Travelling to Victoria Falls

How to get there?

This is one of the most common questions we are asked, we hope to shed some light on this below… The three major access options to Victoria Falls are quite obviously Air, Rail and Road we have broken them down into these sections below.

Victoria Falls Travel by Air

Airports

Victoria Falls Town (Zimbabwe) and Livingstone Town (Zambia) both have international airports. These are serviced by several flights a day from various destinations, see the schedule below.

You can fly into either of these airports and catch a short road transfer (needs to be booked) across the border if your accommodation is booked in the other country.

Victoria Falls Airport (Zimbabwe) and Livingstone Airport (Zambia) are the closest to the Falls themselves. But, you can also fly into Kasane Airport (Botswana), and take an hour long road transfer into Victoria Falls town (this road transfer does involve a border crossing). This is an important initial decision.

Other Major Airports

Zimbabwe has two other international airports in Harare and Bulawayo. However, these are hundreds of kilometres away, and getting to Victoria Falls from there would require an additional expensive flight or a long and expensive road transfer. Likewise, Zambia’s Lusaka Airport is also roughly, a 10 hour road transfer or an additional flight from Livingstone Town. Flying to these airports, therefore, would not be ideal if you want to get to Victoria Falls or Livingstone.

Which Airport to Use and Where to Stay

Flights into Zambia are sometimes cheaper than flights into Zimbabwe, however higher prices for accommodation and activities, can balance the sums. Plus, if you are staying in Zimbabwe, you need to factor in the transfer fees and the time it takes to cross the border

If you are unsure as to which country to stay in please visit this page Zimbabwe or Zambia it should help you to make a decision.

You might need a visa (check here) which is given to you at the airport and then catch your transfer into town. The time this process takes all depends on how full the flight is, so at peak times of year with full aircraft it can take a couple of hours to clear customs and catch your bus into town, in quieter times this can be done in under an hour, so just bear this in mind when booking any activities on the afternoon you arrive. Generally, there is sufficient time for a sunset cruise or a helicopter flight.

Flight Schedules

Below are detailed flight schedules of the airlines that fly into Victoria Falls Airport.

Updated on 27th February 2023
The different airlines that fly to Victoria Falls (and the surrounding area) are:
  • SA Airlink (Victoria Falls, Kasane and Livingstone)
  • Kenya Airways (Victoria Falls and Livingstone)
  • Ethiopian Airlines (Victoria Falls)
  • FastJet (Victoria Falls)
  • Eurowings (Victoria Falls in the high season)
  • Proflight (Livingstone)
  • Mack Air (Kasane and Victoria Falls)
  • Air Botswana (Kasane and Maun)
  • South African Airlines (Victoria Falls)

Victoria Falls Flights

Ethiopian Airlines (ET)

Route Depart Arrive Days
ADD – VFA 08H30 12H10 – T – T – S S
VFA – GBE 12H55 14H25 – T – T – S S
GBE – ADD 15H10 21H40 – T – T – S S

FastJet (FN)

Route Depart Arrive Days
Victoria Falls & Harare
VFA – HRE 10H20 11H25 M T W T F S S
VFA – HRE 15H10 16H15 M T W T F S S
HRE – VFA 08H40 09H50 M T W T F S S
HRE – VFA 08H50 10H00 M T W T F S S
Victoria Falls & Johannesburg
VFA – JNB 13H00 14H35 M T W T F S S
VFA – JNB 13H35 15H10 M T W T F S S
JNB – VFA 09H55 11H35 M T W T F S S
JNB – VFA 11H20 13H00 M T W T F S S
Victoria Falls & Nelspruit
MQP – VFA 12H45 14H30 M – W – F – –
VFA – MQP 10H30 12H15 M – W – F – –
Victoria Falls & Maun
MUB – VFA 13H45 15H00 – T – T – S S
VFA – MUB 12H00 13H15 – T – T – S S
*Please note: FastJet schedules tend to change more frequently than most. When booking, you may find different times for the flights on their website.

