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French Polynesia is one of the incredible destinations where you can swim with humpback whales in the wild. Whale encounters are strictly regulated by the French Polynesian government to protect the animals, making swimming with whales here a truly magical experience rather than a tourist trap. Moorea is considered one of the best places in French Polynesia to swim with humpback whales, as large numbers of whales migrate to the waters surrounding the island each year. However, it's also possible to book whale-watching and swimming tours from Tahiti, Bora Bora and several other islands. Want to know what else there is to do in Moorea? Read our guide to the best things to do in Moorea! When can you swim with whales in Moorea, French Polynesia? From late July onwards, hundreds of humpback whales migrate to the waters around Moorea to mate and give birth to their calves. They usually remain in the area until around early November. For the 2026 season, swimming with whales is permitted from July 20 until November 20, between 7:30 AM and 5:30 PM. August and September are generally considered some of the best months to visit, as you'll have a great chance of finding whales during this period. If you're joining an early-morning tour, keep in mind that you aren't allowed to enter the water before 7:30 AM. If your guides spot whales earlier, you'll have to wait on the boat until you're officially allowed to enter the water. Where can you swim with whales in French Polynesia? Several whale tours depart from Moorea and Tahiti every day during whale season. In Moorea, many excursions depart from Tiahura. There's a small harbour here where several tour operators keep their boats, although some companies depart from other locations around the island. With most tours, you'll need to arrange your own transportation to the harbour, although some operators offer a pick-up and drop-off service for an additional fee. We were staying nearby, so we could simply walk to the harbour. Whale excursions also depart from Tahiti. Since Tahiti is located close to Moorea, some tours travel towards the waters around Moorea to search for whales. As a result, tours departing from Tahiti can sometimes be more expensive. You can also join a whale tour from Bora Bora. However, Moorea is one of the most popular places for whale encounters and generally offers excellent opportunities during the season. Another fantastic place to see humpback whales is the island of Rurutu. But, Rurutu is located around 500 kilometres from Tahiti and Moorea and approximately 666 kilometres from Bora Bora. Because of its remote location, the island is often skipped on a typical French Polynesia itinerary. Planning to go island hopping in French Polynesia? Read all our tips for island hopping here. What is a whale swimming tour in Moorea like? Most tour operators offer two or three excursions a day, usually one in the morning or around midday and another later in the day. Your chances of spotting whales aren't necessarily better in the morning than in the afternoon, so the time of day doesn't matter too much. Sometimes you're unlucky, while other days you can be incredibly lucky. Tours generally include snorkelling equipment, fins, a guide and drinks. Make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen, a towel and something to eat. We'd also recommend wearing or renting a wetsuit or bringing some warm clothes. Once you're wet and back on the boat, it can get surprisingly chilly. The excursion usually starts with a safety briefing. Your guides will explain the rules, what to look out for before entering the water and what to do if you encounter sharks. After all, you'll be swimming in the open ocean. The chances of encountering a dangerous shark are small, but it isn't impossible. After the briefing, you'll head out to sea and the guides will start searching for whales. They usually look for the plumes of water created when whales surface to breathe through their blowholes. Once whales have been located, the guides may lower a special hydrophone into the water. This allows you to hear the whales singing underwater, which is an incredible experience in itself. When conditions are suitable and the guides determine that it's safe and permitted to enter the water, it's time to swim. You'll often be able to see the whales deep below you first and then wait for them to come to the surface to breathe. Depending on the whale and its behaviour, this may happen roughly every twenty minutes. Depending on how long it took to find the whales, you'll either return to the harbour afterwards or continue searching for another group. We booked our whale swimming tour with Moorea Expedition and had a great experience with them. Moorea Moana Tours is another well-known operator offering whale excursions in Moorea. How much does swimming with whales in Moorea cost? Swimming with whales in Moorea, or on one of the other islands in French Polynesia, isn't cheap. The French Polynesian government has tightened regulations surrounding whale encounters, limiting the number of people who can participate. As a result, prices have increased as well. For the 2026 whale season, expect to pay around €250 to €280 per person for a half-day tour. Do you need to be a strong swimmer? Don't underestimate the swimming involved during a whale tour in Moorea. The boat won't simply drop you right next to a whale. Depending on the situation and the regulations, you may have to swim around 100 to 150 metres before reaching a suitable viewing position. You'll also be swimming in the open ocean, so you need to be a reasonably confident swimmer to keep up with both your group and the whales. Life jackets may be required, and you shouldn't simply jump from the boat into the water. Sudden movements and noise can disturb the whales and may also attract unwanted attention from other marine life. Instead, follow your guide's instructions, enter the water calmly and try to keep your fins underneath the surface while swimming to minimise noise. Always stay close to your guide, especially if you encounter other marine animals such as sharks. Do you need to book a whale tour in advance? The short answer: yes! Because protecting the whales is a priority in Moorea and the rest of French Polynesia, mass tourism around the animals isn't allowed. For the 2026 season, the number of boats and swimmers allowed around a whale is limited. According to the regulations applicable to tours during this season, a maximum of three boats can be present around the same whale, each boat can carry a maximum of six participants, and no more than seven people can be in the water at the same time. And although there's a good chance of encountering humpback whales during the season, remember that they're still wild animals. No tour operator can guarantee that you'll see whales or actually get the opportunity to swim with them. Want to increase your chances? Consider booking more than one whale tour on different days during your stay in Moorea. Planning your dream trip to French Polynesia? Read our complete French Polynesia travel guide with everything you need to know.

