Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe side is the classic view of the greatest waterfall on the Zambezi. The river drops more than 100 metres into the Batoka Gorge along a front of about 1.7 kilometres, and the paths at Victoria Falls National Park run directly opposite the curtain of water, with viewpoints such as Devil's Cataract, Main Falls, Horseshoe Falls and Danger Point. Spray rises high above the gorge, and you will want a waterproof layer from February to June.
The town of Victoria Falls is compact and relaxed, with a good choice of lodges, restaurants and craft markets, and a long list of adventure activities: white-water rafting below the Falls, bungee jumping from the bridge, helicopter flights, gorge swings, sunset cruises on the upper Zambezi and canoe trips. The historic Victoria Falls Hotel is a landmark of the colonial era.
Most guests stay two or three nights, often combined with Hwange, Chobe or the Zambian side at Livingstone.
The rainforest around the Falls has bushbuck, baboons, vervet monkeys, warthog and occasional elephant. Hippos and crocodiles live on the upper Zambezi, and the nearby Zambezi National Park has elephant, buffalo, sable, lion and leopard.
Chance of seeing
Our estimate for a stay of two or three nights with a good guide. Wildlife is wild, so nothing is promised.
The Falls drop into a zigzag gorge, with rainforest clinging to the cliffs and rainbows over the spray. The bridge, built in 1905, spans the gorge.
Activities here
Victoria Falls has hot, wet summers and dry, warm winters. Daytime temperatures reach 30°C to 35°C in summer and about 25°C in June and July, with cool nights. The rains fall from November to March.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31 | 19 | 140 |
| Feb | 31 | 19 | 120 |
| Mar | 31 | 18 | 70 |
| Apr | 30 | 15 | 25 |
| May | 28 | 10 | 5 |
| Jun | 25 | 7 | 0 |
| Jul | 25 | 7 | 0 |
| Aug | 28 | 9 | 0 |
| Sep | 32 | 14 | 3 |
| Oct | 35 | 18 | 20 |
| Nov | 33 | 19 | 70 |
| Dec | 31 | 19 | 130 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
May to October is dry and sunny. The Falls are lower, the spray is lighter and the views of the gorge are clearer.
November to April is hot and wet, with afternoon storms. The river rises and the Falls are at their fullest from March to May, with plenty of spray.
March to May for the greatest volume of water, and June to October for clear views and comfortable days. Rafting is best at low water, from about August to December. Victoria Falls is worth a visit at any time of year.
Best time to visit Apr to Jun
Victoria Falls Airport has flights from Johannesburg, Harare, Cape Town and Addis Ababa. It is about 20 kilometres from the town. Livingstone in Zambia is a short drive across the bridge, and Kasane in Botswana is about an hour and a half by road.
Most visitors can buy a visa on arrival or apply for an e-visa. The KAZA UniVisa, currently US$50, allows travel between Zimbabwe and Zambia and day trips to Chobe. Park fees are included in our safaris. Please check the rules for your passport.
Victoria Falls is a malaria area, with the highest risk from November to May, so please take advice. Paths at the Falls are wet and slippery, so wear shoes with a good grip. Bilharzia is a risk in some stretches of water, so swim only where your guide advises.
National ParkMana Pools National ParkWalking and canoeing on the Zambezi
National ParkHwange National ParkGreat elephant herds and painted dogs
Lake & IslandsLake Kariba and MatusadonaSunsets over a drowned forestOur take
“Our take”
Give the Falls two nights. Walk the trail in the morning, when the light is soft, and take the sunset cruise in the evening.
Safaris from
US$263 per person
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