Kenya Airways (KQ)

Route Depart Arrive Days
Nairobi, Victoria Falls & Cape Town
NBO – VFA 07H30 09H45 M – W – F – –
VFA – CPT 10H30 13H40 M – W – F – –
CPT – VFA 14H30 17H20 M – – – F – –
CPT – VFA 14H55 17H45 – – W – – – –
VFA – NBO 18H05 22H20 M – – – F – –
VFA – NBO 18H30 22H45 – – W – – – –

MackAir (MBK)

Route Depart Arrive Days
Victoria Falls & Kasane
BBK – VFA 11H00 11H20 M T W T F S S
BBK – VFA 15H15 15H35 M T W T F S S
VFA – BBK 12H00 12H20 M T W T F S S
VFA – BBK 16H00 16H20 M T W T F S S

SA Airlink (4Z)

Route Depart Arrive Days
Victoria Falls & Johannesburg
JNB – VFA 11H35 13H20 M T W T F S S
VFA – JNB 14H00 15H40 M T W T F S S
Victoria Falls & Cape Town
CPT – VFA 09H45 12H40 M – W T – – S
VFA – CPT 13H15 16H20 M – W T – – S

South African Airlines (SA)

Route Depart Arrive Days
Victoria Falls & Johannesburg
JNB – VFA 10H50 12H25 M T W T F – S
VFA – JNB 13H10 14H50 M T W T F – S

Airports Key

Code Airport Name
ADDAddis Ababa Bole International Airport (Ethiopia)
BBKKasane Airport (Botswana – Kasane, Chobe)
CPTCape Town International (South Africa)
FRAFrankfurt Airport (Germany)
GBESir S Khama – Gaborone International Airport (Botswana – Gaborone)
HRERobert Gabriel Mugabe Airport – Harare International Airport (Zimbabwe)
JNBO R Tambo – Johannesburg International Airport (South Africa)
KABKariba Airport (Zimbabwe)
MQPKruger Mpumalanga – Nelspruit Airport (South Africa)
MUBMaun Airport (Botswana – Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve)
NBOJomo Kenyatta – Nairobi International Airport (Kenya)
VFAVictoria Falls International Airport (Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls)
WDHHosea Kutako – Windhoek International Airport (Namibia)

Victoria Falls Travel by Rail

Regular train services no longer run between South Africa and Victoria Falls no matter what you might read in some Guide books.

There is however a luxury train service that travels directly to Victoria Falls from South Africa which is the Luxury Rovos Rail. This is not a regular shuttle service but rather a holiday in itself. Johannesburg to Victoria falls takes 3 days and a highly recommended trip.
The more affordable Shongololo Express (managed by Rovos Rail) offers a long journey through Mozambique and Swaziland from Pretoria to Victoria Falls, in 3-star luxury.
There is normally an overnight train from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls. However, this service is currently suspended until further notice. During normal circumstances, this is an option but it is certainly not luxurious. The trains are a bit run down – but it is a unique African experience if you are up for it and is perfectly safe. You would be able to buy your ticket to Victoria Falls from the office at the station. This ticket to Victoria Falls is fairly cheap with a first-class costing approximately $10. The train station in Victoria Falls is right next to Victoria Falls Hotel and the Kingdom Hotel and is less than a kilometre from the town centre.

Victoria Falls travel by Road

Travelling to Victoria Falls by road is also an option. Fuel is usually available, however, some garages do run out so always make sure you have enough to get to the next fuel point. The price does fluctuate as with fuel prices around the world. Don’t forget to take cash with you as most may not accept credit or debit cards.

Fuel is available from several garages in Victoria Falls town centre.

In South Africa and Botswana, fuel stations accept all major credit and debit cards.

Zimbabwe has some strict requirements for vehicles entering the country, please read about these.

The major roads in Zimbabwe are still in good condition and are perfectly acceptable to drive on. Traffic around the major centres like Harare and Bulawayo is nowadays quite congested.