Bora Bora consists of a main island surrounded by a ring of smaller islets, known as motus. Most of the large luxury resorts are located on these motus, while you'll find plenty of other hotels on Bora Bora's main island. Since travelling between the resorts and the main island isn't always that easy, it's a good idea to decide where you want to stay before booking your trip. Both options offer a completely different Bora Bora experience, and we decided to try both! Are you planning a trip to French Polynesia? Read our complete guide here! Staying on Bora Bora's main island Bora Bora's main island isn't particularly large. This is where most of the locals live, and besides luxury hotels, you'll also find smaller boutique hotels and homestays here. One of the biggest advantages of staying on the main island is the price. A night at one of Bora Bora's luxury resorts can easily cost between €1,500 and €3,500, while you can find hotels on the main island for around €100 per night. Quite a difference! We spent several nights at Villa Yrondi on Bora Bora's main island, where we had a beautiful view of the island's famous mountain, Mount Otemanu. Staying here also gave us the freedom to explore Bora Bora by ourselves for a few days. We rented bicycles and used them to cycle around the island. Another advantage of staying at a hotel on the main island is that you're not limited to the restaurants at your hotel. You can decide where you want to eat, and there are plenty of good restaurants where you don't have to pay a fortune for a meal. It's also easier to book excursions from the main island. There's more choice, and prices tend to be much more affordable. We had heard that the marine life around Bora Bora was incredible, so we booked a boat trip and saw entire groups of dolphins, manta rays and stingrays. This particular excursion wasn't offered at our resort, so we were really happy that we had decided to spend a few days on the main island first. Want to know what else you can do in Bora Bora? Read our guide to the best places and activities in Bora Bora! Staying at a Bora Bora resort After spending a few days on the main island, we moved to one of Bora Bora's luxury resorts. We stayed for several nights at the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa. At the time, there was also an InterContinental resort on Bora Bora's main island, which made our transfer really easy. Luckily, we didn't have to take the ferry back to the airport. Instead, we simply made our way to the InterContinental on the main island, where the hotel's transfer service picked us up and took us directly to the resort. And the resort was amazing! Exactly what you'd imagine when thinking of a luxury resort in Bora Bora: incredible views, beautiful overwater villas and a gorgeous white-sand beach. Snorkelling equipment and kayaks were available to use for free, and breakfast was included in our stay. The resort had two restaurants, one of which offered a buffet. Besides room service, these were your two options for lunch and dinner. Prices were considerably higher than at restaurants on the main island, which is definitely something to keep in mind when calculating your Bora Bora budget. You can also book excursions directly through the resort, although these were at least twice as expensive as similar excursions from the main island. However, the resort also offered several free activities, such as making a traditional flower crown or learning how to open a coconut. This means you really don't have to leave the resort to keep yourself entertained. There are also plenty of beautiful spots along the beach, a coral garden and lots of places where you can go snorkelling straight from the resort. Bora Bora resort or main island: which should you choose? So, should you stay at a Bora Bora resort or on the main island? In our opinion, combining both might actually be the best option. Start your trip with a few nights on Bora Bora's main island. This gives you the freedom to explore the island, eat at different restaurants and book some of the more affordable excursions. Afterwards, move to one of Bora Bora's luxury resorts, where you can slow down and fully enjoy everything that makes this destination so special: the overwater villas, turquoise lagoon, white beaches and incredible views. For us, combining the main island with a luxury resort gave us the best of both worlds.

The Seychelles consists of 115 islands, making it the perfect destination for an island-hopping trip! The three largest and best-known islands are Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. All three have beautiful white beaches and lush green jungles. They are easy to reach and not particularly large, which makes them perfect to combine during one trip. Travelling between the islands Mahé is easy to reach, as the island has an international airport. You can fly to Mahé from Europe, sometimes directly, but the Seychelles is also often combined with a trip to mainland Africa, such as South Africa or Zimbabwe. There are two main ways to travel between the islands: by ferry or in a very small plane. We tried both options, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. The distance between Mahé and Praslin or La Digue is the longest. On the outward journey, we took the plane from Mahé to Praslin. The advantage is that the flight only takes around 15 to 20 minutes. The disadvantages are that it is relatively expensive, the aircraft is very small and delays can occur because of the weather. We had to wait an additional two hours because of strong winds. For the return journey, we took the ferry from La Digue back to Mahé. The journey took around two hours and was considerably cheaper. However, you do need a strong stomach! Because you travel across a large stretch of open sea, conditions can be rough, especially when it is windy. The journey is made by high-speed catamaran, which may be uncomfortable for people who are not used to travelling at sea. Almost everyone around us became seasick, and we were all given several sick bags. If you are prone to seasickness, this may not be the best way for you to travel. Current journey times vary by sailing. Most ferries from La Digue to Mahé travel via Praslin and take approximately one hour and 45 minutes. You can comfortably take the ferry between Praslin and La Digue. This crossing only takes around 15 minutes and is usually calmer because the islands are much closer together. How many days do you need in the Seychelles? If you want to visit all three islands, we recommend spending at least one week in the Seychelles. You will also lose some time travelling between the islands. One and a half to two weeks is even better, especially if you are planning to spend a few days relaxing and taking things a little slower. Of course, you can also choose to skip Mahé and divide your time between Praslin and La Digue. The best Seychelles island-hopping itinerary for one or two weeks Mahé: 1–3 days Mahé is the largest island in the Seychelles and has the country’s international airport, making it the usual starting point for an island-hopping trip. Mahé is relatively easy to reach from Europe, but the Seychelles can also be combined with other African destinations. Direct flights are available from Johannesburg at certain times, although routes and schedules can change. Once you arrive on Mahé, you can choose to travel directly to one of the other islands or spend a few days exploring Mahé first. Public buses operate around much of Mahé, but renting a car is more convenient if you want to explore the island independently and visit several beaches and viewpoints in one day. Taxis can also be quite expensive. There is plenty to do on Mahé. You can go hiking, take a road trip past beautiful viewpoints or simply relax on the beach. Some of our favourite things to do include: Hike to Anse Major Visit Morne Seychellois National Park Relax on Petit Anse Go snorkelling or join a snorkelling tour Praslin: 3–5 days Praslin is a smaller island, around a quarter of the size of Mahé. Although it is considerably smaller, we still recommend renting a car if you want to explore the island easily. Public buses are available, but having a car gives you more freedom and saves you from relying on relatively expensive taxis. Praslin is also a mountainous island, making a car particularly useful. In theory, it may be possible to hire a scooter from certain providers, but it is generally not the most comfortable or safest option. The Seychelles consists of tropical islands, so sudden rain showers are common. The roads can become slippery, and Praslin has several steep, winding roads running through the jungle. Praslin is a wonderful island to explore. Here, you will find beautiful beaches surrounded by the Seychelles’ famous granite rock formations, including Anse Lazio and Côte d’Or. Both are lovely places for swimming and snorkelling. Praslin is also home to the famous coco de mer palm. Make sure you visit Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve to see its enormous and unusually shaped seeds. Praslin can be reached from Mahé by a ferry of around one hour or a domestic flight of approximately 15 minutes. For more information about the best things to do in Praslin, click here! La digue: 3–5 days La Digue is the smallest of the three islands and perhaps also the most unusual, as the number of motorised vehicles is very limited. There is therefore no need to rent a car. The best way to explore La Digue is by bicycle. Be careful while cycling, as you may occasionally encounter animals on or beside the road. Giant tortoises can be seen in several places on the island, particularly around attractions such as L’Union Estate. Because La Digue is so small, you can easily plan a cycling trip around much of the island and discover its most beautiful places. You can cycle along the coast or through L’Union Estate, where you can see more giant tortoises. La Digue is also home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the Seychelles—and perhaps even in the world: Anse Source d’Argent. Read my blog about the five best things to do on La Digue too!

