Best Time to visit Victoria Falls

The maximum flow of water over the Victoria Falls peaks in late Southern hemisphere summer (March/April). The best time to view and photograph the Falls is probably between May and August. This is when the spray is not so all-pervasive. So it will allow you to actually see the Falls, whilst the flow of water is still very impressive.

As the dry winter season progresses, the volume of water over the Victoria Falls declines dramatically especially on the Zambia side. We really cannot stress this enough! If you are visiting the Victoria Falls at this time, we recommend that you get univisa so that you can visit the Falls on the Zimbabwe side (best views at this time of the year). But also take an excursion to Livingstone Island from the Zambian side. As Livingstone Island can only be visited in the drier part of the season.

Our Pick of Victoria Falls Tours

1) Tour of Falls (Zambia or Zimbabwe)

It’s a truly awe-inspiring experience – the sights, sounds and, smell of nature’s supreme force. No photograph can begin to depict the reality…and nothing prepares you for your first sight.

If you are staying close, at the Royal Livingstone Hotel, Avani Victoria Falls Resort  on the Zambian side or the Victoria Falls Hotel, Ilala Lodge on the Zimbabwe side, you can easily visit the Falls on your own.

Private tours usually take place in the morning and lasts 1½ to 2 hours. This takes the form of a walk in the natural rainforest with a knowledgeable and informative local guide. You’ll discover how the Falls were formed and what local customs and traditions surround them.

2) Sunset Cruises (Zimbabwe or Zambia)

Experience the magic of a Zambezi River sunset cruise. Picture this: hippos grunting in the shallows, the sky drenched in orange, and a G&T in hand. A sunset cruise on the Zambezi is less ‘activity’ and more ‘gently drifting through paradise.

Though it’s very romantic to be on the river at sunset, the larger boats can take well over 100 people, so we generally recommend the smaller boats where possible. The African Queen (on the Zambian side) is a triple deck, 70 ft catamaran, made of Rhodesian teak, beech wood with brass finishes. It takes 110 passengers and serves drinks and snacks. A more exclusive experience would be to book  (for a supplement) the Captain’s Deck which takes only 12 people. If you like the idea of a smaller boat, consider the Sunset River Safaris instead (see later).

On the Zimbabwean side the sunset cruise boats tend to be smaller, usually between 25 and 80 people. You also have the option to enjoy a dinner on the Zambezi river. Here we spend a little more for a smaller, more exclusive experience.

3) River Safaris (Zambia only)

This is a more intimate alternative to the larger sunset boat cruises. This is also a great way to explore the river as these jet propelled boats can operate in water as shallow as 20cm. As a result, it has access to places where the larger boats cannot go.

Elephant, hippo and wonderful birds are the main wildlife attractions and the views and sunsets are highlights. You choose between three river trips at breakfast, lunch or sunset.

4) Royal Livingstone Express & Bushtracks Express ‘ Dinner Excursions’

The Royal Livingstone Express offers a magical and romantic dinner as it runs along 15 km of the historic Mulobezi railway line through the heart of the Zambezi River Valley. Pullman style coaches have been lovingly restored to their former glory.

Dinner continues as you return to Livingstone where you are driven back to your hotel.

You are collected in the late afternoon from the Royal Livingstone for a 15 min road transfer to the railway. There’s time for photo opportunities and safety talk from the train manager whilst a welcoming drink is served. The train sets off up the Mulobezi Line which runs parallel to the Zambezi River. Views of the sunset are enjoyed while travelling through the Mosi-Oa-Tunya Game Park.

A four course dinner with accompanying wines will be served afterwards at 7pm. The train then starts its return journey as dinner continues. You are transferred back to your hotel at approx 9.30pm

This dinner train now runs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Satursdays.

Bushtracks Express

There’s a second steam train alternative on offer which offers a picture perfect experience to the magnificent Victoria Falls Bridge – Bushtracks Express. You are transferred in the late afternoon to board a 1928 12th class train. (Or a 1953 14a Class Garrett steam train.) These have  two dining coaches and 2 lounge coaches taking a total 92 passengers).