Bus Services

For those who just want to get from point A to point B, there are cheap buses that travel daily, leaving in the morning as well as in the evening between Victoria Falls and Harare, passing through Bulawayo and the smaller towns in between. These are not luxury buses, and they do not offer any extra amenities, except some music. They will make a few short stops along the way for recess and for passengers to get a bite to eat.

The border post options available

Beitbridge Border Post (Open) – Between Zimbabwe and South Africa. Very Busy but efficient…Worth avoiding if you can. Plumtree Border Post (Open) – Between Botswana and Zimbabwe. Mostly quiet and efficient, although still best to arrive early morning or late afternoon. Pandamatenga Border Post (Closed) – Between Botswana and Zimbabwe. Very quiet but efficient. The road on the Zimbabwe side for about 80 kilometres is dirt and is quite tough going, on the map, it looks like a short cut but in reality, it is not. Kazungula Border Post (Open) – Between Botswana and Zimbabwe. Moderately busy but efficient. This is only 70 Kilometres from the Falls so is an ideal place to refuel and shop for supplies. Victoria Falls Bridge (Open) – Between Zambia and Zimbabwe… Busy and moderately efficient. Essential for getting into Zambia to do activities on that side or visa versa.

Zimbabwe Visa Requirements

Category A and B passport holders staying for short-term holiday purposes can enter Zimbabwe with a minimum of formalities.

Last updated: 13 February 2023

You may be required to obtain a Visa to enter Zimbabwe depending on your nationality. Please read the details below carefully to understand what you need to know and do.
Zimbabwe has 3 visa categories:

Category A: Countries whose nationals do NOT require a Visa. No action required, you will be granted easy entry at any border post.

Category B: Countries whose nationals are granted a Zimbabwe visa at the port of entry on payment of requisite visa fees. These visas are easiest obtained on your arrival at the Airport or border post.

*Note* We recommend that you do NOT pre-apply online via Zimbabwe evisa website if you are a category B National. The e-visa system is designed for Category C nationals, who HAVE to pre-apply. You do NOT save yourself any time on arrival, in fact it can cost you more time as they need to verify your application. Applying online requires registering an account on the website and then supplying a whole lot of information that you do not need when you are category B. Also E-visa applications often go missing. Same thing applies to overseas companies offering visa services at exorbitant costs. Get your visa on arrival with minimal fuss.

Category C: Countries whose nationals are required to apply for and obtain a Zimbabwe visa prior to travelling. You can apply for one through a Zimbabwe High Commission in your home or neighbouring country. Another way is to apply online – click on this link Zimbabwe e-visa for details. Please note that the online system, while convenient, is not always foolproof.

Find out the Category of your country in the tables below.
All Categories need:

  • Passport valid for a least 6 months from your date of entry.
  • Return ticket to your country (or enough money to buy one)
  • Sufficient funds to cover your stay in Zimbabwe
  • Enough blank pages in your passport to fit the required entry visa.
Single Entry visa allows for entry into Zimbabwe one time. Once you exit Zimbabwe, the visa cannot be used again. Double Entry visa allows for up to two entries into Zimbabwe. Valid up to 90 days from the date of issue. Once you have used it for the two entries and two exits, the visa cannot be used again.

Multiple Entry visas – CANNOT be obtained at the port of entry into Zimbabwe. You may enter Zimbabwe on a single entry visa and then obtain a Multiple Entry Visa from the town office – but this may take up to 7 working days to be issued and in many cases is declined – if you need to enter 3 or 4 times rather buy a single entry and then a double entry visa or two doubles, which is a perfectly accepted by immigration.

Visitors coming from Category B countries (listed below) can pay the fee for their visa when they arrive at the port of entry, whether it is at the land border or at the airport. We strongly advise visitors who wish to pay on arrival to have cash for their visas, in case the credit card machines are not working due to network problems. Category C nationals who applied for a visa online will pay for the visa during the online application.


Here is the fee structure for Category B – Zimbabwe visas:


Type of EntryFee
Single EntryUS$ 30
Double EntryUS$ 45
Multiple Entry – See notes aboveUS$ 55


What are Zimbabwe Visa Fees for British, Irish and Canadian Citizens?


