Victoria Falls is one waterfall split between two countries - and which side you choose shapes your entire experience. The debate is a genuine one: Zimbabwe delivers the broader viewpoints and the most concentrated menu of adrenaline activities, while Zambia’s Livingstone side offers a calmer pace, Livingstone Island, and the famous Devil’s Pool. The good news is that the KAZA UniVisa means you do not have to choose. Browse guided tours visiting both the Zimbabwe and Zambia sides on GetYourGuide.
The Viewing Experience: Zimbabwe’s Walkways vs Zambia’s Eastern Cataract
From the Zimbabwe side, the Victoria Falls National Park (entrance USD 30 for international visitors) gives you access to around 1.2 km of paved paths running parallel to the Main Falls and Rainforest. Viewpoints 1 through 16 take you from the quiet Western Cataract all the way to the lip of the gorge directly opposite Danger Point. In peak flow (February to April), you will be soaked within minutes - bring a waterproof bag. In the low-water season (October to January), the curtain of water thins but the gorge structure is far more visible.
From the Zambia side, the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park entrance costs USD 20 per person. The viewing path is shorter - roughly 300 m - but puts you directly above the Eastern Cataract and gives you access to Knife-Edge Bridge, a narrow walkway suspended over the gorge with the falls crashing below you on both sides. In high water this viewpoint is one of the most dramatic perspectives on earth. In low water, the Eastern Cataract can run at a trickle.
Verdict on views: Zimbabwe wins for sheer coverage and the classic panoramic shot. Zambia wins for the Knife-Edge Bridge and proximity to the Eastern Cataract.
Devil’s Pool and Livingstone Island (Zambia Only)
The single experience that cannot be replicated on the Zimbabwe side is Devil’s Pool, a natural rock pool that forms at the lip of the falls during the low-water season (approximately September to January). Accessible only from Livingstone Island via guided tour, it allows you to swim to the edge of a 108-metre drop. Tours are operated by Tongabezi Lodge and cost around USD 130–165 per person, including a return boat transfer to the island, a guided walk, and breakfast or lunch depending on the session. Book at least two to three days in advance in peak season.
Outside the Devil’s Pool season, Livingstone Island remains accessible for guided heritage walks and elevated views. For anything to do with Victoria Falls helicopter flights, both sides offer a flight of angels experience but most operators depart from the Zimbabwe side.
Activities: Zimbabwe Has the Edge
The Zimbabwe side of the town hosts the largest concentration of Victoria Falls activities and tour operators. Our guides to Victoria Falls activities and the best Victoria Falls tours cover the full menu, but the headline options on the Zimbabwe side include:
- Zambezi white-water rafting - sections 1 to 23 depart from the Zimbabwe side gorge in the high-water season, and from the Zambia side in low water when the upper rapids are exposed. We cover this in detail in our white-water rafting guide. Book Zambezi rafting & sunset cruise combo on GetYourGuide.
- Bungee jumping - the 111-metre drop from Victoria Falls Bridge sits on the border itself; operators access it from the Zimbabwe side. USD 160 per jump. Full detail in our bungee jumping guide. Book the Victoria Falls Bridge bungee jump on GetYourGuide, or the bungee, swing & slide combo for multiple bridge experiences in one session.
- Helicopter Flight of Angels - departs from Victoria Falls Airport, Zimbabwe. Approximately USD 180 for a 12-minute flight, USD 260 for 25 minutes. Book a helicopter flight of angels on GetYourGuide.
- Zambezi sunset cruises - multiple operators run two-hour cruises from the Zimbabwe riverbank, typically USD 55–85 per person including sundowners and light snacks. Book a Zambezi sunset cruise on GetYourGuide.
- Chobe National Park day trip - a popular cross-border day trip into Botswana (not Zambia), departing from Victoria Falls town. USD 200–250 including transfers, a morning game drive, and a river cruise. Book the Chobe day trip from Victoria Falls on GetYourGuide.
- Elephant encounters - several operators near Victoria Falls run elephant interaction experiences. The elephant, lion & cheetah encounter combines multiple species in a single half-day, or the Through the Eye of an Elephant experience offers a longer, more focused interaction.
