Victoria Falls Guide

Victoria Falls Town

The town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe is situated less than one kilometre away from the Victoria Falls.

With a population of just over 30 000 people, this little village is steeped in history and, other than being the gateway to its namesake – the Victoria Falls – it is a great place to explore.

The town has many quaint restaurants and cafes where light meals, fine dining or a drink can be enjoyed. You can also take time out to do curio shopping, where local traders at the vibrant markets sell a wide range of beautiful arts and crafts to take home and remember your holiday by.

A gift shop, conveniently located in Victoria Falls River Lodge, also stocks a variety of unique souvenirs. A percentage of all the profits of the gift shop is donated to the non-profit organisation Jafuta Foundation to assist in the continuation of their work in the local community.

The Zambezi and Victoria Falls National Parks

The Zambezi National Park together with the Victoria Falls National Park cover an area of 56,000 hectares. The northern border of the Park is formed by the great Zambezi River which also forms the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia for much of its length.

Interesting facts about the Parks

• The Zambezi National Park was split off from Victoria Falls National Park in 1979 so that Victoria Falls town could be extended to the river.
• The main road to Kazungula runs through the park, dividing it into two sections – the Riverine side and the Chamabonda Vlei section.
• Almost the entire stretch of river from Victoria Falls to Kazangula +/- 80 kms is pristine National Park filled with protected wildlife.
• The National Park comprises of 40km of Zambezi River frontage and a spread of wildlife-rich mopane (woodland) and savannah
• Development on the banks of the Zambezi River, upstream of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, has been carefully controlled.

Read more about the Zambezi National Park and Victoria Falls National Park, which are managed by Zimparks along with 13% of Zimbabwe’s total land area, HERE>

Wildlife in Victoria Falls

The Zambezi National Park is best known for its herds of sable, elephant, giraffe, zebra and buffalo. A wide variety of larger mammals may be found within the Zambezi National Park and surrounding private land including elephant, lion, buffalo, and leopard.

Game Viewing in Zambezi National Park

The Park has two main game-viewing sections:

• The Zambezi River Game Drive, with an extensive network of roads along the river accessed through the main gate of the Park
• The 25km Chamabondo Game Drive in the southern part of the Park, which begins about 5kms outside of Victoria Falls town – just off the main road to Bulawayo.

The Zambezi River is also home to over 75 species of fish and is famous for its bream and fighting tiger fish.

The best way to experience the Zambezi National Park is on a Victoria Falls River Lodge game drive, which are launched within the park.

The game drives in the park follow extensive networks of roads along the river. These roads are accessible and controlled through the main gate of the Park.

There are also several picnic sites along the Zambezi River which guests can fish from. The riverine area is excellent for bird watching.

More About the Victoria Falls

75% of The Falls is seen from the Zimbabwean side, with 16 viewpoints within the Rainforest from which to view it. Roughly one million people visit Victoria Falls each year. It is one of the seven wonders of the world It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The falls are 108 metres high and two kilometres wide The Falls has a recorded a flow of 12,800 cubic meters per second – double that of North America’s Niagara Falls highest flow Victoria Falls is roughly twice the height of Niagara Falls and famous for the sheer volume of water falling into the Zambezi River. The spray from The Falls typically rises to a height of over 400 metres, sometimes even twice as high. The spray is visible up to 48km away.

In Zimbabwe, the Falls never dry up. Even at the height of the dry season the Main Falls and Devil’s Cataract will still have impressive water flow.

Weather at Victoria Falls

Zimbabwe weather sees rain falling primarily during December, January, February and March. By April and May most of the rain is gone. The night-time temperatures start to drop in late March.

Nights in June, July and August become much cooler, so guests are advised to bring some warmer clothing.

The days are clear, warm and often cloudless and game sightings improve continually. Average high temperatures in Winter (June – August) are about 25-27°C (77-81°F) and average lows between 7-10°C (45-50°F).

During September and October, the temperatures rise once again, and guests can expect to see some fantastic game, as Zimbabwe’s wildlife concentrates around the limited water sources.

November, although hot and dry, can also experience the season’s first rainfall. Average high during Summer (December – February) are between 32-34°C (90-93°F) and average lows between 15-19°C (59-66°F).

What to PAck

While on Safari in Zimbabwe, it is wise to choose clothing in neutral colours – such as brown, khaki, stone or beige which attract less attention thus enabling one to get closer to the wildlife. It is advisable to layer your clothing as this provides more warmth when necessary and allows you to remove clothing during the hottest period of the day.

packing essentials for victoria falls

• Neutral-coloured clothing
• Protective hat or cap
• Warm sweater or jacket for cooler evenings
• Light-weight rain jacket
• Swimwear
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Comfortable shorts & T-shirts (day time)
• Long sleeved shirts and trousers (night time)
• Insect repellent
• Suitable Sunblock (SPF 15+) and after-sun lotion
• Moisturizer, lip balm
• UV Protection sunglasses plus protective case
• Camera, film or memory card and spare batteries
• Binoculars
• Reading and writing material (journal)

Do I need to take any special medical precautions?

Zimbabwe has been identified as a country affected by Malaria. The good news is that it is preventable. So, if you are prepared, there is no reason why you should not have a healthy and happy trip to Victoria Falls.