British and Irish 
Single EntryUS$ 55
Double EntryUS$ 70
Canada 
Single EntryUS$ 75



Single EntryUS$ 30 to US$ 100

Category C nationals can apply for a single or double-entry Zimbabwe visa


Children – (As of June 2012) Zimbabwe will charge FULL VISA fees for any individual who is required to have a VISA despite their age. This includes infants and children (who were previously exempted from this).

Australia
Embassy Of Zimbabwe
26 Numeralla Street, O’Mally, Canberra, ACT 2606
Tel: +61 2 6286 2281 | +61 2 6286 2303 | +61 2 6286 2700
Fax: +61 2 6290 1680

Austria
Embassy Of Zimbabwe
Neustift am Walde 91, 1190, Vienna
Tel: +43-1-4079236 | +43-1-4079237
Fax: +43-1-4079238

Belgium
Embassy of Zimbabwe
Square Joséphine Charlotte 11, 1200 Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, Brussels
Tel: +32 2 762 58 08
Fax: +32 27629605 | +32 27756510

Botswana
Embassy Of Zimbabwe
Plot 8850, Orapa Close, Government Enclave, Gaborone
Tel: +267 314495
Fax: +267 305863

Canada
Embassy Of Zimbabwe
332 Somerset St West, Ottawa, Ontario K2P 0J9
Tel: +1 613 421 2824 | +1 613 421 1242 | +1 613 421 1239
Fax: +1 613 422 7403

China
Embassy of Zimbabwe
No. 7, Dong San Jie, San Li Tun, Beijing 100600
Tel: +86 10 65323665 | +86 10 65323665
Fax: +86 10 65325383

Cuba
Embassy of Zimbabwe
Ave. 3ra. No.1001 e/ 10 y 12, Miramar, Havana
Tel: +53 7 242837 | +53 7 273565 | +53 7 2069504
Fax: +53 2 42720

Egypt
7 Mohandes El Galal Street, Mohandessin, Giza, Cairo
Tel: +20 2 305 9743 | +20 2 303 0404
Fax: +20 2 3059741  

France
Embassy Of Zimbabwe
10 Rue Jacques Bingen, 75008, Paris
Tel: +33 1 56 88 16 00
ax: +33 1 56 88 16 09

Germany
Embassy of Zimbabwe
Kommandantenstrasse 80, 10117 Berlin
Tel: +49 30 2062263
Fax: +49 30 20455062

India
High Commission Of Zimbabwe
4, Poorvi Marg Vasant Vihar, New Delhi 110057
Tel: +91 11 2611 0430 / 31 | +91 11 2615 4313 | +91 11 2614 4314
Fax: +91 11 2611 4316

Indonesia
Embassy Of Zimbabwe
Jalan Patra Kunningan VII/15, Jakarta Selatan
Tel: +62 21 522 1378
Fax: +62 21 525 0365  

Italy
Embassy Of Zimbabwe
Via Virgilio, 8, Int. 8, 00193 Roma
Tel: +39 06 6830 8282 | +39 06 6830 8273
Fax: +39 06 6830 8324

Consulate General in Milan
Viale Abruzzi 91, Milano 20131
Tel: +39 800 90 99 99
Fax: +39 02 49 665 244

Japan
Embassy Of Zimbabwe
5-9-10, Shiroganedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108 0071
Tel: +81 3 3280 0331/2
Fax: +81 3 3280 0466  

Kenya
Embassy Of Zimbabwe
111/192 Mumwe Avenue, Runda, P.O. Box 693, Nairobi
Tel: +254 20 374 4052 | +254 20 374 6546
Fax: +254 20 374 8079

Malawi
Embassy Of Zimbabwe
Presidential Way, Area 19, Lilongwe
Tel: +265 1 774 988 | +265 1 774 997 | +265 1 774 413
Fax: +265 1 772 382

