Victoria Falls has been on my list for years. I met a Zambian when I was 18, and he convinced me he was from the greatest country on Earth. I’ve been wanting to go ever since. I finally made it happen and spent 7 days split between Livingstone, Zambia and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
It ended up being parta dventure, part resort stay, part logistical puzzle — and absolutely beautiful.
Below is exactly how I spent one week in Livingstone and Victoria Falls — a full day-by-day itinerary, restaurant recommendations, and what I would do differently.
Quick Notes
Bring cash. You’re going to need it for taxis, for tipping, for everything. You won’t want to walk anywhere, and all taxis are at least $5 – $20. Cash only.
Zimbabwe uses the USD since 2009. Things are just a tad more expensive over in Zimbabwe than on the Zambia side.
This place is hella safe. They run on tourism, they don’t get down with that robbery stuff at all – BUT, you DO need to worry about animals. They will warn you a lot, “don’t walk around at night.” This is wildlife country and you could easily encounter an elephant, rhino or hippo after sunset. I didn’t see anyone after 9 PM, or whenever dinner was over. I don’t even know if they have a night life scene, I don’t think so. People be in the house at night.
Navigation
- Day 1: Chobe Safari + Impalila Island (3 Countries in 1 Day)
- Day 2: Livingstone Museum + Local Food
- Day 3: Helicopter Over Victoria Falls + Sunset Cruise
- Day 4: Victoria Falls (Zambia + Zimbabwe) + Boiling Pot Hike
- Day 5: Resort Hopping in Livingstone
- Day 6: Restaurants in Victoria Falls Town
- Day 7: Markets + Slower Living
- Where to Stay: Livingstone vs Victoria Falls
- Full Activity List + Prices
- Lessons Learned & Final Thoughts on Visiting Victoria Falls
Day 1: Chobe National Park Safari (Botswana) + Impalila Island Village (Namibia)
One cool thing thing about this area – you’re at the “Four Corners of Africa” — Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, and Namibia — the only place in the world you can easily step into four countries in a single day.
What made this day especially memorable (and exhausting) was crossing three countries in one day: Zambia → Botswana → Namibia.
We booked a full-day safari to Chobe National Park in Botswana. The tour included transportation, border crossings, a river cruise, and a game drive.
Chobe is famous for its massive elephant population. There are no rhinos here, but it’s still the most promoted Safari from Victoria Falls area.
Post Safari, most people do a river cruise, instead we crossed into Impalila Island, a small Namibia rural community near the Zambezi River. The village centers around a towering baobab tree, and we did a guided walk through the community and one family’s home.
We learned how residents collect water, care for animals, and navigate daily life in a place that is very far from tourism infrastructure.
If you visit Impalila Island, bring cash. There’s local vendors where purchases directly support the community. You may also be offered a traditional dance performance for a suggested $20+ donation.
I have mixed feelings about village visits such as these. Being welcomed into someone’s home because you can afford to be there carries an inherent power imbalance. It felt more meaningful than purely extractive tourism — but I didn’t take many photos. I don’t feel comfortable photographing in or around their village.
Logistically, this day is A LOT:
- 1 hour drive to the Botswana border
- Exit vehicle, customs, paperwork
- 40 minutes to the park
- ~4 hours game viewing in Safari –
- Buffet lunch at a lodge
- Boat to Namibia border
- Namibia customs + $50 visa
- Village visit – 2 hours
- Exit Namibia customs
- Boat back to Botswana
- Drive 40 minutes to Botswana border
- Botswana exit procedures
- Drive 1 hour back to Zambia
This was the first time I’ve visited three countries in one day — and probably the last. it’s just tew much.
Day 2: Livingstone Museum, Recovery, and Local Food
After Day 1, I needed to rest.
Livingstone has a calm, small-town energy that makes it easy to slow down. I visited the Livingstone Museum, which offers a solid overview of Zambia’s history, archaeology, and colonial past. I really enjoyed it.
