5 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)

      At high water from about February to May you will be soaked by spray: wear quick-dry clothes and protect cameras; in the low-water months the views are clearer but the falls are thinner. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   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. (1–2 hours, low cost).

   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

      Come for high tea in the late afternoon and walk down the garden path to the bridge view afterwards. (1–2 hours, mid-priced).

   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. (2–3 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      The Big Tree

      Stop on the way to a sunset cruise jetty; keep alert for elephants and buffalo nearby. (20 minutes, free).

   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. (3–4 hours, mid-priced).

   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'

      Fly at high water for the biggest spray cloud, or in the dry season for the clearest view of the gorges. (1–1.5 hours including transfers, expensive).

   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. (1–2 hours, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Zambezi bream

      Restaurants in town and lodges along the river.

   4. Afternoon

      White-water rafting in the Batoka Gorge

      Expect a strenuous climb out of the gorge; the experience suits fit adults rather than casual swimmers. (Full day, expensive).

   5. Evening

      Private sunset cruise

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

4. Day 4: Day trip to Chobe National Park (Botswana)

   About 1 hour 15 minutes by road, plus border formalities each way. Getting there: Organised day tour via the Kazungula border.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Chobe National Park (Botswana)

      About 1 hour 15 minutes by road, plus border formalities (Organised day tour via the Kazungula border); about 80 km.

   2. Day

      Chobe National Park (Botswana)

      Chobe is famous for its large elephant herds. Best for families, first-timers and couples.

   3. Evening

      Back in Victoria Falls

      Dinner: try Mopane worms.

5. Day 5: Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island and Knife-Edge Bridge (Zambia side)

   Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island, Knife-Edge Bridge (Zambia side) and Upper Zambezi canoeing, then High tea at the Victoria Falls Hotel in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island

      Trips run only in the low-water season and are weather dependent; at other times the island tour visits the lip of the falls without swimming. (2–3 hours, expensive).

   2. Late morning

      Knife-Edge Bridge (Zambia side)

      At high water, bring a rain poncho; in the dry months, the Eastern Cataract can dwindle to a trickle. (1–2 hours, mid-priced).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Mopane worms

      The Boma, where trying one earns a certificate, and local markets.

   4. Afternoon

      Upper Zambezi canoeing

      Go in the morning, when the river is calm and wildlife is active, and follow the guide's line around hippos. (Half a day, expensive).

   5. Evening

      High tea at the Victoria Falls Hotel

      Sit on Stanley's Terrace with the bridge and spray in view.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for White-water rafting in the Batoka Gorge, Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island and The Boma dinner and drum show before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 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 27–40 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 3 days in Victoria Falls

Questions travellers ask