Victoria Falls is well known for attracting the most adventurous of African Safari goers, and this has earned it the nickname of "the adventure capital of Africa". Whether you like to relax and pace your adventure or you want the roaring adrenaline-filled excitement, there is something for you to enjoy in Vic Falls.
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls can be visited from either Zambia or Zimbabwe and each place is best suited for certain activities.
For a full experience, we recommend visiting both countries back and forth - which is easier when you get a KAZA UNIVISA. With each activity, well highlight where the activity is best enjoyed.
Summary Of Activities
| # | ACTIVITY | IDEAL COUNTRY | BEST SEASON |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Viewing the Victoria Falls | Zimbabwe | Wet Season |
| 2 | White Water Rafting | Both Countries | Dry Season |
| 3 | Abseiling | Both Countries | Dry Season |
| 4 | Tandem Skydiving | Zimbabwe | Wet Season |
| 5 | Bungee Jumping | Both Countries | Dry Season |
| 6 | Watch Moonbows / Luna rainbows | Both Countries | Wet Season |
| 7 | Boiling Pot Hike | Zimbabwe | Dry Season |
| 8 | Flight of Angels | Both Countries | Wet Season |
| 9 | Zambezi Sunset Cruise | Zambia | Dry Season |
| 10 | Swim in Devils Pool | Zambia | Dry Season |
| 11 | Eating Out | Both Countries | All Seasons |
| 12 | Canoeing in the Zambezi | Zambia | Dry Season |
| 13 | Shopping for Souvenirs | Both Countries | All Seasons |
| 14 | Ziplining | Both Countries | Dry Season |
| 15 | Walk with rhinos in Mosi Oa Tunya | Zambia | All Seasons |
| 16 | Canopy tour in the forest | Zimbabwe | All Seasons |
Things To Do In Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe & Zambia
1. Viewing The Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls are a major attraction that makes many people go to Zambia and Zimbabwe and is a must-see when you visit Victoria Falls.
It is not every day that you see the largest sheet of falling water in the world, and feeling its thundering power is a great experience.
2. Whitewater Rafting
White water rafting on the Zambezi is an exciting activity that will overload your brain, in a good and scary kind of way. The rapids on the Zambezi are rated as grade 5 rapids and some of the toughest ones to navigate.
The calm stretches of the river give you great views of the gorges while the rapids will challenge your energy and raise your adrenaline to incredible levels.
White water rafting only happens in the dry season months when the water levels are reduced and safety is very much guaranteed.
3. Abseiling
Another way for you to get up close and personal with Victoria Falls is through abseiling. You descend the rock face of victoria falls and go more than 100 meters down to the bottom of the falls.
Abseiling allows you to enjoy fascinating up-close views of the river, the falls, and the jungle around you. The entire activity takes around 2 hours and can be easily combined with a walk in the Victoria Falls rainforest.
4. Tandem Skydiving
If you were to do one activity in Victoria Falls that combines the excitement of many others, skydiving would be that activity. Tandem skydiving takes you on a 30-minute flight over the falls and goes even higher for a full 360-degree birds-eye view of the entire surrounding of Victoria Falls.
When your flight reaches 10,000 feet above the ground, you will jump, along with an experienced crew member, and free-fall at speeds of up to 200 km/h.
After your parachute has deployed, you will soar slowly over the Zambezi National Park.
5. Bungee Jumping
For the brave hearts, bungee jumping is a must-do while visiting Victoria Falls. You will be diving 111 meters (364 feet) headfirst into the canyon below the Victoria Falls Bridge.
While the bungee jump is very safe and around 50,000 people do it every year, it is still terrifying and will have your adrenaline pushing to new levels.
6. Watch Moonbows (Lunar Rainbows)
A moonbow or a lunar rainbow happens when the bright light from the moon causes the waterfall's spray to form a rainbow like it does during the day. Lunar rainbows can be seen on the nights of the full moon during the wet season when the water levels (and the spray from the waterfall) are high.
7. Boiling Pot Hike
Apart from seeing the victoria falls from above, and the sides, you can also see the falls from their base. To get there, you will have to hike down the Batoka Gorge, go under the Victoria Falls bridge and take a raft to the side of the falls.
From here you walk across the rocks to the base of the falls. The experience requires some physical fitness and endurance but is well worth the time and energy.
As with Rafting, this can only happen in the dry season when the water levels are safe to navigate.
