So, you’re heading to Victoria Falls! Well, you’re in for a treat!
Victoria Falls – also known as Mosi-oa-Tunya (literally “The Smoke That Thunders”) — is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World for a reason. It is an absolute must-visit if you’re itching for wildlife encounters, cheeky sundowners, jaw-dropping views, and a little bit of adrenaline rush!
We’ve just wrapped up a five-day stay in this corner of Zimbabwe and Zambia, and I can confidently proclaim it as one of our most unforgettable trips to this day. In this article, we’ll take you to waterfalls that roar, wildlife that wow, languages that click, and activities that’ll have you wondering, ‘Wait, why did I sign up for this again?’ From the epic Victoria Falls National Park to the wild Zambezi River, we’re covering the best things to do, the hidden gems, and a few heart-pounding moments that you just can’t miss! (This list is not in any particular order.)
WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?
Victoria Falls Bridge
Straddling the Zambezi River below, the Victoria Falls Bridge links Zambia and Zimbabwe. It was the first thing that greeted us when we visited Zimbabwe. You see, we entered the region via Livingstone Airport on the Zambian side, so we had to cross this bridge to get to the Victoria Falls town. Save for the view, the bridge itself looked unassuming, somewhat underwhelming when we were crossing it. But when seen from afar, its beauty becomes more obvious as much of its captivating features are underneath.
Completed in 1905, it hangs at 128 meters above the Second Gorge of the mighty Victoria Falls. My first thought was, “At this height, it’s a great spot for bungy jumping.” Obviously, I wasn’t the first person to have that thought because it is actually a bungy jumping spot. Just imagine standing on the edge with the thundering rapids below you and thinking, “Well, this is a life choice.” And then, off you go, free-falling toward the Zambezi River in the most adrenaline-pumping seconds of your life.
If you’re not into extreme sports, crossing the bridge on foot is still a great experience. You can casually stroll from Zimbabwe to Zambia (because why not), snap some selfies with the border signs, and feel very international. Just don’t forget your passport if you want to cross over! And visa, too.
RELATED POSTS: How to Get Zimbabwe eVisa, How to Get Zambia eVisa
Victoria Falls National Park
Of course, the one place most tourists come here for — Victoria Falls National Park. This is where you should go to get up close and personal with the largest liquid curtain on Earth. It’s easy to feel awestruck and insignificant in its presence, and awestruck and insignificant we felt when we visited. It’s a sensory bombardment. Your eyes are flooded with majestic views, your ears are overwhelmed by its constant rumbling, and your face is sprinkled with cold water occasionally. You’re drenched before you even know it.
Upon entering the park, we found a map scribbled with a walking trail and marked with all 16 viewpoints. Yes, sixteen! But instead of doing it chronologically like most normal tourists, our guide Arthur convinced us to do it the other way around. The best lookouts, he claimed, were the first few and we might find the rest underwhelming if we went there first. And he was right! Doing it backwards was like building it up and preparing ourselves for the climax.
As we wandered along the walking trails, we were met with jaw-dropping vistas of the cascades, the gorge, and Zambia on the other side. With double rainbows every now and then, no biggie. But seriously, it’s pretty magical. Messy and noisy, yes, but magical.
And oh, there’s plenty of wildlife here, too! As we were following a trail, a bushbuck suddenly jumped and dashed in front of us. It somehow made our guide nervous, not because he was scared of a bushbuck but because the last time it happened (just a few days prior), the poor antelope was being chased by a leopard. Apparently, leopard sightings within the park isn’t unheard of at all. The following day, we met another guide who also had a recent leopard sighting in the area.
VICTORIA FALLS NATIONAL PARK
Entrance Fee: USD 50
Guided Tour: additional USD 25
Operating hours: Summer, 6:00 AM-6:00 PM; Winter, 6:30 AM-6:00PM
Lookout Café Gorge Swing and Zipline
Something about the name Lookout Cafe paints a picture of tranquility, and it is tranquil, for the most part. This cafe-slash-restaurant serves tasty meals and coffee but if you so please, with a side of adrenaline rush!
You see, Lookout Cafe is perched on a cliff, overlooking Batoka Gorge. While it is a great place to chill out while admiring a gorgeous view of the surrounding rugged landscape, you’ll also hear the screams of daredevils every now and then. Here, you can strap in for the gorge swing or zipline right over the edge. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but the rush is 100% worth it.
