Victoria Falls
Travelers come to Victoria Falls to watch the Zambezi drop into a wide gorge, then fill the days with river trips and walks along the rim.
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Victoria Falls is a waterfall on the Zambezi River, on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. People call it Mosi-oa-Tunya, the smoke that thunders, and the spray rising above the gorge explains the name. The falls are wide, and the water drops into a deep gorge below. The town of Victoria Falls sits on the Zimbabwe side, close to the main viewpoints inside Victoria Falls National Park.
The falls suit travelers who want big views and river activity. Walk the rim paths for the view across the gorge, then spend an afternoon on the Zambezi, rafting, on a sunset cruise or bungee jumping from the bridge. Water runs fullest from about February to May, when spray can soak you on the paths. The late dry season, from about August to November, shows more of the rock face. Plan two full days, or three if you also want a safari drive in a nearby national park.
Victoria Falls in five
- Check the Zimbabwe visa before you flyMost passports need a visa for Zimbabwe. The KAZA UniVisa covers both Zimbabwe and Zambia. If you cross the bridge into Zambia, check Zambia's entry rules as well.Visas and entry
- Carry small US dollar notesZimbabwe uses the ZiG alongside the US dollar. Small US dollar notes are useful for tips and small purchases.Money and costs
- Pay the national park fee at the Zimbabwe gateThe main viewpoints are inside Victoria Falls National Park on the Zimbabwe side, and the park charges an entry fee. Check which payment methods the gate takes before you arrive.Tours and tickets
- Set up data before you cross the borderInstall an eSIM before you leave home so maps, transfer bookings and the tour operator's messages work from the airport onward.Phones and eSIM
- Check your cover for gorge and river activitiesCheck whether your travel insurance covers white-water rafting, bungee jumping and the gorge swing before you book any of them.Travel insurance
Need to know
- Currency
- Zimbabwean ZiG (ZWG) and US dollar (USD)
- Entry
- Visa needed by most passports; KAZA UniVisa covers Zimbabwe and Zambia
- Emergency
- 995 police, 994 ambulance, 993 fire
- Tipping
- Customary in restaurants and for guides and drivers
- Time
- UTC+2, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain, high water
- FebruaryPeak flow, spray
- MarchWet, high water
- AprilGreen, wet
- MaySpray, drying out
- JuneCool, dry, clear
- JulyCool, dry, clear
- AugustDry, cool
- SeptemberDry, warming
- OctoberHot, low water
- NovemberHot, storms start
- DecemberHot, rainy season
Right now in Victoria Falls
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
30
- Feels like
- 26°
- Humidity
- 15%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Victoria Falls
10:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today38°22°0%Monday: Clear. High 38°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue38°23°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 38°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed39°24°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 39°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu39°25°4%Thursday: Clear. High 39°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Fri39°25°2%Friday: Clear. High 39°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sat38°23°31%Saturday: Drizzle. High 38°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 31%.
- Sun38°22°61%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 38°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 61%.
Updated 07:17 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Livingstone15 to 30 min by road, plus border crossingsThe Zambian side of the falls and the town of Livingstone, a short hop across the border.
- Chobe National ParkAbout 1 to 1.5 hours by road to KasaneGame drives and river boat trips in Botswana's Chobe National Park, reached from Kasane.
- Hwange National ParkAbout 3 to 4 hours by roadZimbabwe's largest national park, known for elephant herds and waterholes.
Before you go to Victoria Falls
Rules for Victoria Falls, checked
- Check visa rules on the Zimbabwe government's official portal before you book, since requirements change and depend on your passport.
- Carry your passport and visa every time you cross the Victoria Falls Bridge.
- Keep to marked paths in Victoria Falls National Park, and do not feed the baboons or vervet monkeys that live around the falls.
- Carry clean US dollar notes and check current currency rules with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, since the ZiG and US dollar rules have changed in recent years.
Plan around Victoria Falls
The country page, with regions, getting in and the main trip shapes
Read the guideVisas and entryWhich entry paperwork to get before you fly to Victoria Falls
Read the guideMoney and costsPaying in ZiG and US dollars, and typical daily prices
Read the guideGetting aroundMoving between town, the falls, lodges and border crossings
Read the guideWhere to stayTown, riverside lodges and the Zambian side compared
Read the guideTours and ticketsBooking river trips, game drives and park entry
Read the guideVictoria Falls FAQ
Is Victoria Falls worth visiting?
Yes, for two or three days. The falls, the gorge, a sunset cruise on the Zambezi and a game drive or day trip suit a short trip well.
How many days do you need in Victoria Falls?
Two days covers the falls, a river trip and one activity. Add a third day for Chobe or Hwange, or for a slower pace.
Can you see Victoria Falls from Zambia?
Yes. The falls sit on the border, and the Zambian side, around Livingstone, gives views of the falls from the other bank.
Do I need a visa for Zimbabwe?
Most passports need one. Check the Zimbabwe government's official site before you book flights, because the rules depend on your passport.
When is the best time to visit Victoria Falls?
June to August is the best window: cool, dry and clear. February to May has the most water and spray, which makes the falls fuller but can hide the view.
Is Victoria Falls town safe to walk around?
Walk in daylight on the main streets and use a taxi after dark. Ask your hotel which streets to avoid before you set out.