- Tour of Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe side bigger, Zambia no water Sept-Dec)
- Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River
- Walk across Victory Falls Bridge
- Lunch at Lookout Cafe (or High Tea at Victoria Falls Hotel)
- Dusty Road Restaurant (Lunch or Dinner)
- Boma Dinner
- Helicopter Flight
- Elephant Conservation Center
- Lunar Moonbow over Falls (or full moon dinner at Lookout Cafe)
- Game Drive
- Chobe Day Trip
- White Water Rafting (mid-July to mid-April)
- Bungee Jumping
- Village Tour
- E-biking Tour – 2 hours morning/mid-day/afternoon
- Train across the Zambezi River (half days from Zim / half from Zam)
- Devil’s Pool (mid-Aug to mid-Jan) or Angel’s Pool (Zambia)
- Ultralight Flight (Zambia)
- Shopping and Restaurants in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
More Information:
1) Tour of Victoria Falls
The Zimbabwe side is bigger, and often Zambia has no water Sept-Dec.
This is about 1.5 miles of walking. It is mostly level except for one optional spot which has 38 steps down and buck up.
The area by the bridge to the right is extremely misty, and you will get wet. Wear Tennis shoes as it is rocky, uneven, mossy, slippery, wet (cameras will get wet if not covered). Bring a rain jacket if you don’t want to get wet and to protect your camera (additionally, an umbrella is also a good option for your camera).
At the entrance, there are toilets, restaurant, gift shop. In the parking area, there are lots of small vendors selling things.
2) Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River
The sunset cruises run every evening at 4:30-6:30pm. It can also be done as a dinner cruise. This is a nice option because there are many boats on the river at sunset, but only a couple of boats operate into the evening, so at some point, you have the whole river to yourselves. If you are doing a safari in Botswana first, the sunset cruise may seem repetitive, but the dinner cruise is a nice option.
Palm River sunset cruise
The Ra-Ikane River Cruise starts from Palm River. It offers breakfast, birdwatching, lunch, and sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. They are cute wooden boats (replica of Livingstone’s). The boats seat 12 people (6 couples) with small tables with 2 chairs.
The evening starts with welcome ice tea, olives, peanuts, fried chips. Then there is an offering of cocktails, beer, wine, soda. Snacks included veggies with hummus, meatball, chicken skewer, vegetable tart, potato chips.
Bring a light jacket, but there are also blankets on boat.
You might see hippos, lots of birds, Egyptian geese, crocodiles, and more.
Budget $5/person tip for the crew.
3) Walk across Victoria Falls Bridge
From the entrance to the Victoria Falls National Park entrance, it is an easy walk to the bridge. You will have to go through immigration, but just tell them that you are going to the bridge, and they will give you a piece of paper — one for the group, and you do not need your passport. On your way back, you will hand in the paper to immigration coming back.
There are great views of the falls from the bridge. You can get your picture taken at the Zambia border. The bungee jumpers launch from here as well.
5) Lunch at Lookout Cafe (or High Tea at Victoria Falls Hotel)
Lunch at the Lookout Cafe is a must-do with great views of the gorge and maybe even see some adrenaline swingers. The Café is very close to Victoria Falls entrance. There are Great views of the gorge and bridge. They do the ropes swing right by the café.
Try the Crocodile skewers with rice, Thai curry sauce, carrot/beet/potato salad, or the Bream in caper sauce.
Another classic experience is the high tea at the Victoria Falls Hotel, starting at 3pm on the Stanley Terrace. This is a nice way to be allowed to explore this historic hotel.
The Palm River Hotel is also offering high tea 3:30-5:00pm daily on the banks of the Zambezi River for $25/person.
5) Dusty Road Restaurant (Lunch or Dinner)
Dusty Road is an authentic Township dining experience. You need to make reservations for both lunch and dinner. Dinner is $40/person, cash only. Their popular cookbook is also $40.
6) Boma Dinner
The Boma Restaurant has a large buffet and live entertainment. It is a fun and lively evening!
7) Helicopter Flight
A great way to see the falls! Prices start at $100/person for 15 minutes.
8) Elephant Conservation Center
You will get juice on arrival, followed by a briefing.
