As the King of the jungle, the lion has become a symbol of the African bush. One of nature’s best-known predators and the subject of many documentaries and even animated films, lions enjoy a reputation for being fearsome but noble, a combination of qualities that appeals to people of all ages and makes a walk with these beautiful beasts a truly unique experience.

Walking with Lions – How it Works

It is possible to walk with lions in Victoria Falls and surrounds by booking a lion encounter either on the banks of the Masuwe River or in the Mosi-Oa-Tuna National Park. A team of trained professionals will accompany your group through lion territory, having briefed you fully on the safety requirements and procedures that need to be followed to ensure an enjoyable and unforgettable lion walk. As you continue your walk you will be astounded by the majesty of these predators as they patrol their territory and if you may be lucky enough to witness a kill.

Cub Encounters

Due to safety measures, children are not generally allowed on the lion walks in Victoria Falls. However, the younger members of the family may enjoy a special encounter of their own with lion cubs no older than 5 months. Small, well-controlled and extremely cute, these baby lions provide an experience that your children will cherish for years as they bond with the children of Africa’s greatest predators.

If you are keen to walk with lions in Victoria Falls, it is advisable to book this popular activity in advance when you finalise your accommodation booking. Your hotel or travel agent will be able to recommend the best lion walk available to suit your needs.

Of all the ways a visitor to Victoria Falls could experience the scenic beauty of this natural wonder, an elephant-back adventure has to be the most unique and memorable. As you explore the area on the back of nature’s most majestic animal, you’ll have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the wild from an elephant’s perspective, making this type of tour truly unique. Here is an introduction to elephant rides in Victoria Falls:

There are several herds of African Elephant in the Victoria Falls area, offering visitors the unique opportunity to ride one of these majestic giants through the area surrounding the falls. These elephants have been specially trained to accommodate human riders and are generally placid and gentle giants who offer a safe experience to those who ride them. Elephant rides in Victoria Falls have become extremely popular as tourists experience the wild from a new perspective.

Elephant rides in Victoria Falls usually depart at sunrise or lunch time, and last about half a day. As the elephant and trained guides lead you through the terrain they know so well, you will be amazed at the bond that can be formed with these gentle and majestic creatures in just a few hours. Elephants are intelligent animals with a great ability to navigate terrain even with a rider on-board. Contrary to some of the bush legends that describe these creatures as volatile, most trained elephants provide their riders with a relaxing and extremely enjoyable ride through the area surrounding Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River.

Selecting the right elephant and elephant tour company is an important step for every traveller, as the most reputable companies train their elephants to a high standard and also ensure that the animals are well-treated to ensure that they react positively to human beings. Elephants are sensitive creatures and respond very well to training and good treatment, making elephant rides in Victoria Falls a pleasure as long as a reputable company is chosen. Your travel agent or hotel will be able to recommend a good elephant tour company which will make your trip to Victoria Falls unforgettable.

Jet Boating

Batoka Gorge forms the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and is known for its abundant wildlife and bird life. Travellers who want to feel the wind in their hair can take advantage of the jet boating facilities offered at the gorge, combining scenic beauty and the thrill of water sports in one.

The jet boat was first manufactured in New Zealand and is specially designed for use in rivers and gorges. With an open-top design, this rubberised vessel combines power and safety features to bring you closer to the water while maintaining acceptable levels of safety. Providing many Victoria Falls adventures to visitors from all over the world, jet boating trips are available in Batoka Gorge itself and on the Zambezi River.

White-water Rafting

The Zambezi River is considered by many to be one of the world’s best white-water rafting rivers. The excitement of rafting through this powerful river can only be fully understood one it has been experienced, and as far as Victoria Falls adventures go, this exhilarating activity may just be the most exciting of all. The safest time to participate in this activity is during the low water season which lasts from August to January, and a full safety briefing is conducted by trained guides before the rafting begins.

