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Travel Advice for Victoria Falls

Access to the Zimbabwean Side of the Falls
Despite the present political and economic troubles in the country it is possible, to visit the Zimbabwean side of the Victoria Falls which, arguably, is the more scenic one. The access route goes via Katima Mulilo, Ngoma (Botswana) and Kasane. You will get to the border post Kazungula after a few kilometres. For crossing the border a permit by the car rental company is required (which some companies refuse to issue). And one needs a visa. It is issued at the border and costs 45 USD. Furthermore one has to pay for insurance and a road toll. Generally the US Dollar is the accepted currency. The extreme inflation on the Zim$ makes it unpractical as a means of payment.

Accommodation and restaurant meals in the town of Victoria Falls - some 80 kilometres from the border (acceptable tar road) - also have to be paid for in USD. Important note: Keeping the chronic fuel shortage in Zimbabwe in mind, one should fill up the tank in Kasane in Botswana in order to travel through Zimbabwe and leave the country again without hassles.

Access to the Zambian Side of the Falls
The easiest way to get to the Zambia side of the Victoria Falls is to cross the famous bridge over the Zambesi river gorge from the town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. An entry to Zambia is as tedious as to Zimbabwe. A visa is required (50 USD for single entry), a special insurance and the payment of a road toll etc. The country's currency is the Zambian Kwacha, but in Zambian tourism the US$ is the currency of choice.

The town of Livingstone on the Zambian side has strongly benefitted from tourism - also from the disastrous situation in Zimbabwe - and nowadays disposes of a complete touristic infrastructure. Hotels and other accommodation and even restaurants are markedly cheaper than those on the Zimbabwean side.

The Zambian part of the Falls is part of the Mosi-O-Tunya National Park, 66 square kilometres in size, which is very rich in game including elephants, rhinos and giraffes.

The Livingstone Museum on Mosi-O-Tunya Road is worth a visit. It documents the history of Zambia, formerly the northern part of Rhodesia.
Photo: Victoria Falls, looking to the Zambia side

Zambesi Ferry
in Kazungula
Those who want to leave Zimbabwe out completely, have the option to cross the Zambezi, which here is 400 metres wide, in Kazungula (Botswana) on a car ferry. However, one might have to wait for a long time, an entire day sometimes, because of the endless queues of trucks waiting on the road. A bridge across the Zambesi is in the planning.

Crossing the border to Zambia at Wanella / Sesheke
If you don't want to enter either Zimbabwe or Botswana - or opt for a roundtrip, should drive across the new Zambesi bridge (900 metres long, opened in 2004) near Wanella / Sesheke north-west of Katima Mulilo and travel directly from Namibia to Zambia. On the Zambian side of the river one can continue travelling on a tarred road to Livingstone. Time required: approx. 3 hours.
Accommodation in Livingstone / Zambia

The Royal Livingstone
On the Zambesi banks; 173 en-suite rooms with aircon + sat TV; restaurants, pool, sundeck. Tel 00260 (21) 3 321122. eMail

Accommodation in Vic Falls / Zimbabwe

Matetsi Game Lodges
Exclusive safari destination in Zimbabwe at the Zambesi river; suites and safari tents. Tel +27 (0)11 8094300; enquiries


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