Victoria Falls, Mosi Oa Tunya (The Smoke That Thunders) is one of the world’s natural wonders and is a place to visit in a lifetime. The mega waterfalls are a marvelous sight to behold, however Victoria Falls has more to offer, apart from viewing the majestic waterfalls. There is a lot that you can do during your next visit to Victoria Falls, and in this feature we give you those exciting ideas to make your experience at the resort town unforgettable. 

Victoria Falls Visit

This is the most the popular activity to do, you would not have visited Victoria Falls if you have not gone to see the Falls. The best views of the falls are found in Zimbabwe, with a couple of viewpoints located on the Zimbabwean side. To see the falls you will go through the entrance manned by ZimParks and you will pay an entrance fee which contributes towards conservation. 

Take a walk slowly, absorbing the beautiful scenery of the rainforest which is showering most of the times (so you may need a raincoat). There are various birds in the park, which chirp and fly, bringing a different vibe to the setting of the falls. The rainforest is very picturesque, so take time to pose for a selfie or a picture if you have someone accompanying you. At the end of the park, you’ll see the impressive falls, which are a phenomenal. 

Be cautious, and observe the signs and instructions especially with regards to places which you are prohibited from. This is for safety reasons as there are slippery rocks on the edges of the falls. If you are afraid of heights, it’s also important to avoid getting close to the edges of the falls. 

Adrenaline Activities (Highwire Activities)

If you are a fan of heart pumping activities, Victoria Falls has a lot in store for you! 

You can zipline from one of the highest ziplines in the world, can do the swing, getting a 360 view of the Zambezi River and the gorge, and can also do the popular bungee jumping where you will have a 111 meter freefall from the Victoria Falls bridge. Whichever option you choose, there is one thing that’s certain; you’ll get an adrenaline rush! 

Skydiving

Another heart pumping activity for those with guts is the skydive. You will take a helicopter, fly above the Victoria Falls National park, and see the falls, on the return, in the company of an instructor you’ll get the instruction to jump off, diving into the air, at around 10000 meters above the ground level. During the freefall, your parachute pops out, and you drift until you land. 

This is one of the best ways to experience Victoria Falls! 

Helicopter Ride (The Flight of Angels)

The helicopter ride will give you a bird’s eye view of the Victoria Falls. It’s a thrilling and breathtaking experience. You will be tour the gorges, the bridge, the falls and experience the magnificence of Victoria falls from the sky. The name flight of angels came from the description of the sight of the falls by David Livingston; so lovely that it must have been “gazed upon by angels in their flight”.

Swim on the Edges of the Falls; Devil’s Pool.

Have you ever imagined how it would feel like to swim on the edges of the Victoria Falls? The Devil’s Pools is an experience whereby you’ll jump into a rock pool on the edge of the falls, where water falls down into the gorge. It’s accessible from the Zambian side, and is only done during the dry season when the water levels are low on the Zambezi River. 

Guides will help you access the Pool and will also help ensure your safety. 

Boat Cruise and Canoeing

There are lots of cruise boats in Victoria Falls, you can book one for a sunset cruise or can even choose to stay on a houseboat and enjoy the magnificent Zambezi River. 

You can also venture into the Zambezi River on a canoe. Expect to see hippos during your voyage of the great river. 

The cruise is best experienced with a cocktail, a lager or anything to sip on as you admire the beauty of God’s creation. 

Whitewater Rafting

Another activity for the adrenalin junkies, is the whitewater rafting experience along the rapids of the Zambezi River. The rapids are rated as some of the most difficult to navigate, so it’s definitely a challenge to take. You’ll also experience the Batoka gorge as you do the rafting. 

Rafting is best done in the dry season, where the water levels are moderate, and visibility is not compromised. 

Game Drive

Zimbabwe is known for its wildlife heritage, lots of species are found in the wild and it is a rewarding experience to go out and meet nature at its finest. 

Victoria Falls national park is home to most of the popular game, from lions, giraffes, elephants, zebra, and bucks etc. Get the services of an experienced ranger, a reliable overlanding vehicle, and enjoy the wildlife views. 

When entering nature into its habitats, do not attempt to get too close or to feed it. Animals may not have the same assumptions as you have, and that can lead to conflict which may lead to one party getting harmed. Also avoid littering, make use of bins. 

Crocodile Farm Visit 

Another interesting experience is to go to the farm where crocodiles are kept and experience the giant reptiles. You’ll also learn about their livelihood, how they are important to the ecosystem and what can be made out of them. The crocodile farm has some merchandise you can buy as curios, and accessories such as wallets and belts. 

Do not litter here, otherwise you would have to get into the pens and retrieve the litter.

Cultural experiences. 

You can enjoy the true African cultural experience, in the form of performances and storytelling. There are places where traditional values are passed on and this is always a rewarding experience as it reminds us of our roots and the importance of diversity. 

You can even enter into rural land, meet chiefs and learn about the local customs and history of the communities around the Victoria falls. 

You can also attend the interesting Boma where you’ll enjoy the sound of beating drums and enjoy local cuisine.  

Town walk.

The Victoria Falls is a safe place where you can take a walk, experience it’s infrastructure, shops, and other features found within the city. You can also take the town walk as an opportunity to shop for curios. 

You’ll also meet locals who are people of warm hospitality. While English is a common language; you’ll mostly hear people converse in Shona, and Ndebele, but that’s no barrier, smiles can solve the differences. 

During the town walk, make sure to try out new restaurants and joints, Victoria Falls has many places which you can enjoy yourself in. 

Be cautious of the warthog, it’s a common sight even in the city. Monkeys too are a frequent guest in the city, always keep your car doors locked, as they can intrude.

Night Life.

If you enjoy going out in the evening, the city has a couple of pubs were you can visit and enjoy music, drinks and the groove. Whilst Victoria Falls is a safe destination with a very low crime rate, just keep your valuables safe and have company that you can trust to watch over you.

The Livingston Bridge

This is one fine piece of architecture and engineering. The bridge is located  between Zimbabwe and Zambia, you can access it, but first have to get a gate pass from the immigration officials. Some people believe that if you leave a lock on the bridge, you’ll live with your love until eternity, so you’ll see some padlocks on the bridge. We aren’t sure if it works though! 

Accommodation Options in Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls has a mix of the high end budget to the low budget accommodation options. You can stay at the premium lodges, mid range hotels, and can also make use of the low budget lodges, chalets, backpackers’ facilities and camp sites. Make sure to research and match your budget with your accommodation needs. 

Catering Options In Victoria Falls

There are lots of options of where to eat from, again budget is the differentiator. You’ll find premium restaurants, serving fine meals, medium range restaurants and low end restaurants and fast food outlets catering for the low budget traveler. If you are not staying at a hotel where you are served with meals, you can also make use of the self catering options and prepare your own meals. There are lots of supermarkets to get supplies. 

Accessing Victoria Falls.

Victoria Falls can be accessed by road, and by air. You can have a road trip to Victoria Falls, passing by Hwange for a stopover, and proceeding to the resort.  When driving, be cautious of wild animals which may be crossing the road, especially elephants, they are a major risk on the road. You can also take the option of a flight, a couple of airlines are servicing the route to Victoria Falls. 

We wish you a great experience at the one of the natural wonders of the world which is in our backyard. 

Cover Image Credit: Tom Varley Photography

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