Day Trips

Combining several Victoria Falls adventures in one package, day trips are available along the Zambezi River which includes jet boating and white-water rafting, as well as an overnight stay at a beach camp. These trips provide great adventure to thrill-seeking travellers who wish to experience the excitement of Victoria Falls first hand.

As an AIMS registered event, the Victoria Falls Marathon is a major event on the Zimbabwean sports calendar. Providing an opportunity for local and international athletes to compete against some of the best runners from Southern Africa and beyond, this event is equally challenging for runners who compete in the shorter distance races, where friendly competition and achieving personal running goals are emphasised.

The Victoria Falls Marathon route begins at the Kingdom Hotel and crosses over the Vic Falls Bridge, taking runners into Zambia for a brief excursion. As runners pass some of the most beautiful landscape in Africa, there will be ample opportunity to take in the views as the marathon makes its way to the finish at Victoria Falls Primary School.

The marathon comprises three different races, catering to all ages and levels of fitness:

Full Marathon

Runners competing in the full Victoria Falls Marathon will leave the finish line at 6:30 AM on the day of the race, making their way over the bridge into Zambia and returning to finish at the Victoria Falls Primary School. The full marathon distance is 42.2 km.

Half Marathon

The half marathon covers a distance of 21.2km and starts at 7AM on the day of the race.

Fun Run

The 5 km fun run begins at 7:30 AM on the race day, ending at the Victoria Falls Primary School after leading runners through the Chinotimba area.

Special Rules

Participants in the Victoria Falls Marathon who are running in the full and half marathons should remember to wear their bibs and not fold them. Runners should keep their race numbers as these will be needed at the finish to verify their places in the final scoring.

Participants in the Victoria Falls Mountain Bike Challenge will be based at the luxurious Kingdom Hotel, offering family members the opportunity to come along and support their cycling heroes as they participate in the three day event.

Day One

The first day will see participants cycling approximately 70 km as they follow the path of the upper Zambezi River through the beautiful terrain of the Zambezi National Park. The route includes riverside sections and inland sections which afford rider magnificent views of the river.

Day Two

Day two of the Victoria Falls Mountain Bike Challenge places participants on a 90 km route through a private game reserve which will offer the exhilaration of game viewing during the course of the race. A full briefing with regard to any dangers involved will be presented the night before in order to assure safety during this exciting leg of the race. Moving in the opposite direction to day one, this route includes Kalahari sand sections as well as challenging but scenic paths through the bush.

Day Three

The Victoria Falls Mountain Bike Challenge ends with an 82 km leg through the Masuwe area of the falls. The route takes riders to the top of the Gorge, through a challenging route which includes dirt, sand and path sections.

Each day’s racing is concluded with a relaxing dinner at the Kingdom Hotel, with a banquet to mark the end of the race on day three. The afternoons and early evenings may be spent with family touring the area, enjoying a quick round of golf, or relaxing around the pool at the hotel.

Victoria Falls

The most impressive body of water known to man, the Victoria Falls attract thousands of visitors each year. Although many tourists associate the falls with Zambia, the position of Victoria Falls on the Zambian and Zimbabwean border means that this attraction is equally a Zimbabwean treasure – some would argue that the view of the falls from the southern side makes Victoria Falls the most magnificent of all Zimbabwe travel attractions.

Bulawayo

As the second-largest city in Zimbabwe, Bulawayo has a fascinating history and is a blend of African and European cultures. From historic colonial buildings to thrilling wildlife adventures, this city offers visitors a taste of true Zimbabwean hospitality with plentiful accommodation options. The nearby Matobo National Park is a haven for Rhinos and a host of other African wildlife which provide hours of game viewing and an unforgettable safari experience.

Harare
Harare is Zimbabwe’s biggest city and is a dynamic mix of various cultures and nationalities. Visitors who wish to combine a bush getaway with a taste of 21st-century Zimbabwe will find the most fascinating of Zimbabwe travel attractions. The city has several excellent hotels and other forms of accommodation, and is home to several museums and the beautiful Harare Gardens. A short distance from the city is the Hwange National Park which allows visitors a unique opportunity to view wildlife on horseback – a must for all people who love the equestrian lifestyle.

