Victoria Falls Zimbabwe Vs Zambia: Which Side Is Better
Among the most breathtaking natural wonders on Earth, Victoria Falls is hard to beat. The Zambezi River forms the world’s greatest curtain of falling water as it flows down the border of Zimbabwe vs Zambia. Seeing this breathtaking sight should be on everyone’s bucket list.
In statistical terms, Victoria Falls is twice as tall as Niagara Falls and more than twice as wide. It plunges over a precipice that is 1.7km (1.06mi) from east to west and is 108m (354ft) wide. The local name, Mosi-oa-Tunya, which means “the Smoke That Thunders” in English, implies that it is also a very loud phenomenon. When it’s operating at full capacity, it can propel a spray of multicolored mist up to 500 meters (1,640 feet) into the sky.
Visiting Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, is a must for every safariker visiting southern Africa. In fact, the most pressing concern for many first-time tourists is not whether or not to visit Victoria Falls, but rather when is the best time to do so. The question instead is which of the two gateway nations—Zimbabwe vs Zambia—they ought to pick. Detailed below, we’ll take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of both.
Victoria Falls Zimbabwe Vs Zambia: Which Side Is Better
1. In Which Country Is Victoria Falls
Zambia and Zimbabwe both have a portion of Victoria Falls. It is located on the Zambezi River, which forms a shared border with Zimbabwe to the southeast and Zambia to the northwest, and flows northeasterly. Contrary to what one might expect, the western Main Falls is located in Zimbabwe, while the eastern Cataract falls in Zambia. This is due to the fact that the Zambezi River takes a southerly turn shortly before Victoria Falls.
2. Best Views: Zimbabwe vs Zambia Side
Situated in a prime location, the diminutive yet famous Victoria Falls National Park in Zimbabwe offers the most picturesque full-frontal view. Here, a little trail through a rain forest that receives water all year round leads to several vantage positions that offer breathtaking views of Devil’s Cataract and the westward Main Falls.
In Zambia, you can find some outstanding and distinctive points of view as well. When the water levels are high, the spray-drenched Knife Edge Bridge in Zambia is unrivaled. It runs so near to the Eastern Cataract that you can almost hear the roar of the waterfall. At the base of the Batoka Gorge Falls, in Zambia, you may find the lone route leading to the Boiling Pot, a white water whirlpool.
No matter where you are on the falls, you should make time to visit the opposite side for the vistas. The sole direct border crossing point between the two sides, Victoria Falls Bridge, offers a breathtaking view among other things!
3. Best Time of the Year: Zimbabwe vs Zambia Side
If you want to experience the Zambezi at its most spray-kickingly spectacular from April to September, you’re lucky to be on either side of the river. Depending on the season, Zimbabwe can outshine Zambia. When the Zambezi River is at its lowest point and the Eastern Cataract in Zambia occasionally dries up almost entirely in October and November, Zimbabwe is unquestionably the best option.
When planning a visit to Victoria Falls, there are various aspects to think about depending on the season. August through January are the months with the best river conditions for canoeing and rafting, so plan your trip accordingly. The months of May through September and October are often the finest for seeing wildlife in southern Africa, especially if a safari is your primary objective and Victoria Falls is more of an extravagance. From November through April, birdwatchers may expect to see the most birds because that’s when migrants arrive and many native species change into their colorful breeding plumage. Although these criteria won’t directly affect your decision between visiting Zimbabwe and Zambia, they may determine when you visit, which could impact your choice of country in a roundabout way.
4. Activities: Zimbabwe vs Zambia Side
Victoria Falls is not just a place to observe waterfalls. Southern Africa’s adventure capitals, Livingstone in Zambia and Victoria Falls township in Zimbabwe, are gateway towns that provide a plethora of adrenaline-charged activities. Canoe rides upstream on the Zambezi River, evading hippos, white-water rafting through Batoka Gorge, and bungee jumping from Victoria Falls Bridge are some of the most popular activities. Luckily, whether you choose to stay in Zimbabwe or Zambia, you will have about the same access to these activities. On the other hand, swimming in Devil’s Pool—a natural pool perched precariously on the brink of the waterfall, with only the tiniest of rock lips separating it from the crashing water below—is a popular pastime unique to the Zambian side of the border.
5. Accommodations: Zimbabwe vs Zambia Side
As far as lodging is concerned, Zambia and Zimbabwe are virtually identical. There is a wide variety of accommodation options on either side of Victoria Falls, from inexpensive campgrounds to posh boutique lodges and everything in between.
6. Wildlife Viewing: Zimbabwe vs Zambia Side
You may see a lot of different animals on either side of Victoria Falls. While visitors visiting Zambia’s Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park can expect to see plenty of antelope, buffalo, hippo, and white rhinos while on foot, they won’t be able to spot any big cats. Big cats can be found in Zambezi National Park in Zimbabwe, while elephants and buffaloes are common sights near the falls on the Zimbabwean side. This probably isn’t a major factor, though, if you’re planning to combine a trip to Victoria Falls with a safari in southern Africa.
7. Costs: Zimbabwe vs Zambia Side
The Zambian side of Victoria Falls is sometimes thought of as the more affordable option, but when you include in the expenses of flights and other transportation, it’s hard to tell the difference. More important than the country they are in is the kind of lodging you choose and other amenities that cater to different preferences and budgets, because both sides provide plenty of options.
8. Safety: Zimbabwe vs Zambia Side
Recent years have seen Zambia solidify its position as one of sub-Saharan Africa’s safest and most stable nations, whereas Zimbabwe has become a byword for authoritarian leadership and economic incompetence. Notwithstanding this, visitors find the area around Victoria Falls to be just as safe and popular with tourists as any other part of the region.
9. Visiting Both Sides of Victoria Falls
We recommend seeing both sides of Victoria Falls if you get the chance, after considering the benefits and drawbacks of each. The Victoria Falls Bridge, which crosses the Batoka Gorge just downstream of the main attraction, allows pedestrians to cross from Zambia to Zimbabwe. When you purchase a KAZA UNIVISA upon arrival in either nation, the paperwork becomes much easier. For fifty dollars, you can get a multiple-entry visa that covers free crossings between Zimbabwe and Zambia as well as day visits to Chobe National Park in Botswana through the Kazungula border station. The visa is valid for thirty days from the date of issue.