Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe - Travel Guide

Victoria Falls is a breathtaking natural wonder offering unparalleled views of the world's largest waterfall, alongside thrilling adventure activities like bungee jumping, white-water rafting, and helicopter tours. The surrounding national parks also provide excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, making it a diverse destination for nature and adventure lovers.

Quick Facts

Recommended Stay3 days

Budget$50/day

Mid-range$150/day

Luxury$1000/day

Known For

Mosi-oa-TunyaZambezi RiverLivingstoneZimbabweZambiaSouthern Africa

🇿🇼 Country Information: Zimbabwe

CapitalHarare

CurrencyZimbabwe Dollar ($)

LanguageEnglish , Shona, Ndebele, Chewa, Chibarwe, Kalanga, Koisan, Nambya, Ndau, Shangani, Sign Language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa

Phone Code+263

Electricity220V (Type D, G)

Tap WaterNot recommended

Tipping

Tipping is common in restaurants (5
10% if service charge isn't included), for porters, safari guides, and hotel staff
Small amounts for taxi drivers

Money & Payments

ATMs are available but can be unreliable; bring USD cash for emergencies
Credit cards are accepted in major hotels and tourist areas, but less so elsewhere
It is advisable to bring US dollars cash, as local currency (ZWL) can be volatile and difficult to obtain
There is a black market for cash, but it is not recommended to use it due to safety and legal concerns

Cultural Norms

Dress modestly, especially in rural areas and when visiting religious sites
Greet elders with respect
Do not point with your finger; use an open hand
It is polite to accept refreshments when offered

LGBTQ+ Information

Exercise caution. LGBTQ+ acts are illegal in Zimbabwe and carry severe penalties. Discrimination is widespread, and there are no legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Alcohol & Drug Laws

Legal drinking age is 18
Drug laws are strict, and possession of even small amounts of illegal drugs can lead to severe penalties

Special Laws

Photography of government buildings or military installations is prohibited
It is illegal to wear camouflage clothing
Be aware of wildlife regulations in national parks

Common Phrases

HelloMhoro (moh-roh)

GoodbyeSara zvakanaka (sah-rah zva-kah-nah-kah)

Thank youNdatenda (nda-ten-dah)

How are you?Makadii? (mah-kah-dee)

Climate

General classification for the Victoria Falls area, which experiences a tropical savanna climate.

Climate Zone: Tropical Savanna

Best Time to Visit

Hot season: Sep
Apr
Cold season: May
Aug
Rainy/Monsoon season: Nov
Apr (with heaviest rainfall in Jan
Feb, which can lead to floods)

Getting There

Fly into Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) in Zimbabwe or Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI) in Livingstone, Zambia
Direct flights from major African hubs like Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, and Nairobi are common
Transfers to hotels are available by taxi or shuttle (20
30 min, $20
40)
Visa requirements vary by nationality for both countries

Getting Around

Taxis and private transfers are readily available
Ride
sharing apps are not widely used or reliable
Local minibuses (combis/dollies) are used by locals but might be overwhelming for tourists
Walking is an option for shorter distances in town centers

Health & Vaccinations

Yellow Fever vaccine proof may be required if arriving from an endemic area
Routine vaccines (Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid, Rabies) are recommended
Malaria prophylaxis is strongly advised as both areas are high
risk malaria zones
Consult a healthcare professional before travel
Altitude sickness is not a concern

Staying Connected

eSIM availability is limited and generally not recommended for reliable connectivity
Local SIM cards (e
g
, Econet or NetOne in Zimbabwe, MTN or Airtel in Zambia) are the best option for internet access
Airalo and Nomad may offer limited regional eSIMs, but local physical SIMs are more reliable and cost
effective

Local Cuisine

Sadza must_try

This is the cornerstone of Zimbabwean cuisine, a thick porridge made from maize meal, similar to polenta. It is typically molded into balls and eaten

Mopane Worms (Madora) snack

A protein-rich delicacy harvested from the Mopane tree, they are eaten dried as a crunchy snack or rehydrated and cooked in a flavorful tomato-based s

Muriwo Unedovi regional_speciality

A nutritious dish of leafy greens (like collard greens or kale) cooked with onions, tomatoes, and a rich peanut butter sauce. This creamy and savory p

Nyama Choma must_try

Meaning 'grilled meat,' this is a delicious barbecue often featuring various meats like beef, chicken, or game meat (impala, kudu, or crocodile). It i

Kapenta regional_speciality

Tiny freshwater fish sourced from the region's lakes, often fried until crispy or cooked in a sauce with tomatoes and onions. These small fish deliver

Book in Advance

Plan ahead for the best experience. Here's what to book before your trip:

🔴 Must Book in Advance

Devil's Pool/Livingstone Island Tour tour_or_activity

Book 1–3 months in advance

This seasonal activity (usually August–January/February) has extremely limited daily capacity and is one of the most famous Victoria Falls experiences, selling out far in advance.

🟡 Recommended to Book Ahead

Zambezi River Sunset Cruise (Luxury/Dinner) tour_or_activity

Book 2 weeks to 2 months in advance

Sunset cruises are a highly popular activity, especially luxury or dinner options, and can fill up quickly, particularly during high season.

Chobe National Park Day Trip (Botswana) tour_or_activity

Book 1–4 weeks in advance

These popular full-day excursions often have limited seats available daily due to transport and park capacity restrictions across borders.

Fun Facts

1. Victoria Falls is not the widest or highest, but it is considered the world's largest sheet of falling water.
2. The local name for Victoria Falls is Mosi-oa-Tunya, which means "The Smoke That Thunders."
3. The Falls are one of only two places on earth where you can regularly see a "moonbow," a rainbow created by the light of the full moon hitting the spray.
4. On the Zimbabwean side of the Falls, the Victoria Falls Rainforest is the only place on earth where it rains all day, every day, due to the water vapor rising from the Falls.

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