Victoria Falls Travel Guide
Twice the height of Niagara Falls, and stretching almost a mile across, the Victoria Falls is nothing short of spectacular. And when the Zambezi River is in full spate, tumbling down into the Batoka Gorge, it’s not hard to see why the local Tsonga people dubbed this place Mosi-oa-Tunya; ‘the smoke that thunders’.
The late-summer months (February-May) see the highest volume of water flowing over the Falls. While the spectacle is spectacular, the sheer volume of water causes spray and mist that can obscure the views, and they are better seen from the air. From April to September you’ll find the best combination of strong flows and clear views. In the low-water winter months (July-December) the Zimbabwean side offers impressive cascades that are best enjoyed from beneath the rainforests of the Victoria Falls National Park.
Away from the Falls, the region lives up to it’s reputation as Africa’s adventure capital, and adrenalin junkies can take their pick between white-water rafting (best in low-water from July-December), zip-lining, bungee-jumping and gorge swings.
The wide sweep of the Zambezi River above the Falls offers accessible kayak trips and river cruises that deliver the best sunsets in Africa. For a truly memorable view of the Falls, book an aerial adventure for sightseeing by helicopter or micro-light.
Another key benefit of visiting on the Zimbabwean side is the array of safari experiences on offer, from safari stays in Matetsi Private Game Reserve to day-trips to Hwange National Park. Full-day excursions into neighbouring Botswana, to discover Kasane and the Chobe River, can also be arranged.
With a wide array of upmarket hotels and lodges, the town of Victoria Falls offers a superb selection of restaurants. Top of your list should be the famous ‘Boma – Place of Eating’. This buffet dining experience is centred on a vibrant African marketplace, combining vibrant entertainment with a generous African feast. At the iconic Victoria Falls Hotel guests and visitors can enjoy the famous Afternoon Tea overlooking the Falls, or don your best threads for an elegant dinner in The Livingstone Room.
One thing’s for sure. On any visit to Victoria Falls, the chances are good that you’re going to get wet. Whether you’re being drenched by the spray, kayaking upstream or rafting the rapids of the Batoka Gorge, a swimsuit and sturdy pair of outdoor shoes is a good bet. A raincoat or umbrella is also handy for keeping backpacks and cameras dry.
As much as you’ll be wet, you’ll also be spending long hours out in the fierce African sun, so a wide-brimmed hat and plenty of high-factor sunscreen are essential. There’s little dress code for most hotels and lodges, but a smart-casual outfit for the occasional dressy dinner may come in handy.
When it comes to weather, there’s rarely a bad time to visit Victoria Falls. Temperatures are warm throughout the year, peaking in the summer months (October-March) when hot days are cooled by dramatic afternoon thunderstorms bringing intense downpours. Winter days (April-September) are mild, with clear skies and little chance of rain.
Victoria Falls is a malaria area, and anti-malarial prophylactics are recommended year-round. Though the risk is lower during the dry winter months (May-October), consult your travel doctor at least three weeks before departure.
The Victoria Falls is shared by both Zimbabwe and Zambia. Our useful travel maps will help put the world’s greatest sheet of falling water into perspective.
Just 21-kilometres south of Victoria Falls town lies the recently revamped Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA). From here direct flights link to long haul international services at Johannesburg and Cape Town, as well Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport for accessing South Africa’s Kruger National Park
If time is an issue, charter flights offer the most convenient connections to/from Victoria Falls, allowing for a seamless flying safari that could easily include regional destinations including Maun (for the Okavango Delta) and Kasane (for the Chobe River) in Botswana, as well as destinations in Namibia.
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