hiking tour victoria falls

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TOURS AND HIKES

A story that's entertaining, theatrical and transfixing 

GUIDED TOUR OF THE FALLS

• 2 hours 30 minutes

Victoria Falls is one of the most compelling sites in the world, this cascading column of sheer energy powers its way down a 100m chasm, taking your breath away, as you gaze in awe mesmerized by its strength and incredible beauty. As you captivate this famous wonder you will be completely enthralled to see and feel “The Smoke that Thunders.”

The Tour Guides will ensure that the best photographic opportunities are indicated, whilst mesmerizing the clients with historical and current information, as well as details on the flora, fauna, bird & wildlife and other related issues on this World Heritage Site. Raincoats are provided when needed.

Departure Times :    Generally 08h00 / 09h00 / 11h00 / 14h00 / 15h00. However, we are very flexible and will suit client’s itinerary where they cannot meet the scheduled departure times. It is very necessary to pre-book a Guided Tour for planning purposes.

Duration :    2 – 2.5 hours depending on how much time clients want to spend taking photos and admiring the spectacular views. Also note that there is a Café in the Rainforest and clients can take time out to have something to drink / eat before walking out of the Rainforest.

Additional information on the Rainforest :

• Shearwater operates a Café in the Rainforest and clients can take time out to have something to drink / eat before walking out of the Rainforest. The Café is open during the normal Rainforest times (06h00 to 18h00 daily).
• Shearwater runs a souvenir Shop with a variety range of anything you can think of taking back home as a memorabilia.
• During the Full Moon days, we run Guided Tour of the  Luna Rainbow Falls , giving you an opportunity to view the Falls from a completely different perspective .

TRADITIONAL VILLAGE TOUR

Prepare to be amazed as you enter a different world, where a way of life continues as it has done for centuries, enabling you to go back in time.

Clients are taken to an authentic rural village approximately 20km from Victoria Falls town where they are given the opportunity to watch local villagers going about their daily tasks. The tour enables the client to see rural life first hand; visiting rural homes, watching their fields being tended and possibly getting the chance to help in some of the day-to-day chores.

Recommendations:  Bring any old clothes, sweets, stationery, etc which can be useful to these people.

Departure Times :  Generally 10h00 and 14h00. Once again, we are flexible on our departure times.

Duration:   2 hours

HISTORIC BRIDGE TOUR

Journey through over 100 years of history in this engaging, theatrical and educational tour. Built between 1904 and 1905 the Bridge is one of Victoria Falls most prominent land marks.

The Shearwater Bridge Tour, led by our enthusiastic team of guides, takes you through the history of this remarkable structure, from its design and initial prefabrication in England, to its construction in Africa.

The bridge, an engineering masterpiece and revolutionary for its time, was central to Cecil John Rhodes’ vision of a Cape to Cairo railway and its history is entertaining, tragic and transfixing in equal measure.

BATOKA GORGE HIKE

• 5 hours 30 minutes

A 40-minute drive through the countryside of Zimbabwe on off-road terrain will offer picturesque scenery on the way to the top of the Gorge, at rapid number 23.  After the safety and procedural briefing, you will enjoy the hour long walk at the top of the gorge, along the river to rapid 25. The hiking experience continues into an authentic beautiful Ndebele homestead where you will get a chance to interact with the local headman and his family while you have brunch under the thatched shade of their decorated mud huts. These graceful hosts are keen to show off their home, share their cultural way of life in relation to family, education, livestock, diet and anything you may find interesting.

This is a non-seasonal activity which can be enjoyed throughout the year.

WALKING SAFARI

This active and interactive way to view game, allows you to interact with nature in a way that game drives don’t. Examine and follow animal tracks, see creatures up close and appreciate the amazing flora that covers the land. Being on foot lets you into a world so few get to see, hear, touch and smell – your guide will help you meet Africa’s flora and fauna up close and personal.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We’ll pick you for free from any Victoria Falls hotel.

Please bring cash with you to cover park fees. You can also purchase videos and photos of your experience to take home with you.

Your camera. Money for park fees and photos or videos.

Anything too heavy or that will take up unnecessary space.

There are no age restrictions, although children must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 3 fly for free, sitting on a parent’s lap. Children over 3 pay full price and have a seat. There is generally a weight limit of 120kg per passenger, but this can often be worked around depending on the weight of other passengers.

