Most visitors see Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwe side and leave satisfied. The Zambia side is a different animal entirely - rawer viewpoints, a completely different perspective down the gorge, and the only access point for Devil’s Pool, the natural infinity pool that sits at the very lip of the falls. Add the KAZA Univisa (which covers both countries for USD 50) and a full day in Livingstone is one of the smartest moves you can make from Victoria Falls town.
This itinerary is built for a single day crossing. It works year-round, but the October to January window adds Devil’s Pool to the mix - which changes the experience entirely.
The KAZA Univisa: What It Is and Why It Matters
Before you cross, sort out your visa situation. The KAZA Univisa (Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area Univisa) is a joint entry permit covering both Zimbabwe and Zambia for USD 50. It’s valid for 30 days from issue and allows multiple entries across the border - meaning you can cross back to Zimbabwe for dinner and re-enter Zambia the next day without buying another visa.
The alternative is a Zambia single-entry visa at USD 50. It covers this crossing but locks you out of re-entry if you step back into Zimbabwe. For a single day trip where you plan to sleep in Victoria Falls town, both options cost the same; the KAZA is simply more flexible.
Getting the KAZA Univisa: Pick it up on arrival at the Zambian immigration desk at Victoria Falls Bridge. You cannot get one in advance online as of 2026 - it is always issued at the border. Bring USD cash (exact change preferred; USD 50 per person). If you already hold a valid Zimbabwean visa or a Zimbabwe eVisa, you still need the KAZA or Zambia visa to enter Zambia.
Who doesn’t need it: Citizens of SADC countries (Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and others) typically enter both countries visa-free. Check your passport before purchasing.
The Border Crossing: Victoria Falls Bridge
The crossing point is Victoria Falls Bridge, a steel arch bridge completed in 1905 that spans the Batoka Gorge about 150 metres above the Zambezi. You walk across it on foot - it is about a 10-minute walk from the Zimbabwean bungee jump platform side. The bridge itself is worth the trip: looking down into the gorge from the middle is disorienting in the best way.
Process:
- Exit Zimbabwe immigration (no fee, stamp in passport)
- Walk the bridge (~200 metres)
- Enter Zambia immigration: purchase KAZA Univisa (USD 50), receive stamp
- Walk 5 minutes to Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park entrance gate
Time to allow: 30–60 minutes depending on queues. Peak tourist season (June to September) and school holidays bring longer waits. Early morning crossings (7:00–8:30am) are typically faster.
What to bring: Passport, USD cash for visa, and a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you’ve recently been in a yellow fever-endemic country. Zambia requires the certificate under those circumstances. The border has no ATM - carry your USD from Victoria Falls town.
Morning: Zambian Falls Viewpoints and Knife Edge Bridge
Zambia National Heritage Conservation Commission manages the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park entry on the Zambia side. Entry fee is approximately USD 20 per person as of 2026 (confirm on arrival - this fee changes periodically).
The viewpoints on the Zambia side are fundamentally different from Zimbabwe’s. Zimbabwe gives you long forest walkways with gaps in the vegetation framing the falls; Zambia puts you at the edge of the gorge looking straight down the chasm. In the low-water months (October to January) the spray is minimal and the views are the clearest you will get anywhere.
The main viewpoints to hit:
- Danger Point - the westernmost viewpoint, closest to the main curtain of water. In October you can stand right at the edge looking down into the Eastern Cataract gorge.
- Knife Edge Bridge - a suspension footbridge over a narrow gorge section that connects two sections of the Zambia walkway. In wet season (January to July), the spray here is so intense you cannot keep your camera dry; in dry season, it is dramatic but passable. Walk it slowly - the views down the gorge from the bridge itself are some of the best on either side.
- Eastern Cataract viewpoints - a series of platforms above the falls looking west. In high water, the mist obscures everything; in October–January, you see multiple channels and the rocky structure of the falls clearly.
Allow 2 hours for the full walkway circuit at a comfortable pace.
Mid-Morning: Devil’s Pool (October to January Only)
Devil’s Pool is only possible between October and mid-January, when the Zambezi drops low enough for the natural rock barrier to hold swimmers safely at the lip of the falls. If you are visiting in this window, book it before leaving Victoria Falls town - it fills up.
The swim departs from Livingstone Island, accessed by boat from Royal Chundu or via the Tongabezi Lodge concession. Most tours are guided and include the boat crossing, guide, and time in both Devil’s Pool and the shallower Angel’s Pool above it. Expect to spend 2.5–3 hours from start to finish.
Cost: approximately USD 120–160 per person through licensed operators. Book through Get Your Guide for the full Livingstone Island experience from the Zimbabwe-town side, which handles transport and the Zambia entry logistics.
What to wear: swimsuit under your clothes, secure footwear (guides often have you wade across rocks), and a waterproof phone case or bag for your camera. Loose sandals will come off; trainers or water shoes hold best.
