The Ultimate Victoria Falls Experience: Zimbabwe or Zambia?
Straddling the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, Victoria Falls is an awe-inspiring spectacle of nature. It’s also an absolute must-see for visitors to southern Africa.
But which country should you view it from? Each side provides a distinct perspective on this natural wonder, with different options for viewing the falls from the ground, air, and water.
If you’re considering a visit to Victoria Falls, you need to know which side is right for your next adventure—or if you want to see the falls from both perspectives. Let’s dive in and explore the differences!
A view of Victoria Falls from the Zambian side.
Victoria Falls: A Geologic Wonder
First, some background.
At more than a mile wide, Victoria Falls is an UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It lies on the Zambezi River, and when the current is strongest, you can see the mist from the falls nearly 20 miles away. No wonder the local Lozi people call Victoria Falls “Mosi-oa-Tunya”—“The Smoke that Thunders.”
The falls are millions of years in the making. Deep in prehistory, earthquakes blocked the Zambezi’s southern drainage route into the Limpopo River. A lake formed. It eventually overflowed, creating an extension of the river that drained east into the Indian Ocean. This overflow formed waterfalls that, over time, cut a zigzag pattern into the cliffs that now culminates in the glorious Victoria Falls.
Victoria Falls is actually made up of several smaller falls of various heights. These are the result of small islets at the top of the cliff dividing the Zambezi River into five main streams:
- The Devil’s Cataract, or Leaping Water, on the Zimbabwean side is the smallest and usually quietest of the falls, dropping about 230 feet.
- The Main Falls are the biggest by volume at 305 feet high and nearly 500 feet wide.
- The 310-foot Horseshoe Falls are in the middle and recede dramatically when the rainy season ends, revealing the cliff below. In November and December, the water is just a trickle—and swifts and swallows take full advantage, nesting on the cliff that is inundated by water the rest of the year.
- At more than 354 feet high, Rainbow Falls have the longest drop and are named for the rainbows seen in their mist on sunny days.
- The Eastern Cataract is about 330 feet high and is the only section that lies entirely within Zambia.
Zimbabwe provides panoramic views of Victoria Falls. Photo courtesy of Wild Horizons.
The Zimbabwe Side: Panoramic Views of the Falls
Walking tours and helicopter tours are two strengths of the Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls. Both experiences offer unique perspectives of the falls and surrounding landscapes. Plus, the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls is famous for its head-on views of the falls and its many viewing platforms, allowing photographers to capture amazing panoramic shots.
Travelers take in the falls from a viewpoint on the Zimbabwe side. Photo courtesy of Wild Horizons.
Walking Tours on the Zimbabwe Side of Victoria Falls
As you step into the Victoria Falls National Park on the Zimbabwean side, you’re enveloped by a lush tropical rainforest. Keep your eyes peeled for baboons, butterflies, and a variety of bird species. The walking tour here is over well-maintained paved paths and brings you to the 16 different viewing platforms. Each shows a different angle of the falls.
The most famous is the Main Falls Viewpoint. You’ll feel the power of the falls here—even in the dry season, the flow stirs up enough mist that rain coats are an almost obligatory part of viewing. The view of Rainbow Falls is also best on the Zimbabwean side, particularly in the late afternoon when the sun’s angle produces the strongest rainbows.
Helicopter rides offer a unique view of Victoria Falls. Photo courtesy of Wild Horizons.
Exploring Victoria Falls by Helicopter
While walking offers an up-close experience of Victoria Falls, seeing it from above adds an entirely new dimension to the adventure. The helicopter flies low over the falls, allowing you to take in the full expanse. It’s one of our top 10 things to do on safari!
Helicopter tours typically depart from the Zimbabwean side. A 15-minute helicopter flight provides an iconic aerial view of the falls, while a 30-minute flight covers more of the Zambezi River and the surrounding natural areas where elephants, buffaloes, and giraffes roam.
What Sets the Zimbabwe Side Apart
The Zimbabwean experience tends to feel more expansive due to the wide range of viewpoints. The ability to see the falls from various angles and the sheer scale of the waterfall make this side ideal for those looking to see Victoria Falls in its full glory.
A traveler crosses a Zambian viewing boardwalk between the dry and low seasons at Victoria Falls.
The Zambia Side: Intimate Views and a Thrill Factor
Crossing over to the Zambian side, you’ll get an entirely different perspective of the falls. Unique views, less crowding, and one-of-a-kind experiences set the Zambia side apart.
