Things to Do, See and Experience in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Imagine landing in a new country with the roar of one of the world’s most incredible waterfalls in the background. That’s exactly how my 2-night trip to Victoria Falls (April 18–20, 2025) began. In this guide, I’ll walk you through my experience – from arriving at the airport to getting drenched by the Falls – so you can confidently plan your adventure.

© Gayane Mkhitaryan, Air kenya lunch

Must-See Places: My Recommendation

To help with planning, here’s a summary of the main places I visited and their details:

• Victoria Falls National Park (Zimbabwe side): Experience spectacular waterfall views along a rainforest trail; expect heavy spray and stunning rainbows, especially in April.

• Victoria Falls Bridge: A historic bridge linking Zimbabwe and Zambia, offering breathtaking gorge views and the thrill of standing between two countries. It’s a unique experience that will surely leave you intrigued and excited.

• Bamba Tram: Vintage open-air tram offering scenic rides through the park and onto the iconic bridge—a charming historical experience.

• Local Craft Market: This lively marketplace is right outside the Falls entrance and features handcrafted souvenirs. It is ideal for bargaining and supporting local artisans.

• Victoria Falls Train Station: A charming, colonial-era railway station that will transport you back in time. It’s a perfect spot for history enthusiasts to appreciate the charm and nostalgia of the past.

• The Lookout Cafe – Wild Horizons: Casual open-air café overlooking Batoka Gorge and Victoria Falls Bridge; try crocodile skewers while soaking in stunning views.

• Baines Restaurant offers upscale riverside dining along the Zambezi River. It is perfect for sunset dinners amidst incredible scenery and local wildlife sounds.
• Nguni Lodge: A cozy, boutique lodge offering personalized service, comfortable rooms, and a tranquil environment away from the town’s bustle.

Arriving in Victoria Falls airport – Visas & Getting to Town

Getting to Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) was quite the journey—I took three flights: from Yerevan (EVN) to Dubai (DXB), then onward to Nairobi, Kenya (NBO), before finally landing at Victoria Falls (VFA).

Landing at Victoria Falls Airport (VFA), I felt the warm, humid air – April is the end of the rainy season, so everything was lush. The airport is small and welcoming. Here’s what to expect on arrival:

• Important: Yellow Fever Vaccination Checkpoint: When you arrive at Victoria Falls Airport (VFA), right after passport control, there’s a checkpoint where officials may request proof of your Yellow Fever vaccination. Zimbabwe requires travelers arriving from or having transited through countries with a risk of Yellow Fever transmission (such as Kenya in my case) to present a valid International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (yellow booklet).

• Visa on Arrival: Many nationalities can get a visa on arrival in Zimbabwe (Category B countries, which include the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, much of Europe, etc.). As an Armenian, I obtained a single-entry visa for US$ 30 (cash) at immigration. 

Tip: If you plan to hop into Zambia and back, consider the KAZA Univisa instead—it’s $50 and covers multiple entries into both Zimbabwe and Zambia for 30 days.  

• Airport to Victoria Falls Town: The airport is about 20–25 minutes from Victoria Falls town (roughly 20 km). Taxis are readily available outside. Expect to pay around $30 for a taxi into town. 

We arranged a private transfer to the Nguni Lodge, Nguhumwa Crescent, Victoria Falls, which is cheaper and convenient. 

There’s no public bus or Uber here, so a taxi or a pre-booked shuttle is the way to go. My driver was friendly and even pointed out wildlife on the way (“See that baboon on the road? Welcome to Vic Falls!” 🐒).

First Impressions: Driving into town, I noticed how small Victoria Falls town is. It’s more like a relaxed village catering to tourists and adventure-seekers. Don’t expect a big city – the main street has craft markets, a few restaurants, tour offices, and wandering baboons (seriously, they’re everywhere). Keep your windows up to avoid a curious monkey hitchhiker! We were lucky to see an elephant as well.

