Victoria Falls & Western Zimbabwe
Thundering water and family fun 🌈💦
Victoria Falls is the undisputed tourism capital of Zimbabwe and an incredibly family-friendly destination. The town is built around the waterfall, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. A walking tour of the falls is the main event; paved paths wind through the rainforest, leading to various viewpoints. Be prepared to get soaked by the spray, especially during high water (February to May)—renting raincoats and crocs at the entrance is part of the fun for kids. Rainbows are almost guaranteed on sunny days, creating perfect photo opportunities.
The town functions as an adrenaline and activity hub with options for all ages. While bungee jumping is for the brave, the Canopy Tour offers a series of ziplines over the gorge that is suitable for younger children, providing excitement with high safety standards. A serene counterpoint is the Zambezi sunset cruise. These boats are large and stable, allowing families to spot hippos, crocodiles, and elephants crossing the river while enjoying snacks and drinks as the sun dips below the horizon.
For a cultural evening, The Boma – Dinner & Drum Show is legendary. Families are given local robes to wear, served a buffet that includes adventurous options like Mopane worms (for the daring), and treated to energetic traditional dancing. The night ends with an interactive drumming session where everyone gets a djembe drum—kids absolutely love the noise and energy. The nearby Zambezi National Park offers game drives if you haven't visited Hwange, but even within the town, warthogs and baboons are common sights on the streets. With an international airport and a wide range of hotels from budget to luxury, this is the easiest and most exciting region for a family holiday.
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Activities & Best Times
Hiking, wildlife, outdoor exploration, ecotourism
A world-class destination featuring the iconic Victoria Falls and Zambezi National Park, offering exceptional wildlife immersion and natural spectacle. The dry winter months provide ideal conditions for wildlife viewing and trail exploration, while heavy summer rains can obscure views and hamper accessibility.
Urban tourism, museums, historical sites, architecture
Rich in colonial history and monumental landmarks like the Victoria Falls Bridge, the town offers a sophisticated blend of heritage and living culture. Peak conditions occur during the cool, dry season, making it comfortable to explore historic sites and local markets on foot.
Sport tourism, fitness activities, active recreation
Features internationally recognized infrastructure for high-adventure sports including bungee jumping, canopy tours, and gorge activities. These activities are most reliable during the dry season when conditions are stable and visibility for aerial and gorge-based sports is optimal.
Learning experiences, scientific sites, historical education
Provides high-quality learning experiences focused on painted dog conservation and the engineering history of the Victoria Falls Bridge. Facilities are best visited during the dry months when visitor centers are easily accessible and outdoor conservation activities are in full operation.
Events, celebrations, seasonal attractions
The Victoria Falls Carnival is described as 'annual' and the Lunar Rainbow is a 'unique' phenomenon. These warrant a 'good' rating rather than 'marginal' - they represent genuine seasonal draws with international appeal.
Scenic drives, countryside tours, route-based travel
Offers spectacular scenic drives such as the Zambezi River Drive and the historic A8 route with consistent opportunities for roadside wildlife spotting. The dry winter months ensure the safest and most accessible road conditions, whereas summer rains can significantly degrade unpaved routes.
Attractions (28 total)
Road Trips & Scenic Drives
Bulawayo to Victoria Falls Road (A8)
Bulawayo
440km paved highway (approx. 5-6 hours). Known as the 'Elephant Highway,' this route traverses the Matabeleland North province, passing through indigenous teak forests and the edge of Hwange National Park. Key highlights include frequent wildlife sightings—particularly elephants and kudu crossing the road—and the scenic descent into the Zambezi Valley near Victoria Falls.
Visit website →Victoria Falls to Kazungula Road
Victoria Falls
70km paved road (approx. 1 hour) heading west toward the Botswana border. This scenic stretch passes through the Matetsi Safari Area and the Chamabonda Vlei. It is highly regarded for its wilderness feel, with frequent sightings of sable antelope and elephants. The road is well-maintained and serves as the primary touring link for visitors traveling between Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park.
Visit website →Zambezi River Drive
Victoria Falls
50km network of well-maintained gravel and dirt roads (approx. 3-4 hours) within Zambezi National Park. High-clearance vehicle or 4WD recommended. The route winds directly along the banks of the Zambezi River upstream from the falls, offering exceptional views of the river, hippos, crocodiles, and diverse birdlife amidst lush riverine vegetation and Ilala palms.
Visit website →Landmark / Monument / Iconic Urban Attraction
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls
One of the world's largest and most famous waterfalls, this UNESCO World Heritage site offers breathtaking views and a lush rainforest walk.
Visit website →David Livingstone Statue
Victoria Falls
A prominent bronze monument dedicated to the explorer who named the falls, located at a scenic viewpoint overlooking the Devil's Cataract.
