The Ultimate Victoria Falls Travel Guide, Safety, Forum

Things you Need to Know Before Visiting Victoria Falls

Everything you “Absolutely Need to Know” about your Victoria Falls vacation should be reviewed before you begin to make reservations.

Spend a few days at Victoria Falls, and you’ll be talking about it for years to come.

Visas, immunizations, and financial concerns are just a few of the many aspects that need to be ironed out before a vacation to any place.

The “Absolute Need to Knows” about Victoria Falls are laid out in this essay, which is just the beginning. If you want to know what’s happening in town, the greatest thing to do is check out our Victoria Falls Guide website and Facebook page.

1. Which side, Zimbabwe or Zambia

Zimbabwe and Zambia are geographically divided by the Zambezi River and the Batoka Gorge, with Victoria Falls situated in the middle of the Zambezi River. You may observe the waterfall from either the Zimbabwean or the Zambian side, but if you’re being really honest, you should go to Zimbabwe to see it from the rainforest. That’s right, sixteen out of twenty perspectives, or 75% of the waterfall, are on the Zimbabwean side!

The side that faces Zambia dries up as the water levels fall during the dry season. For anyone solely visiting Zambia to view the Mosi-Oa-Tunya (Smoke that Thunders), a dry rock face will be highly disappointing.

When making reservations for tours and lodging, many people mistakenly believe that Zimbabwe and Zambia are one and the same. Because of this, you shouldn’t waste time and money booking a hotel in Zambia when the most of your activities are in Zimbabwe. Instead, focus on making the most of your time in Zimbabwe.

Check out our Zimbabwe vs. Zambia page for more information on the contrasts.

2. What are the Visa Requirements

A visa may be necessary for entry into Zambia or Zimbabwe. Requirements for guests vary with each passport type.

If you get the wrong visa, it will be a costly mistake, it will be a pain to go through immigration, and you might not be able to do something on your bucket list.

Having a difficult start to your holiday because of something you could have avoided is the last thing you want.

Our Zimbabwe Visa Page has all the information you need on the Zimbabwean visa, including the most recent regulations, which are subject to change.

3. Medical Matters that Affect your Visit

Malaria:
There is a preventive malaria zone near Victoria Falls. Make sure you see a doctor who specializes in the condition and the region. Further information can be found on our Malaria page.

Yellow Fever:
Vaccinations are not needed or required in Victoria Falls because the area is not deemed a yellow fever danger zone by the World Health Organization. Having said that, Zimbabwe would not let you enter unless you can prove that you have been vaccinated against yellow fever.

COVID-19 Requirements:
Those in need of up-to-date information regarding entry and exit requirements can find it in the most recent COVID-19 travel updates.

Other Health Considerations:
No other immunizations are necessary for admission. Rabies, typhoid, cholera, and hepatitis vaccines are all matters of personal preference.

Use sunscreen, wear hats and other protective clothes, and drink plenty of water to stay cool and safe in the summer.

The water that comes out of the faucets is completely safe to drink; we had it tested. But bottled water is easily accessible, and it’s not bad for the environment either; after all, there are thousands of bottles in circulation.

4. Vital Information on Money matters.

Everyone knows that Zimbabwe’s money problem is a major problem. Even though Zimbabwe has a severe shortage of currency, Victoria Falls is still a popular tourist attraction.

You must ensure that you have an adequate amount on hand (in US dollars), as not all establishments currently take credit cards. You should have some cash on hand to cover little purchases, park fees, tips, and curio shopping. It’s a good idea to have a backup in case the card machine is down, as you’ll need it for things like visas. Make all of your reservations and payments in advance of your arrival.

We advise against relying on the system, as supplies might change suddenly, even though you might be able to withdraw funds from an ATM in Zimbabwe.

But keep in mind that you are in Africa, where there are many impoverished people; therefore, it is extremely foolish to bring huge quantities of cash; doing so would be a needless danger.

You should bookmark our Zimbabwe currency page and check back for more frequent updates because the situation is dynamic.

Living through this financial crisis has given us first-hand experience of Victoria Falls. Utilize our website to its full potential; it is an invaluable resource.

5. Should I Book in Advance and Why it is Important

There is an abundance of things to do at Victoria Falls, and planning ahead has many benefits. Victoria Falls is a popular tourist destination, and popular activities, like the Devils Pool, have limited numbers and are often booked months in advance. It makes more sense to do research online from the convenience of your own home rather than waste your vacation time making decisions.

Way too many people come here expecting to be able to make an onsite reservation, just to depart feeling utterly let down.

You can avoid problems caused by the present financial crunch by making your reservation in advance. The many other benefits are detailed on our “why book with us” page.

6. Which Time of Year is Best

There are new adventures lurking around town every season, but your experience will be very different depending on the season. Pick the correct time of year and prioritise your expectations. In order to help you choose the finest season, we have made a calendar that goes down each month.

Travel between March and June to see Victoria Falls at its most spectacular during peak flow, but avoid going between those months if you want to see Devils Pool open.

While the months of August through December are ideal for white-water rafting due to the low water levels, the months of July through October provide the classic safari experience due to the parched bush and the concentration of animals around the few water sources.

Detailed information regarding water levels, temperatures, and seasonal wildlife activity can be found on our Victoria Falls weather page.

See our page on the Pros and Cons of Low Season Travel for more information.

7. What’s the Ideal Length of Stay

Anyone who has been to Victoria Falls would have innumerable anecdotes to share about the incredible experience they had there.

“I just wish we had stayed longer” is a common refrain at the conclusion of these tales, though.

Culture, events, restaurants, and adventures come together in this town. We cannot emphasize enough how critical it is that you meticulously schedule all of your activities. If you’re still unsure of how long you want to stay, we recommend checking out our Activities page to get a feel for all the things to do.

Be flexible, and stay tuned to our website for updates on exciting new events and activities, as well as in-depth reviews of the things that are now happening, including the less well-known ones.

Before you book your trip, give some thought to how long you’ll be staying; international flight delays often cause travelers to miss their connecting inbound flight to Victoria Falls, which may be really upsetting if you’re only planning to spend two or three nights there.

Our recommendation is a minimum of four nights, not including any extra safari days. In case your flights are cancelled, you should also have good travel insurance.