Victoria Falls

The Zimbabwean side of the Victoria Falls offers some of the finest views of the falls and the little town of Victoria Falls remains safe and tranquil.

Overview

The Victoria Falls offers a dramatic scenic contrast and change of pace after your safari experience. Especially when the Zambezi river is in full flow from March to July. Indeed, at that time, over a mile of unbroken surging water plunges into the Zambezi gorge below.

The Victoria Falls lies right on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. And conveniently close to Botswana, only just over an hour to Chobe National Park. Each country offers a different viewing perspective. Towards the end of the dry season (late September to December), the best views are from the Zimbabwe side. (As the Zambian side dries up considerably.)

Victoria Falls safari holidays revolve around three separate scenic delights: the Victoria Falls itself, the magnificent Zambezi River. And the surrounding Zambezi National Park.

If you are keen to see all aspects of Victoria Falls then we strongly recommend a three night Victoria Falls safari holiday. Then you have time to see both the Falls, enjoy some activities on the Zambezi River. As well as a game drive in the Zambezi National Park, This is especially the case if you stay at one of the riverside safari lodges just outside Victoria Falls.

White water rafting - Victoria Falls Safari Holidays

Features

Why you may love it

  • Wide variety of activities on offer from your standard walking tours of the falls to adventure activities like bungee jumping, gorge swinging or the flying fox and ziplining; Helicopter or microlight flights over the falls. Then there is the Victoria Falls Canopy tour for the family, a network of slides, trails and rope bridges within the canopy of the Zambezi Gorge forest with spectacular views to Victoria Falls bridge and the rapids below.
  • The mighty Zambezi River itself has two characters. The gentle river above is perfect for sunset boat cruises and game viewing by canoe or fishing, whilst below the Falls is more adventurous for the adrenalin rush of white-water rafting.
  • Zambezi National Park is great for 4x4 game drives, horse ridging, walking safaris & fishing.
  • Elephant Camp offers elephant interactions activities or you can take part in their grooming and feeding activities.
  • Further afield is the wildlife haven of Chobe National Park for a day safari trip, but we suggest staying a night or two in Hwange Game Reserve instead which is an easy 2 hour road transfer south from Victoria Falls.

When to visit Victoria Falls

Nov to March

Summer in 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. However the Zimbabwe side is the better side to see the Falls if you do visit then. Early summer is also the time that you can visit Livingstone Island (on the Zambian side) Plus, as the summer rains continue, the flow over the Victoria Falls increases dramatically.
AVG RAINFALL 162 mm
MAX TEMP 30 ℃ / 86 ℉
MIN TEMP 19 ℃ / 66 ℉

April to May

Autumn in Victoria Falls

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”
AVG RAINFALL 53 mm
MAX TEMP 29 ℃ / 84 ℉
MIN TEMP 13 ℃ / 55 ℉

June to mid-Aug

Winter in 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 and thus it is easier to photograph.
AVG RAINFALL 2 mm
MAX TEMP 26 ℃ / 79 ℉
MIN TEMP 6 ℃ / 43 ℉

Mid-Aug to October

Spring in Victoria Falls

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. But it is still strong on the Zimbabwe side. However somewhere in August, Livingstone Island (on the Zambian side) opens for visitors for the drier months of the year.
AVG RAINFALL 48 mm
MAX TEMP 34 ℃ / 93 ℉
MIN TEMP 18 ℃ / 64 ℉

Popular tours & safaris

We arrange trips to more than 100+ destinations throughout the African continent.

Start planning your dream trip

Find me the best in for

Need a little help? View our Safari Guide to help you get started

Accommodation

View More Accommodations

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
 

Gloria Darvall

Africa Travel Specialist

Hi I'm Gloria, I'm here to help you plan your ideal holiday experience

Experiences in Victoria Falls

View More Experiences
Did you know
  • Moonbowa Rainbow at night during full moon
  • Size1,708 metres wide and 108 metres high

Victoria Falls Articles

Load More Articles