8. Flight Of Angels
Fly over the magnificent Victoria Falls for a great bird-eye view of the spectacular falls and the nearby places. A view from the helicopter will give you a great way to see the mist rise from the falls, for which the falls get their local name - Mosi-oa-Tunya (the smoke that thunders).
9. Zambezi Sunset Cruise
An evening boat cruise on the Zambezi is a wonderful way to wind down after a day of adrenaline-filled experiences. For the 2-hour cruise, you get to see animals such as elephants, hippos, monkeys, and a lot of birds.
Plus, you will get to watch the warm African sun disappear into the horizon for the night.
10. Swimming In Devil's Pool
Aside from seeing and feeling the immensity of Victoria Falls, you can also swim right up to the edge of its 100-meter plunge of water. Devil's Pool has been described in so many ways by previous visitors, and it is the ultimate and natural infinity pool.
This can be done at devils during the dry season - with low water volumes from Livingstone Island. You can also swim in Angel's pool which isn't at the edge of the waterfall.
Related article: Essential information to know about Devil's Pool.
11. Eating Out
Eating out is a big part of any safari trip and this is no different when visiting Victoria Falls. Food is also another great way for you to experience the local way of life.
From the more luxurious dining out on a renovated steam train and High tea to the various local foods like Mopane worms, which are a local delicacy.
12. Canoeing In The Zambezi
Before the Zambezi water reaches Victoria Falls - where it thunders, it does flow more peacefully upstream. Canoeing in the Zambezi, upstream of the falls, presents a great opportunity for wildlife and bird viewing in the slowly flowing and tranquil Zambezi.
The various Islands, channels, wildlife diversity, and changing scenery are a treat for your eyes and mind.
13. Shopping For Souvenirs
Similar to eating out, shopping is one other way of experiencing the local lifestyle. Whether you are in Victoria Falls City or Livingstone, moving around to shop for souvenirs is a great way to have a physical reminder of your experience in Victoria Falls.
You can make shopping even more fun by looking for less common items made by the local people - especially when it comes to art. You can also practice your haggling skills and try to get a great discount.
14. Ziplining
Another crazy adventure in Victoria Falls is ziplining across the canyon at high speeds. The Vic Falls Zipline involves you sliding 425 meters across a gorge, while 120 meters above the bottom of the gorge.
As the zip line runs downhill at an angle, you will hit speeds of around 100 kilometres per hour in very few seconds.
15. Walk With Rhinos In Mosi-Oa-Tunya
Take a walk on the wild side with the rhinos in Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park of Zambia. Walking through the untamed wilderness presents close and intimate chances to see wild animals in their natural habitat homes.
You walk at your own pace and the guide is there to answer your questions, as well as tell you all about the different flora and fauna that you come across.
Photographers will greatly appreciate this walking safari. The 4-hour walking safari will end sooner and make it seem like time flew by.
16. Canopy Tour In The Forest
The canopy tour is a calmer experience that is suitable for children, seniors, or generally when you need to slow down a bit. The network of slides, trails, and rope bridge walkways allows you different viewpoints of the rapids, gorges, the Victoria Falls Bridge, and the spray of the falls.
On the 2-hour canopy tour, some birds and small animals in the forest can be spotted.
Places To Visit Along With Victoria Falls
While Victoria Falls has enough activities to engage you for an entire adventure holiday, most travellers do add some nearby destinations and attractions. The prime location of Victoria Falls is favourable for adding these other places.
Here is a quick list of some of the areas you could add to your Victoria Falls safari
| # | PARKS / ATTRACTIONS |
|---|---|
| 1 | Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia |
| 2 | Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe |
| 3 | Chobe National Park, Botswana |
| 4 | Okavango Delta, Botswana |
| 5 | Zambezi National Park, Zimbabwe |
| 6 | Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Zambia |
| 7 | Victoria Falls National Park, Zimbabwe |
| 8 | Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe |
Final Thoughts
As you can tell from the length of this article, we can't say enough good things about Victoria Falls. Whether you decide to do it through Zambia or Zimbabwe, you are sure to have a wonderful time - and your adrenaline will go through the roof.
A very important point with Victoria Falls is the seasons. While some activities can happen in all seasons, others are distinctly done in either the dry or the wet season. This means that you have to carefully choose your schedule to be able to take part in the activities you are interested in.
All in all, we hope this article has added Victoria Falls to your bucket list and that you have some ideas on what you will do when you get there.