La Digue is the smallest of the three best-known islands in the Seychelles. It has very little motorised traffic, making it a wonderful place to cycle around and discover all the beautiful parts of the island. Planning a trip to the Seychelles? Read more here! Below, you will find an overview of the best things to do on La Digue! How many days do you need on La Digue? La Digue is a small island, and you can cycle around a large part of it in around two hours. You therefore do not need several weeks to explore the island. However, La Digue is home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, where you will probably want to spend at least a few hours... For that reason, three to five days is enough time to see all the beautiful places on La Digue while also enjoying the incredible beaches. How do you get to La Digue? La Digue is easy to reach by ferry from Praslin or Mahé. The ferry from Praslin takes around 15 minutes. The journey from Mahé takes longer and usually includes a short stop or transfer on Praslin. Depending on the sailing, the total journey generally takes around one hour and 45 minutes to two hours. You can find the exact ferry schedules and book your tickets through this link. Want to know more about island-hopping in the Seychelles? Read more here! Renting bicycles on La Digue Although the island is not very large, we strongly recommend renting bicycles. They are the easiest way to reach the island’s beautiful beaches and attractions. La Digue is known for its limited motorised traffic, and bicycles are the main form of transport for both locals and visitors. A small number of taxis, electric buggies and authorised vehicles operate on the island, but most visitors explore La Digue by bicycle. You can usually rent bicycles through your accommodation. Sometimes bicycle rental is included in the price, while other accommodations offer it as an additional service. Below, you will find an overview of the best things to do—with a bicycle 😉—on La Digue! What to do on La Digue? Visit one of the most beautiful beaches in the world: Anse Source d’Argent Anse Source d’Argent may be one of the main reasons you want to travel to the Seychelles. This beach has regularly been described as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world—and not without reason! Expect soft white sand, blue water and the famous granite rock formations for which the Seychelles is so well known. You absolutely cannot miss this place when visiting La Digue. There are several small stalls and restaurants near the beach where you can buy snacks and refreshing drinks. Although most beaches in the Seychelles are free to visit, Anse Source d’Argent is accessed through L’Union Estate. You therefore need to purchase an entrance ticket, which is valid for the entire day.The entrance fee gives you access not only to the beach but also to the rest of L’Union Estate. Rent a Kayak You get some of the most beautiful views of the beaches of the Seychelles from the water. It is therefore great fun to rent a kayak and paddle between the enormous granite rocks. You can rent kayaks in several places, but Anse Source d’Argent is one of the best locations to do so. Crystal Water Kayaks operates here and offers guided tours in transparent kayaks, allowing you to look into the clear water beneath you. Prices and tour options can change, so check the latest availability directly with the operator before your visit. See the giant tortoises Giant tortoises can be found in several places on La Digue. You may suddenly need to cycle around one relaxing beside the road. We even saw one wander into a restaurant! If you spend a few days on La Digue, there is a good chance that you will come across them somewhere on the island. When you specifically want to see the tortoises, you can visit L’Union Estate, where a group of giant tortoises lives in a designated area. Relax on Anse Patates Anse Patates is a small beach that is easy to cycle past. As a result, it can sometimes be quieter than the island’s more famous beaches, making it a lovely place to relax and swim. We even had the entire beach to ourselves. Several giant tortoises visited us, and there was a small fruit stall where we could buy fresh fruit and delicious smoothies. Like many beaches in the Seychelles, Anse Patates has beautiful granite rock formations along both sides. You can climb between the rocks or use them as a beautiful background for photographs. Cycle or walk through L’Union Estate As mentioned earlier, the famous Anse Source d’Argent is accessed through L’Union Estate. You need to purchase a day ticket to enter the estate. At the time of writing, admission for international visitors costs SCR 150 per person. Always check the current price before your visit, as fees can change. However, L’Union Estate offers much more than access to one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. A large group of giant tortoises lives inside the estate, and there are several lovely paths that you can explore on foot or by bicycle. You will also find a traditional coconut plantation, vanilla plants, historic buildings and a small café where you can stop for a drink. It is therefore worth taking some time to explore the estate instead of cycling directly to Anse Source d’Argent.

