Where the Zambezi River plunges over the edge of the Victoria Falls, creating a magnificent cascade of roaring water on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, a safari legend has been created. Straddling both countries and offering a wide range of safari offerings, the falls are arguably the most iconic natural landmark in Southern Africa and a World Heritage Site. They are also one of the biggest adventure and romance destinations in the world, attracting a multitude of tourists from across the globe.

It’s possible to view them from both the Zambian and the Zimbabwean side of the Zambezi, so which is better? Or should you combine both sides in one trip? Let's have a look at the options...

The Zambian side

On the Zambian side of the falls, in and around the town of Livingstone, access to the falls is gained through Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, which is roughly three times the size of Victoria Falls National Park on the opposite side. Walking paths through the rainforest allow you to get closer to the Zambian section of the falls than you can on the Zim side, but the viewing is largely from the side rather than face-on. However, the sunset viewing is spectacular.

The downside is that in the dry season (October and November) this section of the falls can dry up almost entirely.

Zambia also offers microlight tours over the falls and tours to Livingstone Island and, when water levels are low enough - trips to Devil's Pool - a natural swimming pool located on the very edge of the precipice. These activities are not offered on the Zimbabwean side, meaning a cross-border trip to experience them. The KAZA uni-visa allows unlimited travel for a  30-day period between Victoria Falls town/Zimbabwe and Livingstone/Zambia.

The Zimbabwean side

The traditional viewing choice, the Zimbabwean side of the falls hog almost three quarters of this impressive natural landmark. Access is gained via Victoria Falls National Park - one of the smallest in the world at just 23 square kilometres, but it's nonetheless impressive giving panoramic, full-frontal views of the falls that you won’t get on the other side of the river in Zambia. The main section of the falls and the Devil's Cataract section rarely dries up (only in extreme drought) so you are always guaranteed thundering water and spray.

Both sides

On both sides you get a full range of adventure acitivities that have grown up around the falls, incluidng river cruises, jet boating and whitewater rafting, helicopter flights over the falls and historic tours of the Victoria Falls Railway Bridge. Both sides also offer stunning luxury hotels, safari lodges and camps and cruises along the Zambezi, as well as boat-based safari activities.

Safaris and the falls

If you want to combine your Victoria Falls experience with a safari, Zimbabwe is better because of its proximity to both the Zambezi and Hwange National Parks, the latter being the largest and most famous national park in Zimbabwe.

In Zambia, the falls are far from the best national parks; although it's easy to take a short hop by plane to either the Lower Zambezi or South Luangwa National Parks.

Both sides can easily be combined with a safari in Botswana's Chobe National Park, just 90 minutes away by road.

Lodges we love

In Zimbabwe we love the grand old lady that is the Victoria Falls Hotel - the oldest hotel in the southern hemisphere. Recently refurbished to a high standard, this hotel is simply breathtaking and offers unrivalled access to the falls with a dedicated private footpath leading through the grounds to them. We also love Royal Chundu and Mpala Jena.

Over in Zambia we love Anantara's Royal Livingstone Hotel with its manicured lawns leading down to the Zambezi and easy access to the falls and Livingstone Island. We also love Mukwa River Lodge and Thorntree River Lodge, as well as Tongabezi Lodge.

Which to choose...

To us, Zimbabwe is the best choice for visitors that want classic, full-on views of the Victoria Falls and the chance to witness the water flow at its most impressive even during the dry season. It’s also the better option if you want to combine trips to Victoria Falls with a wildlife safari in Hwange.

Access is also easier. It's easy to walk from town to the falls themselves, while in Zambia, unless you are staying at either of the hotel resorts on the edge of the falls you will need transport to get you from Livingstone to the falls themselves. 

In Zambia's favour is the ability to get close-up views of the falls, and the chance to see them in all their glory at sunset. The uniquely Zambian experiences also count as vote for Zambia with swimming on the edge of the falls in Devil’s Pool and microlighting over them top of the list.

So what to do? The best solution in our opinion is to visit the falls from both sides of the Zambezi River and have a few days in both Zim and Zam! Chat to us about the possibilities and let's get you to paradise!

If you'd like to find out more about a safari with your children, let's chat about your options!