Things to do · Victoria Falls · Zimbabwe
14 best things to do in Victoria Falls
14 sights and experiences ranked for a first visit, with honest notes on time, cost and crowds.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The essential sights in Victoria Falls are Victoria Falls rainforest (Zimbabwe side), Victoria Falls Bridge and Zambezi sunset cruise. Of the 14 picks below, 2 are free, 1 work on a rainy day and 4 suit children. Allow about 4 days to see the highlights without rushing.
Key facts
- Top sight
- Victoria Falls rainforest (Zimbabwe side)
- Free sights
- 2
- Good on a rainy day
- Victoria Falls Hotel and Stanley's Terrace
- Time to see the highlights
- 4 days
At a glance
| Sight | Area | Time needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria Falls rainforest (Zimbabwe side) | Victoria Falls Hotel and the bridge | 2–3 hours | Mid-priced |
| Victoria Falls Bridge | Victoria Falls Hotel and the bridge | 1–2 hours | Low cost |
| Zambezi sunset cruise | Upper Zambezi riverfront | 2–3 hours | Mid-priced |
| Helicopter 'Flight of Angels' | Victoria Falls town centre | 1–1.5 hours including transfers | Expensive |
| White-water rafting in the Batoka Gorge | Batoka Gorge | Full day | Expensive |
| Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island | Livingstone riverfront (Zambia) | 2–3 hours | Expensive |
| Victoria Falls Hotel and Stanley's Terrace | Victoria Falls Hotel and the bridge | 1–2 hours | Mid-priced |
| The Big Tree | Upper Zambezi riverfront | 20 minutes | Free |
| Zambezi National Park | Upper Zambezi riverfront | 3–4 hours | Mid-priced |
| Knife-Edge Bridge (Zambia side) | Livingstone riverfront (Zambia) | 1–2 hours | Mid-priced |
| Lunar rainbow visits | Victoria Falls Hotel and the bridge | 1–2 hours | Mid-priced |
| The Boma dinner and drum show | Victoria Falls Safari Lodge area | 3 hours | Expensive |
| Elephant's Walk and the craft market | Victoria Falls town centre | 1–2 hours | Free |
| Upper Zambezi canoeing | Upper Zambezi riverfront | Half a day | Expensive |
The 14 best things to do
Nature · Victoria Falls Hotel and the bridge
1.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. The Zimbabwean side faces most of the falls' length, giving the fullest views in every season.
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
2.Victoria Falls Bridge
Completed in 1905 as part of Cecil Rhodes's planned Cape-to-Cairo railway, the steel arch bridge spans the Batoka Gorge between Zimbabwe and Zambia, about 128 metres above the river. It is the platform for a bungee jump, a gorge swing and a zipline, and a guided bridge tour explains its construction from the walkways beneath the deck.
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 · Upper Zambezi riverfront
3.Zambezi sunset cruise
Boats sail the calm upper Zambezi above the falls in the late afternoon, passing islands where hippos, crocodiles, elephants and many birds are often seen, with drinks and snacks on board as the sun sets over the river.
Choose a smaller boat for better wildlife viewing and a quieter experience than the large party cruises.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Couples
- Kids
- Nature
- Photo spot
Experience · Victoria Falls town centre
4.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. Longer flights continue over the gorges and Zambezi National Park.
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 · Batoka Gorge
5.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. The full day runs at low water, roughly from August to December; at the highest water, from about March to June, trips are shortened or suspended.
Expect a strenuous climb out of the gorge; the experience suits fit adults rather than casual swimmers.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Book ahead
- Book a day or two ahead in the low-water season, and confirm which sections are running with the operator.
- Active
- Outdoors
- Iconic
Experience · Livingstone riverfront (Zambia)
6.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.
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
- Book ahead
- Group sizes are small; book well ahead for August to December.
- Active
- Iconic
- Views
- Photo spot
Architecture · Victoria Falls Hotel and the bridge
7.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. Non-guests can visit for afternoon tea or a drink on 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
Nature · Upper Zambezi riverfront
8.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.
