Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world by combined width and height, stretching 1,708 metres across the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. The Zambezi River – the fourth-longest in Africa – drops up to 108 metres into the Batoka Gorge below, generating a plume of mist and spray visible from 50 kilometres away.
Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya… ‘the Smoke that Thunders’ … Victoria Falls is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa’s most visited natural landmarks. On the Zimbabwe side, the town of Victoria Falls serves as the main gateway, with direct flights from Johannesburg, Nairobi and Harare connecting it to the world.
Wild Horizons has operated at Victoria Falls since 1981. Our four lodges, activity portfolio, and 45 years of guiding experience make us the most established operator here – and the only company offering guests luxury accommodation, activities and conservation experiences all under one roof.
The falls have been known to the San people and other indigenous communities of the region for thousands of years. The Lozi people of Barotseland called the site Mosi-oa-Tunya – a name still used today and formally recognised in the dual UNESCO designation shared between Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Scottish explorer David Livingstone became the first European to document the falls, arriving by dugout canoe on 16 November 1855. Overwhelmed, he wrote that ‘scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.’ He named the site in honour of Queen Victoria. A statue of Livingstone now stands at the Zimbabwe entrance to the Falls.
The Victoria Falls Bridge, opened in 1905, was conceived by Cecil Rhodes as part of his ambitious Cape-to-Cairo railway. Today it carries the border crossing between Zimbabwe and Zambia, and serves as the launch point for the legendary bungee jump.
In 1989, the falls and surrounding areas were jointly inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognising their outstanding universal value – both geological and ecological. The Zimbabwean side sits within the Victoria Falls National Park, while the Zambezi National Park stretches upriver from the town.
The falls are the centrepiece, but the wider Victoria Falls area offers an extraordinary concentration of natural and geological spectacles – from the spray-soaked rainforest to the dramatic curves of the Batoka Gorge.
The Falls extend across five distinct sections: the Devil’s Cataract, the Main Falls, the Rainbow Falls, the Armchair Falls and the Eastern Cataract. The Zimbabwe side offers the broadest, most dramatic views – and the most accessible viewpoint path, running for approximately 1.2 kilometres through the rainforest.
The perpetual mist from the falls sustains a micro-climate rainforest on the gorge rim – a rarity in this otherwise semi-arid part of southern Africa. Walking the paved path through the rainforest is an experience in itself: the air cools noticeably, the vegetation thickens and rainbows form in the spray on clear mornings. Entry fees apply. Wild Horizons guides can arrange accompanied visits.
Carved by centuries of geological retreat, the Batoka Gorge plunges 120 metres below the Victoria Falls Bridge and stretches eastward for over 100 kilometres. It is the setting for Victoria Falls’ most adrenaline-fuelled adventures — white water rafting, the gorge swing, and the zipline — and the source of some of the most spectacular scenery in Africa.
The Victoria Falls Bridge is an engineering landmark and a viewing platform in its own right. On nights around the full moon, the spray from the falls creates a ‘lunar rainbow’ — a phenomenon found in only a handful of places on Earth. The colours are softer than a daytime rainbow, visible only in the mist that rolls up from the gorge. Wild Horizons runs dedicated Lunar Rainbow experiences on the three eligible nights each month.
Victoria Falls is a year-round destination, but the experience changes dramatically by season. The best time to visit depends on what you want most — thunderous water, clear views, wildlife, or adventure activities. Here is what to expect month by month.
Month
Water Volume
Views
Activities
Wildlife
Jan–Mar
Building to peak
Partial (mist heavy)
Cruises, Tours
Game drives possible
Apr–May
Peak flood
Mist-only; dramatic
Cruises, Rafting limited
Good
Jun–Jul
High, dropping
Best spray & views
All activities
Excellent
Aug–Sep
Moderate–low
Clear views
Rafting, Helicopter
Peak season
Oct–Nov
Lowest
Full face visible
Rafting, Zipline
Outstanding
Dec
Rising
Good but misting
Most activities
Good
For a detailed month-by-month guide including lodge availability, peak pricing periods, and activity conditions, see our full seasonal guide.
Wild Horizons has operated activities at Victoria Falls since 1981. Whether you want adrenaline, culture, wildlife, or pure relaxation on the Zambezi, we run the full portfolio.
Experience the awe-inspiring scale and beauty of Victoria Falls from a breathtaking aerial perspective.
Feel the adrenaline rush as you tackle the mighty Zambezi River on a white water rafting adventure.
A day trip to Chobe National Park is an exhilarating journey into the heart of Botswana’s wildlife wonderland.
The Zambezi Sunset cruise is a superb way to relax and enjoy the Spectacular beauty of the Zambezi River.
A dinner cruise on the Zambezi River combines gourmet dining with breathtaking scenery.
The canopy tour in Victoria Falls offers a unique and thrilling perspective of the surrounding rainforest.
Our Lunar Rainbow Tour, offering a rare chance to witness Victoria Falls bathed in the soft glow of the moon.
Embarking on a game drive in Zambezi National Park is a captivating journey into the heart of Africa’s untamed wilderness.
The perpetual mist from the falls sustains a micro-climate rainforest on the gorge rim.
Wild Horizons owns and operates four lodges in and around Victoria Falls, spanning luxury bush retreats, riverside sanctuaries, and town-based comfort. All properties are designed, built, and managed by our team – no third parties, no compromises.
The Elephant Camp is set on a ridge above the Wild Horizons Wildlife Sanctuary, offering uninterrupted views across the Batoka Gorge and the distant spray of Victoria Falls. The camp features twelve luxury tented suites, each with a private plunge pool and viewing deck. It has been recognised among Africa’s best small boutique hotels in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best awards.
