Royal Livingstone (Anantara)
Colonial-style flagship on the Zambian bank inside the National Park — resident giraffes and zebra, 10-min walk to the falls.
Livingstone (ZM) · Luxury
Complete guide · Zambia & Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls Travel Guide: Zambia, Zimbabwe & Devil's Pool
Victoria Falls sits on the Zambezi between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and the border defines your entire trip. This guide breaks down which side to base on, when to visit for the experience you want, and how to bolt on Chobe's elephants and a helicopter flight — all bookable through our existing partner tools.
Zambia (Livingstone) vs Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls town) — the side-by-side decision
Zambia side: closer to the water, gives you Devil's Pool, Livingstone Island lunches and the Knife-Edge Bridge. Livingstone town is a 15-min drive from the falls — quieter, safer feel, better boutique lodges along the Zambezi upstream.
Zimbabwe side: the classic 'front-on' 1.7 km panorama of the falls (the shot you know from postcards), plus a walkable town with cafés and craft markets. Historically better value and richer wildlife infrastructure.
Best combo: base 2 nights Zambia + 1 night Zimbabwe. A day-visa border cross is USD 50 KAZA Uni-Visa (Zambia + Zimbabwe) or single-entry Zim visa on arrival.
When to go
August-October (low water): Devil's Pool is OPEN; the Zambia side viewpoints run partly dry but Zimbabwe still thunders. Best for adventure (rafting, Devil's Pool, Livingstone Island lunches).
February-May (high water): peak flow — spectacular mist and rainbows, but Devil's Pool CLOSED and you'll get soaked; bring waterproofs. Best for the falls themselves.
November-January: shoulder — rising water, warm, quieter and cheaper. No Devil's Pool from ~Jan.
The bucket-list experiences
Devil's Pool (Zambia, Aug-Oct only): swim on the very lip of the falls with a guide from Livingstone Island. Book via GetYourGuide well ahead; sold out weeks out in peak.
Livingstone Island breakfast/lunch/high-tea: the small island on the Zambian lip; boat access from the Royal Livingstone.
Helicopter Flight of Angels (both sides): 12-15 min from the Batoka air-strip — the only way to see the full zig-zag of gorges.
White-water rafting the Zambezi below the falls: grade V, world-class, Aug-Dec only.
Sunset Zambezi river cruise: booze cruise stereotype aside, watching hippos and elephants come to the river at dusk is genuinely magic.
Chobe National Park day trip (Botswana)
Chobe has one of the densest elephant populations on Earth — 60,000+ animals. A full-day trip from Livingstone or Victoria Falls town includes a Kazungula border crossing (bring passports), a Chobe River boat cruise and a game drive.
Book through your hotel or a GetYourGuide day-tour; expect USD 180-280 per person including lunch, transfers and park fees. Leave at 06:30, back by 20:00.
Getting there and around
Fly Livingstone (LVI) via Johannesburg or Nairobi, or Victoria Falls (VFA) via Johannesburg. Both airports are ~20 min from their respective towns.
Kiwitaxi covers LVI/VFA arrival transfers and the border-crossing hop between the two sides (~30-45 min including immigration).
Around town: pre-arranged transfers with the hotel are safest; the Bridge itself is walkable but bring your passport (you're technically leaving one country).
Where to stay across both sides
Tongabezi Lodge
Ultra-luxury 13-room lodge 15 min upstream on the Zambezi — best for honeymoons, houseboat suites and Livingstone Island access.
Livingstone (ZM) · Ultra-luxury
The Elephant Camp
12-suite Zimbabwe-side private-concession camp overlooking Batoka Gorge, run by Wild Horizons — ex-orphan elephant walks included.
Victoria Falls (ZW) · Ultra-luxury
Victoria Falls Hotel
1904 heritage grand-dame on the Zimbabwe side, high-tea on the terrace with a rainbow view of the bridge — a classic.
Victoria Falls (ZW) · Heritage luxury
Ilala Lodge
Best-value mid-luxury on the Zim side — 10-min walk to the falls, well-run kitchen, popular with returning safari-goers.
Victoria Falls (ZW) · Mid-luxury
Avani Victoria Falls
Best family / mid-range Zambian side — resident zebra on the lawn, big pool, direct short walk to the falls.
Livingstone (ZM) · Mid-range family
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Frequently asked questions
Which side is better — Zambia or Zimbabwe?
Zambia (Livingstone) for Devil's Pool, Livingstone Island and closer-to-water adventures. Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls town) for the classic panoramic view of the falls and better hotel value. The best trips do 2 nights Zambia + 1 night Zimbabwe with a same-day border cross.
When is Devil's Pool open?
Roughly mid-August through early January, with peak-conditions August-October. It closes when the Zambezi flow rises and the lip becomes unsafe. Book at least 4-6 weeks ahead in peak season.
Do I need a visa?
Most nationalities can buy a KAZA Uni-Visa on arrival at either LVI or VFA — USD 50, valid 30 days for Zambia + Zimbabwe and day-trips into Botswana. Confirm eligibility for your passport before flying.
How many nights do I need?
Three nights is the sweet spot: one for the falls (both sides), one for an adventure day (Devil's Pool + helicopter or rafting), one for a Chobe day trip or a sunset cruise + spa.
Can I combine Victoria Falls with a safari?
Yes — the classic combo is 3 nights Vic Falls + 3-4 nights Chobe (Botswana) or Hwange (Zimbabwe). Fly-in packages via Kasane (BBK) or road transfer from Vic Falls make it easy.
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