Solo travel in Victoria Falls

Solo travel tips

• Stay in the town centre or a backpacker lodge in Livingstone to meet other travellers.
• Join group activities like rafting, cruises and game drives to share the experience and the cost.
• Avoid walking alone after dark because of wildlife, not just people.
• Decline street money changers and use banks or card payments.
• Keep a copy of your passport and carry the original for border crossings.

Where to stay

Great on your own

Nature · Victoria Falls Hotel and the bridge

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.

Time needed

2–3 hours

Cost

Mid-priced

• Iconic
• Nature
• Views
• Photo spot
• Outdoors

Landmark · Victoria Falls Hotel and the bridge

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.

Time needed

1–2 hours

Cost

Low cost

• Iconic
• History
• Views
• Active
• Architecture

Experience · Victoria Falls town centre

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.

Time needed

1–1.5 hours including transfers

Cost

Expensive

• Views
• Photo spot
• Couples
• Iconic

Experience · Livingstone riverfront (Zambia)

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.

Time needed

2–3 hours

Cost

Expensive

• Active
• Iconic
• Views
• Photo spot

Architecture · Victoria Falls Hotel and the bridge

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.

Time needed

1–2 hours

Cost

Mid-priced

• History
• Couples
• Views
• Architecture
• Rainy day

Viewpoint · Livingstone riverfront (Zambia)

Knife-Edge Bridge (Zambia side)

At high water, bring a rain poncho; in the dry months, the Eastern Cataract can dwindle to a trickle.

Time needed

1–2 hours

Cost

Mid-priced

• Views
• Nature
• Photo spot

Meeting people

• The Boma — An evening of game meats, sadza, mopane worms, drumming and dancing at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge's thatched restaurant.
• High tea on Stanley's Terrace — Afternoon tea with sandwiches and scones on the Victoria Falls Hotel's terrace, with the bridge and spray in view.

Sensible precautions

Check your own government's travel advice before travel. Wild animals, including elephants and buffalo, move through town, so avoid walking after dark and keep a respectful distance. Paths in the rainforest are slippery at high water, and street curio sellers and money changers can be persistent. Seek medical advice on malaria prevention.

Emergency number

999 (Zimbabwe emergency services)

Staying connected

Local SIM cards and eSIMs give coverage in town; lodge Wi-Fi is common but can be slow, and coverage fades in national parks.

Questions travellers ask