The company has $5m USD in public liability for in helicopter incidents and $2m for any of incidents outside of the helicopter, this is underwritten by Lloyds of London.

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Victoria falls.

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THE 10 BEST Victoria Falls Walking Tours

Walking tours in victoria falls.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Helicopter Tours
• Night Tours
• Walking Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Victoria Falls Guided Tour

2. Victoria Falls Canopy Tour (Zimbabwe)

3. Walking Safari to the Falls, Bridge and beyond with Savannah

4. Gorge Swing (Zimbabwe)

5. Day Trip: Discover Victoria Falls Zimbabwe From Livingstone, Zambia

6. Guided Tour of the Falls (ZIM side) Wildlife Safari, by Savannah

7. Moonlight Safari

8. Flying Fox (Zimbabwe)

9. Unique High Tea Safari Game Drive in the Savannah

10. Walking Safari of Victoria Falls Town

11. Guided Walking Safari of Victoria Falls Town and Short Bush Walk

12. Safari Game Drive in the Savannah with Hotel pickup 3 times daily

13. Victoria Falls Airport Pvt Transfers, Sundowner Cruise & Tour of the Falls Combo

14. 8 Day Highlights Of Botswana & Victoria Falls Overland Tour

15. 3-Day Victoria Falls Safari with Dinner Cruise

16. Victoria Falls Historical Bridge Tour !

17. Victoria Falls Safari Tour Full Day

18. Guided Tour of the Falls

19. Professional Photo Shoot in Victoria Falls

20. Private Tour- Guided Tour Of The Falls

21. Guided Tour of the Falls

22. Safari Game Drive in Zambezi National Park

23. 3-Day Victoria Falls Safari

24. 2 HR Stargazing in Victoria Falls & Zambezi National Park by 4x4

25. Zambezi National Park Walking Safari with Picnic Break Fast

26. Guided Tour of The Victoria Falls On The Zambia Side

27. Multi-Day Sunset cruise and Falls Tour in Zambezi River

28. Zipline (Zimbabwe)

29. 4 Days Victoria Falls Zimbabwe with Chobe National Park Safari Botswana

30. Hwange National Park Camping Safari from Victoria Falls (2 Nights)

What travellers are saying.

• Victoria Falls Guided Tour
• Victoria Falls Canopy Tour (Zimbabwe)
• Day Trip: Discover Victoria Falls Zimbabwe From Livingstone, Zambia
• Gorge Swing (Zimbabwe)
• Hwange National Park Camping Safari from Victoria Falls (2 Nights)
• Savannah Adventures Safaris
• Cuckoo Safaris
• Discover Safaris
• Willtac tours and safaris
• Shearwater Victoria Falls
• Excellence Trails Safaris & Photography
• Smart Adventure Safari

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Victoria Falls Tours & Holidays

9-Day Victoria Falls, Chobe and Okavango Fly-in Safari

$5,119 to $7,871 pp (USD)

Botswana & Zimbabwe: Private tour Luxury Lodge & Tented Camp

You Visit: Victoria Falls (Start) , Chobe NP, Okavango Delta, Maun Airport (End)

4.9 /5  –  149 Reviews

4-Day Victoria Falls & Hwange National Park Tour

$1,548 pp (USD)

Zimbabwe: Private tour Mid-range Lodge & Resort

You Visit: Victoria Falls (Start) , Hwange NP, Victoria Falls Airport (End)

DK Tours and Safaris   Tour operator has an office in Zimbabwe

5.0 /5  –  38 Reviews

21-Day Ngonye Liuwa Plain, Kafue, South Luangwa Tour

$14,300 to $14,520 pp (USD)

Zambia: Private tour Mid-range Camping & Lodge

You Visit: Livingstone (Start) , Mosi-oa-Tunya NP, Victoria Falls, Ngonye Falls (Highlight) , Liuwa Plain NP, Barotse Floodplain, Kafue NP, Lochinvar NP, Lusaka (City) , South Luangwa NP, Luambe NP, North Luangwa NP, Mutinondo, Bangweulu Wetlands, Kasanka NP, Kundalila (Highlight) , Lusaka (End)

5.0 /5  –  122 Reviews

7-Day Hwange and Mana Pools Safari Adventure

$5,250 to $8,690 pp (USD)

Zimbabwe: Private tour Luxury Tented Camp

You Visit: Victoria Falls Town (Start) , Hwange NP, Mana Pools NP, Harare Airport (End)

