Sight guide · Victoria Falls · Zimbabwe
Visiting Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island
On the Zambian side, guided boat trips go to Livingstone Island on the lip of the falls, where David Livingstone first saw them in 1855.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island is an experience in Livingstone riverfront (Zambia), Victoria Falls. Allow 2–3 hours; it is expensive. Group sizes are small; book well ahead for August to December.
Key facts
- Type
- Experience
- Area
- Livingstone riverfront (Zambia)
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Book ahead
- Recommended
- Good for
- active, views and photo spot
- Best months
- March and May–June
About Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island
On the Zambian side, guided boat trips go to Livingstone Island on the lip of the falls, where David Livingstone first saw them in 1855. At low water, roughly from August to January, guides take swimmers into Devil's Pool, a rock pool right on the edge of the drop.
Tip: 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.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 2–3 hours.
- Cost: Expensive.
- Book ahead: Group sizes are small; book well ahead for August to December.
- Where: Livingstone riverfront (Zambia), upmarket lodges on the Zambian bank upstream of the falls.
Best time to visit Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- March: 30°C (86°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- May: 28°C (82°F) highs, about 0 rainy days, busy crowds.
- June: 25°C (77°F) highs, about 0 rainy days, busy crowds.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-March the sun sets at about 18:32 local time (calculated for Victoria Falls).
When to visit Victoria Falls has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Victoria Falls rainforest (Zimbabwe side) and Victoria Falls Bridge.
- No. 6 of the 14 sights in our Victoria Falls things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 5 of the 5-day plan.
Near Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island
Also in Livingstone riverfront (Zambia), so you can walk between them:
- Knife-Edge Bridge (Zambia side) — 1–2 hours, mid-priced
If you like Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island
- Victoria Falls rainforest (Zimbabwe side) — Victoria Falls Hotel and the bridge, 2–3 hours
- Victoria Falls Bridge — Victoria Falls Hotel and the bridge, 1–2 hours
- Zambezi sunset cruise — Upper Zambezi riverfront, 2–3 hours
- Helicopter 'Flight of Angels' — Victoria Falls town centre, 1–1.5 hours including transfers
Staying near Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island
Stay in Livingstone riverfront (Zambia) ($$$$) to walk here: upmarket lodges on the Zambian bank upstream of the falls. All areas to stay in Victoria Falls.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island?
Plan 2–3 hours. With Knife-Edge Bridge (Zambia side) nearby, it fits a half-day in Livingstone riverfront (Zambia).
+Is Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island free?
No, it is expensive. Booking ahead is advised.
+When is the best time to visit Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island?
March and May–June, the quietest of the good months. 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.
+Do I need to book Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island in advance?
Group sizes are small; book well ahead for August to December.