3 days in Victoria Falls

Day by day

1. Day 1: Victoria Falls rainforest (Zimbabwe side) and Victoria Falls Bridge

   Victoria Falls rainforest (Zimbabwe side), Victoria Falls Bridge and Victoria Falls Hotel and Stanley's Terrace, then Lunar rainbow visits in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Victoria Falls rainforest (Zimbabwe side)

      Inside Victoria Falls National Park, a path runs along the edge of the gorge through a rainforest kept green by the spray, past about 16 viewpoints from Devil's Cataract and the statue of David Livingstone to Main Falls, Horseshoe Falls and Danger Point.

   2. Late morning

      Victoria Falls Bridge

      Walking onto the bridge means leaving Zimbabwe's border post; bring your passport and ask the border officials for a gate pass before you go.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Sadza with relish

      Local restaurants in town and in Chinotimba, and at The Boma and lodge buffets.

   4. Afternoon

      Victoria Falls Hotel and Stanley's Terrace

      The Edwardian-era hotel, opened in 1904, is a landmark of colonial-era travel, with a terrace looking down the gorge to the bridge framed by spray.

   5. Evening

      Lunar rainbow visits

      The effect is strongest from about April to July, when the river is high and the skies are clear.

2. Day 2: Zambezi sunset cruise and The Big Tree

   Zambezi sunset cruise, The Big Tree and Zambezi National Park, then The Boma dinner and drum show in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Zambezi sunset cruise

      Choose a smaller boat for better wildlife viewing and a quieter experience than the large party cruises.

   2. Late morning

      The Big Tree

      A giant, centuries-old baobab stands beside Zambezi Drive a few kilometres upstream of town, once a meeting point for early traders and settlers crossing the river.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Kapenta

      Local eateries in town; dried kapenta is sold at markets.

   4. Afternoon

      Zambezi National Park

      Book an early-morning drive, when animals are most active and the light is soft.

   5. Evening

      The Boma dinner and drum show

      Book for your first or second night; it is a lively introduction to local food and music.

3. Day 3: Helicopter 'Flight of Angels' and Elephant's Walk and the craft market

   Helicopter 'Flight of Angels', Elephant's Walk and the craft market and White-water rafting in the Batoka Gorge, then Private sunset cruise in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Helicopter 'Flight of Angels'

      Short helicopter flights of about 12–15 minutes circle the falls and the zigzag gorges below, showing the full width of the waterfall and the spray cloud in a way no ground viewpoint can.

   2. Late morning

      Elephant's Walk and the craft market

      Bargain at the open market but expect fixed prices in the galleries; small US dollar notes make paying easier.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Zambezi bream

      Restaurants in town and lodges along the river.

   4. Afternoon

      White-water rafting in the Batoka Gorge

      Rafting trips run the rapids of the Batoka Gorge below the falls, with a steep hike down into the gorge and back out at the end.

   5. Evening

      Private sunset cruise

      Charter a small boat on the upper Zambezi for sundowners as hippos surface and the sky turns orange.

Before you go

• White-water rafting in the Batoka Gorge: Book a day or two ahead in the low-water season, and confirm which sections are running with the operator.
• The Boma dinner and drum show: Reservations are needed, especially in peak season.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Victoria Falls town centre keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Victoria Falls Hotel and the bridge ($$$$) suits luxury, couples and first-timers. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 21–31 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 11.1 hours in June to 13.2 hours in December.

More or fewer days

• One day in Victoria Falls
• 2 days in Victoria Falls
• 5 days in Victoria Falls

Questions travellers ask