Malaysia
Embassy Of Zimbabwe
124, Jalan Sembilan
Taman Ampang Utama
68000 Ampang, Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +60 3 4251 6779 | +60 3 4251 6781/2 | +60 3 4251 7346
Fax: +60 3 4251 7252

Mozambique
Embassy Of Zimbabwe
Ave Machava, Caixa Postal 743, Maputo
Tel: +258 21 490 404 | +258 21 488 877
Fax: +258 21 492 293

Consulate Of Zimbabwe
617 Rua Francisco Dechage Almeda, Ponde Gea, P.O. Box 649, Beira
Tel: +258 23 327 950 | +258 23 327 942
Fax : +258 23 328 942

Namibia
High Commission Of Zimbabwe
Cnr Independence Ave and Grimm St, PO Box 23056, Windhoek
Tel: +264 61 227738 | +264-61-227204 | +264-61-228137
Fax: +264 61 226859

Portugal
Consulate of Zimbabwe
Avenida Almirante Gago Coutinho No. 56-6-esq., 1700 Lisbon
Tel: +351 218 02091 | +351 218 472401
Fax: +351 218 472 400

Russia
Embassy Of Zimbabwe
Mytnaya Street 3, Office 29-31, Moscow
Tel: +7 499 230 1864 | +7 499 230 1932 | +7 499 230 1932
Fax: +7 495 230 1932

Singapore
Embassy of Zimbabwe
7500A Beach Road, #13-308 The Plaza 199591
Tel: +656 297 7753/4
Fax: +656 297 7761

South Africa
Embassy Of Zimbabwe
798 Mertons, Arcadia 0083, Pretoria
Tel: + 27 12 342 5125
Fax: +27 12 342 5126

Consulate of Zimbabwe
13A Boeing Road West, Bedfordview, Johannesburg 2007, P O Box 61736
Tel: +27 11 838 2156/7/8/9
Fax: +27 11 838 5620

Consulate Of Zimbabwe
55 Kuyper St, Zonnebloem 7925, Cape Town 8000, P.O. Box 5561
Tel: +27 21 4614710
Fax: +27 21 4614896

Sweden
Embassy of Zimbabwe
Herserudsvgen 5A, 7th floor.
181 34 Lidingö
Box 3253
103 65 Stockholm
Tel: +46 8 765 53 80
Fax: +46 8 21 91 32

Tanzania
Embassy Of Zimbabwe
6th Floor New Life House, Sokaine Drive/Ohio St,
PO Box 20762, Dar es Salaam
Tel: +255 22 260 2930

United Kingdom
High Commission Of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe House, 429 The Strand, London WC2R 0SA
Tel: +44 20 7836 7755
Fax: +44 20 7379 1167 | +44 20 7836 7755

United States of America
Ambassador Of Zimbabwe
1608 New Hampshire Ave NW, Washington DC 20009
Tel: +1 202 332 7100
Fax: +1 202 438 9326

Permanent Mission
128 East 56th Street, New York, NY 10022
Tel: +1 212 980 9511
Fax: +1 212 308 6705

Getting Around Victoria Falls Zimbabwe

A small town with loads of attractions, Victoria Falls is not difficult to get around, and you can enjoy all that is offered. Getting around Victoria Falls is actually quite easy. The town of Victoria Falls and the Falls themselves are within walking distance of each other – as you arrive the ever-present “smoke” from the Falls very quickly orientates you as to the layout of the town. The Falls are literally situated at the end of the main road into town.

If travelling by air the first thing you would need to think about is getting in from the Victoria Falls airport which is about 22kms out of town.


• Car Rental in Victoria Falls is available and vehicles may be picked up from the airport. Read more about Car hire on this page.


• Airport Transfers – There are numerous companies that offer a meet and greet airport service, Shearwater, Wild horizons, Adventure Zone, Falcon Safaris to name a few. The rate for an airport transfer is about US$17 per person one way. We can arrange this for you taking the hassle away from you. You will be greeted at the airport by a driver with your name on a board. Contact us via this Enquiry Form to arrange your transfer, it’s quick and easy.


