The Victoria Falls Bridge bungee jump is one of the most iconic adventure experiences in Africa: a 111-metre freefall above the Zambezi River gorge, launched from the exact midpoint of the bridge that connects Zimbabwe and Zambia. For around 8.5 seconds you are in freefall with the gorge walls and the spray of the falls visible on both sides. It is the kind of jump that justifies the trip for some people and that others are happy to watch from the bridge railing with a beer.
This guide covers the operator, current pricing, what the experience is actually like, preparation, and everything you need to know before you commit.
The Bridge and the Jump
Victoria Falls Bridge was completed in 1905 — one of the earliest major engineering projects in what was then Rhodesia, designed by the same company that built Tower Bridge in London. It spans the Batoka Gorge at a height of 111 metres above the low-water Zambezi River below.
The jump is not from the road deck. A platform is rigged below the bridge structure, accessed through a gate on the Zimbabwe side, and the drop is from this point at the full 111-metre height. The Zambezi is directly below, framed by the gorge walls. When the spray from the falls is heavy (typically November through April), you jump into a cloud of mist.
This is not the highest bungee jump in the world — that record has moved around over the years — but it remains one of the most atmospheric and has operated continuously since 1992, making it one of the longest-running commercial bungee venues in Africa.
Operator: Shearwater Adventures
Shearwater Adventures is the sole licensed operator for the Victoria Falls Bridge bungee. There is no competition or second option here — if you want to jump from the bridge, you book with Shearwater. This has been the case since the operation launched in 1992.
Pricing as of 2026:
- Bungee jump: approximately USD 160 per person
- Video package (professional footage of your jump): approximately USD 60–80 additional
- Photo package: approximately USD 30–40 additional
- Combo package (jump + video + photos): approximately USD 210–230
The video is shot from a camera mounted on the bridge structure above you, capturing the full freefall from launch to rebound. If you are jumping, the video is worth buying — the freefall is too fast to capture adequately on a phone from the bridge above.
Booking: Shearwater can be booked at their main booking office in Victoria Falls town (situated on Livingstone Way near the Adventure Centre), through most hotels in town, or directly with the team at the bridge. Walk-up bookings are generally possible outside peak season. In June, July, and August, book at least a day ahead as morning slots fill.
The jump operates daily, typically from around 9am to 5pm. Exact hours can vary — confirm when booking.
The Experience, Step by Step
Understanding the sequence helps considerably if this is your first jump.
1. Arrival at the bridge You walk or drive to the bridge (your hotel or the booking office will advise on transport — it is a short journey from town). At the Zimbabwe bridge gate, Shearwater staff check your booking and weigh you. Weight must be declared accurately — this determines the cord.
2. Waiver and briefing You sign a liability waiver. The briefing is thorough: the crew explain exactly what will happen, what your body will experience, and how to position yourself on the platform. Pay attention — the positioning instruction (arms out, chin up, look at the horizon) genuinely affects how the jump feels.
3. Harnessing Staff fit a full-body harness plus the ankle attachment, which is the primary connection to the bungee cord. The ankle attachment is padded and checked multiple times before you leave the platform. A safety line runs from your harness as a redundant attachment — standard practice at all reputable bungee operations.
4. The platform You walk out along the underside platform, exposed to the gorge. The 111-metre drop is visible below you. Most people describe this as the hardest part — the freefall itself is too fast to process analytically.
5. The count and jump The crew counts down: 5-4-3-2-1-bungee. On “bungee” you jump — not fall, but actively jump, arms out. The freefall lasts approximately 8.5 seconds before the cord engages. Elastic stretch then carries you back up; you rebound several times with decreasing amplitude before hanging in the gorge to be lowered into the recovery boat.
6. Recovery A small boat below the bridge retrieves you from the river level. Depending on water levels, you may or may not reach the water on the first drop — at low water (September–November) you clear the water by several metres; at high water (December–March) the river is higher and you may touch the surface on the first rebound.
7. Gorge winch-back You are winched back up from the boat via a static line to the bridge level. This takes a few minutes. Most people describe feeling calm and exhilarated immediately after the rebound — the adrenaline spike peaks and resolves quickly.
Weight and Physical Requirements
Shearwater operates within a strict weight window for safety reasons. The bungee cord specification is matched to jumper weight — too light and the cord does not stretch correctly; too heavy and the impact forces become dangerous.
Weight range: approximately 40kg to 145kg (88lb to 319lb)
Age minimum: 14 years old; under-18s require parental consent in writing
Medical exclusions: Heart conditions, high blood pressure, epilepsy, spinal or neck injuries, recent surgeries, glaucoma, and pregnancy are all contraindications. This list is on the waiver form — read it before booking if you have any relevant conditions.
