Which country is better to visit Victoria Falls?

Both sides have their advantages. In general, the views of the falls are better from the Zimbabwe side, especially during the low water season. But low water season is also the best time to visit Livingstone Island and Devil's Pool or Angel's Pool, which you can only do on the Zambian side.



Choosing between Zimbabwe and Zambia for Victoria Falls in 2026 depends on your priority: views or adventure. Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls town) is widely considered the "better" side for first-time visitors because it offers the most comprehensive frontal views of 75% of the falls. With 16 designated viewpoints, you can witness the Main Falls and Horseshoe Falls in their full glory. Zimbabwe also has a more developed tourism infrastructure with a wider variety of restaurants and hotels. Zambia (Livingstone), however, provides a more "intimate" and adventurous experience. It is the only side where you can visit the famous Devil's Pool (a natural infinity pool at the edge of the falls) during the low-water season from September to December. Zambia’s entry fee is also cheaper ($25 vs. Zimbabwe’s $50). For the ultimate experience in 2026, most travelers use the KAZA UniVisa ($50), which allows you to cross the bridge freely and experience the panoramic vistas of Zimbabwe and the close-up, mist-drenched trails of Zambia in a single trip.

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The mighty Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River The Zambezi river is the border between the two countries of Zimbabwe and Zambia, so the Victoria Falls is therefore shared by both countries. Two-thirds of the viewing of the Victoria Falls in on the Zimbabwean side, and the other third in on the Zambian side.

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Where is it? The falls straddles Zimbabwe to the west and Zambia to the east. You can access it from either country, via the town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or Livingstone in Zambia.

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To make the most of your time here, you will want to visit for at least two days. Even if your time is limited, you can make your trip to the falls an exciting memory that will last a lifetime. To enjoy Victoria Falls to the fullest, plan for three or four days.

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The best time to visit the spectacular Victoria Falls is from February to May, directly after the region's summer rains, when you'll see the world's largest sheet of falling water flowing at its greatest volume.

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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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The natural landscapes of Victoria Falls make the city worth listing on your destination list. The Victoria Falls is one of the grandest waterfalls in the world, pouring from the heart of the Zambezi River. The Zambezi River is ranked the fourth largest river in the African continent, spanning 2700 km.

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The border between Zambia and Zimbabwe is located at the Victoria Falls Bridge border crossing, approximately 10 km south of Livingstone (15 minutes by taxi). Your hotel can arrange a taxi, and the driver will usually usher you through immigration, helping with any paperwork.

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The closest city to Victoria Falls is, fittingly, Victoria Falls Town. Located in Zimbabwe, travellers will likely have to travel to the second-closest city, Livingstone (located in Zambia), to view the falls from the ground or to explore the surrounding rainforest.

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We don't recommend visiting the Falls at the end of the dry winter season – October through November – when the water level is lowest, and the weather is very hot and humid.

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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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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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You can take a stroll down Victoria Falls National Park's footpaths, meandering through drizzling rainforest and out onto gorge-edge viewpoints where you'll be greeted head-on by the glorious Main Falls – thundering down into the rocky chasm below, causing tremors in the ground beneath your feet.

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Explore this 2.4-mile loop trail near Victoria Falls, Matabeleland North. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 56 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking and walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.

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It is possible to swim in the rock pools right underneath the waterfalls at certain times of the year ('low water'). This is an unforgettable adventure right in the heart of one of the most beautiful places on earth!

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