Once you’re done swinging over the gorge like a superhero, grab a bite to eat, relax, and soak in those unreal views without your feet dangling in mid-air. We did it the other way around. We had a meal first because we were a bit famished when we arrived, and then went crazy with the activities after. Not the most ideal order of things, but yeah.
The gorge swing, in particular, was the wildest playground swing we’ve ever been on. WILDEST. After a nerve-wreckingly brief, er, briefing, we were instructed to hold on to some rope and jump off the cliff. I don’t know what we were thinking back then, but we did it.
A zipline also runs across the gorge, but yes, we did it, too. Something about the air here in Zimbabwe that made us try insane things that we would never try elsewhere.
Once your heart rate has settled, sit back at the café and enjoy a cocktail because you’ll probably need it. But seriously, don’t miss this place. It’s the perfect balance of chill and ballsy. Plus, it makes for great bragging rights when you get home.
LOOK OUT CAFE ACTIVITIES
Gorge Swing: USD 110
Tandem Gorge Swing: USD 166
Zipline: USD 88
Flying Fox: USD 56
Zambezi River Sunset Cruise
Not every adventure has to involve dangling off a bridge or swinging into a gorge. The Zambezi River also offers a much more laid-back way to experience Victoria Falls. And I have only three words: BEST. SUNSET. EVER.
And after 14 years of traveling and 60 countries, we’ve seen more than our fair share of sunsets! It has the usual celestial spectacle — the sky turning all pastel and then bright orange as the sun calls it a day. But what the Zambezi stages isn’t just a show for the eyes. It’s the whole production — props, sound effects, and an unpredictable cast of characters.
You might see elephants on the banks going for a drink, hippos lurking in the water, and flocks of native birds zooming above. And when the sun starts to set, you’ll feel that unmistakable African magic settle in.
All this while munching on a parade of hors d’oeuvres and sipping unlimited cocktails. My poison of choice was the aptly-named Zambezi Sunset.
Just a casual evening in Africa, no big deal. 😅
ZAMBEZI RIVER SUNSET CRUISE
Price: USD 52 per pax
Inclusions: Cruise, refreshments, finger snacks, hotel transfers if within 5km radius
Duration: 2 hours
‘The Flight of Angels’ Helicopter Tour
Why settle with just walking around with birds overhead when you can also be the bird? Take to the skies for the famous Flight of Angels helicopter tour, operated by the Zambezi Helicopter Company, which gives you an unbeatable birds-eye view (or angel’s-eye) view of Victoria Falls. This is one of those bucket-list experiences that’ll have you grinning from ear to ear—and snapping about a thousand photos, especially if it’s your first time to ride a helicopter like us. And we couldn’t think of a better, more memorable chopper debut!
We started the day with a quick briefing and were given headsets so we could block the deafening roar of the engines and also hear our pilot better. We waited a bit, and when it was finally our turn, we had our phones ready. All this was happening with a camera crew following us.
Seeing it from this perspective will make you better appreciate the sheer scale of the falls, the swirling Zambezi River, and all the natural and man-made landmarks that punctuate it including the famous Victoria Falls Bridge. If you can, try to snag the front seat for a wider view.
Depending on what you book, the chopper will follow one of three routes:
- Flight of Angels (13-15 minutes): USD 150
- Scenic Gorge Flight (22 minutes): USD 235
- Zambezi Spectacular (25 minutes): USD 285
At the end of the ride, you’ll watch a mini-documentary incorporating clips of you and the helicopter. Decide whether or not you like it enough to purchase a copy of it for USD 25.
It’s a short ride, but it packs in a lot of wow-factor. Plus, you get to say you’ve flown over one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Not a bad story for your next dinner party!
Elecrew Elephant Sanctuary
If you’ve ever dreamed of getting up close with elephants (without them being on the other side of a fence), the Elecrew Elephant Sanctuary is where it’s at. This isn’t your typical zoo experience. This isn’t a zoo at all. Here, you’ll learn about elephant conservation and get to know these incredible animals up close. The sanctuary is all about ethical interaction, so you’ll be learning about their habits, diet, and how they’re being protected.
Our guide Tijan led our group on our morning walk with the gentle giants. The elephant assigned to us was this beauty, Kariba, named after a dam along the Zambezi. Like her peers here, she was rescued. Her caretaker Desire allowed us to interact with her.
Whether you’re a wildlife lover or just want to hang out with some of the coolest animals on the planet, this sanctuary is an experience that’ll leave you with some warm, fuzzy feelings (and probably a lot of elephant selfies).