The train gently chugs along with the gentle rhythmic lull that is synonymous with rail travel. You stop for photos when you reach that most iconic of train bridges – the Victoria Falls Bridge. (Note: Currently not in operation until demand picks up after Covid)

5) Elephant Interaction

Elephant Back Safaris are no longer on offer at Victoria Falls. But you can still do an elephant interaction which is a fascinating experience. As the guides are highly trained experts in the behaviour of elephants and the wildlife around them.

This can be combined with a Jet boat cruise up the river on the Zambian side or even with an Elephant Art Safari on the Zimbabwean side.

7) White Water Rafting

For years Victoria Falls has been associated with white water rafting. The Zambezi’s Grade 5 rapids aren’t here to mess around—expect adrenaline, soaked clothes, and grinning from ear to ear.

The rafting takes you through some of the most exciting rapids in the world, alternating with quieter periods between rapids when you can drift along and appreciate the breathtaking gorge scenery.

Make no mistake, this is an adrendalin-filled adventurous activity with an element of risk and we recommend you are reasonably fit as there is a fairly steep walk into & out of the Batoka Gorge as well as the white water rafting activity itself is quite intense. The rapids on the Zambezi River are officially defined as Grade 5 by the British Canoe Union (Grade 6 is commercially un-runnable!) But no children under 15 years are allowed.

The key thing to note is that there are various trips on offer – depending on the time of year and the water levels. Low water rafting runs from about mid July to the end of January. The best months are usually August and September. High water rafting runs approximately from the end of January to mid July. Which rapids you run, and the number, depends on whether it is low or high water.

8) Victoria Falls Canopy Tour

The Victoria Falls Canopy tour, on the Zimbabwe side, brings you one step closer to the day dream of being a bird soaring above the trees and rivers. The Vic Falls Canopy Tour consists of 9 different slides, varying in length (with the longest being approximately 85m and the shortest being 40m) plus an exciting cable bridge walkway in the middle. The friendly and experienced staff give you a detailed safety briefing before the canopy tour, taking you step by step through your upcoming adventure. There will be two guides on each tour.

The canopy tour takes approx 2-2½ hours. The walk out of the gorge is only 50 meters and should take approximately 10 minutes.

9) Soft Adventure Activities

For many years Victoria Falls has been an adventure capital of note with serious white water rafting, bunji-jumping and bridge swings on offer. More recently soft adventure activities like abseiling (Zambia only in low water time), gorge swings, ziplines and flying foxes have been added to that list.

The Flying Fox (either side)

Imagine taking a running jump into thin air over the chasm; soaring horizontally through the air over the turmoil of the Zambezi below. The Flying Fox is a cable slide across the gorge high above the floor. You can sit or be strapped, face down, looking at the ground far below as you fly across the gorge. The gorge at this point is 200 meters wide and 120 meters deep. No walk out is necessary because you are pulled back.

This is a great appetizer before you try the Zip Line and Gorge Swing.

The Zip Line (Zimbabwe side)

Imagine the adrenalin rush traveling a speed of 106 km’s hurtling 425m across the gorge? All whilst suspended 120m above the breath taking beauty of the Zambezi water below! As the river zigzags down the Batoka Gorges, the cable is suspended across from one side to the other. You are harnessed and attached to a pulled. Then launched over the edge picking up speed as you descend over the water and reaching a speed of 106 km per hour.

Gorge Swing (either side)

Imagine swinging in a child’s swing in the playground…now imagine a giant swing 95m long and 120m high above water…now imagine a 70m free fall before you begin swinging. Our highwire is suspended across the gorge at a point where the width is 316m and 120m deep. The jumper leaps off the edge of the gorge, free falling about 70m before going into a 95m long pendulum type swing.

10) Helicopter & Microlight Flights (Zimbabwe or Zambia)

The helicopter excursions (colloquially known as the Flight of Angels) are a wonderful way to see the full majesty of the Victoria Falls – especially at low water times. A must for photographers!