The Big Tree
Victoria Falls
An ancient, massive baobab tree estimated to be over 1,000 years old, serving as a historic natural landmark.
Castle / Palace / Historic Site
Victoria Falls Bridge
Victoria Falls
An iconic steel arch bridge completed in 1905, offering historic engineering significance and breathtaking views of the Zambezi River gorge.
Bumbusi National Monument
Hwange
An archaeological site within Hwange National Park featuring large-scale dry-stone walls and ruins of an 18th-century Kalanga settlement.
Adventure Park / Outdoor Activity Center
Victoria Falls Bridge Activities
Victoria Falls
An iconic adventure center on the historic bridge offering bungee jumping, bridge swings, and zip-line slides between Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Visit website →Victoria Falls Canopy Tour
Victoria Falls
A family-friendly zip-line adventure through the lush canopy of the Batoka Gorge with spectacular views of the Zambezi River.
Visit website →Victoria Falls National Park
Victoria Falls
The primary outdoor activity center featuring a network of rainforest trails along the edge of the world's largest waterfall.
Major International Festival / Cultural Event
Victoria Falls Lunar Rainbow
Victoria Falls
Full moon nights from April to July (peak water), 3-night duration per month, world-famous natural spectacle, attracts thousands of photographers annually, family-friendly guided night tours to witness a rare moon-lit rainbow in the falls' mist.
Victoria Falls Carnival
Victoria Falls
Late April, 3-day music and adventure festival, 5,000 annual international visitors, family-friendly daytime adventure activities like the secret train party and bungee jumping with high-energy evening music concerts.
Visit website →Hiking & Cycling Routes
Victoria Falls Rainforest Trail
Victoria Falls
3.8km easy circular route, 1.5 to 2 hours duration, minimal elevation gain. This iconic path features 16 viewpoints looking directly at the falls and winds through a unique rainforest ecosystem. Official site: zimparks.org.zw
Visit website →Batoka Gorge Hike
Victoria Falls
2.5km challenging hike, 2 to 3 hours duration, 200m elevation gain. A steep and rugged descent into the gorge below the falls to reach the Zambezi River's edge. This route offers a dramatic bottom-up perspective of the cliffs. Trail info: alltrails.com
Visit website →Victoria Falls Bridge Walk
Victoria Falls
1.2km easy return walk, 30 to 45 minutes duration, flat elevation. This historic path connects Zimbabwe and Zambia across the Batoka Gorge, providing spectacular views of the falls and the Zambezi River. Bridge access info: victoriafallsbridge.com
Visit website →Science Museum / Natural History Museum / Discovery Centre
Jafuta Heritage Center
Victoria Falls
A curated private museum showcasing a rich collection of African artifacts, historical maps, and traditional crafts from the Zambezi region.
Visit website →Victoria Falls Bridge Visitor Centre
Victoria Falls
A small historical exhibit detailing the engineering science and 1905 construction of the iconic steel arch bridge spanning the Zambezi River.
Visit website →Painted Dog Conservation Visitor Centre
Dete
An interactive interpretive center dedicated to the biology and protection of endangered African wild dogs through engaging educational displays.
Visit website →Art Gallery / Fine Art Museum
Jafuta Heritage Centre
Victoria Falls
A small but significant private museum housing a curated collection of African material culture, including historical masks and artifacts.
Visit website →Stone Dynamics Gallery
Victoria Falls
One of the region's most established galleries, specializing in high-end stone sculpture by master Zimbabwean artists.
Visit website →Prime Art Gallery
Victoria Falls
A premier garden gallery showcasing world-class Shona stone sculptures and contemporary Zimbabwean paintings in a serene setting.
Visit website →National Park / Nature Reserve
Ngamo Pans
Hwange
A cluster of natural seasonal pans on the edge of the Kalahari sands that attract large concentrations of lions, elephants, and plains game.
Farm Park / Petting Zoo / Rural Experience
Victoria Falls Cultural Village
Victoria Falls
An immersive rural experience featuring traditional thatched-roof huts and demonstrations of local customs and lifestyle.
Victoria Falls Snake Park
Victoria Falls
A specialized reptile center in the heart of town offering guided educational tours of Zimbabwe's most fascinating snake species.
Victoria Falls Crocodile Park
Victoria Falls
A combined commercial farm and wildlife sanctuary where families can observe massive Nile crocodiles and handle hatchlings.
Historic Town / Village / Cultural Area
Victoria Falls Railway Station
Victoria Falls
A beautifully preserved colonial-era terminal built in 1904, capturing the historic charm of the golden age of African rail travel.
Elephant's Walk Shopping and Artist's Village
Victoria Falls
A vibrant cultural and artist hub where families can explore the Jafuta Heritage Center museum and watch local artisans create traditional Zimbabwean crafts.
