Victoria Falls, Zambia

Zambia Safaris at Victoria Falls, Livingstone

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The Victoria Falls in Zambia is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the World and offers a dramatic scenic contrast and a change of pace within your Zambia safari or after Botswana. It’s a sight not to be missed - the clouds of spray generated by this thunderous descent have resulted in a lush rain forest full of stunning wild flowers and the most spectacular views of the Victoria Falls are from the Zambia side of the gorge.

Two or three nights?
Most people stay for two nights and enjoy a walking tour to the Victoria Falls and a couple of the other activities – such as a visit to Livingstone Island. If you are keen on one of the more adventurous full day excursions, we strongly recommend three nights at the Victoria Falls as there’s much on offer.

Excursions at Victoria Falls
You can join a walking tour to see the Victoria Falls from various viewpoints. Guests staying at the Falls Resort (the Royal Livingstone or the Zambezi Sun Hotel), have unlimited access to these viewpoints at any time. To gain an overall impression of the Victoria Falls, the helicopter 'Flight of Angels' is considered essential by some. For the truly daring, micro light flights or bungee jumping are also available. One of our favourite excursions is to enjoy a champagne breakfast or lunch on the private Livingstone Island which lies literally at the top edge of the Victoria Falls.

Above and below the Victoria Falls
The Zambezi River has two characters; above the Victoria Falls, the river is wide and gentle and is the perfect place for languorous sunset boat cruises or gentle canoeing. There are a number of excellent safari lodges on the banks of the river and you enjoy boat cruises, canoeing, fishing as well as guided tours to the Falls. Game drives and horse riding are also offered in the Zambezi National Park to view elephant and buffalo. Why not try an elephant back safari and take part in their grooming and feeding activities. Below the Victoria Falls, the Zambezi river’s character changes with several magnificent roaring rapids through a 7km gorge. Here the adventurous can enjoy serious white-water rafting either as a morning or full day excursion depending on the water levels and time of year.

Victoria Falls Hotels and Safari Lodges
Victoria Falls hotel accommodation broadly divides into those close to the Victoria Falls and the safari lodges a few kilometres upstream from the Falls. The former are usually offered on a B&B basis with activities booked as optional extras whereas the safari lodges on the river include all meals and many excursions.

When to visit the Victoria Falls in Zambia
The maximum flow of water over the Victoria Falls peaks in late summer (March/April) But the best time to view the Victoria Falls is probably between May and August when the spray is not so all-consuming - allowing you to capture the Victoria Falls on film - and yet the flow of water is still impressive. As the dry season progresses, the volume of water over the Falls declines dramatically especially on the Zambia side. Visitors in late September to December need to be aware of this! We recommend that you either book a helicopter trip over Victoria Falls so that you can enjoy the full length of the Falls including the Zimbabwe side, visit Livingstone Island where the falls are still strong, or perhaps stay at one of the safari lodges on the river where you enjoy a variety of safari activities.

You can also stay on the Zimbabwe side of the Falls which we also recommend if you are travelling to Victoria Falls between September and mid February.