Victoria Falls 2025 Guide: Best Time, Which Side & Top Adventures

Smoke that Thunders. Mosi‑oa‑Tunya. Stand on the knife‑edge bridge as a rainbow forms in the spray and half a billion litres of the Zambezi plunge into a basalt gorge every minute. Few natural wonders hit all five senses quite like Victoria Falls.

Matetsi Victoria View

Quick Facts at a Glance

• Width: 1 708 m — the planet’s largest sheet of falling water.

• Height: Up to 99 m at Rainbow Falls.

• UNESCO World Heritage Site: Listed for unique geology & scenic beauty.

• Nicknames: “Mosi‑oa‑Tunya” (Lozi for the smoke that thunders).

• Surrounding Parks: Mosi‑oa‑Tunya NP (Zambia) & Victoria Falls NP (Zimbabwe).

“The roar is constant, but the mood of the Falls changes every month—learn its rhythm and you’ll have the trip of a lifetime.” – Livingston, local rafting guide

Victoria Falls Full Flood from Above

Zambia vs Zimbabwe: Choosing Your Base

	Zambia Side	Zimbabwe Side
Views	Up‑close, mist‑soaked knife‑edge paths; Devil’s Pool access	Panoramic postcard vistas of 75 % of the curtain
Seasonal Flow	Dramatic in high water; may run dry at Eastern Cataract late Oct–Nov	Water flows year‑round; good photo spray even in Oct
Activities	Devil’s Pool, Livingstone Island lunch, microlight flights	Classic helicopter flips, Bridge bungee, historic hotel tea
Visa Note	KAZA Univisa lets you cross freely for USD 50	Same KAZA Univisa applies
Best For	Adventure junkies, low‑water daredevils	First‑timers, photographers seeking wide panoramas

Tip: Stay on one side but budget a day pass to the other—sunrise & sunset feel completely different across the gorge.

Smoke that Thunders

Best Time to Visit Victoria Falls

High‑Water Drama (Feb – May)

• Thunderous wall of water; plume visible 30 km away.

• Photographers beware: spray can drench lenses, but epic rainbows are guaranteed.

• White‑water rafting typically closed (too wild).

Mid‑Season Sweet Spot (Jun – Aug)

• Excellent flow without total white‑out; cool, clear mornings—ideal for heli flips.

• Peak safari season in Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta—easy combinations (see our guide Best Time to Visit Botswana Safari).

Low‑Water Adventure Window (Aug – Jan)

• Devil’s Pool & Livingstone Island open ~Aug–Jan.

• Best rafting (grade 5 rapids) Aug–Dec.

• Eastern Cataract on the Zambian side may dry by Nov, but Main Falls remain impressive from Zimbabwe viewpoints.

(Need still‑water drone shots? Aim for October when the spray calms.)

Helicopter flip over Victoria Falls

Top Adventures & Experiences

• Helicopter or Microlight Flight: 12–25 min “Flight of Angels” loop.

• Devil’s Pool Swim: Peer over the edge with a guide (low‑water only).

• White‑Water Rafting: Grade 5 thrills in Batoka Gorge (Aug–Dec).

• Bungee Jump (111 m): Off the historic Victoria Falls Bridge.

• Sunset Zambezi Cruise: Sip G&Ts as elephants wade across golden water.

• Safari Add‑Ons:

  • 1–2 days in Chobe NP (Botswana) for riverfront elephant herds.

  • Fly to the Okavango Delta or Lower Zambezi NP for elite big‑game stays.

  • Extend into Zambia’s South Luangwa for walking safaris (see Zambia Safari Guide).

Devil’s Pool Swim

Sample 4‑Day Victoria Falls & Chobe Safari Itinerary

Day	Morning	Afternoon	Overnight
1	Arrive Victoria Falls Airport • Guided Falls tour (Zimbabwe side)	Sunset Zambezi dinner cruise	Victoria Falls Hotel
2	Helicopter flip • Local craft market	Transfer to Zambia for Devil’s Pool swim & Livingstone Island lunch	Toka Leya Camp (Zambia)
3	Road transfer to Chobe NP  (Botswana)	Riverfront game drive & sundowner boat cruise	Chobe Game Lodge
4	Dawn boat safari • Depart via Kasane / connect to Okavango	—	—

All logistics can be arranged on a single KAZA Univisa.

