Travel tips · Victoria Falls · Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls travel tips: what to know before you go
The etiquette, money and practical details that make the first day easier.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Victoria Falls is a small town built around tourism, with residents from across Zimbabwe and the Tonga and Nambya communities of the region. Livingstone across the border is older and larger. Courtesy matters: people greet each other properly before getting down to business.
Key facts
- Language
- English, Ndebele and Shona
- Currency
- USD
- Plugs
- Type D and G sockets in Zimbabwe, 220 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Most visitors drink bottled or filtered water; lodges usually provide it.
- Emergency
- 999 (Zimbabwe emergency services)
Things to know
- Greet people before asking a question; 'Good morning, how are you?' goes a long way.
- Ask before photographing people, and don't photograph border posts or officials.
- Respect wildlife: never approach elephants, buffalo or hippos, even in town.
- Politely but firmly decline curio sellers and money changers in the street.
- Dress modestly in local neighbourhoods and markets.
- Book White-water rafting in the Batoka Gorge ahead: Book a day or two ahead in the low-water season, and confirm which sections are running with the operator.
- Book Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island ahead: Group sizes are small; book well ahead for August to December.
- Book The Boma dinner and drum show ahead: Reservations are needed, especially in peak season.
- Carry US dollars in small notes; change is often short and cards are not accepted everywhere.
Tipping
Tipping in US dollars is customary: about 10% in restaurants, and tips for activity guides, rafting crews, drivers and lodge staff at the end of a stay, often through a shared staff tip box.
Language
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Mhoro / Mhoroi | Hello (Shona) |
| Salibonani | Hello (Ndebele) |
| Ndatenda | Thank you (Shona) |
| Ngiyabonga | Thank you (Ndebele) |
What to wear
Light clothes, a rain jacket or poncho for the spray, sturdy shoes for wet paths and warm layers for June–August mornings and evenings, which can be cool.
Practical details
- Plugs and voltage
- Type D and G sockets in Zimbabwe, 220 V, 50 Hz
- Drinking water
- Most visitors drink bottled or filtered water; lodges usually provide it.
- Emergency number
- 999 (Zimbabwe emergency services)
- Phone and internet
- Local SIM cards and eSIMs give coverage in town; lodge Wi-Fi is common but can be slow, and coverage fades in national parks.
- Time zone
- Africa/Harare
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.
Entry requirements
Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality and change often. Check Zimbabwe's official government guidance and your own government's travel advice before booking.
Plan the trip
Questions travellers ask
+Do you tip in Victoria Falls?
Tipping in US dollars is customary: about 10% in restaurants, and tips for activity guides, rafting crews, drivers and lodge staff at the end of a stay, often through a shared staff tip box.
+Can you drink the tap water in Victoria Falls?
Most visitors drink bottled or filtered water; lodges usually provide it.
+What plugs are used in Victoria Falls?
Type D and G sockets in Zimbabwe, 220 V, 50 Hz
+What language is spoken in Victoria Falls?
English, Ndebele and Shona.