Because the Victoria Falls are located on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia a number of flights are available from several neighbouring countries, connecting visitors who are travelling in Southern Africa with this scenic and awe-inspiring destination.

Victoria Falls flights depart from Johannesburg, South Africa on a regular basis, with several airlines offering direct flights from the OR Tambo International Airport. Several carriers including South African Airways (SAA), British Airways, and Air Namibia operate a non-stop service to the Victoria Falls Airport, making the falls easily accessible to visitors who are already touring South Africa as well as South African visitors to the Victoria Falls.

For travellers who are making their way to the falls from neighbouring countries such as Botswana and Namibia, regular flights are available from Windhoek and Gaborone respectively. Several flights per week operate between these cities and Victoria Falls, and although they are less frequent than the flights which depart from Johannesburg, a well-planned trip will be able to accommodate these flights from Botswana and Namibia with ease.

Travellers should note that flights to Victoria Falls are limited, since the route is specialised and caters for relatively small numbers of tourist passengers. For this reason, it is recommended that flights to Victoria Falls be booked well in advance to take advantage of lower ticket prices and to avoid disappointment.

The Victoria Falls are one of Africa’s most impressive and popular tourist attractions. Located on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe in Southern Africa, Victoria Falls attracts thousands of visitors each month. If you’re planning a trip to this wonder of nature, you may be wondering when the best time is to visit Victoria Falls – here is a brief look at Victoria Falls weather

Victoria Falls Climate

Situated on the Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe, the climate around Victoria Falls is generally warm, with a long summer which lasts from late August until April. The winter months of May to mid-August are cool, but by no means cold. The Victoria Falls weather conditions can range from extreme heat in the height of summer to cool but pleasant days in winter, making this area accessible throughout the year. However, there are benefits and disadvantages to visiting Victoria Falls during each season:

Victoria Falls Weather

With a summer lasting around eight months of the year, most visitors are likely to experience a warm and sunny stay at the falls. September is a perfect month to visit where game viewing is concerned, because many species of wildlife are attracted to the Zambezi River to quench their summer thirst while the vegetation remains quite sparse from the winter months, allowing the animals to be clearly seen and photographed.

As November and December approach, the area around the Victoria Falls becomes extremely hot and humid as the summer rainy season approaches. Victoria Falls weather during this time of year may be excessively hot for travellers who are used to more moderate climates, and although the amount of rain at the falls increases, the dry season in Angola where the headwaters of the Zambezi originate causes the volume of water in falls to drop, causing part of the falls to dry up. This allows the falls to be easily photographed, because of a reduced amount of spray. Visitors who love a hot climate will enjoy this time of year at the Victoria Falls.

Is Livingstone far from Victoria Falls?

First-time visitors to Zambia may be wondering how far the town of Livingstone is from the Victoria Falls – the town is situated 10km north of the Zambezi river, with the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park which contains the falls just a short drive from the southernmost part of town. With a variety of affordable tourism options, Livingstone is an extremely convenient location from which travellers can explore the wonders of the Victoria Falls. Visitors who wish to enter Zimbabwe over the Zambian border during their stay will also find Livingstone a convenient place to stay. When considering the choice of Victoria Falls vs Livingstone, bear in mind that these two places are not that far from each other at all.

Can anything match the experience of staying near Victoria Falls?

One of the most important things to remember when weighing up the benefits of Victoria Falls vs Livingstone is that nothing is quite the same as staying in the area directly around the falls. Waking up to the sound of the mighty Victoria Falls and enjoying a scenic morning walk around this incredible body of water is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, travellers will find that accommodation options in the direct vicinity of the falls tend to be of the premium kind, with prices to match.