If you are visiting outside the Devil’s Pool season, the Zambian side viewpoints and Knife Edge Bridge are still worth the crossing - the experience is genuinely different from Zimbabwe’s, and most visitors who do both sides say each gives you something the other cannot.
Lunchtime: Where to Eat in Livingstone
Livingstone town is a 15-minute taxi ride from the national park entrance. The ride costs approximately USD 5–8 (agree the price before getting in). The town centre has a cluster of good restaurants within walking distance of each other.
Olga’s Italian Corner - Mosi-oa-Tunya Road. The most reliable lunch spot in Livingstone: wood-fired pizza, pasta, generous portions. Mains from USD 10–18. Popular with guides and backpackers alike.
Cafe Zambezi at the Royal Livingstone Hotel - on the Zambezi riverbank, about 3km from the falls entrance. The Royal Livingstone is one of Zambia’s best-positioned hotels; its cafe and terrace open to non-guests for lunch and sundowners. Sandwiches and light mains USD 15–20, sundowner cocktails USD 8–12. The zebras that wander the hotel grounds are not staged.
The Raft Restaurant - on stilts over the Zambezi, visible from the main road near the falls. Good for a longer lunch with river views. Mains USD 15–25.
Falafel Deli - Mosi-oa-Tunya Road. Lighter, cheaper, good for wraps and sandwiches if you want to keep moving. From USD 5–8.
If you are on the Devil’s Pool morning tour, many operators include lunch or you arrive at the restaurant circuit by noon and have time before an afternoon return.
Afternoon Options
With lunch done by 2:00pm, you have 2–3 hours before the border crossing backs up in the late afternoon.
Livingstone Museum - on Museum Road in the town centre. One of Zambia’s oldest museums, covering David Livingstone’s expeditions, colonial history, and the natural history of the Zambezi valley. Entry approximately USD 5. Worth 45–60 minutes if you have interest in the history of the region - it contextualises why Livingstone (the explorer) was significant in this area.
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (game drive) - the national park on the Zambia side also contains rhino and other wildlife. Half-day game drives run from approximately USD 50–80 per person. This extends your day by 3+ hours - better suited to a Livingstone overnight than a day trip.
Sundowners at the Royal Livingstone - the simplest afternoon option. Walk or taxi to the Royal Livingstone, order something cold on the terrace, watch elephants and zebras come to the riverbank. The hotel sits upstream of the falls; the Zambezi here is wide and calm. A good way to wind down before crossing back.
Return Crossing
Aim to be at the bridge by 4:00–4:30pm. The crossing back is faster - Zimbabwean immigration for returning visitors is quick - but the bridge can queue in both directions in the late afternoon peak. Allow 30–45 minutes.
If you are doing a Zambezi sunset cruise on the Zimbabwe side, time your return crossing for 3:30pm to have enough buffer.
Full Day Cost Breakdown
| Item | Cost per person |
|---|---|
| KAZA Univisa | USD 50 |
| Zambia National Park entry | ~USD 20 |
| Taxi (border to Livingstone return) | ~USD 10 |
| Lunch | USD 10–25 |
| Without Devil’s Pool | ~USD 90–105 |
| Devil’s Pool tour (additional) | USD 120–160 |
| With Devil’s Pool | ~USD 210–265 |
Practical Tips
Start early. An 8:00am border arrival gets you through before the main tourist wave. The Zambian side is quieter than Zimbabwe’s at opening time and the light is good for photography.
KAZA vs double-entry visa. If you plan to return to Zimbabwe directly after Livingstone (sleeping in Victoria Falls town), the KAZA makes it seamless. If you are moving on to another Zambia destination and not returning to Zimbabwe, a Zambia single-entry visa at USD 50 is equivalent.
Carry USD cash. The border visa fee is cash only. Restaurants in Livingstone accept card but taxis and smaller vendors do not. Bring at least USD 100 in small bills above your visa fee.
Devil’s Pool booking. Book at least 48 hours in advance through Get Your Guide or directly with Tongabezi Lodge. Sessions are capped; late October and early November (the start of the accessible season) book quickly.
Wet season crossings (February to June). The spray on the Zambia side in peak flow is extraordinary - you will be thoroughly soaked on Knife Edge Bridge and at the main viewpoints. Pack a dry bag for camera equipment and a change of clothes. The views are dramatic rather than scenic, more about sound and power than seeing the falls clearly.
What to leave behind. Valuables, large bags, and anything you are not prepared to get wet. The Zambia side walkway in any season involves some spray. Lockers are available at the national park entrance.
Book Your Trip
- Flights - Find the best fares to Zimbabwe · flights guide
- Travel Insurance - Get covered before you go · insurance guide
- eSIM - Stay connected from landing · eSIM guide
- Airport Transfers - Pre-book your transfer from Victoria Falls Airport
- Car Rental - Compare prices across providers · car hire guide
- Hotels - Search hotels at Victoria Falls on Booking.com
- Tours & Activities - Browse Victoria Falls tours on GetYourGuide