Leopard in Chobe National Park

Pairing the Falls with a Safari

Victoria Falls sits at the crossroads of three legendary safari circuits:

1. Botswana’s Okavango Delta – Remote mokoro channels & luxury camps (read Okavango Delta Safari Guide).

2. Zambia’s Lower Zambezi NP – Canoe safaris & tiger‑fishing thrills.

3. Hwange NP, Zimbabwe – Classic big‑game drives two hours away.

“Watching sable antelope at dawn in Hwange, then feeling the spray of Vic Falls by lunch—it’s Africa’s ultimate contrast.” – ASM Field Editor

Conservation & Community

Both national parks channel entry fees to anti‑poaching patrols and community projects. UNESCO flags endangered raptors like the Taita Falcon that nest in the gorges. Choose operators that support local schools and conservation funds when you book activities.

Essential Planning Tips

• Getting There: Daily flights to Victoria Falls Airport (Zimbabwe) & Harry Mwanga Nkumbula Airport (Livingstone, Zambia); regional links from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Maun.

• Visas: KAZA Univisa (USD 50) covers both countries + a day trip to Chobe.

• Currency: USD widely accepted; ATMs in both towns.

• Packing: Light rain jacket for spray, wide‑angle lens, dry bag, and neutral‑coloured outfits if you’re continuing on safari.

• Where to Stay: From grande‑dame Victoria Falls Hotel to river‑front tented camps; book early June–Aug.

Feel the Smoke That Thunders

Whether you chase rainbows in peak flow or dangle over Devil’s Pool in low water, Victoria Falls delivers a sensory overload few places can match. Start planning your once‑in‑a‑lifetime Victoria Falls safari—then let Africa’s wild heart do the rest.

Internal Link Summary

• Best Time to Visit Botswana Safari

• Zambia Safari Guide

• Okavango Delta Luxury Lodges

Frequently Asked Questions

Which side of Victoria Falls is better? Zimbabwe offers the widest, postcard‑perfect panorama of the Falls year‑round, while Zambia puts you face‑to‑face with the cascade and grants access to Devil’s Pool during low‑water months. Many travellers cross both sides in a single trip for the full experience.

What is the best month to visit Victoria Falls? For peak thunder and mist, aim for February–May just after the summer rains. For Devil’s Pool swims and grade‑5 rafting, August–December delivers lower water levels and clearer views.

Is Devil’s Pool safe? Yes—when visited with licensed guides during the designated low‑water window (usually late August to early January). Safety briefings, rope lines and strict group limits are enforced.

Do I need a visa to see both sides? Most visitors can purchase the KAZA Univisa (USD 50) on arrival, allowing unlimited crossings between Zambia and Zimbabwe plus a day trip to Botswana’s Chobe NP for up to 30 days.

How many days should I spend at Victoria Falls? Two nights gives you time for viewpoints and a signature activity. Three–four nights lets you add rafting, a sunset cruise and a day safari in Chobe or Hwange.

Can I combine Victoria Falls with a safari? Absolutely—daily light‑aircraft hops and road transfers connect the Falls with Botswana’s Okavango Delta, Zambia’s Lower Zambezi and Zimbabwe’s Hwange in under an hour’s flight.

About the Author

Craig Howes is African Safari Mag’s Co‑Founder, award‑winning wildlife photographer, and lifelong explorer of the continent’s great wilderness areas. When he isn’t dangling over Devil’s Pool with a camera, he’s on assignment interviewing guides and conservationists to bring authentic safari insights to our readers.

About African Safari Mag

African Safari Mag (ASM) is an independent, expert‑led travel publication dedicated to helping discerning adventurers and conservation‑minded travellers plan life‑changing journeys across Africa. Our on‑the‑ground research, insider guides, and first‑hand reviews are designed to inspire, inform, and empower you to travel responsibly while supporting the wild places we love.