If you’ve always wanted to see Victoria Falls and you’d like to spoil yourself and your loved ones with an unforgettable holiday, the area directly around the falls will provide a memorable experience. However, it is also possible to experience the Victoria Falls during the day and return to your hotel in Livingstone in the evening.

Ilala Lodge, situated on the edge of the national parks is as closely located to the falls as nature will allow. The terraced garden overlooks an expanse of bush from which elephant, plains game and numerous birds often emerge to graze on the hotel lawns. The Moisi ou tunia is clear to see from the hotel dining room, the plumes of smoke ascend from the rainforest canopy and if the wind is right, the water that’s caught up in the wind draughts descends on you like a fine mist, cooling you in the sweltering African heat. One cannot help but enjoy the serenity that settles over you as you dine under the stars listening to the roaring falls and the gentle crunching of an elephant moving slowly past.

Safari Lodge is unprecedented in its grand design. Made entirely of wood this lodge boasts panoramic views as well as an internal wonder of Chris – crossed beams interlocking to form a structure that pyramids out of the bush. The lodge overlooks the winding Zambezi on one side and the extensive African bush on the other. As far as the eye can see the bush extends over the horizon and below the terrace a small waterhole entices animals out of hiding to drink and frolic in the shallow waters. There could be nothing more perfect than sitting on the deck enjoying a cold drink, surrounded by the sounds of nature and watching the animals drinking while the blazing sun sets over the river. The safari lodge lays claim to the famous Boma, a traditional dining place where one can go for a truly African interactive dining experience. You can taste home brewed Zimbabwean beer and sample any cut of venison you can imagine, while sitting by a fire watching traditional African dancing and drumming.

The breath taking views from the terrace of Elephant Hills Hotel are its crowning glory, the gray elephantine hotel sits grandly on the only hill in the area overlooking the mighty Zambezi, and the view extends toward the Victoria Falls only a few kilometres away. This hotel has the only golf course in Victoria Falls area and it is always a delight to take a stroll along the fairway and watch many small plains game dart from the tree line and look at you inquisitively.

If posh and colonial is what you seek then look no further that the Victoria Falls Hotel. This is the original hotel built alongside the old railway station. With its silent grandeur this hotel reeks of old colonialism and one can almost imagine Lords and Ladies strolling along the garden paths with their parasols in hand. But even if you chose not to stay here a trip for high tea on the veranda is a must, with a variety of eats including salmon sandwiches and warm scones you also get to enjoy the best view Vic Falls has to offer. The lawns of the hotel plunge into the sheer cliffs formed by the river as it cuts its way from the Falls, and over this chasm, perfectly arched is the original bridge that links Zimbabwe to Zambia, creating the perfect frame for the mighty falls behind.

A’Zambezi is quietly situated up river from the falls but in the most beautiful location. The gardens extend on to the river and tall trees dip down from the rivers’ edge, hiding the hotel in its leafy splendour. Families of warthog are daily visitors that ‘knuckle down’ grazing the hotel lawns.

SprayView is set further back from the main hubbub of the town and sits perfectly along the main access road. The distance from the falls doesn’t affect the little hotel as it is only a short walk to the main town centre. If quiet and solitude is what you are looking for or a chance to mix with some of the locals then spray view is for you. The bar is a very popular hangout and attracts many to the pool area.

Grand and ethnic in its traditional Zimbabwean design the Kingdom hotel is superbly situated between Ilala Lodge and The Victoria Falls Hotel, along the main Victoria Falls road. Although this hotel is not famous for its wondrous views, its elaborate internal design makes it a sight to see. The Huge dining room looks over the swimming pool area and main gardens, which are spotted with small ponds and water features. Attached to the main hotel is the casino and restaurant dome, which attracts many locals and holiday makers eager for a good night life.

If hotels are not your thing, Victoria Falls has many back packers and self catering lodges available for a reasonably low price. Although they are not as well located they offer superb service.