Safari Game Drives
Victoria Falls might be famous for its waterfalls, but let’s not forget you’re still in safari country. Many camps offer free game drives across the many game reserves in the area like this one, Wild Horizons Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can spot three of the Big 5: the lion, the leopard, and the African bush elephant. But there are many other wildlife here. Barely a minute into the property, as we were entering, we already spotted a huge male kudu with its elegant spiral horns catching our attention for a full minute.
You can hop on a 4×4 and set off on a sunrise or sunset game drive to see them. I particularly enjoyed sunset game drives. In the late afternoon, our driver-guide Beki took us across the reserve to see the animals. The beauty of these sunset drives is that the animals are more active as the day cools off, and the landscape turns into a photographer’s dream.
But just before sundown, he pulled over next to this cliff and set up a drinks and canape table. They got bite-size pastries, all sorts of nuts, and a variety of drinks — cocktails included — and we could have as much as we wanted. There were cheers and quiet conversations while admiring the view of Batoka Gorge as the African sun was diving below the horizon.
On the way back, we still tried to catch a glimpse of more wildlife, especially leopards. Night game drives had a different vibe to it. It’s a tiny bit more thrilling — or frightening — but that’s part of the fun.
Victoria Falls Town Tour
Yes, the town was named after the nearby waterfall.
It might be small, but it’s packed with charm. The town has some cool cafés and restaurants where you can kick back with a coffee or grab a bite to eat. The pace here is chill, making it a great spot to relax and soak in the local vibe. It’s also very safe. Some might find it hard to believe because we only hear about Zimbabwe in the news when there’s political unrest or something awful that happens, but Victoria Falls is very different. Petty crimes do exist and even those numbers are pretty low. But as our guides all said, heinous crimes are very rare.
So yes, feel free to wander through the local markets, but observe the usual common-sense precautions.
Here are some of the spots in the town center we paid a visit to:
- Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge. Established in 1997, this family-run property is a favorite among budget travelers, but it offers more than accommodations. It also has a cafe and cocktail bar by the pool, and yes non-guests are very welcome. On some weekends, it also hosts a bazaar where you’ll find handmade crafts, jewelry, and textiles. It’s the perfect place to pick up a unique souvenir or two. It’s also famous — or notorious — for its nightlife!
- Elephant’s Walk Shopping and Artist Village. It’s not a real village but a trendy mall! It’s not that apparent if you judge it by its cover, and by cover I mean its name and facade. It’s more like a chill, artsy hub where you can find beautiful handcrafted souvenirs, local art, and quirky African curios. You’ll feel like you’re wandering through an outdoor gallery, with sculptures and crafts made by talented Zimbabwean artists at every turn. From intricate jewelry to vibrant paintings, it’s a great place to grab a unique memento of your trip or just soak in some creative vibes. Plus, there are cafés around if you need a snack after all that shopping!
- The Three Monkeys Restaurant and Bar. This open-air dining spot has a cool, rustic-chic vibe with its quirky decor. The menu’s got something for everyone, whether you’re in the mood for a juicy burger, wood-fired pizza, or their legendary towering cocktails. We had its Parma pizza, which is thin crust topped with tomato base, mozarella, prosciutto, and fresh arugula or rocket. It was excellent, with the rocket cutting the richness of the cheese and the umami of the meat. We also ordered grilled half-chicken with fries. But we had to send this one back to the kitchen because the chicken was severely undercooked. When it came back, I think it was deep-fried because it’s much greasier. But the flavors and seasoning were on point! We could still detect the smokiness. That hiccup aside, we had a great time here. It’s the kind of spot where you can pig out after a day of adventures, enjoy some live music, and swap stories while digging into a hearty meal. The portions are no joke, either. You definitely won’t leave hungry! Plus, the service was topnotch.
The town also has a few other crafts market and small museums that you might want to check out, but we weren’t able to because of time constraints.
Monde Village (Local Home)
Want to get a real feel for life in Zimbabwe? Head 10 km outside of town to Monde Village and visit a local family. But please don’t go on your own and knock on a random house without advance notice. Make sure you have a guide or book a tour because they have arrangements with certain families.
It is an authentic and humbling way to see how the people in this region live, work, and celebrate their culture. It’s home to people from five tribes: Ndebele, Tonga, Nambya, Nyanja and Shona. And these backgrounds are visible even in the layout of their home and design of their roofs.
