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Top Things to Do at Victoria Falls – Africa’s Adventure Capital

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Victoria Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in the world, making it a must-see in Southern Africa.  Located on the Zambezi River at the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, you can visit Victoria Falls from either country.

victoria falls zambia

 

ZAMBIA VS ZIMBABWE

 

Which side is better?  I only visited the Zambian side, but apparently the Zimbabwean side is better.

The Zimbabwe side has 75% of Victoria Falls and a lot more viewpoints, resulting in a better view.  The Zambian side only has 25% of the falls, but you get closer to the falls (which also results in getting wet).

victoria falls zambia
The misty view from the Zambian side

In addition, it’s only 2km to Victoria Falls from the closest town in Zimbabwe, while the closest town in Zambia is 11km from the falls.

However, due to the political turmoil in Zimbabwe in the recent years, the Zambian side has been more popular.

You can go bungee jumping from either country, but you can only visit Angel’s Pool and Devil’s Pool from the Zambian side, which is an absolute must-see!

 

VICTORIA FALLS ACTIVITIES

 

Victoria Falls is the adventure capital of Africa, offering fun adventure activities like some of the best white water rafting in the world, bungee jumping, ziplining, canoe safaris, river cruises on the Zambezi River, and Devil’s or Angel’s Pool and more.  Everything is ridiculously overpriced at Victoria Falls, so choose your activities wisely.  And don’t stay there long if you’re on a budget.

I chose bungee jumping and Angel’s Pool, both of which I highly recommend.  But especially Angel’s Pool because there’s nowhere else like it in the world.

I also went on the hippo and crocodile canoe safari, which I do NOT recommend.  It’s extremely overpriced for what it is and you’re not allowed anywhere near the hippos (at least 200m away) because they’re very territorial.  So it’s basically just a basic canoe trip.  And it was a 5.5 hour excursion and they didn’t even provide food and it cost $110US (however, now the price is $150US).  I’m still mad about it years later.

 

VICTORIA FALLS

The park entrance fee is $30US in Zimbabwe and $20US in Zambia.

Victoria Falls Zambia

BUNGEE JUMPING

At 111m high, this is an absolute must for adrenalin junkies.

Bungee jumping at Victoria Falls will cost you $168US.  If you don’t feel like jumping head first off a bridge, but you still want an adrenalin rush, you can try the bridge swing ($168US) or bridge slide/zipline ($48US).  And both of these activities can be done in tandem for an extra charge.  Or you can do all 3 for $220US.

It’s $30US to buy the professional photos of your jump, $55US for the video, or $65US for both.  I opted for the photos only (the video would’ve been cool if I didn’t look like a flailing dead body after the recoil).

Zambia and Zimbabwe share the bungee jumping bridge, so you must bring your passport.  I jumped from Zambia and had to walk through Zimbabwe to exit from the bungee jumping.

Bungee jumping Victoria Falls
My first time bungee jumping!

ANGEL’S POOL OR DEVIL’S POOL

This is an absolute must-see at Victoria Falls!  This is the only place in the world where you can hang out in a natural infinity pool on the edge of the world’s biggest waterfall.

Devil’s Pool is the more well-known pool, which can be seen during the dry season from May to October.  During the wet season, which is when I was there (in mid-February), you can visit the lesser-known Angel’s Pool instead.

There are 5 tours per day and it gets more expensive later in the day.  For $115-179USD, you get one of the craziest and most unique experiences of your life, some of the coolest pictures of your life and a very delicious meal at the end.  It’s a steep price for only a few hours, but everything at Victoria Falls is ridiculously overpriced.

You cannot visit either of the pools without a tour and once you see the pools, you’ll learn that it’s not just a cash grab and you definitely could not go by yourself, because if you did, you would probably definitely die.

Angel's Pool Victoria Falls

Angel's Pool Victoria Falls

THE ZAMBEZI RIVER AT SUNSET

Zambezi River Sunset Zambia

For more activities, along with prices, see here.

 

VISAS COSTS

 

You can get a dual visa on arrival for both Zambia and Zimbabwe for $50US.  However, this visa wasn’t available at the Zambian border when I arrived from Botswana, so I only got a Zambia visa.  Most nationalities will be eligible for the visas on arrival.

 

ZIMBABWE 

single entry  –  $30US

double entry  –  $45US

multiple entry  –  $55US

ZAMBIA

day trip  –  $20US

single entry/transit  – $50US

double/multiple entry  –  $80US

 

NEED TO KNOW

 

Bring rain gear or a poncho or everything will get soaked, including your electronics.  I wish I had known this beforehand.  Unfortunately, the few photos I was able to take of the falls didn’t turn out well because of all the water.  But it was a fun experience because it was like being in a torrential tropical downpour and there were rainbows everywhere!

Wear insect repellent as soon as dusk hits.  The Zambezi river is nearby so the mosquitoes are abundant and ruthless.

For everything else you need to know for visiting Victoria Falls, see here.

 

Chobe National Park in Botswana is just next door, so it’s an easy trip from Victoria Falls.  It’s one of the best wildlife parks in Africa and it has the largest elephant population in Africa.

Chobe Botswana
Chobe, Botswana

 

MORE ON AFRICA

 

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Angel’s Pool at Victoria Falls in Zambia

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0 thoughts on “Top Things to Do at Victoria Falls – Africa’s Adventure Capital

  • Rechito April 28, 2015 at 4:40 AM Reply

    so how did you get around, did you fly or drive through the borders. looking for cheap fairs

    • thetravelinggypsy April 28, 2015 at 10:11 AM Reply

      I was on an overland tour, so it was all driving. It was not an ideal way to travel, but Africa is very difficult to travel on your own, especially if you don’t have your own vehicle.

      • Rechito April 28, 2015 at 10:58 AM Reply

        I’ll keep that in mind, thanks

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