Alcohol: Shearwater reserves the right to refuse the jump if a participant appears intoxicated. This is a sensible and legally necessary policy; attempting to bungee after drinking is inadvisable for obvious reasons.
Best Time to Jump
The bridge operates year-round, but conditions vary.
May to October (dry season): Clearest air in the gorge, warm but not oppressively hot at bridge level (typically 22–28°C). Falls spray is lower so visibility into the gorge is excellent. The view downward includes the rock walls, the low river, and often Nile crocodiles on the bank. This is the best all-round window.
November to April (wet season / flood): The Zambezi floods and the gorge fills with spray from the falls. On heavy spray days you jump into a white cloud — visibility in the gorge is very low and the bridge deck itself can be wet. Some people prefer this atmosphere; others find the lack of gorge-view disappointing. The spray can also make the harnessing area slippery — crew manage this but it is worth knowing.
December to February: Peak flood. Gorge spray is at maximum. On extreme spray days, visibility below the bridge is essentially zero. The jump still operates unless the bridge closes for safety reasons (rare, but possible during storm periods).
Our recommendation for most visitors: May through September for clear conditions and the best view on the drop.
Will the Bridge Be Open?
The Victoria Falls Bridge is an international border crossing between Zimbabwe and Zambia. It is open to pedestrian and vehicle traffic and has been continuously operational for over 120 years. The only scenarios that affect bungee operations are:
- Zimbabwe or Zambia border closures (historically very rare, COVID-19 being the notable exception)
- Extreme weather events
- Scheduled maintenance on the bridge structure (planned well in advance)
Border crossing: If you want to walk across the bridge to the Zambian side for the view, you technically cross an international border. Day passes are available at the border posts for a small fee (around USD 5–10 per person), though rules can change — check with your hotel before walking across.
Book on GetYourGuide
The tours below are available via GetYourGuide with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Prices shown are 2026 verified starting rates — confirm current pricing on the booking page as demand and date affect availability.
| Activity | Duration | From (USD) | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria Falls Bridge Bungee Jump | 1 hr | $340 | Book |
| Bungee, Swing & Slide Combo from Victoria Falls Bridge | 2 hrs | $280 | Book |
| Zambezi Whitewater Rafting & Sunset Cruise | Full day | $185 | Book |
| Victoria Falls Guided Tour — Zimbabwe & Zambia sides | 3 hrs | $49 | Book |
Combining the Bungee with Other Activities
The bungee jump itself takes about 90 minutes total (including transfer, weigh-in, harnessing, jump, recovery, and winch-back). It pairs well with other morning activities:
- Bungee + Gorge Swing: Both operate from the bridge area; the gorge swing is a 120-metre pendulum swing rather than a vertical drop. Many people do both in the same session. Combined pricing saves around USD 15–20 compared to booking separately.
- Bungee + Zipline: The zipline crosses the gorge at bridge level — a less intense option that gives a comparable view for those with one person in the group not jumping.
- Bungee + White-Water Rafting: A popular full-day pairing. Jump in the morning, raft in the afternoon (or vice versa), with lunch at the gorge take-out. See our white-water rafting guide for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 111m high? How does it compare? 111 metres is approximately the height of a 35-storey building. The freefall phase lasts about 8.5 seconds — in that time you cover roughly 50 metres before the cord begins to engage. It is genuinely high. People who have done indoor skydive simulators or cliff jumps describe it as a qualitatively different experience because the gorge gives you a clear reference point for how far you are falling.
Can I back out on the platform? Yes. There is no physical mechanism preventing you from stepping back. Shearwater staff will not pressure you once you are on the platform. The money is forfeited — there are no refunds for backing out at the platform — but the option exists. A small percentage of people do back out; this is not unusual on a 111-metre commercial jump.
What is the gorge swing? The gorge swing is a separate product that involves a 120-metre pendulum arc rather than a vertical freefall. You drop into the gorge and swing forward over the Zambezi. Some people find it more frightening than the bungee because you accelerate horizontally and see the gorge wall approaching; others find it less frightening because the descent is on a fixed line, not a stretching cord. Both are worth doing if you have the time and budget.
What should I wear? Comfortable clothing you do not mind getting wet. Secure footwear — trainers or closed shoes; no sandals. Remove jewellery that could catch or fly off. Glasses must be secured with a strap or left with a companion; contact lenses are fine.
Can I watch someone else jump? Yes. Walk to the Zimbabwe bridge gate and request access as a spectator. A small spectator fee is charged (typically around USD 5–10). The viewing angle from the bridge deck gives an excellent perspective on the jump and the recovery boat below.