Itineraries for Your Trip to Victoria Falls
3 Days in Victoria Falls For First Timers
The indigenous name for Victoria Falls is Mosi-oa-Tunya, which means “the smoke that thunders” in the local Kololo and Lozi languages. When I first visited these spectacular waterfalls in mid-June, the Zambezi River was a fast-flowing powerhouse, so I quickly understood the reference to smoke and thunder. At its most dramatic, Victoria Falls is thunderously loud as the water crashes nearly 350 feet (107 meters) down, sending up a misty spray that looks like smoke from a distance and feels like a rainshower from the edge of the gorge.
While you can see Victoria Falls in one afternoon, it’s worth spending some time in Zimbabwe’s namesake city—particularly if you'd like to go on a safari. Here’s how to spend three days in Victoria Falls.
If you only have time for one thing, make it Victoria Falls National Park.
Bring a rain jacket or poncho—the spray from the waterfall is powerful, and you are very likely to get wet.
It makes sense to begin your time in Victoria Falls with a trip to the falls. You can see the waterfalls from either Zimbabwe or Zambia, but why not make it both with a hassle-free tour? You need a Kaza or double visa for easy crossing between Zimbabwe and Zambia, but the border transfer is a breeze with expert local guides.
Finish with a meal at the Lookout Cafe. It’s a popular lunch spot overlooking the Batoka Gorge, but it's open for dinner, too—and serves up terrific peri peri chicken, local beef, and fresh produce with the best views in town.
Set an early alarm to take advantage of Victoria Falls’ proximity to the magnificent Hwange National Park. A day trip safari will feel like a whirlwind, but you’ll see lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and so much more—not to mention admire the gorgeous landscapes of western Zimbabwe. Expect the safari to take a full day, and be flexible with your evening plans—anything can happen in the bush, so the estimated return time may be just that, an estimate. Dinner at your hotel is a sensible option.
Head back to the waterfalls today—but from a different perspective. A helicopter tour over Victoria Falls is the best way to fully appreciate the scope of this massive 5,604-foot (1,708-meter) waterfall and its surrounding greenery. You might even spot some wildlife in neighboring Zambezi National Park.
Wrap up your time in Victoria Falls with a dinner cruise on the Zambezi River. You’ll have time to enjoy the natural beauty along the riverbanks before watching the sunset and settling in for a delicious meal.
