Is Victoria Falls a high risk malaria area?

The malaria risk is: high all year round in the north, east and northwest of the country including the valley of Zambezi River, Victoria Falls, national parks Chizarira, Hwange, Gonarezhou and Mana.



Victoria Falls, situated on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, is officially classified as a malaria-risk area, but the severity varies by season. In 2026, it is generally considered a moderate risk, especially compared to the high-transmission areas further into the interior of Africa. The risk is significantly higher during the wet season (November to April) when standing water provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Because of the presence of the Anopheles mosquito, medical professionals and the CDC consistently recommend that travelers take malaria prophylaxis (preventative medication) and use rigorous "bite avoidance" strategies, such as wearing long sleeves and using high-DEET insect repellent. While many tourists visit without issue, the potential for severe illness means that Victoria Falls is treated with caution; most luxury lodges provide mosquito nets and evening "turn-down" sprays to minimize exposure in a region where the disease remains endemic.

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', then you'll be pleased to know that you're not required to get any specific vaccines to enter this African country. However, health guidelines strongly suggest that you consider protecting yourself against Malaria- which is spread by mosquitoes in many places in this country, including Victoria Falls.

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CDC recommends that travelers going to Zimbabwe take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

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Victoria Falls is generally a safe place to visit and is separate from Zimbabwe in a political sense, due to the country relying on it for its tourism. Social and political unrest is therefore kept at bay, roads are maintained, cash is usually accessible (check with us first), and the town is kept clean.

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high all year round in the north, east and northwest of the country including the valley of Zambezi River, Victoria Falls, national parks Chizarira, Hwange, Gonarezhou and Mana. We recommend the use of mosquito-repellent measures from dusk till morning, in combination with the use of malaria tablets.

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Top Travel Tips for Victoria Falls Don't miss out: most hotels or lodges will gladly arrange activities on arrival for you, however, booking in advance is recommended to ensure availability on elephant-back safaris as these are often fully booked.

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Livingstone is in a Malaria area. The best precaution is not to be bitten – wear long trousers and long sleeved shirts in the early morning and evening and wear insect repellent. Please consult your health care professional regarding prophylactics for malaria in advance of travel.

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Can I drink the water in Victoria Falls? Yes. Most, if not all locals, drink happily from municipal supplies. However, if you suspect you may have a sensitive stomach, then bottled water is recommended and is readily available.

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Victoria Falls is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Devil's Pool is adjacent to the famous Livingstone Island situated on the edge of the Victoria Falls. Guests can choose to enjoy an exhilarating swim to the edge of the falls during their Livingstone Island visit.

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Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United Republic of Tanzania, and Niger account for about half of all such fatalities. Nigeria alone had 31.3% of the world's malaria deaths in 2021. Malaria is transmitted through mosquitoes infected with plasmodium, a single-cell parasite.

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Is Victoria Falls worth seeing? Vic Falls is an awesome sight any time of the year, and it is also considered one of the adventure capitals of Africa, there really is a lot to see and do in the area, especially if you love adventure activities.

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Modern tourism The beauty of the falls lies in their natural state, but the area is at some risk of runaway tourism-based development—more resorts, hotels, and even a possible dam below the falls that could flood several park gorges.

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The sheer size of Victoria also makes it a more grandiose site than Niagara, with the surface area twice as big than that of its rival – so there's much more to see as you travel around the falls' perimeter.

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