Discover Africa Safaris

4.9 /5  –  411 Reviews

3-Day Safari at Gwango Elephant Lodge

$1,210 pp (USD)

Zimbabwe: Shared tour (max 9 people per vehicle) Mid-range Self Catering Accommodation

You Visit: Victoria Falls Town (Start) , Hwange NP, Victoria Falls (End)

Cuckoo Safaris   Tour operator has an office in Zimbabwe

4.9 /5  –  75 Reviews

5-Day The Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park

$1,595 pp (USD)

Zimbabwe: Shared tour (max 20 people per vehicle) Budget Lodge

Escape to Adventure Safaris   Tour operator has an office in Zimbabwe

5.0 /5  –  75 Reviews

3-Day Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park Tour

$1,045 pp (USD)

Zimbabwe: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle) Mid-range Lodge & Hotel

You Visit: Victoria Falls (Start) , Hwange NP, Victoria Falls Town (End)

Wanderlust Safaris   Tour operator has an office in Zimbabwe

4.9 /5  –  36 Reviews

5-Day Victoria Fallls and Hwange National Park Package

$1,722 pp (USD)

Zimbabwe: Shared tour (max 20 people per vehicle) Mid-range Lodge

Africa Zim Travel & Tours   Tour operator has an office in Zimbabwe

5.0 /5  –  116 Reviews

7-Day Victoria Falls, Hwange NP and Matobo NP Experience

$2,932 to $3,534 pp (USD)

Zimbabwe: Private tour Luxury Lodge & Hotel

You Visit: Victoria Falls (Start) , Hwange NP, Matobo NP, Bulawayo (End)

Off2Africa Travel   Tour operator has an office in Zimbabwe

5.0 /5  –  93 Reviews

12-Day Camping - Moremi/Okav/Khwai/Savuti/Chobe/Vic Falls

$6,336 pp (USD)

Botswana & Zimbabwe: Private tour Mid-range Camping & Lodge

You Visit: Victoria Falls (Start) , Chobe NP, Savuti (Chobe NP) , Khwai (Okavango Delta) , Moremi GR (Okavango Delta) , Maun Airport (End)

Savanna Safaris and Tours

5.0 /5  –  16 Reviews

9-Day Victoria Falls/Chobe/Makgadikgadi/Okavango Delta

$3,223 pp (USD)

Botswana & Zimbabwe: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle) Mid-range Lodge & Tented Camp

You Visit: Victoria Falls (Start) , Chobe River, Elephant Sands GR, Makgadikgadi Pans NP, Okavango Delta, Maun Airport (End)

Skytheme Safaris

5.0 /5  –  3 Reviews

5-Day Victoria Falls - Hwange National Park Budget Tour

$1,528 pp (USD)

Zimbabwe: Private tour Budget Lodge

Exec Africa Travel and Tours   Tour operator has an office in Zimbabwe

5.0 /5  –  11 Reviews

10-Day Northern Highlights Trip

$6,050 pp (USD)

You Visit: Victoria Falls town (Start) , Savuti (Chobe NP) , Khwai (Okavango Delta) , Moremi GR (Okavango Delta) , Maun (End)

Wild For Game Safaris

5.0 /5  –  17 Reviews

7-Day Affordable Botswana & Victoria Falls

$2,900 to $4,480 pp (USD)

Botswana & Zimbabwe: Private tour Mid-range Lodge & Tented Camp

You Visit: Victoria Falls (Start) , Kasane (Town) , Okavango Delta, Maun (End)

Gondwana Tours & Safaris

5.0 /5  –  78 Reviews

3-Day Victoria Falls Experience Staying at Batonka Lodge

$970 pp (USD)

Zimbabwe: Private tour Mid-range Lodge

You Visit: Victoria Falls Town (Start) , Zambezi River, Victoria Falls, Victoria Falls Airport (End)

Customise Travel & Tours   Tour operator has an office in Zimbabwe

4.9 /5  –  28 Reviews

7-Day Zimbabwe Hwange & Mana Pools Luxury Tented Safari

$5,300 to $6,830 pp (USD)

You Visit: Victoria Falls Town (Start) , Hwange NP, Mana Pools NP, Harare (End)

Kingfisher Safaris

4.7 /5  –  51 Reviews

5-Day Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park Safari

$1,375 to $1,485 pp (USD)

