Victoria Falls

At the falls, the Zambezi River drops roughly 108 meters over a width of about 1.7 kilometers.

An interesting fact related to the falls -

The entire area is defined as a "rainforest climate". This phenomenon occurs due to the constant water spray the area receives from the falls! When you are there you will experience it firsthand – which brings me to my first piece of advice: bring a raincoat.

Like many natural wonders around the world, this marvel serves as a border between two countries so that both can enjoy the economic abundance that comes with fame. This fact complicates travel options for backpackers and tourists – but don't worry, we'll sort it out.

The falls by season:

The rainy season runs from mid-November to the end of March.

In terms of weather, winter is from May to mid-August and is characterized by very pleasant temperatures. The rest of the time it is summer and temperatures range from hot to very hot, including during the rainy season which is part of summer.

The rains affect the water level, but the main impact comes from upstream currents arriving between February and April.

So now for a simple breakdown:

January to March – considered the perfect "shoulder season" for the falls. The flow is not at its peak, but neither is the mist/spray, so you can see the falls relatively well from all viewpoints. Here, catching a nice day is also a factor since it is the rainy season. During this season, Devil's Pool is already closed, but Angel's Pool is open to visitors, and rafting is at its peak before closing around April.

April to August – April and May mark the peak flow of the falls. It sounds like the best time to see them, but that's not entirely true because of the spray and mist rising from the falls, making viewing very difficult, especially from the ground at various viewpoints. During this season, Angel's Pool and Devil's Pool are out of the question due to the strong current, and this is considered the best season to view the falls from above (helicopter/microlight). Rafting also closes around April and reopens in July (subject to change from year to year).

August to December – the relatively low season as the flow decreases month by month. This is the season when there will be no heavy spray obstructing your view from anywhere, but the falls won't be at their peak (rest assured it is still a once-in-a-lifetime sight). This is the season to visit the famous Devil's Pool and experience this surreal adventure.

A special phenomenon worth mentioning is the Lunar Rainbow, which is essentially a rainbow at night during a full moon. It occurs on every full moon night and is naturally more dramatic during seasons when the mist is high. The preferred viewpoint is from the Zambia side, but there is also a good view from the bridge.

Image caption

The Zambia Side:

Livingstone is the gateway town to the falls, offering plenty of accommodations, restaurants, and tour agencies through which you can book all attractions. From Livingstone to the falls themselves, you can reach by taxi or public transport in a few minutes.

The official reserve on the Zambia side is called "Mosi-oa-Tunya", which translates directly to "The smoke that thunders". Entrance costs $20, and you walk between several viewpoints opposite the falls, including one on the edge of the drop.

Angel's and Devil's Pool. These are pools located right on the edge of the waterfall where you can swim and sit right on the precipice. Devil's Pool ($65) operates when the water is low; when the water is a bit higher, there is Angel's Pool ($98), which is slightly further from the edge, and when water levels peak, these pools are closed. The price is expensive, but it's worth it and run through a luxury hotel, so it includes a fancy breakfast and trustworthy guides. There is a similar but riskier alternative where locals inside the park offer to take you cheaply. They take you to other spots that can sometimes be dangerous, but at a much cheaper price than the official attraction.

On the Zambia side, there are also many extreme attractions like ziplining over the falls, helicopter flights, rafting on the Zambezi River, bungee jumping, and much more, plus a small safari reserve in the area.

Visas:

Day trip – 20$

Single entry – 50$

Double entry – 80$

Angel's Pool

The Zimbabwe Side:

The gateway town to the falls is called Victoria Falls, and it is within walking distance of the national park. Just like on the Zambia side, it is a developed, tourist-friendly town with a very wide variety of places to sleep, eat, and organize any attraction you want.

The park itself has the original name Victoria Falls national park and costs 30$ for entry. Inside the park, there is a trail that takes you to all the beautiful viewpoints of the falls, including Devil's Cataract, which is the westernmost waterfall; although lower than others, it features a very strong flow. The most famous point is Danger’s Point, located right opposite the center of the falls, making it the best view of them from the ground. You can see in the picture above why the view from Zimbabwe is better – in the image, the Zimbabwe portion is to the left of the gorge opening and Zambia to the right.

If you are coming from or continuing to Botswana, it's worth knowing that transport from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe to the border is more convenient than crossing from the Zambia side. So if you are planning to travel between the two countries anyway, keep in mind this route is preferred.

Visas:

Day trip – Currently none

Single entry – 30$

Double entry – 50$

So in conclusion – Zambia or Zimbabwe?

Overall, in both countries you can experience the falls fully and top it off with some extreme activities.

Zimbabwe wins for the best walking viewpoint, while Zambia offers the unique experience of Devil's and Angel's Pool.

Whoever decides to visit both won't regret it!

Together with my girlfriend Hadas, we set off in October 2015 on a six-month trip across the continent. We started in Uganda and traveled all the way to South Africa via Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, and Namibia.

Feel free to reach out with any questions!

Ziv – 0524343480