Victoria Falls Travel Guide

Victoria Falls Travel Guide – Why Victoria Falls is Special?

Victoria Falls is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites due to its geology and ecology, known as Mosi-oa-Tunya or The Smoke That Thunders. When the water is in full flood, more than 500 million cubic meters crash each minute in the biggest sheet of increasing water. The spray goes into the air and forms rainbows, and it wet visitor.

Here, a rare rainforest cultivates, where plants are isolated in Victoria Falls National Park. Its environment is dominated by the Zambezi National Park, on which wildlife has been known to wander throughout the city. Other than the landscape, adventure recreation activities such as rafting, bungee jumping, zip-lining, and helicopter flights also enjoy the gorge.

Where are Victoria Falls Located?

Victoria Falls is located at the border of both Zimbabwe and Zambia, where the Zambezi River falls 108 metres into Batoka Gorge. On the Zimbabwean side, the city of Victoria Falls is active with activities, wildlife, and restaurants. Livingstone in Zambia, across the river, is somber and easygoing.

The two towns occupy a conservation area within the Kavango Zambezi with five countries and safeguard one of the largest wildlife populations in the world. Victoria Falls is a drug accessible frontier of South Africa with two airports and proximity to the Chobe National Park of Botswana, making it an easy and popular frontier into South Africa.

Zimbabwe or Zambia Side?

The two offer magnificent views, but about 3/4 of the waterfall lies on the Zimbabwe side, with more viewpoints being available with less movement costs relative to the town centre. In the dry season, Zambia also has the popular Devil’s Gap, but it is controversial in that it destroys the natural environment. To achieve greater vistas and ease, a convenient and more energy drink kind of town life, Zimbabwe is preferable to choose.

Conservation in Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is a developing city within a national park, which presents such problems as overcrowding and pollution. Tourists are not unwelcome; however, minor decisions can contribute to the preservation of the region.

1. Support Ethical Wildlife Tourism: Choose tours and activities that take care of wildlife, and exclude locations associated with bad animal welfare or destructive developments.
2. Buy Local: Select and use the handmade products and the local restaurants, such that tourism comes to the rescue of the people.
3. Reduce Plastic, Save Water: Bring a reusable bottle, will no longer use one-use plastics, and will learn to manage water, since in a state of drought most of the time.
4. Select responsible Operators: Select lodges operating on solar energy, waste recycling, and water conservation, and offer community projects.
5. Leave No Trace: Keep on the trails, admire animals, carry out litter, and to reduce the strain on the park, do not visit the peak periods when the park is crowded.

Day 1: Victoria Falls Itinerary 

7:30 am: Breakfast Overlooking the Waterhole

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is located in Zambezi National Park and the shaking of waterholes where the elephants, buffalo, and birds congregate. Breakfast arrangements can be a buffet or cooked meal, and they can be enjoyed with a view of the sunrise and fresh air.

9:00 am: Walking Tour of Victoria Falls

Visitors can get to the main gate by Shuttle buses or taxis (around US$10). A 16 viewpoint trail slope takes visitors to Devil’s Cataract to Main Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and Rainbow Falls.

Perspectives 6-8 are more photography, as well as depending on the season, with spray. The scream is loud, the spray cools the garments rapidly, and the cameras should be covered. Morning visits are quieter.

1. Tip: Silky water shots can be made with a tripod or the phone’s Live Mode.
2. Price: USD 50 for international visitors.

12:00 pm: Midday Break at Safari Spa

This spa is located next to the lodge and includes massage rooms, manicure stations, a makeup studio, a pool, and relaxation. African botanicals are used as a form of treatment, and light meals can be served. The ideal cool situation is a shaded lounge having a cold beverage.

• Price: Treatments begin at US transparent 50 per 30 minutes.

4:30 pm: Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi

Grand cruises have seating, cocktails, and snacks as they ride in the Zambezi. Sightseeing animals, as well as may involve finding hippos, crocodiles, and elephants, and sunsets using the red color to paint the river.

1. Cost: US $60/individual 2-hour luxury deck cruise.

7:00 pm: Dinner and Drum Show at The Boma

In the evening, a Jula welcoming and a chitenge wrap commence. Dinner will be a vast buffet which will include grilled meat, local stews, vegetarian meals, salads, and desserts. There are drum and dance performances, face painting, and an opportunity to drum along.

1.  Price: US $50 per adult (food and entertainment, drinks excluded). 
2. Children 3–11 pay US$25.

Day 2: Victoria Falls Itinerary 

6:00 am: Early Morning at Siduli Hide

The wild waterhole is a wildlife hide at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, where it is constructed to resemble a termite mound, making the animals come close. One expert can guide sightings and may incorporate impala, kudu, elephants, as well as predators. Birdlife is abundant, too. Tours can take 2-3 hours, albeit with a snack breakfast.

1. Cost: US$55 per head (at least 2 guests).

9:00 am: Conservation Stop at Wildlife Trust

A non-profit-making conservation centre that engages in wildlife rescue, anti-poaching, and studies. Its guided tour would be through the rescue area, the national home animal as a rescue area, such as Vulture Judge, and the research laboratories. Tours are offered Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM by reservation.

1. Cost: Free, but encouraged to donate.

11:00 am: Stroll Through Victoria Falls Town

Elephant Walk, located in the market and art centres, has handmade crafts, carvings, and jewelery. Bargaining is expected. To have lunch, they can go to either The Three Monkeys to have burgers and pizzas or to the dusty road to take Zimbabwean food.

