Victoria Falls is about 30 minutes by road from Zambezi Dusk, so a morning or afternoon at the Falls fits easily around a boat safari. The lodge arranges guided visits with partner operators. Not every partner activity is included in the rate, so ask the lodge whether a Falls visit is covered when you enquire.
What you are looking at
The Zambezi is about 1.7 km wide where it drops into a narrow basalt gorge, and the falling water throws up a column of spray that, in high water, you can see from many kilometres away. Locally it is Mosi-oa-Tunya, "the smoke that thunders". The Zambian side is part of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.
The seasons decide everything
The Falls are not the same place from one month to the next.
- February to May, high water. The river floods after the rains, and flow usually peaks around April. The noise is enormous, the spray soaks you within seconds and often hides the Falls themselves. Spectacular, but bring a waterproof bag for your phone.
- June to August, falling water. Still plenty of water, less spray, clearer views. The most comfortable months to visit, with cool mornings.
- September to December, low water. The Zambian side can run very thin, especially from about October, when parts of the rock face are bare. This is when you see the gorge's shape, and when Devil's Pool is usually open.
- January, rising again. The rains return and the river starts to climb.
None of this is fixed. Rainfall upstream sets the timing, and some years are wetter than others.
On the Zambian side
A guided visit usually follows the paths along the edge of the gorge opposite the main falls. Highlights:
- The Knife-Edge Bridge, a footbridge over a gorge facing the Eastern Cataract. In high water you will be drenched; in low water you see the full drop.
- The Boiling Pot path, down to the river below the Falls. Steep, but a different perspective.
- The view of the Victoria Falls Bridge, where the bungee jump happens.
Wear shoes with grip: paths are wet and slippery in high water. A hired raincoat is standard from March to June.
Zambia or Zimbabwe?
The Zimbabwean side gives the longer, front-on view across most of the Falls and keeps more water in the dry months. The Zambian side gets you closer to the edge, has the Knife-Edge Bridge, and gives access to Livingstone Island and Devil's Pool in season.
Seeing both is easy if your visa allows it. The KAZA UniVisa covers Zambia and Zimbabwe; details are on our getting here page.
Making a day of it
A Falls visit pairs well with:
- lunch back at the lodge and the afternoon boat safari;
- a rhino walk in the same national park;
- the bungee jump or bridge walk, if anyone in the party wants to.
Morning visits are cooler and the light is good on the Zambian side. Late afternoon can bring rainbows in the spray in high water.
What goes wrong
- Arriving at midday in October. It is hot, the light is flat and the Zambian side is at its thinnest. Go early.
- Phones in pockets in April. The spray gets into everything. Use a dry bag.
- Expecting the same view all year. Photographs online are often taken in high water from the Zimbabwean side. Check what the month you are travelling will look like.
- Trying to do it all in an hour. Allow two to three hours on the paths, more if you want to walk down to the Boiling Pot.
Practical notes
- Entry fees are charged at the park gate and change from time to time; check with the lodge or your guide for the current figure.
- Carry small US dollar notes or kwacha.
- Keep valuables in a waterproof bag from February to June.
- Baboons around the car park and paths will take food. Don't carry it openly.
For honeymoon couples, the Falls are usually one morning of a longer stay; see honeymoon stays.