Food here is also much more affordable than in Victoria Falls town. At Kubu Café, I tried nshima — Zambia’s national staple made from maize — served with vegetables and oxtail. Simple, filling, and local.
Day 3: Helicopter Over Victoria Falls + Sunset Cruise
We took a helicopter flight over Victoria Falls at 1 PM. Seeing the falls from above changes everything — you understand the full scale and curve of the water in a way you simply can’t from the ground.
We paid $175 through a guide but later learned I could have booked directly with Chikopokopo Helicopters for $135 – which would have also included transportation.
That afternoon, I did a sunset cruise along the Zambezi River. We saw so many hippos surfacing and several big crocs. Very relaxing, bird watching, some light bites on the boat. And for $40 USD.
The Zambezi is the fourth-longest river in Africa, and watching it at sunset felt peaceful after several high-energy days.
Day 4: Victoria Falls (Zambia + Zimbabwe) + Boiling Pot Hike
We visited the falls from both sides — and they are completely different experiences. I walked the area twice, and no regrets. You likely won’t be back so better to soak it all in. I loved getting sprayed by the falls too.
Zimbabwe side: Wide, panoramic views of the full curtain of water.
Zambia side: Much smaller viewing area, but you can get much closer to the edge – and this is how you walk down to Boiling Pot.
One highlight was hiking down to the Boiling Pot in Batoka Gorge. It’s a steep, sweaty descent to the base of the falls. If your knees can handle it, it’s worth it. But, it is quite steep as well.
Day 5: Resort Hopping in Livingstone
This region is built around tourism. If you enjoy grand hotels, this is actually a fun activity. I do this everywhere I go because I like to look at different hotels, and vibes.
We visited:
- Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara — zebras and giraffes roam the property.
- Avani Victoria Falls Resort — more kid-friendly, less formal.
- Radisson Blu Mosi-oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort — modern, riverfront design.
Day 6: Restaurants in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
This was our first day staying in Zimbabwe. At this point we had done the major highlights that we wanted to do / could afford. So, now we’re just relaxing.
Breakfast at The Lookout Café, perched above Batoka Gorge, was one of the most memorable dining views of the trip.
For dinner, we went to Victoria Falls Safari Lodge at sunset. The food isn’t the main draw — in fact, it’s just ok, but the wildlife sightings and atmosphere are so worth it. These 2 restaurants for the views are some of my most memorable experiences. For the price, it’s worth it for the setting alone.
Day 7: Markets, Town Life, and Slowing Down
We spent our final day walking through local markets in Victoria Falls.
Livingstone feels residential and grounded. Victoria Falls town feels tourism-driven. You can feel the difference in daily rhythm.
For lunch, I went to Baines Restaurant which is right on the Zambezi river. Gorgeous. I then, walked to the “Big Tree” – its a huge baobab tree nearby. I don’t recommend walking though. 2 people pulled over, and they were like “you shouldn’t be walking here” because of the wildlife.
By day seven, I was ready to leave — not because I didn’t enjoy it, but because Victoria Falls is not cheap. It’s very easy to watch money disappear here.
Where to Stay Near Victoria Falls: Livingstone vs Victoria Falls Town
One of the biggest planning questions is where to stay near Victoria Falls: Livingstone, Zambia or Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
Staying in Livingstone, Zambia
Livingstone has far more resort-style accommodations. If you want luxury, riverfront views, spas, and on-site dining, Livingstone is hard to beat.
Most top restaurants and activities are within the resorts themselves, making it ideal for a more contained, relaxing stay. It’s also very easy to access:
- Zambezi River cruises
- Helicopter flights over Victoria Falls
- Safari-style excursions
You won’t miss activities by staying in Zambia — everything is accessible from either side.
Staying in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls town offers closer proximity and better views of the falls themselves.
The town also has more walkable restaurants and cafés outside of resorts, giving it a livelier small-town feel. It’s just WAY more tourism focused, versus Livingstone is an actual town outside of the resorts.
Where I stayed
We split our trip. For me, splitting time between Livingstone and Victoria Falls did create a balanced trip, and I genuinely liked experiencing both sides.