Praslin is one of the most beautiful islands in the Seychelles and is particularly well known for its white-sand beaches, turquoise sea and impressive natural scenery. The island is quieter than Mahé but has enough beautiful places to keep you entertained for several days. From the famous Anse Lazio to the tropical Vallée de Mai, Praslin is, in my opinion, the perfect destination to include when island hopping in the Seychelles. In this article, I share the best things to do in Praslin, along with useful tips for your visit. Praslin is easy to combine with Mahé and La Digue during a trip around the Seychelles. Take a look at our complete Seychelles island-hopping itinerary here. How many days do you need in Praslin? Praslin is the perfect place to spend around four to five days. This gives you enough time to visit all the beautiful beaches and actually spend some time sunbathing on them too! How do you get to Praslin? There are two ways to reach Praslin. You can take the ferry from La Digue, which takes around 15 minutes, or travel by ferry from Mahé. The journey from Mahé to Praslin generally takes around 75 minutes. More information about current ferry schedules and prices can be found here. From Mahé, you can also choose to fly to Praslin. The flight may be slightly more expensive than the ferry, but it saves you a considerable amount of time. The journey only takes around 15 minutes, and you get some beautiful views of the islands along the way. Renting a car in Praslin Praslin is not a large island, but renting a car is still recommended if you want to explore it easily. Because the island is mountainous and much of it is covered in jungle, a car is one of the most convenient ways to get around. Several rental companies operate on Praslin and can arrange for you to collect your car at the airport or ferry terminal. Make sure you reserve your car at least a few weeks in advance, particularly during busy travel periods. This gives you a better chance of finding an available vehicle. It may also be possible to rent a scooter, but the island has steep, winding roads that can become slippery after tropical rain showers. A car is therefore generally the more comfortable option. What to do in Praslin Relax on Anse Lazio Anse Lazio is one of the largest beaches in the Seychelles and can be found on the north-western coast of Praslin. Not only is it a large beach, but it is also considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Expect soft white sand, green palm trees, warm turquoise water and the impressive granite rock formations for which the beaches of the Seychelles are so well known. It is the perfect place to sunbathe, swim and relax. You can reach Anse Lazio by car, and there are several small bars and lovely restaurants nearby. Hike from Anse Lazio to Petite Anse Lazio Next to Anse Lazio, you will find a much smaller beach called Petite Anse Lazio, which is hardly a surprising name! You cannot reach this beach directly by car, but you can follow a short hiking trail from Anse Lazio. We thought this was the most beautiful beach in the Seychelles. It has the same white sand, green palm trees, blue sea and impressive rock formations as Anse Lazio, but it feels much smaller and more intimate, with far fewer visitors. The path begins at the beach and continues through the jungle towards Petite Anse Lazio. The walk takes around 10 to 15 minutes. You will need to scramble over some rocks along the way, so wear proper shoes and avoid carrying too much luggage. My stubborn husband completed the hike in flip-flops because, according to him, we were going to a beach and there would be sand. Proper shoes are still the better option! Visit Zimbabwe Viewpoint When you are near Anse Lazio, you can also visit Zimbabwe Viewpoint. This viewpoint is located in one of the highest parts of Praslin. From here, you have a beautiful view across the island and sea, including nearby Curieuse Island. One of the advantages of this viewpoint is that no hiking is required. You can simply drive there by car. This stop will probably not take more than a few minutes, but it is definitely worth including while exploring Praslin. Go Snorkelling There are many different boat and snorkelling tours available from Praslin. One of the most enjoyable options is a full-day tour that includes a visit to nearby Curieuse Island. Here, you can meet the island’s giant tortoises and walk through its mangrove forest. Afterwards, many tours continue to the small island of St Pierre, where you can go snorkelling in the warm water. The waters around Praslin, Curieuse and St Pierre are home to coral formations and many colourful fish, making this a popular area for snorkelling. We booked our tour through GetYourGuide. Lunch on Curieuse Island was also included, and we had a wonderful day. Visit Vallée de Mai In the heart of Praslin, you will find Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve. This beautiful jungle covers an area of just 19.5 hectares and is one of the Seychelles’ UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The ancient palm forest has remained largely unchanged since prehistoric times. Besides being a beautiful natural area, where you may spot birds, tree frogs and geckos, Vallée de Mai is particularly famous for the coco de mer. This unusual palm occurs naturally only on the islands of Praslin and Curieuse. Its famous fruit contains the largest seed in the plant kingdom. The fruit takes several years to mature and can become incredibly heavy. Because the coco de mer can only be seen growing naturally on Praslin and Curieuse, you should definitely not miss a visit to Vallée de Mai during your stay on Praslin.

The Seychelles is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, located east of the African mainland. The island group consists of more than 115 islands, over two-thirds of which are uninhabited. The Seychelles is known as a tropical paradise, with beautiful beaches, blue water and unique granite rock formations. It is an amazing destination for ending a journey through Africa or enjoying an unforgettable honeymoon. How do you get to the Seychelles? The Seychelles is easiest to reach by plane. Several flights depart from Europe for the main island of Mahé, although you will often need to make a connection. The Seychelles is also easy to combine with another country in Africa, such as South Africa. A direct flight from Johannesburg to Mahé takes approximately five hours, although routes and schedules can change. Do you need a visa for the Seychelles? Dutch passport holders do not need a visa to visit the Seychelles. A visitor’s permit is issued on arrival, provided you have a valid passport, confirmed accommodation, a return or onward ticket and sufficient funds for your stay. Your passport must remain valid for the duration of your visit. You do, however, need to apply for a Travel Authorisation before travelling to the Seychelles. This must be completed through the official Seychelles Electronic Border System. You can submit the application from 30 days before your arrival date. It is a good idea not to leave the application until the final moment, especially if you still need to collect accommodation confirmations and flight details. What is the best time to visit the Seychelles? The Seychelles can be visited throughout the year, but April, May, October and November are often considered particularly pleasant months. The islands are influenced by two seasonal trade-wind periods, and these months fall around the calmer transition periods. The weather is generally warm throughout the year, although rainfall, wind and sea conditions can vary between islands and seasons. The best period for your trip therefore also depends on whether you mainly want to relax on the beach, go snorkelling, dive or travel between several islands. Where should you stay in the Seychelles? Because the Seychelles consists of many islands, it is the perfect destination for island hopping. The three islands most commonly combined are Mahé, where the international airport is located, Praslin and La Digue. All three are beautiful islands with plenty to see and do. Of course, you can also add one or more smaller islands to your itinerary. On Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, you will find beautiful luxury resorts, but there are also smaller hotels, guesthouses and self-catering apartments available. More information about island hopping in the Seychelles can be found here! How many days do you need in the Seychelles? How many days you need