Victoria Falls & Livingstone

The Victoria Falls offers thundering falls, dramatic beauty of the Zambezi River and a bevy of adventurous river & land activities .

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Ideally April to mid-September

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Overview

The Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and definitely a sight to be seen if you have the time. You can stay on either the Zimbawean or Zambian side of the Falls. But some of the most spectacular views of the Victoria Falls are on the Zambian side of the gorge. Plus you have the added attraction of Livingstone Island, Devil’s pool, Microlight flights and the Elephant cafe, all of which are on the Livingstone side.

To gain an overall impression of the Victoria Falls, we recommend the helicopter ‘Flight of Angels’. For the truly daring, why not try a microlight flight or bungee jumping?  One of our favourite excursions is to enjoy a champagne breakfast or lunch on the private Livingstone Island. This lies literally at the edge of the Victoria Falls. If you are visiting during the low water months of September to December, you can even swim to Devil’s Pool, a rockpool at the waterfall’s edge.

Above the Falls, the Zambezi river is wide and gentle. The perfect place for languorous sunset boat cruises or gentle canoeing trips. However below the Victoria Falls, the Zambezi river’s character changes with several magnificent roaring rapids through a 7 km gorge. Here the adventurous can enjoy serious white-water rafting.

Where to stay?

Your options are fairly simple. You can either stay at one of the various lodges in Livingstone or near to the Falls. Note that only the Avani resort hotel is near enough to walk to the Falls. Or you can opt to stay at one of the many riverside lodges upstream from the Falls. Here you enjoy the Zambezi river and visit the Falls as one of various activities.

Victoria-Falls-Zambia-Livingstone Island swim pool-700

Features

Why you may love it

  • Sunset cruises on the upper Zambezi river.
  • Excursions to Livingstone Island on the edge of the Falls (only possible from Zambian side).
  • Helicopter flights.
  • White-water rafting in the lower Zambezi river gorge.
  • Dinner on the Royal Livingstone steam train.
  • Visits to Chief Mukuni’s village.
  • Range of soft adventure & adrenalin activities: bungee-jumping, abseiling, gorge-swinging, horse-riding.
  • Visit Chobe National Park in Botswana as a day safari.

When to visit Victoria Falls & Livingstone

 

November to March

Not ideal time to visit Victoria Falls

This is not an ideal time for Victoria Falls, especially in November & December, as the flow of water over the Victoria Falls is low. This is especially the case on the Zambian side where the flow is affected by a hydro-electric plant. Early in the season, you can still visit Livingstone Island and this is the easiest time to swim across to the small rock pool at the very edge of the Falls. Due to the lower water flow, you don’t need to be a strong swimmer in November. Trips to the island stop as the water flow starts increasing again at the start of the summer rains. As the summer rains continue, the flow over the Victoria Falls increases dramatically.
TALK TO US
AVG RAINFALL 141 mm
MAX TEMP 30 ℃ / 86 ℉
MIN TEMP 19 ℃ / 66 ℉
 

April to May

Flow of Victoria Falls at its maximum

The flow of water over the Victoria Falls is at its maximum which means exciting viewing experiences but not great photos as your camera would get soaked! In April the flow may be so great that you almost don’t get to see the full majesty of the Falls as the mist from the spray is all-pervasive. This problem gradually eases during May. Note that the paths around the Falls will be very slippery and some sections are marked “at your own risk”
TALK TO US
AVG RAINFALL 15 mm
MAX TEMP 29 ℃ / 84 ℉
MIN TEMP 13 ℃ / 55 ℉
 

June to July

Best time to visit Victoria Falls

Traditionally this is the best time to see the Victoria Falls. The flow of water is still very strong, but the spray is less so that you can see all of the Falls.
TALK TO US
AVG RAINFALL 1 mm
MAX TEMP 26 ℃ / 79 ℉
MIN TEMP 6 ℃ / 43 ℉
 

August to October

Summer in Victoria Falls & Livingstone

Temperatures heat up quickly in September and October prior to the start of the summer rains. The flow of water over the Victoria Falls starts becoming noticeably less as the dry season continues. However this is the only time when you are able to cross over by boat to Livingstone Island. From somewhere in September onwards, you are allowed to swim across to the small rock pool at the very edge of the Falls. You need to be a very strong swimmer in September and early October, but it becomes much easier later into October.
TALK TO US
AVG RAINFALL 48 mm
MAX TEMP 34 ℃ / 93 ℉
MIN TEMP 18 ℃ / 64 ℉

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Accommodation

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Mukwa River Lodge

Mukwa River Lodge is an exclusive family-owned retreat situated on the banks of the renowned Zambezi River. Just a short 30-minute journey from the magnificent Victoria Falls, this lodge exudes a...

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Anantara Royal Livingstone

The Anantara Royal Livingstone is an elegant luxurious five star hotel with a colonial ambience in an unrivalled setting overlooking the Falls. It offers unlimited access to Victoria Falls as it...

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Tongabezi Lodge

Privately owned and run, Tongabezi Lodge is a romantic retreat which lies on a sweeping bend of the Zambezi river. It faces west toward the sunset, 18 kilometres upstream from Victoria Falls in...

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Thorntree River Lodge

Thorntree River Lodge is set in Zambia’s Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, just a short distance from the famous Victoria Falls.

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Sindabezi Island Lodge

Sindabezi Island Lodge is utterly unique - a private island paradise on the Zambezi river, upstream of the Victoria Falls. Sindabezi sleeps only ten people in five open-sided thatched chalets...

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Download our Insiders guide to the best Victoria Falls tours

Comprehensive Guide to all the Tours, Activities on both the Zimbabwe and Zambia side of Victoria Falls with Up-to-date Pricing Get our Free Guide here
 

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Hi I'm Gloria, I'm here to help you plan your ideal holiday experience
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Helicopter flights over Victoria Falls

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Livingstone Island lies perched right on the very edge of Victoria Falls in the very midst of this thundering mass of water, and is about as close as you get to Falls. Livingstone Island is the...

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White water rafting in the Zambezi at Victoria Falls

For years Victoria Falls has been associated with white water rafting, available on either side. The rafting takes you through some of the most exciting rapids in the world, alternating with...

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Microlight flights

The microlight excursions are a more adventurous way to see the Victoria Falls. As they offer a unique, uninhabited and literally breathtaking view of the Falls. And the spectacular gorge that...

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Jet Boat to the Elephant Café at Victoria Falls

Pumping vast amounts of power from huge jet engines, these powerboats shoot down the rapids below the Victoria Falls at 100 km an hour. Enjoy a thrilling half hour flying over the water and...

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Did you know
  • Adventure"Devil's Pool" is located on the edge of the falls
  • HistoryIn 1907 Livingstone became the capital of North Western Rhodesia (as was)

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Tasha Eygelaar

Africa Travel Specialist

Hi I’m Tasha, I’m here to help you plan your ideal holiday experience
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