- Traditional village tour - a guided Zimbabwe village tour from Victoria Falls visits a traditional homestead with cultural demonstrations and a local meal included. A worthwhile 3-hour add-on for visitors who want context beyond the waterfall.
The Zambia side is not without activities - canoe safaris on the Upper Zambezi above the falls, game drives in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (one of only two parks in Zambia with white rhino on foot), and guided sunset cruises are all solid options. But the volume and variety of operators is higher in Zimbabwe.
Visa and Border Crossing: The KAZA UniVisa
The KAZA UniVisa (USD 50) is the smartest option for most travellers visiting both sides. It covers 30-day stays in Zimbabwe and Zambia with unlimited border crossings between the two - plus day trips to Botswana via Kazungula - and is available on arrival at Victoria Falls International Airport (Zimbabwe) and at the land border post. Citizens of around 50 nationalities are eligible; check the Zimbabwe e-Visa portal before travelling.
If you hold a single-entry Zimbabwe visa (USD 30 for single-entry, USD 50 for double-entry), crossing to Zambia and returning will use your entry. A double-entry visa (USD 50) covers one return crossing. Zambia single-entry visas cost USD 25–50 depending on nationality, also available on arrival in Livingstone.
The border crossing itself: The border post at Victoria Falls Bridge is open daily from approximately 06:00 to 22:00. Walking across takes around 10 minutes. Immigration queues are usually short. On the Zambia side, shared taxis to Livingstone town centre (5 km) cost USD 2–5; a private cab runs USD 15–20.
Where to Stay: Budget vs Luxury
For named hotels and current price ranges on the Zimbabwe side, see our Victoria Falls accommodation guide.
Pre-book a private airport transfer in Victoria Falls for a fixed-rate pick-up from Victoria Falls International Airport.
Victoria Falls town (Zimbabwe) skews toward mid-range and luxury. The standout properties include Ilala Lodge (from approximately USD 280 per night, garden-view rooms), Victoria Falls Hotel (a colonial-era landmark at USD 350–500), and The Kingdom Hotel (USD 150–250, family-friendly, within walking distance of the park entrance). Budget travellers can find guesthouses and self-catering options from around USD 35–50 per night.
Livingstone (Zambia) has a more developed backpacker infrastructure. Fawlty Towers and Jollyboys Backpackers both offer dorms from USD 15–18 and private rooms from USD 40–55, making the Zambia side significantly cheaper for budget travellers. The luxury end is equally strong: Tongabezi Lodge (USD 600–900 per room per night, full-board, river-view) and Royal Livingstone Hotel (USD 400–550) are among the finest properties in the region.
For accommodation searches on the Zimbabwe side, our Victoria Falls hotels guide covers the full range. Browse Victoria Falls hotels on Booking.com for current availability and pricing.
Which Side Should You Prioritise?
If you have only one full day and must choose: stay in Zimbabwe. The viewing walkways are longer, the activity menu is larger, and Victoria Falls International Airport makes for easier logistics. Base yourself in Victoria Falls town and take a half-day walk across the bridge to see the Knife-Edge Bridge viewpoint from Zambia.
If you have three or more days: use the KAZA UniVisa and base yourself on one side while doing day trips to the other. Most travellers find Victoria Falls town more convenient as a base, with a half or full day in Livingstone for the Knife-Edge Bridge, a Mosi-oa-Tunya game drive, and - if timing allows - Livingstone Island and Devil’s Pool.
If visiting between September and January specifically to swim in Devil’s Pool: consider spending two nights in Livingstone to guarantee the booking and give yourself flexibility if weather disrupts operations. The Zambia side also has the advantage of being quieter; Victoria Falls town sees higher tourist density at peak times.
Bottom line: Zimbabwe wins for panoramic viewpoints, bungee jumping, and the deepest activity menu; Zambia wins for Devil’s Pool, Livingstone Island, and budget accommodation - and the KAZA UniVisa at USD 50 means you can experience both without choosing.