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The Victoria Falls

Also referred to by the locals as Mosi-oa-Tunya the name means ‘The smoke that thunders‘. With the falls measuring at an average of 1 700 m / 5 600 ft wide you can understand that the noise of the water could be quite load – apparently audible as far as 40km/ 25 miles away.  The Victoria Falls (a UNESCO world heritage site) was named after Queen Victoria by Sir David Livingstone who saw the waterfalls for the first time in 1855.

The Zambezi River (feeding the Victoria Falls) is the longest river in Zambia and the lifeline to many animals.

Victoria Falls Africa

Where is the Victoria Falls

The falls are situated on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia.  You have a choice of entering from either country.

On Zimbabwe’s side your travel destination will be the town named Victoria Falls and from the Zambian side it would be the town named Livingstone.

The town closest to the Victoria Falls is the tourist town named Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.  It also offers a bit more options on food and accommodation.  On the other hand Zambia is slightly less expensive.

Where to stay

Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) or Livingstone (Zambia)

Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

You might want to stay close to the actual waterfalls, so in that case the Victoria Falls area in Zimbabwe would be the best option for accommodation.  Here you also have the option of the Royal Livingstone Wellness Hotel, which is a real treat.  Also read more about the possibility of staying on a house boat on the Kariba Lake.

The following are good options and they all offer airport shuttle services. You can click on the link for photos and more information on each venue:

If you love fun, extreme activities – Visit The Town of Victoria Falls 

  • Bungee Jumping with the mighty Zambezi River and the Victoria Falls as backdrop.
  • At Batoka Gorge you can go abseiling, Zipline or Gorge Swing
  • Do white water river rafting
  • Go on a jet-boat experience and high speed trill on the river
  • Walk with Lions in the African bush.
  • You can book a Helicopter Flight over the falls 
  • Horseback Trails or Elephant Back Safaris are popular  

Livingston (Zambia)

However the Livingston area in Zambia might also be a good offer even though you’ll be a bit further away.  You cannot go wrong with a stay at the Marriott Livingstone Hotel and you might want to take a flight to Lusaka, the capital of Zambia to explore more before flying in to Livingston. 

Zambia is a beautiful country with 20 National Parks.  Although you cannot access all of them, you will definitely be able to go on magnificent safaris and game drive adventures.  If you visit the Kasanka National Park you will be able to see about 10 million  fruit bats descending into a small patch of evergreen swamp (called the Fruit Bat Migration).  This migration only takes place for about 90 days from late October to mid December.

The following are good options and they all offer airport shuttle services.  You can click on the link for photos and more information on each venue:

More accommodation options

To see the full range of accommodation available in and around the falls in both Zambia and Zimbabwe, use the booking.com link here on the right.  Photos and all the information you need to make a booking or plan you trip, is at your fingertips, right here on one page.

The best time to visit and How to get there

End April to beginning of May, just after the spring seasonal rain, is the best time to see the falls at their best.

Nearest airport

Zimbabwe – Victoria Falls Airport(VFA) – With International flights available to Johannesburg (JHB)                        

Zambia – Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport ( LVI), formerly Livingstone Airport – With international flights available to Johannesburg (JHB)

Book your | Flights | Car Hire or Airport Transfer : 

At the top of the page are all the links you need to easily book your flights, car hire, etc. online.  Be your own travel agent and pay no extra cost, by using these links.

You can also hunt for bargains on our TravelShop Page.  We often find specials for your traveling all over the world. 

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