It is a 10-minute drive to elephants with guide and armed ranger. You will get photos with the elephants, and you can pet the elephants. Then you walk through the bush to the river and feed elephants with pellets. Afterwards, you drive back to the lodge for drinks and snacks. There are other animals in the area, including giraffes.
There are 17 elephants, but only interact with 5-7 of them. They are all orphans.
There is also a breakfast and lunch option.
9) Lunar Moonbow over Falls (or full moon dinner at Lookout Cafe)
For 3 days around a full moon, there is a special guided tour to the falls to see the rainbow-like imagery.
Alternatively, plan on dinner at the Lookout Cafe for a great view of the moon rise.
10) Game Drive
Choose from 3 different options:
- Stanley Livingstone Game Reserve – rhinos
- Zambezi National Park – 2 entrances so 2 separate game drives
11) Chobe Day Trip
If you are not going to Botswana on your trip this is a great way to see the wildlife in one of the largest parks in Botswana in just one day. Note that you will have to go through immigration in both directions.
12) White Water Rafting
This is a great option mid-July to mid-April.
13) Bungee Jumping
For the real adrenaline seekers!
14) Village Tour
A great option if you are interested in local culture.
15) E-biking Tour
An easy touring option around town. Plan on 2 hours, and tours are offered morning, mid-day, and afternoon.
16) Train across the Zambezi River
The historic train runs every other day from the Zimbabwe side and other days from the Zambia side. It is a great way to take pictures of falls.
17) Devil’s Pool or Angel’s Pool (Zambia)
The Devil’s Pool and Angel’s Pool is on the Zambia side. The Devil’s Pool is typically open mid-Aug to mid-Jan. If it is not open, there is a chance that the Angel’s Pool is open.
18) Ultralight Flight (Zambia)
This is offered on the Zambia side. No cameras or cell phones are allowed.
19) Restaurants and Shopping in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
These are right in the center of town:
- The River Brewing
- Victoria Falls Distilling Company
- Three Monkeys Restaurant & Bar
- Marula Restaurant
- Elephant Walk for shopping and cafes – Outdoor market and sculpture gardens nearby
Popular restaurants (not in the center of town):
- Dusty Road — $40/person for dinner, cash only
- Lookout Cafe
- The Boma
- Palm River Riverside (can book with 6+ people)
- The Victoria Falls Hotel for afternoon high tea. It also has fine dining in the Livingstone Room, but it has a dress code. It used to be jacket and tie for men, but now it is just a long-sleeve collared shirt and closed toe shoes. Closed on Sundays. Reservations are required, or they may not let you into the hotel.
MORE INFORMATION
1) Flying to VFA
Arrive at least 2 hours before your flight. There are lines to check bags, security, and immigration and your gate maybe way out. Computers out but not iPads and shoes on.
Shongololo Lounge with Priority Pass is nice, lots of food options, self serve wine and beer, comfortable seating not far from A20 gates.
FastJet uses a bus to airplane.
Insecticide sprayed in airplane before taxiing.
On arrival, fill out form. Guy checks form and sends you to counter pay $50 cash for univisa. Pieces are good for 30 days and you can go between Zimbabwe, Zambia, and a day trip to Botswana. Really a multi entry visa…
Collect luggage. Put checked luggage through X-ray. Go through exit and drivers are lined up.
No cell service and couldn’t get airport WiFi to work.
2) Border Crossing Kasane, Botswana
If you are coming from Botswana, you will cross the border near Kasane. You can prepay your visa fee online, but you still need to fill out a paper form. They also take your temperature.
If you are going from Zimbabwe to Kasane, you will need to walk across a wet mat with your shoes.
3) Border Crossing Zim/Zam
Drive 10 minutes to border crossing
20 minutes through immigration, depends on line
Crossing the border to Zambia.
Stop at immigration to exit Zimbabwe, fill out form and show visa. Drive to immigration in Zambia. Super long line but guide skipped the line so quick.
Show passport one more time at gate.
On way back, stop at immigration to exit Zambia, different place. Across bridge and go through immigration Zimbabwe side. Guides do most of the work, but you have to go with them.
25 minutes to Thorntree from the border.
A lot of bicycles with big loads, copper trucks.