mainly depends on how many islands you would like to visit. In general, we recommend allowing around three to four days per island if you want to explore beyond your hotel and beaches. The Seychelles is also a wonderful destination for a relaxing beach holiday. If you are mainly looking for a beautiful resort with a lovely swimming pool, you can easily spend longer on one island. Mahé and Praslin are both relatively large, meaning there is more to see and do. La Digue is much smaller, and two to three full days will generally give you enough time to explore its main beaches and attractions. Most travellers spend around one to two weeks in the Seychelles. Travelling between the islands in the Seychelles From Mahé, you can travel to Praslin and La Digue by ferry. The journey from Mahé to Praslin takes around 75 minutes. From Praslin, the ferry to La Digue takes approximately 15 minutes. Direct journeys from Mahé to La Digue usually include a short stop at Praslin. Several departures operate on many days, but the exact timetable changes throughout the year. Because the Seychelles is a popular destination, we recommend booking your ferry tickets in advance. Popular departures can sell out, particularly during busy travel periods. You can find more information about the current ferry schedules, prices and routes here. It is also possible to fly from Mahé to Praslin in a small aircraft. This is usually more expensive than travelling by ferry, but the flight is much quicker and generally takes only around 15 to 20 minutes. Getting around the islands Mahé and Praslin are larger islands, and we strongly recommend renting a car if you want to explore them independently. Taxis can be expensive, so having your own car may save you a considerable amount of money. We recommend reserving your rental car in advance, particularly during popular travel periods when availability may become limited. It is useful to know that people drive on the left-hand side of the road in the Seychelles. A valid foreign driving licence is generally accepted for visitors, but rental-company rules can differ. Check the conditions of your chosen rental company before travelling, particularly if your licence is not written in English or French. La Digue is largely car-free for tourists. We recommend renting a bicycle, for example through your accommodation, to travel around the island. La Digue is small enough to explore by bicycle but just a little too large to see everything comfortably on foot. Are the Seychelles expensive? In general, the Seychelles is an expensive destination. One reason is that many products need to be imported, which can make food, drinks and other everyday items considerably more expensive. Of course, you still have some control over your total travel costs. There are plenty of large, luxurious and therefore expensive resorts, but you can also choose a smaller boutique hotel, guesthouse or self-catering apartment. Large hotel restaurants are often more expensive, but you can also find delicious meals at local restaurants, takeaway shops and small supermarkets. Choosing accommodation with a kitchen can also help you save money, especially when staying on the islands for more than a few days.

The Madeira archipelago consists of eight islands, two of which are inhabited. However, most visitors only explore one of them: the main island of Madeira. This island lies in the Atlantic Ocean, to the west of Morocco, and is also known as the Flower Island or the Island of Eternal Spring. Temperatures remain mild and pleasant throughout the year, making Madeira a great destination in every season. During spring and summer, you will find countless flowers across the island. However, even in February, when we visited, there were still plenty of flowers to see, mainly thanks to the mild temperatures. Madeira is not a particularly large island, but there is plenty to do. Below, you will find our favourite things to do in Madeira. Walk Along Madeira’s Levadas or Hike Pico do Areeiro Madeira is famous for its many beautiful hiking trails. The island’s official walking routes are marked as PR trails. On the Visit Madeira website, you can find information about all these hikes, including their difficulty, length and current accessibility. Always check the latest conditions before setting off. Some trails may be closed during winter or temporarily inaccessible because of maintenance work, landslides or weather conditions. Important: Since 2026, you need to make a reservation and purchase a ticket before hiking an official PR trail. The general admission fee is €4.50 per person for non-residents over the age of twelve. This allows Madeira to manage visitor numbers, protect the natural environment and prevent the most popular trails from becoming too crowded. One of the best-known hikes is PR1, which starts at Pico do Areeiro and normally connects several of Madeira’s highest peaks. However, sections of this route can be closed or restricted, so always check the official trail status when planning your hike. Visit the misty Fanal Forest Fanal Forest is located in the north-west of Madeira. To reach it, you need to drive quite a long way uphill. We therefore recommend renting an automatic car or choosing one with a slightly more powerful engine. Our manual Peugeot 208 struggled quite a bit on some of Madeira’s extremely steep roads. Fanal lies high in the mountains, between Seixal and Ribeira da Janela. Clouds and mist regularly drift through the ancient laurel forest, creating an almost magical atmosphere. During the morning, there is often low-hanging mist between the trees, which creates wonderfully mysterious photographs. However, the mist is never guaranteed. On a clear day, Fanal is still a beautiful place to visit, with green fields, ancient trees and peaceful walking routes. Want to know more about this magical forest? Read more here! Go whale and dolphin watching in Madeira Dolphins can be spotted around Madeira throughout the year. Depending on the season, you may also see several species of whales. Madeira is therefore the perfect place to book a dolphin- and whale-watching tour. The waters around the island are home to or visited by many different cetacean species. Several boats leave the harbour every morning and afternoon in search of dolphins and, hopefully, whales. Animal welfare is taken seriously, and licensed operators must follow regulations governing how boats approach and remain near the animals. This is important, as sightings take place in the wild and the animals should never be chased or surrounded. We booked our tour with Magic Dolphin through GetYourGuide and can definitely recommend it! Of course, no tour can guarantee a whale or dolphin sighting, but simply sailing along Madeira’s beautiful coastline is already a wonderful experience. Take a road trip along Madeira’s coast Besides its hiking trails, Madeira has plenty of beautiful viewpoints that require little or no walking. Because you do not need to spend a long time at each location, you can plan an amazing road trip connecting several of these viewpoints. Driving around Madeira is one of the best ways to see how varied the island is. Within a single day, you can travel past steep cliffs, green mountains, small villages, waterfalls and dramatic coastal scenery. Bear in mind that many roads are steep, narrow and winding. Take your time, drive carefully and do not blindly follow your navigation system down tiny local roads. Want to discover our five favourite viewpoints in Madeira? Read more here! Taste traditional Madeira wine You will find several wineries and wine producers in Funchal and other parts of Madeira. Of course, you can also try regular table wines made on the island, but one of the most enjoyable activities in Funchal is booking a traditional Madeira wine tasting. Blandy’s Wine Lodge in Funchal is a lovely place to visit. You can book a guided tour and taste several Madeira wines in the tasting room. The historic wine lodge still stores hundreds of barrels and vats in which its wines are aged. Madeira wine tastes somewhat similar to port, although its character depends greatly on the grape variety, ageing process and sweetness level. You can usually choose between younger and older wines, such as three-, five- or ten-year-old varieties. Madeira wine is also available in several styles, ranging from dry and medium-dry to medium-rich and sweet. A tasting is a fun way to learn more about one of Madeira’s best-known products and, of course, to decide which variety you like best.