© Gayane Mkhitaryan, Hakuna Matata car in Africa

Practical Tips for Travelers in Vic Falls

• Currency: In Zimbabwe, the practical currency is the US Dollar. Technically, there’s a local Zim dollar, but tourists and businesses overwhelmingly use USD. I had brought cash (small bills are handy for taxis and tips). ATMs are unreliable here, often with withdrawal limits or no USD cash. Credit cards are accepted at major hotels, lodges, and some restaurants, but smaller vendors and markets are cash only. So, bring enough USD cash to cover your trip, or withdraw in advance. 
• Connectivity/Internet: Usually, I rely on an Airalo eSIM when traveling, but unfortunately, it didn’t work at all in Victoria Falls or anywhere else in Zimbabwe—there was simply no signal. The best option was to buy a physical local SIM card, like an Econet SIM card with a 5GB data package for roughly $10. But I ended up using the Wi-Fi at Nguni Lodge. 
• Electronics & Charging: Zimbabwe uses the British-style plug (Type G) and, in some places, Type D. My lodge had multi-plug outlets. Bring an adapter if needed.

Tip: I had a full Day 1 ahead since I arrived early in the morning. If you arrive earlier or later, adjust your plans accordingly. Victoria Falls is generally safe and easy to navigate, even if you come solo at night—just arrange your transport and avoid walking alone in dark areas (more safety tips at the end).

Staying at Nguni Lodge – My Cozy Basecamp

For our two nights, we stayed at Nguni Lodge (on Nguhumwa Crescent in a quiet part of town). It was the perfect choice for solo travelers, couples, and families, offering comfortable rooms, a tranquil garden courtyard, and a refreshing pool. We met travelers from the UK, Germany, and France, enjoying the lodge’s peaceful atmosphere and friendly service.

© Gayane Mkhitaryan, Nguni Lodge Victoria Falls Zimbabwe

© Gayane Mkhitaryan, Breakfast at Nguni Lodge Victoria Falls Zimbabwe

Here’s my honest take on the lodge:

• Atmosphere & Room: Nguni Lodge is a small boutique lodge with just 14 rooms around a little garden and swimming pool. Our room was decorated with local art and had a thatched roof. I loved the African design touches (they even incorporated the theme of Nguni cattle in the decor, giving a nod to the lodge’s name). The bed was comfy, the air conditioning worked well (essential in the warm months), and it felt like a haven after a long flight. And one of the most important things – we had a mosquito net.

• Food: Breakfast was included—a simple buffet of fruit and cereal, plus a cooked-to-order hot breakfast. We had pancakes, eggs, yogurt with fresh fruits, and a cup of coffee.
• Overall, I highly recommend Nguni Lodge if you like quiet, boutique accommodations with a personal touch. It’s good value for money (more affordable than the big hotels, but with plenty of comfort)

Dining in Victoria Falls – My Food and Drink Highlights

Despite the short stay, we tried two fantastic eateries: The Lookout Cafe – Wild Horizons and Baines Restaurant. Each offered something special—one with an unbeatable view and the other with an amazing riverside ambiance.

© Gayane Mkhitaryan, Victoria Falls Bridge from the The Lookout Cafe Victoria Falls Zimbabwe

The Lookout Cafe – Wild Horizons – Lunch with a Gorge-ous View

True to its name, this casual café offers a panoramic view that left me speechless. It’s perched on the edge of the Batoka Gorge, not far from the Falls. This spot is popular in the afternoon, but we easily got a table. (I recommend booking the table beforehand, as it’s a popular place for tourists, and sometimes they have private events.)

We took steak with vegetables, Zambezi Lager, and Don Pedro as a dessert drink. (Don Pedro is a traditional, uniquely South African dessert beverage made with vanilla ice cream, double cream, and Amarula.)

© Gayane Mkhitaryan, The Lookout Cafe Victoria Falls Zimbabwe

© Gayane Mkhitaryan, Dinner at the The Lookout Cafe – Wild Horizons

Baines Restaurant – Dinner on the Zambezi Shore

Baines is a relatively new restaurant right on the banks of the Zambezi River, just upstream from the Falls. It’s named after Thomas Baines (a famous explorer), but for me, it will be remembered for its enchanting setting and delicious food. Also, lots of mosquitoes as it’s near the river.

