Victoria Falls: Zimbabwe vs Zambia — Which Side is Best?
Victoria Falls is one of my favorite places to visit in Southern Africa. The falls themselves are so impressive and powerful, and the activities available in the towns of Victoria Falls and Livingstone are diverse and offer something for everyone. I have visited the Zimbabwean side twice, and the Zambian side once and I often get asked which is the better side. The answer isn’t as simple as you would think.
The Quick Answer
While Victoria Falls is a year round destination, the answer as to which side is best has to do with two primary factors: how full the falls will be at the time you visit and your priorities as a traveler.
When to Visit: How the Season Changes the Falls
Let’s start with seasonality, as this is probably the most asked question. Each season brings its own benefits. Viewing the falls from the Zimbabwean side gives a wider lens, as most of the water flows over the Zambian side. There are more viewpoints from which to see the falls from Zimbabwe, but the Zambian side offers closer viewpoints, including the Knife Edge Bridge which, during high water season, makes you feel like you’re literally right beside the falls.
Low Water Season (October – November)
October and November bring the lowest water levels of the Zambezi River, sometimes so low that the eastern part of the Zambian falls dry up. Zimbabwe is definitely the best choice for viewing the falls in this season. I have been twice in November and have had a wonderful experience on the Zimbabwean side.
High Water Season (April – September)
April through September is when the Zambezi is at its fullest, bringing immense amounts of water over the falls. You may think this is the best time to view the falls from Zimbabwe, but what people don’t realize is just how much spray comes off the falls, sometimes making it impossible to see the water flowing over.
I often recommend viewing the falls from Zambia during this season (which is when I most recently visited). The spray from the Zim side of the falls was not overwhelming, allowing us to still get great views, and crossing the Knife Edge Bridge was very cool. You will want to wear your heavy duty rain coat and water shoes for this!
What to Do: Comparing Activities & Experiences
Seasonality often impacts the activities offered. Taking a helicopter tour, visiting the famous Devil’s Pool, white water rafting, or any of the other adrenaline filled experiences will all play into which side is more beneficial to you.
On the Zambia Side (Livingstone)
The most famous activity here is visiting (and swimming in, if you’re brave enough!) the Devil’s Pool on Livingstone Island.
On the Zimbabwe Side (Victoria Falls)
The Zimbabwe side offers wider viewpoints of the main falls. Plus, some lodges like Victoria Falls River Lodge offer exclusive access to Cataract Pool, a similar but much less busy version of Devil’s Pool (available July to January).
Popular on Both Sides
Activities like helicopter tours of the falls and white water rafting in the gorge below are popular and can be arranged from either side.
Where to Stay: Our Recommended Lodges
The vibes of the towns differ quite a bit. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe is a lively tourist hub, with lots of restaurants and shops. Livingstone, Zambia offers a very relaxed atmosphere.
As for accommodations, Zimbabwe has a great number of luxury options. I will always gravitate to lodges on the river versus in town, as I think the Zambezi experience is part of what makes the falls experience so unique. But there are some clients who prefer the walkability of being in Victoria Falls proper.
Zimbabwe Lodge Recommendations
I have three go to properties on the Zimbabwe side:
Matetsi: This lodge combines a true Big Five safari experience with top luxury, all while being only 45 minutes from the falls.
Victoria Falls River Lodge: Also a personal favorite after staying there for a birthday. Waking up overlooking the mighty Zambezi is something magical. It has several different accommodation types, making it a great option for either couples or families. This lodge also offers the exclusive access to Cataract Pool.
Old Drift Lodge: If you’re looking for a luxury riverside lodge at a great price point, Old Drift is hard to beat for excellent value.
Old Drift’s sister lodge, Elephant Camp, offers a similar bush experience and great value. If you are interested in easy access to the falls and the town, Victoria Falls Hotel is the most iconic choice. While this hotel is well situated, it’s not as intimate of an experience as the lodges mentioned above, so for that reason our clients tend to stay at the lodges along the river.
Zambia Lodge Recommendations
On the Zambia side, the lodges are more spread out with a bigger emphasis on the tranquility of the river:
Tongabezi: This is a personal favorite of mine after staying there this past spring. It offers an authentic, peaceful experience with amenities like personal butler service and a private guide for your entire stay. It was a great way to end a high action safari trip.
Thorntree River Lodge: If you’re looking for the ultimate in luxury, this is the go to lodge.
I suggest staying on the Zambian side as the finale to your safari, to relax and recharge after early game drives.
Planning Your Trip: Logistics & Safari Pairings
It should be noted that you can access both sides of the falls regardless of where you are staying. For example if you’re in Zimbabwe but want to go to Devil’s Pool, that can be easily arranged. Many of our clients visit both sides, as the border crossing is fairly quick.
Crossing the Border
Getting from Zimbabwe to Zambia is simple. When you enter either country, you will want to get a KAZA visa ($50 USD), which allows you to cross back and forth multiple times. You can literally walk from one country to the other using the Victoria Falls Bridge, which offers incredible views. Your lodge can also arrange transportation. The drive between the two towns is just under one hour.
Combining with Your Safari
Both sides combine seamlessly with excellent safari destinations. If Botswana is your safari destination, we suggest staying on the Zimbabwe side as it's a simple road transfer. Livingstone, on the other hand, has easy access to some of Zambia’s premier national parks like South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi.
Our Final Take
As you can tell, there’s no right or wrong answer to which side of the falls is better. It really comes down to the season you travel, your travel style, and the rest of your safari itinerary.
Let's Talk About Your Trip
Planning a trip like this involves a lot of details. Because we know these lodges and the area so well, we can help you decide which side is right for you and build an itinerary that perfectly matches what you're looking for.
If you have questions or would like to start planning, please get in touch. We'd love to help.
About the Author
Elissa Reisman is a advisor at Craft Travel. She has traveled extensively through Southern Africa and has visited Victoria Falls three times, exploring both the Zimbabwean and Zambian sides. She uses this firsthand experience to help travelers plan their own perfect trip.