- 4 nights in Livingstone, Zambia at the Marriott Protea Livingstone
- 3 nights in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe in an Airbnb for about $90/night
If you don’t want to switch hotels, I’d recommend basing yourself in Livingstone and planning 1–2 days across the border.
Border crossings are manageable — but hot, crowded, and time-consuming. Once or twice was enough for me.
Visiting Both Sides of Victoria Falls
No matter where you stay, you should visit both sides of Victoria Falls.
- Zimbabwe side entry fee: ~$50 USD
- Zambia side entry fee: ~$20 USD
Each side offers a completely different perspective, and seeing both gives you a much fuller appreciation of the falls’ scale and power.
Some activities, like Devil’s Pool, require border crossings anyway.
All Activities Price List
If you book through the below links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Victoria Falls Activities Price List
There are so many activities in and around Victoria Falls – however much you want to do – they will make it happen. Below is a full menu of options with prices as sent to me by my tour guide (December 2025) and I highlighted what I chose. Remind the helicopter would have been $135 if I booked directly through the company.
River Experiences
- Standard Sunset Cruise $40 + $5 Parks fees (Zimbabweans) , $10 (International)
- Helicopter Tour of the Falls $175
- Guided Tour of the Falls $25 + ($7local, $30 SADC, $50 International)
- Luxury Sunset Cruise $90+ Parks Fees ($5 local, $10 International)
- Zambezi Dinner Cruise $85+ Parks Fees ($5 local, $10 International)
- Devils Pool $195
Adrenaline Experiences
- Chobe Half Day + Namibia Village Tour $245
- Chobe Full Day Safari $185
- Whitewater Rafting $150
- Adventure Jetboat $130
- Quad Biking $55
- Zipline $91
- Tandem Zipline $140
- Gorge Swing $113
- Tandem Gorge Swing $172
- Bungee $170
- Canopy Tour $70
- Crocodile Cage Diving $105
- Walk with Lions/Cheetahs $150
- Elephant Interaction $150
- Game Drive Zambezi National Park $65 – ($5 local, $15 International for parks fees)
- Rhino Walking Safari Zambia $95
- The Boma Dinner & Drum Show $65
- Steam Train Dinner $225
Lessons Learned & Final Thoughts on Visiting Victoria Falls
Activity Choices
If I were willing to spend a little more, I would have done the devil’s pool activity. I had never been in a helicopter before, and this was a very reasonable price – so, I chose that over swimming in devils pool, but in hindsight I’d rather be in a pool at the cliff of a waterfall, versus above the waterfall.
Patience, Research and Booking Yourself
I’m so tired of planning. I was happy to find a tour guide on the ground, to just give me a price list and book everything – but, I do wish I planned things a bit more and shopped around. I compared what the tour guide gave me, against what my hotel – (the Marriott) was offering, and the was all I could do. In an ideal world, I would have shopped around to at least 2 more people.
Crossing Borders
Where you stay, how often you cross borders, and which activities you prioritize will shape your experience more than you expect.
Ask your tour guide questions. Make sure you’re not crossing borders unnecessarily.
If I were doing it again, I would have just stayed in Zambia the entire time and dedicated two focused days to crossing into Zimbabwe — which, honestly, is what we ended up doing anyway while based in Zambia.
Next Vacation
I loved Victoria Falls. The next time I’m in southern Africa, I’d build in time beyond just the tourism corridor. Ideally, I would have continued on to Lusaka or Harare to get more of a real taste of daily life in Southern Africa beyond safari lodges and resort towns.
Instead, I went to Cape Town — and before that, I was in Johannesburg. which was great, I’m just still wanting to go visit Zambia and Zimbabwe capitol cities.
If you’re flying all the way out here, pair Victoria Falls with somewhere else. A capital city. A beach. A wine region. Another country entirely.
Victoria Falls is incredible – it’s a large waterfall, a hub for adventure and beauty but there’s much more to Southern Africa.