Which side of Victoria Falls should I visit?

The Victoria Falls can be seen from either the Zambia or the Zimbabwe side, though it’s also common to view them from both during the right time of the year. Between August and December, the water level of the Zambezi River (which feed the Falls) is lower which makes the viewing experience from the Zimbabwe side more impressive. Once water levels increase after the summer rain (May-July), the Zambia side is a better option because the spray and mist on the Zimbabwe side can be overwhelming. With the introduction of the Univisa shared by Zambia and Zimbabwe, crossing between the two once or twice during a visit isn’t uncommon. There are also a few signature activities that are worth crossing over to enjoy, like swimming in Devil’s Pool at the edge of the Falls, visits to Livingstone Island, and microlight flights which are only available on the Zambia side.

Livingstone – Bespoke Zambia Safari Itineraries

A compact, energetic town on the Zambian bank of the Zambezi, Livingstone is the gateway to Victoria Falls.

A visit to Livingstone for 1-3 nights is a common add-on to a southern Africa itinerary and is easy to do from Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Thanks to new air routes, there is also direct access from Nairobi for those looking to combine eastern and southern Africa.

Two elephants walk side by side through low scrub vegetation along a wide river in Zambia.

A boat glides along a broad river bordered by reeds and palm trees under a soft sky.

Victoria Falls thunders into a deep gorge beneath a vivid rainbow arching through the mist.

Why visit Livingstone?

We love Livingstone for all the activities it offers: white-water rafting on class 5 rapids, bungee jumping, canoeing, and sunset cruises on the Zambezi River.

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We love Livingstone for all the activities it offers: white-water rafting on class 5 rapids, bungee jumping, canoeing, and sunset cruises on the Zambezi River.
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A microlight or helicopter flight over Victoria Falls is another amazing way to experience this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Livingstone works beautifully as a finale or opener to a broader southern Africa safari. The logistics are simple: a daily flight connects directly to Kruger, and regional connections to the rest of Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa are frequent and reliable.

Livingstone travel FAQs

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Other areas to explore

A visit to Livingstone puts you within easy reach of many other beautiful and fascinating parts of southern Africa.

Victoria Falls

You don't just see Victoria Falls, you feel it. The roar, the spray, the hum underfoot. Extraordinary Journeys tailors your stay around your mood, contemplative or adrenaline-seeking.

A campfire burns beside a simple wooden chair at a remote wilderness camp in North Luangwa.

North Luangwa National Park

North Luangwa National Park is Zambia's great secret—a vast, pristine wilderness that sees a fraction of the visitors that its more famous southern neighbor attracts.

Three African wild dogs stand alert in tall dry grass in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park.

Liuwa Plain National Park

Set in Zambia’s far western region, Liuwa Plain is a remote landscape characterized by seasonal flooding and abundant wildlife.

A young lion cub rests in sunlit grass, looking toward the camera while another lion lies softly out of focus behind.

Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park is South Africa’s flagship safari destination. A leopard stronghold, it’s one of the best places to spot these elegant cats. With healthy wildlife populations and so many mixed species, every game drive in Kruger has thrilling potential.