David Livingstone didn’t have access to helicopters, but we’re sure he’d have taken one if he could. This short but spectacular flight gives you a bird’s-eye view of the Falls in all their foamy, thunderous glory.

You swoop over the Zambezi River and hover over the thundering Falls for a perfect photographic opportunity. The 12-15 minute helicopter flight will take you over the Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River.

The longer 25-30 minute flight will take you over the Victoria Falls, then have an exhilarating ride down into Batoka Gorge, along the Zambezi to Rapid 26 and over Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.

Microlight Flights (Zambia)

The microlight excursions are more adventurous way to see the Falls. They offer a unique, uninhabited and literally breathtaking view of the Falls. And the spectacular gorge that the Zambezi River has carved into the surrounding landscape over many thousands of years.

One person and an experienced pilot take a 12-15-minute microlight flight over the Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River. As with the helicopter excursions, there’s a longer 25-30 minute option which takes you over the Zambezi river, circles over the Victoria Falls and its islands.

11) Canoeing trips

Probably the best way to appreciate the beauty, peace and wildlife of the Zambezi River above the Victoria Falls is to paddle slowly downstream in a canoe with some of the best wildlife guides in Africa. You paddle your own canoe, following the qualified Canoe Guide as he leads the way. You canoe downstream running a couple of grade one and two rapids, exploring channels, bird and game viewing.

Watch the Pied Kingfisher hover and dive. Listen to the haunting call of the fish eagle and the grunts of the hippo. See elephant,buffalo, and other animals come down to drink and explore the islands and waterways along the route.

12) Jet Boat Extreme to Elephant Cafe (Zambia)

Pumping vast amounts of power from huge jet engines, these powerboats shoot down the rapids below the Victoria Falls at 100 km an hour. A thrilling half hour spent flying over the water and ‘buzzing’ rock faces between rapids 23 and 27.

You are transferred in specially adapted Land-Rover vehicles (approx 1 hour transfer) to your entry point at the gorge. You head down into the gorge (880 feet) in a scenic cable car lift, where you meet your jet boat pilot for a briefing. One of the most thrilling 30 minutes of your life is about to begin. After the ride, you no longer have to walk out of the gorge because of the 8 minute cable car ride. Enjoy an ice-cold beer or soft drink at the top before being return to your hotel. The whole excursion takes approx 3½ to 4 hours with an early morning departure at 7.30am. A second departure is at 12-12.30pm.

13) Chobe Day Tour

This is a very full day but a good option if you are not visiting Botswana and have 3 nights at Victoria Falls.

Chobe National Park in Botswana is only a 1¾-2 hour drive from the Victoria Falls. The day starts with an early morning pick-up. You cross the border into Botswana and head for the Chobe River. Your safari begins with a river game viewing cruise on the Chobe River. Refreshments will be available while the boat takes you up close to the wildlife and waterfowl along the river. The cruise ends with lunch at one of the riverbank lodges.

In the afternoon, you enjoy an open vehicle game drive into the Chobe National Park. With a chance of spotting lion and buffalo as well as numerous plains game species. You arrive back in the early evening.

14) Chief Mukuni’s Village

A grounding counterpoint to the grandeur of the Falls, this gives you a chance to meet the locals, learn about traditional crafts, and haggle over a hand-carved giraffe you didn’t know you needed.

Mukuni’s village (on the Zambian side) is home to the Leya people. This 2 hour Victoria Falls tour presents an opportunity to see how the local people live in a real African village. It has a population of 5,000, a clinic, basic school and boreholes for drinking water.

The village guides introduce you to various craftspeople at work making curios which are sold all around Victoria Falls. You can also pre-arrange to try out the Leya traditional food and beer. This is a working village and not a purpose built tourist attraction. So it is a true, and sometimes saddening, glimpse of life in an African village today.

Ready to Embark on your Zambia safari adventure?

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Best Tours in Victoria Falls & Things to Do – was written by Safari specialists Cedarberg Africa

At Cedarberg Africa, we’ve been crafting exceptional African journeys for over 30 years. We’re a team of safari experts who don’t believe in “off the shelf.” Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned traveller, we design trips that reflect your style, pace, and dreams.