1:00 pm: Vulture Feeding at Safari Lodge

As many as 300 of the vultures flock to a daily feeding session. The students will have a lecture on their place in the ecosystem and how they help save it. It is anarchic and intriguing to watch them swoop in.

1. Tip: Lunch at Buffalo Bar gives a donation of one dollar to the project.

4:00 pm: Game Drive in Zambezi National Park

An afternoon safari in and around town and an opportunity to see elephants, lions, buffalo,  and plains game. Detectably reduced traffic by fewer vehicles creates a feeling of isolation, and the presence of golden light in circadian conditions allows excellent photography. Other activities are rafting or bungee jumping.

6:30 pm:  Sunset Dining at MaKuwa-Kuwa

An open-air terrace that will have a view of the park, serving a mixture of African and international cuisine. It is served in a Buffalo bar below, which is more casual.

8:00 pm: Evening Show at Simunye Theatre

An improvised performance fusing narration, drumming, dancing, and bright costumes. It is a story of identity, love, and tribes in the show.

1. Price: $50 per adult and includes hotel transfers.

10 Extra Things to Do at Victoria Falls

The two-day itinerary is a highlight, and with extra time, this further provides some adventure and special vistas.

1. Bungee Jump from the Bridge

Leap down 111 metres off the Victoria Falls Bridge with a spectacular view of the Zambezi River and an exquisite rush of adrenaline.

2. White-Water Rafting on the Zambezi

Experience one of the wildest rafting experiences in the world as you ride powerful Grade 4 and 5 rapids through Batoka Gorge.

3. Explore the Historic Victoria Falls Bridge

This bridge was constructed in 1905, and it connects Zimbabwe and Zambia. Get the history, savor the cafe, or do the bridge swing.

4. See the Zambian Side of the Falls

Walk the Knife-Edge Bridge, or in winter run in Devil’s Pool. Local exposure to the pool experience is controversial and therefore worth pondering.

5. Scenic Ride on the Bamba Tram

Take a folklorised tram and adventure trip to the Victoria Falls Bridge, where wildlife from other parks can be seen and views enjoyed.

6. Helicopter Flight Over the Falls

This brief helicopter tour, simply called the Flight of Angels, provides a view of what the waterfall looks like in full and the curving canyons below.

7. Experience the Gorge Swing

Jumping down Batoka Gorge, then swinging on a huge arc over the Zambezi River, is an exciting trip with a strong adrenaline rush.

8. Afternoon Tea at the Victoria Falls Hotel

Take tea, sandwiches, and scones on Stanley Terrace and take in the view of both the bridge and the spray of the falls.

9. Drinks at the Lookout Café

Have a meal or grab a drink at this cliffside cafe facing Batoka Gorge in a remarkable panoramic scene.

10. Day Trip to Chobe National Park

Nearly 1.5 hours closer in Botswana, Chobe features an elephant, hippo, crocodile, and thriving bird wildlife game drives and river boat safaris.

How to Reach Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls are accessible by air with Victoria Falls airport in Zimbabwe or Livingstone airport in Zambia (Global destinations). The common route option is through the UK into Johannesburg by a connecting flight through Airlink.

The closest town is called Kasane, right above an hour’s driving distance to Botswana, with offers of transfers and day tours. The fee is done at the border crossing by the fees for the passport and the Zimbabwe visa, which are $55, $30, and $75 at the time of writing, depending on the nationality and its corresponding citizenry.

Where to Stay in Victoria Falls

1. Best Choice: Victoria Falls Safari Lodge Overlooks a game waterhole and is crowned by spectacular sunsets, a deck, a pool, and very good service. The buyers have choices of the boutique Victoria Falls Safari Club, family suites, and self-catering apartments.
2. Mid-Range: Ilala Lodge. This is near the falls with Victorian-style gardens and a well-rated restaurant.
3. Most family-friendly: The Pioneers Two pools, gardens, spa, and spacious rooms. Friendly to the family and allows booking of tours.

Best Time to Visit Victoria Falls

January is the rain season, and the lower water level has resulted in some parts of the falls being dry, but with fewer people and less spray. The highest flow in the water occurs between February and May, which makes dramatic scenes but can be heavy-spray.

Between October and December, the water levels are lower, the Devil pool is exposed, and the crowds are even bigger, but the falls are not fully full. The good flow, visibility, and activities are a June-August balance, but it is also a peak tourist season, and hence capital hotel rates.

In Summary

No better place has a combination of adventure, culture, and natural beauty, like Victoria Falls. It could be discussing the perspectives, taking safaris, or just having a rest on the Zambezi side; every moment is special. It is really a once-in-a-lifetime experience here.

FAQs

Is Victoria Falls part of the 7 wonders of the world?

Victoria Falls is neither a part of the original Seven Wonders nor is it a UNESCO World Heritage site, but a part of the Seven Natural Wonders.

Which is the 2nd-highest waterfall?

The second-highest falls are the Tugela Falls in South Africa, with 948 meters. The tallest one is the Angel Falls in Venezuela, and the most well-known one is the Victoria Falls, which is known because of its width and volume of water.

Is Angel Falls or Victoria Falls bigger?

Angel Falls is higher at 979 meters, yet Victoria Falls is broader and gives birth to the largest sheet of falling water in the world, which is more powerful and dramatic.

Which is best month to visit Victoria Falls?

The best time to visit Victoria Falls is from June to August, when the water flows, the views are clear, and there is adventure. But it is also high season, and more visitors and higher accommodation rates.