Which Side is the Best for Vic Falls: Zimbabwe or Zambia?

Posted on October 6th, 2020 by Overland Africa

Which Side is the Best for Vic Falls: Zimbabwe or Zambia?

This depends entirely on your vacation wishes. Both sides offer magnificent views of the Falls, but it’s your accommodation preferences and choice of activities that might influence your decision.
If you want the best of both worlds, you can easily get across the border via Victoria Falls Bridge. All you’ll need is your passport and a double / multiple entry visa, which you can purchase at the border control (your guide or transfer agent generally expedites this for you). This means that if you’re staying on the Zambian side and want to view the Falls from the Zimbabwean side, you can do so comfortably on a day trip – and vice versa.

Which Side Has the Best Views?

Zim has the lion’s share of vantage points, as about three quarters of Vic Falls lie within the country. Take a stroll down Victoria Falls National Park’s footpaths, meandering through drizzling rainforest and out onto gorge-edge viewpoints where you’ll be greeted head-on by the glorious Main Falls – thundering down into the rocky chasm below, causing tremors in the ground beneath your feet.

Want to get really close to the cascades of water?

Then head to the Zambia side of Vic Falls. Walk along the paved paths on the edge of the Falls and cross the heart-racing Knife-Edge Bridge during High Water Season – an exhilarating (and soaking!) walk along the edge of the precipice, about 100m / 328ft above the gorge.
During the low-water season, head down the footpath that leads to the Boiling Pot – a massive whirlpool at the base of the waterfall. Look up and marvel at the sheer magnitude of this natural wonder.

Zimbabwe Side

• Iconic view of the main Falls
• Water flowing all year round
• Most hotels are within walking distance of the Falls
• Explore Victoria Falls Town and its markets for iconic soapstone sculptures
• A classic ‘tourist town’ with restaurants, bars and backpackers

Zambia Side

• Exceptionally close-up waterfall viewing
• Swim in the Devil’s Pool during low-water season
• Visit Livingstone Island when water levels permit
• Romantic riverside lodges and historic hotels with traditional high tea in the afternoon
• Go game viewing in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
• Livingstone is more of a ‘business town’ and home to the Livingstone Museum

The good news is, no matter which side you stay on, you can easily cross the border to explore the other or to undertake activities like white-water rafting, gorge swinging, bungee jumping, visiting Livingstone Island or having dinner on an old-fashioned train. Your Africa Safari Expert will make all the arrangements for the transfers and activities – just have your passport ready for the border crossing.

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