While researching your trip to Zimbabwe, it might have taken you a moment to differentiate between Victoria Falls the town, and Victoria Falls the waterfall. That’s because they share a name! Victoria Falls is as much town as it is natural wonder; with one owing its reputation to the other and vice versa.

However, Victoria Falls town has more to offer than a waterfall, albeit a legendary one. If you’d like to extend your experience at Ilala Lodge Hotel to encompass more of what this region is known for, we have a few Victoria Falls day tours to put on your radar.

After getting out and about for the better part of the day, you will also be better positioned to truly appreciate all that Victoria Falls represents, and find comfort in coming back to such a beautiful hotel located in the heart of it all. (Within walking distance of the falls.)

Chobe National Park, Botswana

Eighty kilometres from Ilala Lodge Hotel, across the Kazungula border into Botswana, lies one of Africa’s great wildlife destinations. Chobe National Park is home to the largest concentration of elephants on the continent (an estimated 50 000) and the Chobe riverfront, which borders the park to the north, is where most of the action happens.

A day trip from Victoria Falls is a full day out, and it’s worth treating it as such. Transfers from Victoria Falls town typically depart around 7:15am, with guests arriving at the park by around 9am after clearing the border. The day is structured in two halves: You will usually enjoy both a river cruise and a game drive; one in the morning and one in the afternoon; split by a lunch at a local lodge or restaurant. There are plenty to choose from!

The river cruise is what sets Chobe apart from your average day trip safari. Getting to experience pods of hippos from up close, as well as super herds of buffalo, elephants coming to drink and crocodiles basking on the river’s edge, from the vantage point of a boat is something that will stay with you for a long time.

Read about this day trip in more detail here.

Some Practicalities:

• The dry season, running from May through October, is considered the prime time for game viewing.
• Bring your passport. You are crossing an international border. Visas to enter Botswana may be required depending on your nationality; if you hold a KAZA Univisa or need a double entry visa for Zimbabwe, arrange this at the Victoria Falls border.
• National park fees are additional to most tour prices.
• The Ilala Lodge Hotel activities desk can arrange the full day trip, including transfers, on your behalf.

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

If Chobe is the cross-border day trip, Hwange National Park is the one that takes you deeper into Zimbabwe itself.

Zimbabwe’s largest national park lies about two hours south of Victoria Falls along the main Bulawayo road, and the drive there is part of the experience – passing traditional villages and open countryside before the bush begins to close in around you.

Hwange covers 14 650 square kilometres and is home to an estimated 40 000 to 50 000 elephants, some in breeding herds of up to 300 individuals. These are the numbers that define Hwange’s reputation, and rightly so.

With that said, you will also have the opportunity to spot lion, leopard and buffalo, alongside over 100 mammal species and nearly 400 bird species. A true Eden in terms of animal-sightings!

If you’re interesting in African wild dogs, Hwange runs a Painted Dog Conservation Centre close to the park’s Main Camp. Feel free to enquire about adding this to your Victoria Falls day tour at Ilala Lodge Hotel’s Activities Desk.

Some Practicalities:

• The road from Victoria Falls to Hwange has significant potholes and the drive can be rougher than expected, though road repairs are ongoing.
• Pick-up is typically at 6 am, with departure from the park around 4.30 pm and arrival back in Victoria Falls between 6.30 and 7 pm. It can be a long day, so make sure you’re prepared with plenty of water and a few snacks for the road.
• No borders are crossed (Hwange is in Zimbabwe) though as a traveller it’s always advisable to keep your passport handy.
• The Ilala Lodge Hotel activities desk can arrange day trips and overnight packages on your behalf.

Livingstone, Zambia

The wonderful thing about being located so close to various borders is the opportunity to explore different countries in a matter of hours – something that is not as common in Africa as it is in Europe. We really encourage you to make the most of your location and get a feel for our bordering countries, too!

A great way to do this with Victoria Falls day tours is to take the 11km journey to Livingstone from our front gate. Though Livingstone is not Zambia’s capital (that would be Lusaka), it is considered the tourist capital due to its proximity to the Falls – much like we are.

Though Livingstone is close to us in proximity (you will cross the Victoria Falls Bridge when you pass through the border), it offers both a completely different vantage point of the Falls and a different cultural experience.

Here are some highlights of Livingstone that will add to your Ilala Lodge Hotel and Victoria Falls experience:

The Zambian side of the falls sits within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. The Knife Edge Bridge (which you may have seen photos of) is a thrilling footbridge that puts you directly opposite the Eastern Cataract for a full-frontal view of the main drop. From within the park, a trail descends steeply through the rainforest to the Boiling Pot, a vast whirlpool in the Zambezi at the base of the falls. Wear proper shoes. It is steep and wet! But, if you’re up for an adventure and practice caution, it’s worth it.

The Livingstone Museum is the country’s biggest and oldest museum, and is a must-visit for those interested in learning more about this area – from the Stone Age to David Livingstone memorabilia donated by the family.

The Mukuni Park Curio Market, and the main street offer a glimpse of ordinary Zambian life that is quite different from the tourist experience on the Zimbabwe side. The Mukuni Cultural Village, a short drive from town, offers a more structured introduction to the traditions of the local Leya people.

For those with more time or an appetite for adventure, Livingstone has several operators offering white-water rafting through the Batoka Gorge, canoeing on the upper Zambezi, horseback trails, boat cruises, and river safaris by jet boat into remote stretches of the river. The Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, compact at 66 square kilometres, offers game drives and walking safaris where the protected white rhino (rare elsewhere in the region) can be seen.

Some Practicalities:

• You will need your passport to cross the bridge. A KAZA Univisa covers both Zambia and Zimbabwe and allows a day trip to Botswana, making it the most practical option for guests planning to visit both sides of the falls.
• The Ilala Lodge Hotel activities desk can arrange a guided half-day or full-day excursion, or the crossing is straightforward enough to do independently.

More Activities in Victoria Falls

Now that we’ve explored some Victoria Falls day tours, don’t forget that there are plenty of activities right here in town that extend beyond the Falls, too.

From restaurants and iconic institutions to cultural excursions, our Activities Desk has a range of suggestions to pique your interest.

In the meantime, you can browse our various activity options here.

Stay With Us

For a stay that places you in the heart of Victoria Falls (and within a 5-minute walk of Victoria Falls National Park), you really can’t beat Ilala Lodge Hotel.

Not only are we wonderfully located to explore town, but our Activities Desk makes Victoria Falls day tours easy and seamless from your side. Simply sit down with one of our friendly team members and discuss how you would like to extend your trip in new and exciting ways!

Browse our accommodation options and get in touch with our friendly reservations team at onlinereservations@ilalalodge.com. Alternatively, make use of our seamless online booking platform to secure your own dates.