Overview
Victoria Falls is one of the natural wonders of the world, the largest single curtain of falling water on earth, on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia. The local name, Mosi-oa-Tunya, means "the smoke that thunders", and the spray is visible for miles. It is less a safari destination than the great set-piece that anchors or finishes one.
The Falls are best seen from the Zimbabwean side, where the rainforest opens onto some 70 percent of the views. Around them sits a world of its own: helicopter flights over the gorge, sunset cruises on the Zambezi, and lodges where elephant come to the waterholes.
Victoria Falls pairs naturally with Chobe, an hour away, and with the Okavango Delta and the Greater Kruger, which is why we so often build it into a wider journey. We book the lodges we have stayed in ourselves.
Country
Interests
Best time
Min nights
Malaria
Why go?
- A helicopter flight over the gorge shows a scale that ground level hides
- Most of the viewpoints sit on the Zimbabwean side, which decides where you sleep
- An hour from Chobe, so two countries fit comfortably into a few days
- The Falls change dramatically through the year, so timing changes what you see
- Rafting, gorge swings and sunset cruises sit alongside the viewing, if you want them
Experiences here
Big Cat & Photography
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Water & Mokoro Safaris
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Before you visit Victoria Falls
Which side to base yourself on comes up more than anything else, along with when the Falls are at their best.
Yes, tipping is customary at the lodges, and it is one of the questions we get asked most, especially by US travellers, since the local conventions differ from home. Guides, trackers, and lodge staff are typically tipped in cash, often through a shared staff box, and we brief every guest on the going rate before you travel.
Beyond the Falls themselves, there are helicopter flights, Zambezi sunset cruises, and riverside lodges where elephant come to drink.
Yes. As one of the natural wonders of the world and an easy add-on to a Botswana or Zimbabwe safari, it is worth building into the journey.
The Falls are fullest from February to May after the rains, while September to December brings lower, clearer water; June to August balances strong flow with dry weather.
The Zimbabwean side offers roughly 70 percent of the views and the classic rainforest walk, which is why we usually base guests there, with day access to the Zambian side.