Fanal Forest, located in the north-west of Madeira, is one of the most magical places to visit on the island. You may already have seen the atmospheric photographs on Instagram, showing the unusual trees surrounded by a thick layer of mist. Fanal Forest is part of Madeira’s ancient Laurissilva forest and is a beautiful place to visit—with or without the mist! Want to discover more beautiful places in Madeira? Read more here! How do you get to Fanal Forest? Fanal Forest is located in the north-west of Madeira and is easiest to reach by car. We therefore recommend renting a car for your trip around Madeira, or at least for this day trip. You could also take a taxi, but this will usually be considerably more expensive. The drive from Funchal takes around one hour. During part of the journey, you need to climb quite steeply into the mountains. We rented a manual Peugeot 208 for our trip around Madeira, but eventually concluded that an automatic car or a vehicle with a little more power would have been more comfortable for the drive to Fanal. Our car struggled quite a bit on the steep roads, and we had to complete much of the climb in first gear. Once you arrive at Fanal Forest, there are several places where you can park your car. Along the road towards the forest, you will also find smaller parking areas where you can leave your car and follow a walking trail into Fanal. However, this is not necessary if you mainly want to visit the famous trees. The main parking area is located right next to the forest. Within two minutes, you can be standing among the beautiful trees—and, with a little luck, surrounded by mist. There are basic visitor and leisure facilities in the Fanal area, but no large selection of cafés or restaurants nearby. It is therefore useful to bring water and something to eat. Fanal is also the finishing point of the official PR13 Vereda do Fanal hiking trail. Best time to visit Fanal Forest Mist is common at Fanal, particularly when low clouds move across the high plateau. However, it is not guaranteed, and the conditions can change very quickly. We arrived at around 10:00 in the morning. During our drive towards the forest, the sky was bright blue and there was not a single cloud in sight. We therefore assumed there would be no mist at Fanal, but we could not have been more wrong. Fanal lies in a high, bowl-shaped area in Madeira’s mountains. Clouds moving across the plateau can settle between the trees, creating the low mist for which the forest is so well known. This means the surrounding plateau can be completely clear while the forest itself is still covered in clouds. In the end, we found Fanal Forest without the mist just as beautiful as it was with the mist. However, the fog does add the mysterious and magical atmosphere for which Fanal is famous. Tips for visiting Fanal Forest Bear in mind that when the forest is misty, you are essentially walking through low clouds. The air can therefore be very damp. If you are carrying an expensive camera, make sure it is properly protected against moisture. Your camera is not the only thing that may get wet, you might too. Dress for damp and quickly changing mountain weather, even when it is sunny elsewhere on the island. The ground can also become muddy because of the moisture, so wear sturdy shoes that you do not mind getting dirty. Later in the day, as conditions change, some of the clouds may disappear and you may be able to visit the forest without mist. This is certainly no less beautiful than seeing Fanal covered in fog. Even when there is mist, the clouds may suddenly clear for a few minutes before drifting back between the trees. The atmosphere can therefore look completely different from one moment to the next. Fanal is officially classified as a Rest and Quiet Reserve within Madeira Natural Park, so take your time, respect the landscape and avoid disturbing the peaceful surroundings. Would you also like to visit other beautiful viewpoints during your trip around Madeira? Read more about our five favourites here!

Madeira is an incredible island with a beautiful view around almost every corner. Although Madeira is known for its long and scenic hikes, there are also plenty of viewpoints that require little or no walking. A road trip connecting these places is the perfect way to see more of the island without spending hours hiking. Want to know more about Madeira? Read more here! Below, you will find the most beautiful viewpoints in Madeira that require hardly any walking! Ponta do Bode: The first viewpoint to visit in Madeira Ponta do Bode is a great place to start your trip around Madeira. It is only around a ten-minute drive from the airport, and you are immediately treated to an incredible view of Madeira’s north-eastern coastline. It is an easy first stop after collecting your rental car and gives you a wonderful introduction to the island’s dramatic scenery. Miradouro do Guindaste: Madeira’s glass viewpoint Miradouro do Guindaste is located on the northern side of Madeira, close to the village of Faial. When we visited, the glass viewing platforms were closed for construction. However, even without walking onto the glass platforms, we still had an incredible view of the tall cliffs and the Atlantic Ocean. The viewpoint is easy to reach and requires very little walking from the parking area. Rocha do Navio: The most beautiful view in Madeira Rocha do Navio is easy to combine with Miradouro do Guindaste and a visit to the town of Santana. Santana is famous for its iconic triangular houses, known as Casas de Colmo. It is also a lovely place to stop for lunch or taste some local wine. We thought Rocha do Navio was one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Madeira. Once again, you have an incredible view of the cliffs and the sea, but you can also see a waterfall in the distance. You can travel down by cable car or hike down using the steps. However, the view from the top is already just as impressive. Miradouro da Ribeira da Janela Miradouro da Ribeira da Janela is a really fun place to visit. From the parking area, you first walk through a short tunnel before reaching a viewpoint overlooking the dramatic rock formations standing farther out at sea. After walking through the rocks, you can follow the path downhill towards the beach. The beach mainly consists of stones rather than sand, but from here you get an even better view of the rock formations in the ocean. Seixal Beach: The most beautiful beach in Madeira Seixal Beach is not technically a viewpoint, but it is a beautiful beach where you could easily spend several hours. However, we found it slightly too busy in the afternoon to relax comfortably. We therefore stopped nearby instead and enjoyed the impressive view of the black-sand beach, surrounded by Madeira’s steep and green mountains.

