Town: Direct flights reach Victoria Falls in just under three hours (schedules may vary by airline and season).
• From Kruger National Park: Victoria Falls can be reached via a combination of scheduled flights and private charters.
• Other regional hubs: Victoria Falls also connects well with wider Southern and East Africa, with direct flights from Kenya and Namibia (schedules may vary by airline and season).

Visa and Entry Requirements

Visa regulations vary by nationality and can change from time to time. It’s always worth checking the latest details before you travel.

Our Travel Experts can help point you in the right direction based on your itinerary and flag anything you should be aware of, but we recommend confirming entry requirements directly with the relevant government sources before departure.