Victoria Falls is so much more than one of Africa’s great natural wonders. Discover the Falls, the Zambezi River, local culture, the town itself, and why adding Chobe is a fantastic way to include a safari experience in your Southern African journey.
Victoria Falls is one of those places that is difficult to put into words. You can see photographs, watch videos and hear people talk about it, but standing on the edge of the Falls and hearing the Zambezi River thunder into the gorge below is something completely different.
Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning “The Smoke That Thunders”, Victoria Falls is one of Africa’s great natural wonders.
But what I think is often overlooked is that Victoria Falls is so much more than the waterfall itself. It is a destination that deserves a few days. There is the Falls, of course, but there is also the Zambezi River, the little town of Victoria Falls, local culture, wonderful restaurants, adventure activities, wildlife and some really lovely experiences that you might otherwise miss if you simply arrive, see the Falls and leave again.
And there is another reason I love Victoria Falls as part of a Southern African itinerary: it is completely different from being on safari.
This is one of those questions where the answer really depends on what you want from your trip. The Falls change throughout the year as the water levels in the Zambezi rise and fall.
After the rainy season, the Falls are at their most powerful, with enormous volumes of water crashing over the edge and huge clouds of spray rising from the gorge. It is incredibly dramatic, and this is when you really understand where the name “The Smoke That Thunders” comes from.
As the water levels drop, there is less spray and the individual Falls and gorge become much easier to see.
There is no bad time to visit, but there are definitely better times depending on whether your priority is seeing the Falls at their most spectacular, enjoying the surrounding activities or combining your trip with a safari.
This is something we always consider when putting together an itinerary, rather than simply recommending one particular month.
This is probably one of the most important things to know. I often have clients who want to visit Victoria Falls and ask about adding a safari while they are there.
There is wildlife around Victoria Falls, and Zambezi National Park is close to town, so you can certainly do a game drive and see elephant, buffalo, giraffe and other wildlife. But I would not go to Victoria Falls expecting a traditional safari experience, and I actually think that is part of its appeal.
If you are already travelling to Southern Africa and spending time on safari, Victoria Falls gives you something completely different. You can spend your mornings exploring the Falls, your afternoon relaxing beside the river and your evening enjoying dinner in town. There are also plenty of adventure activities for those who want a little more excitement, such as cruises, helicopter flights, a spectacular lunch at the Lookout Cafe, a traditional dinner, cultural visits and a lot more.
Chobe National Park in Botswana is a fantastic add-on to Victoria Falls.
The two destinations work incredibly well together, and you can easily combine them without having to spend hours travelling between destinations.
Chobe is particularly well known for its elephants, and there is something very special about seeing large herds gathering along the Chobe River. One of my favourite things about Chobe is that you can experience the wildlife both from a vehicle and from the water.
A game drive gives you the traditional safari experience, while a boat cruise on the Chobe River gives you a completely different perspective. You might find elephants swimming across the river, hippos popping their heads above the water or buffalo coming down to drink.
And this is particularly good for travellers who have already done a safari in South Africa. If you have spent time in the Kruger or one of the private reserves around it, you do not necessarily need to add another five nights of traditional safari to your trip.
Instead, you can do your South African safari, travel to Victoria Falls for something completely different, and then finish with two or three nights in Chobe. It makes for a really varied trip.
I would recommend at least three nights in Victoria Falls if you can. You obviously need to see the Falls themselves, and you can spend a good few hours walking through the rainforest and visiting the different viewpoints. Depending on the time of year, you may get absolutely drenched by the spray!
The town is small and easy to explore, with local markets, restaurants, craft shops and plenty of places to stop for a coffee or a drink.
It has a relaxed feel to it, and I think it is worth slowing down and enjoying it rather than treating Victoria Falls as a quick stop between flights.
The Zambezi River is such an important part of the Victoria Falls experience. A sunset cruise is one of those things that I would definitely recommend adding to your stay.
There is something very special about being out on the river in the late afternoon, watching the light change and looking out for elephants, hippos and crocodiles along the banks.
It is a completely different experience from standing beside the Falls. For the more adventurous, there are also activities such as white-water rafting, canoeing and fishing, depending on the season and water conditions.
And if you want to see the Falls from a completely different perspective, a scenic flight over Victoria Falls is spectacular!
This is something I think is often missed. Victoria Falls is not just a tourist attraction surrounded by hotels. People live here, and there is a fascinating local culture and history that is worth taking the time to understand.
The Nambya and Tonga people have strong historical connections to the area, and there are opportunities to experience local life through cultural and community experiences.
A visit to Chinotimba township, for example, can give you a much better understanding of everyday life in Victoria Falls. You can also visit local markets, see some of the crafts being made and learn more about the people and communities who call this area home.
For me, these experiences are often what make a trip feel more meaningful.
Quite a lot, actually.
If you have a few days, you can easily fill your time without feeling like you are rushing from one activity to another.
You can visit Zambezi National Park for a game drive, explore the Batoka Gorge, take a scenic flight, go white-water rafting or simply spend time enjoying the river and the town.
And of course, there is food! There are some lovely restaurants in Victoria Falls, from more casual local spots to beautiful lodges and hotels where you can enjoy dinner overlooking the surrounding bush.
I always think food is such an important part of experiencing a destination, and Victoria Falls has a nice mix of local flavours and international influences.
Another reason I like Victoria Falls is that it does not have to be an incredibly expensive addition to your trip.
If you have already invested in a luxury safari in South Africa, you can choose accommodation in Victoria Falls that suits the rest of your budget, spend three or four nights enjoying the destination and then add a couple of nights in Chobe if you would like another safari experience.
You do not have to build the entire trip around expensive, remote safari camps. And you still get some incredible experiences.
For couples or families who want to experience a little more of Southern Africa without making the entire trip a luxury safari, I think this is a really good combination.
Absolutely!
But I would encourage you not to think of it as simply a waterfall that you can tick off your list in a day. Give yourself a few nights, walk through the rainforest and listen to the Falls, spend an afternoon on the Zambezi, ewxplore the town, learn a little about the people and culture of the area, try some local food. And if you want to add wildlife, head across to Chobe for a few nights.