Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and should be on everyone’s bucket list. The first big question that confronts many people when booking their holiday to Victoria Falls is “Which country should I go to, Zambia or Zimbabwe?” The answer to that is quite simple – BOTH! The KAZA univisa provides entry into both countries, making it easier than ever to experience both sides of the falls.
Once the decision has been made to book your tip to visit the iconic Victoria Falls, all you need to think about is how to view them. Over the years, many attractions have been added to Victoria Fall, making it easy to view the Falls and its majestic beauty. We have listed below seven ways to view the falls from every angle.
1. On the Zimbabwe side, only 8 minutes’ walk away from Ilala Lodge Hotel is the Victoria Falls Rainforest. With 3.8km of natural rainforest where it rains for 24 hours, you can directly view 75% of Victoria Falls. You can walk the entire breadth of the Falls, beginning at the Devil’s Cataract, where you will also see the David Livingstone Statue and ending at the 16th viewpoint overlooking the Victoria Falls Bridge. View point three is a great spot to capture beautiful rainbows and the main falls view point is where you will need to have your raincoat handy or get soaked by the spray from the Falls!
2. On the Zambian side, although you can only see 25% of the Falls, you get a different perspective of the Falls. Located 10km from the town of Livingstone, the Mosi-O-Tunya National Park has a network of viewpoints where in the high -water season (February to June) you are right up close to the rushing water. The Knife-Edge Bridge also is a walk to remember, taking you right over the gorge.
3. You may have seen the Falls before but you’ve never seen them quite like this! The boiling pot hike is seasonal and only operational from the end of August through to early December. There are two slots daily with two pickups available at 7.00am and 2pm. The hike begins at the top of Batoka Gorge where armed with a walking stick, life jacket and helmet, you will begin your trek down. From here, you will take a raft against the current of the mighty Zambezi River rapids and journey past the historic Victoria Falls Bridge to the boiling pot itself where the thundering roar from the Falls is unbelievably loud!
4. For a nostalgic and historical way to view the Victoria Falls, we recommend booking a trip on the Victoria Falls Steam train. Operated by Bushtracks Express on the Zimbabwe side of the Falls, you board the train at the Victoria Falls train station, located within walking distance from Ilala Lodge Hotel. Scheduled departures go on a Tuesday and Friday, departing at 5pm so you catch the sunset. Welcome drink in tow, you will steam through the Victoria Falls Game Park onward to the bridge where guests may alight from the train for some photo opportunities of the Falls, the bridge and the sunset. The vintage steam train consists of three air-conditioned carriages, beautifully restored by Rovos Rail, pulled by a 14a class Locomotive 512.
5. Why not turn your view of Victoria Falls upside down…literally! Voted as the Best Bungee in the world, it is 111m high and an incredibly popular attraction from the Victoria Falls bridge. Hold onto your heart and get ready for a thrill of a lifetime.
6. If hanging just metres from the Zambezi River is not for you, you can choose to fly up in the sky instead on the Flight of Angels on either a 12-minute flight or 25-minute flight. The aerial views are phenomenal and the perfect photographic opportunity of this World Heritage site.
7. If you’re looking to flirt with the wild side, swimming in one of world’s most enthralling natural pools is a daredevil way to get up close and personal! Undoubtedly this way of viewing the Falls will give you the most Facebook-famous photo of your trip. This isn’t your ordinary swim in an infinity pool, but a daring dip on the very edge of the Victoria Falls. Brave swimmers will get to experience the ultimate thrill of peering over the brim of the largest curtain of falling water. The Devil’s Pool is open during the drier months of the year, usually between mid-August and mid-January, when the Zambezi River water levels are low enough for swimmers to take the plunge.