Old Drift Lodge is set directly on the banks of the Zambezi River within Zambezi National Park. The lodge features fourteen luxury suites, including signature star beds that open to the night sky. Wildlife regularly moves through the area, with elephant and buffalo often seen from the decks. It has been recognised among Africa’s best small boutique hotels in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best awards.
The Wallow Lodge is set within the Wild Horizons Wildlife Sanctuary in Victoria Falls National Park, offering an intimate private retreat for guests seeking direct access to wildlife away from the crowds. Game viewing is available both on foot and by vehicle directly from the property.
Waterfalls Lodge is our town-based 4-star property, set in expansive gardens in the heart of Victoria Falls. Multiple swimming pools, a unique lazy river, and easy access to all activities make it the ideal base for families and guests combining Victoria Falls with onward travel.
Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) serves the Zimbabwe side. Direct flights operate from Johannesburg (South African Airways, FastJet, Airlink, FlySafair and Cemair – approx. 1h30), Cape Town (Airlink and Kenya Airways – approx. 3 hours), Harare (Air Zimbabwe and Airlink), Windhoek (Airlink – approx. 1h30), Nairobi (Kenya Airways), and Addis Ababa (Ethiopian Airlines). The airport is 20 minutes from town. Guests staying at The Old Drift Lodge, The Elephant Camp, and The Wallow Lodge benefit from included transfers for scheduled flights to/from Victoria Falls Airport.
For guests arriving via Livingstone Airport (Zambia), transfers across the Victoria Falls Bridge are straightforward – allow 45 minutes including border formalities. Wild Horizons operates in Livingstone and Victoria Falls and we are happy to assist with cross-border transfers.
Most nationalities require a visa to enter Zimbabwe, available on arrival or in advance through the ZIMVISA online portal. To help expedite the immigration process on arrival, we recommend applying for your visa online prior to travel. A KAZA UniVisa (valid for both Zimbabwe and Zambia) is available at Victoria Falls Airport and the land border crossing, and is ideal for guests combining both sides of the falls or adding a Chobe day trip. For current visa requirements and fees, visit the official ZIMVISA website or consult our planning page.
Victoria Falls is in a low malaria risk zone, but malaria prophylaxis is recommended — consult your travel doctor or GP before travelling. For added comfort and protection, all our lodges are equipped with mosquito nets in guest rooms. Yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers arriving from certain countries. No other specific vaccinations are required, though routine travel vaccinations are always advisable.
Quick Facts
Victoria Falls
Country
Zimbabwe (and Zambia on the northern side)
Currency
USD widely accepted; Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) in use locally
Time zone
CAT — UTC+2 (no daylight saving)
Language
English is the primary language in tourism
Falls entry fee
USD charged on site — confirm current rate on arrival
Best mobile networks
Econet Zimbabwe; roaming works for most international providers
Wild Horizons transfers
Available from VFA and Livingstone — request at booking
Victoria Falls is 1,708 metres wide and up to 108 metres high, making it the largest waterfall in the world by combined width and height. At peak flood (April–May), more than 500 million litres of water per minute pour over the edge. The spray can be seen from 50 kilometres away – expect to get wet on the tour! To help support the community, we work with locals to provide all our guests with raincoats when visiting The Victoria Falls. Don’t forget a waterproof dry bag to keep cameras, phones, and other electronics safe from the mist and spray!
Both sides offer a different perspective. The Zimbabwe side provides the most comprehensive views, with a 1.2-kilometre walkway along the gorge rim that faces the full width of the falls. The Zambia side offers viewpoints above and inside the falls, including the famous Devil’s Pool (accessible in low-water season). For many first-time visitors, the Zimbabwe side is considered the primary viewing experience, offering the broadest and most uninterrupted perspectives of the Falls.
It depends on your priorities. For the most dramatic water and iconic mist, visit from February to May. For clear views and photography, the dry season (August to October) is best. For white water rafting at its most intense, September to December is peak. Game viewing is excellent year-round but particularly good from June to October. Wild Horizons can advise on the best timing for your specific interests. Have a look at our Seasonal Guide which explains what to expect.
We recommend a minimum of 3 nights to make the most of Victoria Falls – enough time to see the falls, take one or two activities, and settle into your lodge. Five nights allows you to add a Chobe day trip and still have a relaxed pace. Wild Horizons offers 3-night, 4-night, 6-night, and 8-night packages combining our lodges with complimentary bonus activities.
Yes. Victoria Falls Town is a well-developed tourist destination with established infrastructure. Wild Horizons guests are met on arrival, transferred by our team and accompanied by professional guides throughout their activities. Standard travel precautions apply. Our team is available 24 hours to assist guests with any queries during their stay.
Yes, and we strongly recommend it. The KAZA UniVisa (available on arrival for most nationalities) covers both countries and allows multiple crossings. If you’d like to experience both sides of the Falls, Wild Horizons can easily arrange a guided visit to the Zambia side as part of your itinerary.
The Victoria Falls area is exceptionally rich in wildlife. Elephant are regularly seen in the town itself, along the Zambezi riverfront, and within the National Park. Buffalo, giraffe, zebra, warthog, hippo, and crocodile are common. Old Drift Lodge guests within Zambezi National Park benefit from private game drives and frequent wildlife sightings from the lodge decks. Game drives within the national park offer the chance, though never a guarantee, of spotting lion, leopard and African wild dog.
Some useful tips for packing.
Wild Horizons has been crafting extraordinary Victoria Falls experiences since 1981. Our reservations team is on hand to help you choose the right lodge, activities, and timing for your trip.