Waterfall on the Zambezi River in Zambia and Zimbabwe
Photo: Original uploader was Ian Restall at en.wikipedia, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Victoria Falls is a town in the western portion of Zimbabwe, across the border from Livingstone, Zambia, and near Botswana. The town lies immediately next to the falls, and they are the major attraction, but this popular tourist destination offers both adventure seekers and sightseers plenty of opportunities for a longer stay.
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The main viewing area for the falls on the Zimbabwean side. Follow the winding path through the rainforest for several viewing angles of the falls as well as a statue of David Livingstone. Apart from the falls itself, visitors might see elephants.
Where the water goes after the falls. It can be seen beneath the Bridge or can be reached via a steep footpath within the park on the Zambian side, it is about 150 metres (500 ft) across. Its surface is smooth at low water, but at high water it is marked by enormous, slow swirls and heavy boiling turbulence. Objects and humans that are swept over the falls, including the occasional hippopotamus or crocodile, are frequently found swirling about here or washed up at the north-east end of the Second Gorge. This is where the bodies of Mrs Moss and Mr Orchard, mutilated by crocodiles, were found in 1910 after two canoes were capsized by a hippo at Long Island above the falls.
Swim right up to the edge at the top of the Falls in a safe natural pool. You can look over the edge, and the guidges will take plenty of photos of you. As of July 2019, US$105 including breakfast, US$170 including lunch, and US$145 including high tea. Does not include visa or transfer. Transfer is US$15 return per person, or you could arrange it yourself for less. You could even walk it, but it's a long walk.
Built in 1905 at the behest of Cecil Rhodes to carry the unfinished Cape to Cairo railway is an impressive steel arch which gives a glimpse of the falls from its centre. There are guided tours of the lower structure.
Small museum focused on cultural heritage of Shona, Ndebele, Tonga and Lozi people.
An ancient baobab tree estimated to be 2000 years old situated just out of town. It is possibly the oldest and biggest baobab in Zimbabwe. Get a cab there as the bush is full of wild animals.
You can have lunch on Stanley's Terrace overlooking the bridge. Afternoon tea is served from 15:00-18:00 for US$15 each. They say "minimum two people" but don't enforce it. Stanley's Bar is by the terrace. Credit cards accepted.
Splendid location overlooking the canyon below the falls including the bridge. The menu also includes regional specialties such as antelope and crocodile. It is not safe to walk in this area after sunset: use a car when going there for dinner. The access track forks from the main road to the bridge right before the falls car park.
Camping and dorm beds.
Camping and dorm beds. Small swimming pool. Wifi US$3 per day. Intermittent electricity. 30 minutes walk from town.
Camping and dorm beds. It has a small swimming pool, a restaurant, and a bar that's also popular with locals. Fun place with a DJ on Saturday nights so the noise level is high on weekends.
Camping, swimming pool.
Camping, serviced dome tents, chalets. Swimming pool.
Owner managed lodging B&B style two kilometers from the Victoria Falls. Eleven en-suite rooms, pool and cool garden to relax. Rates per person sharing around $65–70 per night incl breakfast.
20 min by foot from the falls, this simple but quiet inn offers rooms from $50.
Most rooms are ensuite. Meals are affordable. Lovely pool and garden with a nice sports bar.
A cozy, family-run B&B/lodge in a quiet neighbourhood. A 20-min walk or a 5-min taxi ride away from town and the falls. Accepts cards and USD cash. English breakfast 5$/day/person. The owner will book you taxis and tours etc. with no commission.
A full-featured resort a few kilometers away from the central town. Located right next to the Zambezi river, it's also a departure point for river cruises. Shuttle service available to the falls.
Quiet elegance with a beautiful colonial veranda for dining. A bit closer to town.
Built in 1904, this is one of the most romantic hotels in Africa with a faded grand old feeling to it. The Queen Mother herself stayed here when she visited. Views from the manicured lawns out to the railway bridge with the mist from the falls in the distance is surreal.
Close to the falls, it offers safari-themed elegance, a great casino and an excellent, reasonably-priced, buffet dinner.
mastercard visa card atm.
mastercard and visa card atm.
By train
com, the overnight train from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls is running once a week as of 2026. National Railway of Zimbabwe still uses British 1950s coaches for this line.
By car
The roads within Zimbabwe are relatively good. The most direct way to Victoria Falls overland is from Bulawayo.
By bus
Buses operated by Intercape ply the route between Windhoek in Namibia to Livingstone in Zambia three times a week.
If you stay in the swanky hotels downtown, or even some of the budget accommodation options just outside the downtown area, walking is manageable. Most of the places are no more than 3 km away from Victoria Falls.
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Waterfalls are some of the most spectacular sights that nature has to offer, and are the frequent goal of many travellers.
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