Bathing in Devil’s Pool at the top of Victoria Falls is an incomparable experience. The dots on the photo aren’t pixelation—they’re spray from the falls!
Stand—and Swim—at the Top of the Falls
While the Zambia side doesn’t offer the same expansive views as the Zimbabwe side, it gives visitors a more intimate experience. When water levels are lower—typically June through December—the Livingstone Island tour is a must. You travel to this island in the midst of the Zambezi by riverboat, then disembark to walk on the very lip of the falls.
On your way back from Livingstone Island, you have the chance to swim in the Devil’s Pool—a natural infinity pool near the edge of the falls. It sounds dangerous, but a stone lip keeps people and most of the water within the pool. As long as you heed your guide’s instructions and don’t try anything reckless, it’s a thrilling way to see the falls from within the flow.
A bird’s eye view of the falls by Wild Horizons.
Fly Like a Bird Over Victoria Falls
Would you like to fly over the falls, but without the noise of a helicopter? Try a microlight aircraft! These agile machines are similar in structure to gliders, with open-air seats suspended below the wings. Because of prevailing winds, they fly only from the Zambian side. You’ll feel the breeze against your skin and hear the river’s powerful roar as your pilot guides you over Victoria Falls. Flying over the falls won’t turn you into an African fish eagle, but you might feel like one as you soar through the sky.
A rainbow in the mists of Victoria Falls is visible from a Zambian viewpoint during low-water season.
Walking Tours on the Zambia Side of Victoria Falls
The best walking tours on the Zambia side are in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. The forest paths are less developed than on the Zimbabwean side but well-marked, and many travelers prefer the off-the-beaten-path feel here. You can get great views of the Main Falls, the Rainbow Falls, and the Eastern Cataract.
The Knife-Edge Bridge is a favorite viewpoint near the Eastern Cataract. In March and April, its roaring waters drape you in a refreshing mist. In drier months, you’ll also get a great view of the Main Falls and the Boiling Pot—a churning pool at the bottom of the falls where the river switches direction. With good nonslip shoes, you can even hike down for a closer look at the Boiling Pot!
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is much larger than Victoria Falls National Park, and you can easily spend a few days there. In addition to enjoying the falls, you can go on bush walks and game drives to spot wildlife like giraffes, white rhinos, elephants, and zebras.
Outside of the park, famous vantage points include the Falls Bridge connecting Zambia to Zimbabwe and the Lookout Tree, an enormous baobab you can climb for a panoramic view of the Main Falls.
What Sets the Zambia Side Apart
The Zambia side offers more opportunities for adventure and exploration, and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park has a more isolated feel than Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls National Park. The Livingstone Island experience is a highlight for those seeking something unique.
Explore Victoria Falls on These Safaris
Which Side Is Better?
The answer depends on what you’re looking for.
- For the best views of the Falls: The Zimbabwe side is the side most visitors flock to. Thanks to several viewing platforms and an expansive panorama, you get iconic views that showcase the falls in all their glory.
- For a more intimate and adventurous experience: If you’re looking for a more adventurous experience, the Zambia side is where it’s at. It’s less commercialized, and you’ll have a chance to feel the raw energy of the falls up close.
Keep in mind that both sides offer scenic river cruises on the Zambezi for viewing hippos and birdlife, as well as adventure activities like bungee jumping, zip-lining, and white-water rafting.
Victoria Falls provides a different experience depending on the time of year you visit. These photos show the contrast between high-water season and dry season. The flow during low-water season is in between. Photos courtesy of Wild Horizons.
Visiting Victoria Falls
The best time to visit Victoria Falls depends on what you want to experience:
- High-water season (March to May)—See the falls at their most powerful when the Zambezi River is full and the falls are at their most dramatic. Just be aware the mist can obscure some views and make photography challenging.
- Low-water season (June to August or September)—For better visibility, the low water season is ideal. You can get great views on the Zimbabwe side through September and on the Zambian side through August, after which the Eastern Cataract dries up.
- Rainy season (January to April)—The falls return to their full width around January, in the midst of the rainy season. Over the following months, they build up in volume amid a vibrant and lush surrounding landscape. Keep in mind that some activities may be restricted for safety reasons.
Ideally, if time and budget allow, visiting both sides is the ultimate way to experience Victoria Falls!
Close to the borders of both Botswana and Namibia, and with international airports on both sides of the falls, Victoria Falls is highly accessible. No matter where your safari takes you, let one of your stops be this natural wonder of the world!
Contact Ujuzi today to plan your trip.
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