Stop on the way to a sunset cruise jetty; keep alert for elephants and buffalo nearby.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Kids
.jpg){kind=link}
Nature · Upper Zambezi riverfront
1.Zambezi National Park
Starting just upstream of town, this national park runs along the Zambezi and inland into mopane woodland. Game drives here regularly see elephants, buffalo, giraffe, sable antelope and plenty of birds, and lions and leopards are sometimes seen.
Book an early-morning drive, when animals are most active and the light is soft.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Viewpoint · Livingstone riverfront (Zambia)
2.Knife-Edge Bridge (Zambia side)
Inside the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park entrance on the Zambian side, a footbridge crosses a narrow ridge facing the Eastern Cataract and the Boiling Pot, deep in the spray at high water. Paths also lead down to the river at the Boiling Pot.
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
Experience · Victoria Falls Hotel and the bridge
3.Lunar rainbow visits
Around the full moon, when the falls carry enough water, moonlight on the spray creates a pale lunar rainbow. Special evening visits to the rainforest are offered on the nights around the full moon.
The effect is strongest from about April to July, when the river is high and the skies are clear.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- After dark
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Nature
Experience · Victoria Falls Safari Lodge area
4.The Boma dinner and drum show
A long-running buffet dinner in an open-sided thatched boma, serving grilled game meats, traditional dishes and a chance to try mopane worms, with drumming, dancing and storytelling during the meal. Guests are invited to join a drumming session.
Book for your first or second night; it is a lively introduction to local food and music.
- Time needed
- 3 hours
- Cost
- Expensive
- Book ahead
- Reservations are needed, especially in peak season.
- Food
- After dark
- Kids
Market · Victoria Falls town centre
5.Elephant's Walk and the craft market
Elephant's Walk is a shopping village of galleries and craft shops selling Zimbabwean stone sculpture, textiles and jewellery, while the open craft market nearby has stalls of wood carvings, baskets and soapstone pieces sold by the makers.
Bargain at the open market but expect fixed prices in the galleries; small US dollar notes make paying easier.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Shopping
- Art
- Free
Experience · Upper Zambezi riverfront
6.Upper Zambezi canoeing
Guided canoe trips paddle the channels between islands on the upper Zambezi, away from the motorboats, with chances to see hippos, elephants and birds at water level. Gentle stretches suit beginners.
Go in the morning, when the river is calm and wildlife is active, and follow the guide's line around hippos.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Active
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Couples
Pick by interest
| Interest | Best picks |
|---|---|
| Art and museums | Elephant's Walk and the craft market |
| History | Victoria Falls Bridge and Victoria Falls Hotel and Stanley's Terrace |
| Views | Victoria Falls rainforest (Zimbabwe side), Victoria Falls Bridge, Helicopter 'Flight of Angels' and Victoria Falls Hotel and Stanley's Terrace |
| Outdoors and nature | Victoria Falls rainforest (Zimbabwe side), Zambezi sunset cruise, White-water rafting in the Batoka Gorge and The Big Tree |
| Food and markets | The Boma dinner and drum show and Elephant's Walk and the craft market |
| After dark | Lunar rainbow visits and The Boma dinner and drum show |
| With children | Zambezi sunset cruise, The Big Tree, Zambezi National Park and The Boma dinner and drum show |
| On a rainy day | Victoria Falls Hotel and Stanley's Terrace |
What to book ahead
- 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.
- Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island: Group sizes are small; book well ahead for August to December.
- The Boma dinner and drum show: Reservations are needed, especially in peak season.
Plan the rest of your trip
Questions travellers ask
+What is the number one thing to do in Victoria Falls?
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.
+What can you do for free in Victoria Falls?
The Big Tree and Elephant's Walk and the craft market. More free things to do.
+What is there to do in Victoria Falls when it rains?
Head indoors to Victoria Falls Hotel and Stanley's Terrace.
+What is there to do in Victoria Falls at night?
Lunar rainbow visits and The Boma dinner and drum show are best after dark.