Victoria Falls, Zambia

Victoria Falls, Livingstone and the Zambezi River

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The Victoria Falls is known as one of the Seven Wonders of the World and offers a dramatic scenic contrast and a change of pace from your safari elsewhere in Zambia or Botswana. The Victoria Falls is 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 Falls are from the Zambian 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 of the area – of which there are many. If you are keen to do one of the more adventurous full day excursions, we strongly recommend three nights here as there’s much on offer.

Excursions at Victoria Falls
At the Victoria Falls you can join a walking tour to see the falls from various viewpoints. Guests staying at the Falls Resort (the Royal Livingstone or the Zambezi Sun Hotels), have unlimited access to these viewpoint 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 lodges situated here on the banks of the river and here you enjoy boat cruises, canoeing, fishing as well as guided tours of the falls. Game drives and horse riding are also offered in the Zambezi National Park to view elephant and buffalo. Visitors can also sample elephant back safaris and take part in their grooming and feeding activities.
Below the Victoria Falls, the river’s character has changed with several magnificent roaring rapids through a 7km gorge. Here the more adventurous can enjoy serious white-water rafting either as a morning or full day excursion depending on the water levels.

Victoria Falls Hotels and Lodges
Victoria Falls hotels broadly divide into those close to the Victoria Falls themselves and the country 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 country lodges include all meals and many excursions.

When to visit
The maximum flow of water over the Victoria Falls peaks in late summer (March/April) But in fact the best time to view the Victoria Falls is probably between May and July 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 quite dramatically. Visitors in late September to December need to be aware of this and we recommend that you book a helicopter trip or over the Falls so that you can enjoy the full length of the Falls, or staying at one of the country lodges where you enjoy varied activities - of which the Victoria Falls is but one.

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.