© Gayane Mkhitaryan, Baines Restaurant Victoria Falls Zimbabwe

© Gayane Mkhitaryan, Dinner at Baines Restaurant Victoria Falls Zimbabwe

Day 1: Exploring Victoria Falls Town & Crossing to Zambia

Day 1 (Afternoon) of our trip was all about getting to know the town and checking off bucket-list items. The town is easy to explore on foot (just mind the heat and the wildlife). Some personal highlights:

Victoria Falls Train Station

It’s a charming colonial-era station built in the early 1900s, with a vintage look. I was lucky to see the historic Bamba Tram parked there—a green 19th-century-style tram car that looked straight out of an Indiana Jones movie. 

This is an actual tourist tram that runs short excursions through the park and onto the bridge. The “Bamba Tram” does 90-minute tours at 8:30 am and 10:00 am daily, including refreshments and a guided history talk. It costs about $59 per adult. I didn’t have time to ride it, but even seeing it was cool – it’s like a step back in time.  More information here: https://bambavictoriafalls.com/tram/

© Gayane Mkhitaryan, Train station Victoria Falls Zimbabwe

© Gayane Mkhitaryan, Bamba trains Victoria Falls Zimbabwe

© Gayane Mkhitaryan, Zambia Zimbabwe border sign

Wildlife in Town

As we walked around, we encountered more animals in town than people! Baboons trotted across the road, vervet monkeys in trees, and—incredibly—an elephant calmly walking down a side street. Yes, a wild elephant, just roaming the suburbs! 

Vic Falls is unfenced on the Zambezi National Park side, so elephants sometimes wander there, especially in dry months, looking for food. 

The lesson: Always stay alert; wild animals have the right of way here. Obviously, don’t approach or tease them; if you see locals backing off, do the same. I felt completely thrilled (and safe) watching from afar as the elephant eventually melted back into the bush.

Local Life

We peeked into the post office and browsed a supermarket for water and snacks. Keep a copy of the receipt as they check when you leave the supermarket. The town has a mix of souvenir shops and local needs. People are friendly, but they try to sell you some wooden animals, clothes, or other souvenirs. Sometimes they ask for food or money from tourists, but mainly it was a good first impression of the town.

Crossing the Victoria Falls Bridge on Foot

Now for the cross-border adventure! One of the absolute highlights of my day was walking across the Victoria Falls Bridge into Zambia and back (free of charge). It’s not complicated, but there’s a process to follow:

How to do the Bridge Walk: The Victoria Falls Bridge connects Zimbabwe and Zambia, spanning the gorge below the Falls. As a pedestrian, you can walk it and literally stand with one foot in each country. Here’s the step-by-step:

• Getting to the Border: Go to the Zambia Department of Immigration – Victoria Falls Border Post, which is next to the entrance of Victoria Falls National Park. It’s about 1.5 km past the park entrance. You’ll see signs for “Zimbabwe Immigration” as you approach. Carry your passport, of course. Even for the bridge, you’ll need to show it to get the bridge pass, and if any police ask.
• Exiting Zimbabwe (but not really): Since I had a single-entry visa for Zimbabwe, I didn’t want to officially exit and lose it. Instead, at the immigration counter, I politely said I wanted to “visit the bridge and come back to Zimbabwe.” The officers are used to this. They issued us a bridge pass – basically a stamped paper permitting me to walk out to no-man’s-land and return without stamping my passport. This is essential if you plan to come back to Zimbabwe on the same visa.
• Walking the Bridge:  It’s about a 5-10 minute walk from the Zim border post to the start of the bridge, along a paved road. I felt a few drops of misty rain, spray from the Falls drifting over. I was struck by the breathtaking view as I stepped onto the Victoria Falls Bridge (built in 1905). To my right, upstream, I could see the main Falls gushing and sending up clouds of spray. To my left, downstream, the deep Batoka Gorge stretched out. The bridge is an old steel arch design – historically significant and still carrying occasional trains and vehicles.

On the center of the bridge, I also passed the platform where adrenaline junkies were bungee jumping (the bungee operators run from the Zambian side). I paused to watch a brave soul dive 111 meters toward the river – the scream echoed up the canyon. If you’re into that, you can book it separately (around $160). I was content being a spectator this time.

Local Craft Market & Souvenirs

Right outside the park gates (on the Zimbabwe side) is a local curio market—a collection of wooden stalls where artisans sell souvenirs. 