When we discovered that it was possible to take a day trip to Botswana from Victoria Falls—and that arranging it was actually quite easy—we immediately started making plans. Chobe National Park is famous for its enormous elephant population and for having one of the highest concentrations of elephants in Africa. Large herds can often be found along the Chobe River, particularly during the dry season. Chobe National Park is also a fantastic destination for boat safaris and is home to hundreds of different bird species. Want to know more about everything there is to do in Victoria Falls Town? Read more here. Do you need a visa for Botswana? Dutch tourists generally do not need a visa for a short holiday in Botswana. However, because you do need permission to enter Zimbabwe, it can be useful to consider the KAZA UniVisa when combining Victoria Falls with Zambia and Botswana. The KAZA UniVisa allows eligible travellers to cross between Zimbabwe and Zambia multiple times during a period of up to 30 days. It also covers day trips to Botswana through the Kazungula border, provided you return to Zimbabwe or Zambia on the same day. This makes it particularly convenient for a Chobe National Park day trip. If you plan to continue travelling through Botswana rather than returning on the same day, you should check the standard entry requirements for your nationality separately. At the time of writing, the KAZA UniVisa costs US$50 per person. It is available at selected airports and border crossings, including Victoria Falls Airport, Harare International Airport and the Kazungula and Victoria Falls border posts. Availability and visa rules can change, so always check the latest official information before travelling. How do you get from Victoria Falls to Chobe National Park? In theory, you can drive to Botswana independently. However, taking an organised tour is much easier and often more convenient. We booked this tour through GetYourGuide, and it was the perfect day trip! We were collected in the morning in a minibus with six other people and drove for around an hour to the Kazungula border. There is one long, mostly straight road between Victoria Falls Town and the border, so we did not encounter much traffic along the way. We did, however, see elephants and giraffes roaming freely beside the road. Our safari had therefore already started first thing in the morning! Crossing the Border from Zimbabwe into Botswana Kazungula is a fascinating border region where Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia come extremely close to one another. The border crossing itself can feel slightly chaotic. Several minibuses carrying tourists arrive from Victoria Falls, while other groups travel from Livingstone in Zambia. It is therefore normal to wait in line for passport control. You first complete the exit formalities on the Zimbabwean side. Afterwards, you continue towards the Botswana border post, where your passport is checked again before you enter Botswana. The entire process can take up to an hour, depending on how busy the border is. Fortunately, toilets are available. Families travelling with children should check Botswana’s current documentation requirements before departure. Additional documents, such as a birth certificate or parental consent letter, may be requested depending on the child’s circumstances and who they are travelling with. After passing through the final checkpoint, we met our new guide. We joined a slightly larger group and were driven to a hotel in Botswana. This hotel was the starting point for both our boat safari and game drive. We also returned here between the two activities for a buffet lunch. Boat safari on the Chobe River After a cup of coffee, it was time to board the boat. Several boats were already waiting near the hotel, and we set off with a group of around 15 people. The boat sat low on the water, and we were seated towards the back, which gave us a perfect view of the wildlife. We cruised along the river and stopped several times near the marshy grasslands. This area was filled with hundreds of birds and buffaloes grazing beside the water. It did not take long before we spotted several hippos in the river, occasionally lifting their heads above the surface. We also saw many crocodiles sunbathing along the grassy banks, including one absolutely enormous crocodile! The highlight was seeing a large herd of elephants crossing the water from the riverbank towards the marshes to find food. Crossing the river is not completely without danger because of the crocodiles, but once the elephants reach the marshland, the area is generally safer because there are fewer large predators there. After the boat safari, we returned to the hotel and had more than an hour for lunch. A delicious buffet had been prepared, with plenty of different dishes to choose from. Several drinks were also included. We had enough time to freshen up and use the toilets before starting the second part of our day. Game Drive in Chobe National Park We climbed into an open safari vehicle and drove towards the entrance of Chobe National Park for an afternoon game drive. The entrance was around 15 minutes away, and the drive gave us a brief glimpse of everyday life in Botswana. Once inside the park, we immediately noticed that the landscape was dry and dusty, with sandy tracks and low vegetation. It looked completely different from what we were used to seeing in Kruger National Park! We spent around two hours driving through the park. First, we followed the river for quite a while and saw several groups of elephants. At one point, we had an extremely close encounter with one of them. We also saw giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, birds, hippos and even a large monitor lizard. At the end of the safari, we were taken back to the hotel in Botswana for a short toilet break. We then travelled back to the border, completed the immigration formalities and continued towards our hotel in Victoria Falls. We arrived back at the beginning of the evening after a truly wonderful day. Combining a boat safari with a game drive made this Chobe National Park day trip especially varied. It gave us the chance to see the animals both from the water and from inside the national park. It was definitely one of our favourite activities during our stay in Victoria Falls!