You will need to take prescription medicine before, during, and after your trip to prevent Malaria.

It is recommended that you visit your doctor, pharmacist or travel clinic – ideally 2-6 weeks before travelling – and advise them that you are travelling to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe/Zambia. They can help you decide which medicine is right for you, and also talk to you about other steps you can take to prevent Malaria.

As Victoria Falls River Lodge has access to professional medical facilities within half an hour’s drive, no other special medical precaution is required, and guests need only bring their personal medical requirements.

KAZA VISA

We recommend that Victoria Falls River Lodge guests obtain a Univisa – which is a dual visa for Zimbabwe and Zambia known as the KAZA Visa – in order to freely move between the two countries. We recommend this visa especially for those guests who want to do some activities on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls e.g. a swim in Devil’s Pool or book a flip in the microlights (operated only on from the Zambian side).

Guests will also save time and money by purchasing a KAZA Visa, because they only have to obtain one visa to visit both countries (Zambia and Zimbabwe). The cost of the visa is US$50, and it lasts up to 30 days – as long as you remain within Zambia and Zimbabwe. The visa can be purchased at the border posts and airports in both Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Citizens of 65 countries are eligible for the KAZA Visa. To find out more about the visa, VIEW HERE>

Zimbabwe Visa Requirements

Zimbabwe uses a three-tier visa model, classified into Categories A, B and C. Category A is for visitors from countries whose nationals do NOT require a Visa. No action is required, you will be granted easy entry at any border post.

Category B is for visitors from countries whose nationals are granted a Zimbabwe visa at port of entry on payment of requisite visa fees (Cash Only). These visas are easily obtained on your arrival at the airport or border post. (The UniVisa, KAZA Visa, mentioned above is now available for most Category B countries.)

Category C is for visitors from countries that are required to apply for and obtain a Zimbabwean Visa prior to travelling. This may be done through an agency or the Zimbabwe High Commission in your home country.

In order to determine your country’s Visa category and for more information – Zimbabwe offers an eVisa website for your convenience, CLICK HERE>

Zambia Visa Requirements

Zambia also has three Visa categories for visitors to the country, similar to Zimbabwe. The First Category is for visitors who do not require a Visa to enter Zambia. No action or fee is required, except that the visitor produces a valid passport.

The Second Category requires visitors to purchase a Visa on arrival at the airport or border post.

The Third Category is for visitors who are required to purchase a Visa before travelling to Zambia. It is issued at missions abroad in visitors’ home countries, or in a neighbouring country.

In order to determine your country’s Visa category and for more information – Zambia offers an eVisa website for your convenience, CLICK HERE>

Botswana Visa Requirements

Visitors to Botswana require a Visa, unless they come from a Visa exempt country (this includes all Commonwealth countries, with a few exceptions).

For a full list of the eligible countries, CLICK HERE>
For the Non-Visa Category, no action or fee is required. The stamp is valid for 30 days, but can be extended.

For the Visa Category, applications should be made before travelling. For more information, CLICK HERE>

What to PAck

While on Safari in Zimbabwe, it is wise to choose clothing in neutral colours – such as brown, khaki, stone or beige which attract less attention thus enabling one to get closer to the wildlife. It is advisable to layer your clothing as this provides more warmth when necessary and allows you to remove clothing during the hottest period of the day.

packing essentials for victoria falls

• Neutral-coloured clothing
• Protective hat or cap
• Warm sweater or jacket for cooler evenings
• Light-weight rain jacket
• Swimwear
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Comfortable shorts & T-shirts (day time)
• Long sleeved shirts and trousers (night time)
• Insect repellent
• Suitable Sunblock (SPF 15+) and after-sun lotion
• Moisturizer, lip balm
• UV Protection sunglasses plus protective case
• Camera, film or memory card and spare batteries
• Binoculars
• Reading and writing material (journal)

BORDER POSTS

Victoria Falls Bridge border post: Opens 06h00 – Closes 22h00

Kazangula border post: Opens 06h00 – Closes 20h00

National Parks

Victoria Falls National Park: (Summer 15th August to 14th May; Opens 06h00 – Closes 18h00) (Winter 15th May to 14th August; Opens 06h30 – Closes 18h00)

Zambezi National Park: Upper Zambezi (Summer: Opens 06h00 – Closes 18h00) (Winter: Opens 06h30 – Closes 18h00)

The Health Bridge Medical Centre: +(263) (213) 2846635

Victoria Falls Pharmacy: +(263) (213) 2844403

Police Emergency/Enquiries: +(263) (213) 2842206 C.I.D +(263) (213) 2844201

Victoria Falls International Airport: 2841576 or +(263) (213) 2844255 or +(263) (213) 2844428 or: +(263) (213) 2844554

Zambezi National Park Entrance Gate: +(263) (213) 2842294 or +(263) (213) 2844566

Victoria Falls National Park Entrance Gate: +(263) (213) 2842204

Customs and Immigration (Victoria Falls Bridge): +(263) (213) 2845876 or +(263) (213) 2844235

Victoria Falls International access code: +(263) (213) (followed by the number)