Wood carvings of animals (from tiny keychains to huge wooden elephants), stone sculptures (Shona soapstone carvings are famous), traditional masks, jewelry made of malachite and copper, African print fabric, and more. 

This market is how many craftsmen make their living, especially with fewer tourists in the rainy season. But if you don’t want to buy, it’s okay just to look and say thank you. 

Victoria Falls Bridge Visitors Center

Located just before the bridge on the Zim side. They have a mini museum with old photographs of how the bridge was built 14 months ago, from 1904 to 1905. It’s free to enter and worth a 20-minute look if you love history and engineering.

Day 2: Victoria Falls National Park (Wet and Wonderful!)

Day 2 of my trip was dedicated to the main attraction: Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe side) National Park – essentially, visiting the waterfall itself. April is high water season, meaning the falls were in full flood and the experience was literally soaking. Here’s a rundown of my waterfall adventure and other activities that day:

• Entrance Fee & Hours: For international visitors, the park entry fee is $50 per person (paid in cash or card)
• The park’s opening hours were 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM in April (summer hours)
• What to Bring: I came prepared with a poncho and a waterproof bag for my phone.  I wore quick-drying clothing and secure sneakers. This was perfect because Victoria Falls in April is like a torrential rain shower in sections! If you forget rain gear, there are often poncho vendors at the gate, or you can rent a raincoat for $3.
• Facilities: A small café and restroom are at the entry/exit. Near the exit, you’ll find the statue of David Livingstone, the first European to see the Falls in 1855. I snapped a quick photo with old Livingstone, who “presides” over the site.
• The Rainforest Walk: The Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls offers about 1.7 km of walking paths through a lush rainforest (created by the constant spray of the Falls). It’s an easy walk with well-marked viewpoints numbered 1 through 16.

There were moments at viewpoints 7-8 (opposite the Main Falls) where I couldn’t see the falls at all – just white mist rushing up from the gorge as if it were boiling. Then suddenly the wind would shift and I’d catch a glimpse of the vast curtain of water, absolutely thundering down, and I’d gasp.
When I reached Danger Point (the furthest edge on Zim’s side), I was completely soaked to my skin—water squelched in my shoes. I didn’t mind one bit; it was like nature’s shower.

Top Cool Experiences in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Dinner Cruise on the Zambezi River

Enjoy a luxurious sunset dinner cruise, sailing along the calm stretches of the Zambezi River. This is perfect for a relaxing evening with gourmet cuisine, unlimited drinks, wildlife sightings (look out for hippos and crocodiles!), and breathtaking sunset views.

• Price: From approx. $75–100 per person

• Duration: 3–4 hours
• Get Tickets to Guided Tours: To Do Africa, GetYourGuide

Elephant’s Walk Shopping and Artist’s Village

Discover a charming and artistic village in the heart of Victoria Falls town. Elephant’s Walk offers locally crafted art, unique handmade jewelry, sculptures, textiles, and delightful cafes to relax after shopping. Ideal if you’re looking for authentic souvenirs and local craftsmanship.More information here: Elephant’s Walk Shopping Village 

Hwange National Park Day Trip

Hwange, Zimbabwe’s largest and most famous national park, is known for its impressive wildlife, including elephants, lions, giraffes, zebras, and over 400 bird species. 

We did this independently as we had a rental car, but you can have a guided tour via GetYourGuide. A guided day trip includes transportation from Victoria Falls, game drives, and a picnic lunch during your safari drive for approximately $550 per person. Note that this is not suitable for children under 6 years old.

Helicopter Tours (“Flight of Angels”)

Experience Victoria Falls from above with a thrilling helicopter ride. Known as the “Flight of Angels,” these short but spectacular flights give breathtaking aerial views of the falls, river, and gorge. Ideal for a once-in-a-lifetime perspective!

• Price: Approx. $150 for a 15-minute flight or $280 for a 25-minute extended tour
• Book here: Zambezi Helicopter Company,  GetYourGuide

Final Tip

Don’t be afraid to chat with locals or ask questions – Zimbabweans are among the friendliest people. Enjoy every minute, take lots of photos (then put the camera down to feel the moment too), and prepare to be amazed by the power of nature. Safe travels!