Everything you need to know about visiting Victoria Falls
- Jul 21
- 4 min read
The impressive Victoria Falls, also known as Vic Falls, is one of the largest waterfalls in the world and attracts around one million visitors every year. This popular waterfall lies on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, along the Zambezi River. It is therefore hardly surprising that Victoria Falls is often described as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Did you know that there are actually two well-known lists of seven natural wonders? One is the classic list created for CNN, which includes Victoria Falls. The other was selected through a worldwide public vote and includes places such as Table Mountain.
Anyway, back to Victoria Falls! Close to the waterfall, you will find a small town called Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls Town is a lovely place to stay for a few nights, with plenty of restaurants, shops and hotels. There is also a surprising amount to do in and around the town.
Zimbabwe or Zambia: which side of Victoria Falls is better?
You can visit Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwean side, as we did, or from the opposite side of the river in Zambia. The largest section of the waterfall can generally be seen from Zimbabwe, which also has a long walking route with several different viewpoints. For that reason, we personally do not think it is essential to cross the bridge into Zambia purely for a better view. Crossing the border also means passing through passport control both when leaving and re-entering the country.
However, both sides offer a different experience. The Zimbabwean side usually provides the most complete panoramic views, while the Zambian side lets you get closer to certain parts of the waterfall when water levels allow. Livingstone Island and Devil’s Pool can only be reached from Zambia. Because we found the waterfall especially beautiful and impressive from Zimbabwe, we also recommend staying in Victoria Falls Town.
How do you get to Victoria Falls?
There are two ways to reach the entrance to Victoria Falls from Victoria Falls Town: on foot or by taxi. We stayed near the edge of town and walked to the entrance in around 20 minutes. Is your hotel located farther away? You can easily take a taxi to the entrance.
There are several souvenir stalls around the entrance, and local vendors will work very hard to sell you wooden figures and other traditional souvenirs. Many of the sellers had adopted memorable English nicknames. We heard some particularly unusual ones during our visit, including Tomato, Honey and Treeclimber.
Entrance Fee for Victoria Falls
You can purchase an admission ticket at the entrance to Victoria Falls National Park. The fee for international visitors can change, so check the current price before your visit.
In our opinion, the entrance fee is absolutely worth it. From the entrance, you follow a route through a small rainforest created by the constant spray from the waterfall.
You first walk towards the far end of the route before gradually making your way back past several viewpoints. At the beginning, you have a beautiful view of the gorge. As you continue, you get closer and closer to the main waterfall until you are standing almost directly opposite it.
You can get very wet here, so a raincoat or poncho is definitely useful! The paths and viewpoints are clearly marked, but the constant spray can make them extremely slippery. We therefore recommend wearing sturdy shoes with sufficient grip.
Best time to visit Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls can be visited throughout the year, but every season offers a very different experience. The water level usually rises after the rainy season and is often at its highest between February and May. During this period, the waterfall is enormous and incredibly powerful. However, the huge amount of water also creates a lot of spray, which can make it difficult to see the entire waterfall. The water level gradually becomes lower from around June or July. Between approximately August and January, visibility is often better, although parts of the waterfall—particularly on the Zambian side—can become much drier.
We visited in August and had a very clear view. Despite the lower water level, there was still plenty of spray, and we definitely needed our ponchos!
Tips for visiting Victoria Falls
Whether you visit during the high- or low-water season, bring a poncho. You are almost guaranteed to get wet from the spray, especially when there is some wind. We also recommend wearing good walking shoes.
Near the entrance, you will find souvenir shops, toilets and a small restaurant where you can buy something to eat. However, we recommend leaving the waterfall grounds afterwards and continuing to The Lookout Café (reserve a table for one of the best seats) or Baines Restaurant. These are beautiful places where you can enjoy views of the gorge or the Zambezi River.
See Victoria Falls from the sky or water
You can take a relaxing cruise along the Zambezi River, although the boat will not take you directly to the waterfall. It is also possible to take a helicopter flight over Victoria Falls and the surrounding area. This is clearly a popular activity, as we constantly heard helicopters flying overhead during the day. Although a helicopter flight is, of course, an incredible experience, it is not a cheap way to see the waterfall. Prices vary considerably depending on the operator, flight duration and package you choose, so compare the latest options before booking.
Swimming at Devil’s Pool
Are you a real daredevil? During certain months, it is even possible to swim at the top of Victoria Falls. You do not swim underneath the waterfall, but in a natural rock pool close to the edge called Devil’s Pool. Devil’s Pool is located near Livingstone Island on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls. It can only be visited as part of an organised tour with professional guides and only opens when the water level and current are considered safe.
It is generally accessible during the lower-water season, often between August and January, but the precise dates vary every year. To reach the pool, you travel to Livingstone Island before walking and swimming through part of the Zambezi River under the supervision of your guides. Once you are inside Devil’s Pool, the natural rock formation prevents you from being carried over the edge. Guides remain close by and carefully control where visitors can sit or lie. Many tours also include photographs in the pool, so you will have proof afterwards that you really did look over the edge of Victoria Falls!