A Wild Horizons transfer vehicle

• Private Airport Transfer – If the incoming planes are full it can take quite some time for all passengers to clear customs, especially as seeing many of the international travellers will be needing visa. If you are booked on a standard transfer even if you are through first you will have to wait for all clients booked on that transfer to get through. If you are only in town for a couple of days this can cut short your time there. To avoid this you can book a private transfer, the price will vary depending how many in your group. Contact us via this Enquiry Form to quote and arrange this for you.

Useful Links

“Need to Knows”
Downloadable Travel Guide
Getting There
Map
Car Rental
Book Transfers
Tours

• Taxi – There are taxis around at the airport for every flight. Expect to pay about US$30 to $40 to get into town, if you are a good negotiator you can get this down to about $25. The taxi obviously carries at least 4 passengers so if you are in a group it is a good option. They will only take US$ cash or equivalent foreign currency cash.



If you have taken advantage of the cheaper flights into Livingstone but now need to get across to Zimbabwe where you are staying, read on…

• Airport Transfers – Just like transfers from the Victoria Falls airport in Zimbabwe there are numerous companies that offer a meet and greet airport service from Livingstone to Victoria Falls Zimbabwe – Shearwater, Wild horizons, and Falcon Safaris tours to name a few. The rate for an airport transfer is about US$32 per person one way. We can arrange this for you taking the hassle away from you. You will be greeted at the airport by a driver with your name on a board. Contact us via this Enquiry Form to arrange your transfer, it’s quick and easy. Private transfers can also be arranged, if time is an issue for you and you don’t want to be waiting around for other passenger on the standard transfer to clear customs.

• Taxi – Unfortunately you cannot catch just a single taxi to pick you up at Livingstone and drop you in Zimbabwe, because there is a border in between and the taxis do not have the required permission to cross. Therefore you will need to catch 3 taxis, one from Livingstone airport to the Zambian border post (+/- $25). Clear Zambian customs then catch another taxi across the bridge between the two border posts this is about 1.6kms (+/-$5) clear Zimbabwe customs and then catch another taxi to your hotel (+/- $5). These prices are per taxi not per person.

• Walking – Once you are in the town then the option of walking always seems like the best. This is really very safe and although at mid day in the summer it can get very hot – certainly it is how most tourists – get around. As locals we do walk around at night – but would suggest that you do take care if you do decide to walk and that you don’t go alone where ever possible. As with any place in the world crime does exist. Please be aware of the wild life that you might encounter. Elephants frequent the town centre regularly.

• Shuttle Service – There is a free shuttle service that runs hourly from most hotels and lodges to the town centre, the other hotels and the Falls themselves so getting around Victoria Falls is really very easy.

• Victoria Falls Tours – Another idea for getting around Victoria Falls is to take some of the usual tours that are available from day trips across to Zambia to guided tours to the Curio Market etc.

• Taxis are available, most places you are staying at will call them for you or you will find them in the town centre and around and about. A fare anywhere is generally $5 to $10.

• Bicycles are available for hire in the town centre between the Information centre and Wild Horizons booking office on Park Way. These cost $5 for one hour, $10 for half day and $20 for a full day.

• Victoria Falls bike tours are also available – this is about a 13km circuit around Vic Falls town, starting and ending at The Lookout. The tour takes you into the local township to see and experience the local culture, to the big tree, along the Zambezi River and down to the Victoria Falls Bridge. (more info)

If you have booked one of the many activities to do in the Falls, transport is provided for most of the activities by all the tour operators. When you make your activity booking you will be asked, which hotel or lodge you want to be collected from. There is also a central collection point in town, so getting around Victoria Falls activities is simple.

Thank you to https://www.victoriafalls-guide.net/ for the above information.

Feel free to download their e-guide by visiting

https://www.victoriafalls-guide.net/victoria-falls-eguide-book.html

Lister Team Member

Lister

Reservations Manager: Transfers, Touring & Activities.

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