It will probably not surprise you that the town next to the famous Victoria Falls is called Victoria Falls Town. But did you know that it is also a really enjoyable place to stay for a few days before continuing to your next destination? Most visitors only come to see the waterfall, but there is so much more to do from Victoria Falls Town! See Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwean side Of course, we will start with the main reason people travel to Victoria Falls Town: Victoria Falls itself! We have seen plenty of waterfalls during our travels, but this place is truly incredible. The entrance fee is a little expensive, but visiting the waterfall is definitely worth the money. You follow a walking route past several viewpoints, each offering an amazing view. Zimbabwe is generally a very dry country, but around the waterfall you walk through a beautiful rainforest created by the constant spray from Victoria Falls. Besides visiting the waterfall on foot, you can also take a helicopter flight over it. This is a very popular activity, and you will notice helicopters flying over Victoria Falls throughout the day. Tours are also advertised almost everywhere in town. Real daredevils can even experience the waterfall from the water by swimming close to its edge while being supervised by guides. This was a little too frightening for us, but it is certainly an incredible activity! More information about Victoria Falls, how to visit and what to do can be found here. Take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River The Zambezi River forms a natural border between Zambia and Zimbabwe and is, of course, best known for Victoria Falls. A cruise along this river is therefore almost impossible to skip when staying in Victoria Falls Town! There are several types of cruises available. You can choose between a dinner cruise or a sunset cruise with snacks and drinks. With both options, you are often collected from your hotel in town before the cruise and dropped off there again afterwards. Once on board, you can choose a comfortable place to sit. During a dinner cruise, you may be shown to your own table. The food is good, and many cruises include unlimited drinks. As you sail along the Zambezi River, you are treated to fantastic views. We saw plenty of hippos as well as elephants, and the sunset was absolutely incredible from the boat. Take a day trip to Chobe National Park in Botswana Victoria Falls is located close to the Zambian border, but drive for around an hour to the west and you will reach Botswana. Victoria Falls Town is therefore the perfect base for a day trip to Chobe National Park, where you can take both a game drive and a boat safari. Several tours are available from Victoria Falls, but we booked ours through GetYourGuide. We were collected early in the morning by minibus and driven to the Botswana border. Here, you need to wait for a while and pass through several passport-control points. Once inside Botswana, you transfer to a safari vehicle and are driven to a hotel nearby. Depending on the tour schedule, you may first take a game drive through Chobe National Park. After lunch at the hotel, you then board a quiet boat for a cruise along the Chobe River. Just like the Zambezi River between Zimbabwe and Zambia, the Chobe River forms a natural border, in this case between Botswana and Namibia. The river is filled with wildlife. We saw enormous crocodiles, large herds of elephants, giraffes, hippos and buffaloes. There are also countless species of birds to see. Want to know more about the complete Botswana day trip? Read more here. How many days do you need in Victoria Falls Town? Around three days is usually more than enough time in Victoria Falls Town. This gives you one day to visit the famous Victoria Falls, one day to take a trip to Botswana and some additional time for souvenir shopping, a river cruise and exploring the town. The best restaurants in Victoria Falls Town There are several beautiful places to have lunch or dinner in Victoria Falls Town. These were our favourites. The Lookout Café The Lookout Café is probably the best-known café in Victoria Falls Town and is extremely popular. Located along a path behind Victoria Falls, the café sits on a cliff with an incredible view across the Batoka Gorge and the Zambezi River. It is a beautiful place, and the food is also very good. Make sure you reserve a table in advance, as the café is often fully booked—especially the seats with the best views of the gorge. Baines Restaurant Baines Restaurant is just as beautiful as The Lookout Café, but slightly less well known. It is located farther away from the waterfall but also offers a wonderful view of the Zambezi River. It is a lovely place to sit in the sunshine with a glass of wine or beer, or to try a piece of malva pudding, a popular dessert in Southern Africa. The Three Monkeys The Three Monkeys was our regular dinner spot in town. It is conveniently located and has a trendy, covered dining area where you can enjoy a relaxed meal. The menu includes local dishes as well as delicious pizzas, burgers and good cuts of meat. The restaurant is still open seven days a week at the time of writing. MaKuwa-Kuwa restaurant If you are staying at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge or its more affordable sister property, Lokuthula Lodges, MaKuwa-Kuwa Restaurant is a lovely place for drinks or dinner. From the restaurant, you have a beautiful view of a waterhole where elephants and other animals may appear around sunset. Traditional singing or dance performances are also sometimes organised during dinner. How do you get to Victoria Falls Town? Victoria Falls Town has its own international airport, located around 20 minutes away by car. We flew there from Nelspruit in a small plane, but there are also regular regional flights from cities including Johannesburg and Harare. Direct flight schedules change, so it is best to check the current connections when planning your trip. When travelling from Europe, you will normally need at least one connection. Depending on your airline, you may travel via cities such as Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, Nairobi or Harare rather than always flying through Harare. Did you know that Victoria Falls is easy to combine with a safari in Kruger National Park in South Africa? More information about South Africa can be found here! What visa do you need for Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls? Dutch travellers need permission to enter Zimbabwe. Visa rules, application procedures and eligible nationalities can change, so always check the official Zimbabwe immigration website before travelling. Depending on your itinerary, you may be able to apply for a regular Zimbabwe visa or use the KAZA UniVisa. The KAZA UniVisa is particularly useful if you plan to travel between Zimbabwe and Zambia. It allows eligible travellers to visit both countries for up to 30 days and also permits a day trip to Botswana through the Kazungula border. This can be ideal when you want to cross into Zambia near Victoria Falls and take a day trip to Chobe National Park. The visa is only issued at selected airports and border crossings, and availability cannot always be guaranteed. Check the latest rules, eligible nationalities, prices and participating entry points before departure. Best time to visit Victoria Falls Victoria Falls Town and the waterfall can be visited throughout the year, but the experience changes significantly depending on the water level. From January onwards, the water level of the Zambezi River usually starts to rise because of rainfall farther upstream. Victoria Falls often reaches its highest flow between March and May. During this period, the waterfall is at its most powerful and impressive. However, this is not always the best time for clear views. The enormous amount of water creates a lot of spray, which can make parts of the waterfall difficult to see. A few months later, between approximately June and September, the waterfall is still beautiful but the water level gradually becomes lower. This often means less spray and better visibility across the gorge. The precise water level varies every year, but April and May are commonly associated with peak flow, while the second half of the year generally offers clearer views.

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. For more information about Victoria Falls Town, click here! 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!