Our hosts were Mr. Ncube and family, who graciously welcomed us into their home. Ncube means “monkey” in the vernacular. They shared some fascinating bits about their way of life including their names. Fun fact: Their surnames are actually their totem or an animal which serves as an emblem for their family or lineage. Like our last names, it also gets passed on to the next generation. And they are not allowed to eat that specific animal as it’s considered taboo. His family is expected to protect the animal that serves as their totem. In this case, the monkey.
He also toured us around the kitchen and showed us how they cook and prepare their meals. He also taught us a bit about their native tongue. Many African languages employ the clicking sound, and we tried our darnedest to learn it. I think I succeeded. I think.
This is the kind of experience that sticks with you long after your trip. It’s raw, real, and gives you a whole new perspective on life in this part of the world.
Monde Village Tour
Price: USD 48
Inclusions: Transfers, Guide
Duration: 3 hours
Devil’s Pool (Livingstone Island)
Of course, we saved the best for last.
For the last item on this list, we had to cross over to Zambia at the crack of dawn. That’s right, if you want to experience the ultimate thrill of swimming right on the edge of Victoria Falls, you’ve got to be an early bird. And trust me, it’s worth every bleary-eyed minute.
After a quick briefing and outfit change — swimming attire is best — we hopped onto a boat and headed out to Livingstone Island. The air was chilly enough, but then comes the real kicker — the water. Now, I wish I could tell you “It’s so cold, it’s refreshing”. But the reality is more like “It’s so cold, I can’t feel my toes!”. But it’s part of the adventure, right?
Hand-in-hand, we then crossed the water to this rock on the edge of the waterfall. Mind you, we were only in swimming trunks. The cold was hitting us from all directions, and the sight was constantly reminding us that we’re literally on the edge of a 100-meter drop. But don’t worry, it’s completely safe, as long as you follow your guides’ instructions. There have been no fatalities here. None. Nil. Nadah. Zilch. Zero. The guides were professionals and very attentive, but that doesn’t stop your brain from screaming, “What am I doing?!”
After braving the freezing water and getting a few heart-stopping photos at the very edge, you can officially say you’ve taken a swim in the world’s craziest infinity pool. If I’ve never felt a mixture of exhilaration and terror before, well, this was it.
Our guide had our phones and took on videography duties for every single one on the group.
After a rather edgy photo session, we were then led to this lookout for a good look of a nearby waterfall.
Just make sure you bring your bravery—and a change of clothes. You’ll need it. We were also served breakfast at a small camp nearby. Vins had porridge while I chose this smoky pulled pork wrap with salad on the side.
The pool is accessible only from August to December, during the dry season. Outside this period, the rain and water level render the site inaccessible, so if this is on your bucket list, mind your timing.
DEVIL’S POOL (Livingstone Island Tour)
Price: USD 130 per person (when booked directly, without transfers). But if you’re joining a tour from Victoria Falls Town, it’s usually around USD 200 including transfers
Duration: 2 hours
Inclusions: Guided tour, boat transfer from launch site in Livingstone, gourmet meal on the island, coffee and other drinks
Availability: August to December
How to Explore Victoria Falls
Although it is possible to explore the Victoria Falls area DIY-style, it is not something I could recommend especially if you’re not driving your own car. Taxis are available but there seem to be not a lot of public transportation options in the area.
To get to the Victoria Falls National Park, most hotels and lodges offer free shuttle transfers. But for other attractions, the best way is to really join a tour. Because these tours are guided, you also end up with better appreciation of each stop.
If you’re coming from the Philippines and you wish to visit both Victoria Falls and South Africa, book an all-in package tour with Constellation Travels. They offer South Africa tour packages and you may opt to have a Victoria Falls stop as an add-on. This will allow you to explore the southern region of Africa better!
Note that if you’re availing of a tour package, visa application for South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are already included! This is great for those who don’t have the time, energy or bandwidth to deal with the whole travel planning and online application process.
Get in touch with Constellation Travels through these contact numbers and email address, or visit their official website at constellationtravels.com.ph.
Victoria Falls isn’t just a waterfall. It’s a thrill-seekers’ haven, a wildlife sanctuary, and a cultural gem all rolled into one. So whether you’re jumping off bridges or sipping cocktails on the river, there’s something here for everyone. But remember: plan smart, travel safe, and make every trip WORTH IT!
Our recent Victoria Falls adventure was made possible by Constellation Travels. If you enjoyed this article and our other travel guides, consider booking a package with them as they also support us experience new adventures!
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