Zimbabwe: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle) Budget Lodge

Africa Uncovered Safaris   Tour operator has an office in Zimbabwe

4.9 /5  –  32 Reviews

9-Day Classic Safari Tour with Victoria Falls

$3,079 pp (USD)

You Visit: Victoria Falls (Start) , Savuti (Chobe NP) , Khwai (Okavango Delta) , Okavango Delta, Maun (End)

Xaa Safaris

4.6 /5  –  18 Reviews

7-Day Livingstone and South Luangwa Experience

$1,898 to $2,049 pp (USD)

Zambia: Private tour Mid-range Lodge

You Visit: Livingstone (Start) , Victoria Falls, South Luangwa NP, Mfuwe (End)

Ntanda Ventures

5.0 /5  –  22 Reviews

3-Day Victoria Falls to Chobe National Park Expedition

$539 pp (USD)

Botswana & Zimbabwe: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle) Budget Camping

You Visit: Victoria Falls Town (Start) , Chobe NP, Victoria Falls Town (End)

N'tee Safaris and Tours

4.9 /5  –  15 Reviews

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12 Essential Victoria Falls tips: Everything you should know to plan your trip

Are you planning a trip to Victoria Falls? Here are the essential Victoria Falls tips plus everything you need to know before you visit this incredible landmark.

Located in the middle of the Zambezi river and at the border of both Zimbabwe and Zambia, Victoria falls is one of the seven natural wonders of the world that is high on every traveler’s bucket list .

I mean every adventure traveler would one day want to see the biggest curtains of falling water at the Victoria Falls.

Though it may not be the highest nor the widest waterfall in the world, it is classified as the largest waterfall with a height of 108 meters (354 ft) and a width of 1,708 meters (5,604 ft). Now that’s something you’d want to see at least once in a lifetime.

But before you travel to the storm that thunders, there are a few essential Victoria falls tips you should know to make sure that you plan you’re trip very well.

So as you plan your trip to Victoria Falls, here are the best tips you need to know for an amazing time.

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Victoria Falls tips to know to help you plan your trip

1. Best time to visit Victoria falls

Though Victoria falls is a year-long destination, not every time of the year is perfect to visit depending on what you want to do. You should know that the water levels of the falls change as the season changes.

If you want to see the falls at their highest capacity with the mist so high and the sound so thunderous, you might want to visit from February to May. The only downside of visiting at this time of the year is that some times the mist gets too thick that it becomes hard to see the falls themselves perfectly.

But as the mist clears a bit in the months of January and June, it becomes easier to see the Falls perfectly well plus the bottom of the cliff to see where the water – falls.

Though the water levels reduce a little bit, I believe it’s the perfect season to get a clear view of the Falls and to also take part in some of the Victoria Falls activities like White water rafting.

However, if you want to swim in the devil’s pool on the Zambian side, it can’t be done when the water levels are at their highest as its deadly, you’ll need to wait for September through December when the water levels reduce completely.

With those variations in mind, you’ll need to figure out what you exactly want to do at the Falls and choose the right time for you.

But regardless of what time of the year you visit the Victoria falls, I can guarantee that you’ll be blown away by this incredible natural wonder.

Related post: 15 Things to know before traveling to Africa

2. Which side of the boarder should you stay at

This might be the hugest debate and the most asked question about visiting the Victoria Falls. Since the Falls are right at the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, it’s sometimes not easy to decide where to stay or visit from.

Of course, it would be so cool to visit from both sides which you should actually do if you can but not everyone is lucky enough to have that option.

Visiting from either side has its own pros and cons that you should put into account. What I advise you is to look at the pros and cons of visiting from either side and then decide on the perfect side for you.

So to make decision making easy for you, here a few advantages and disadvantages of visiting from either side.

From the Zimbabwe side

• You can see 75% of the waterfalls from the Zimbabwean side.
• The Falls of the Zimbabwean side never dry out, unlike the Zambian side which dries out in the months of September to December.
• The closest town “Victoria falls town” is just a few minutes’ walk from the Victoria falls which makes access very easy at any time of the day unlike the 10km distance of Livingstone town in Zambia from the Falls.
• The cost of living is a bit high on the Zimbabwean side as the Victoria falls town is completely designed for tourists with everything a bit pricier than in Livingstone town in Zambia.

From the Zambian side

• You can swim in the devil’s pool which is one of the bucket list activities for adrenaline junkies.
• The cost of living is a bit low in Living stone town. Actually, even the entrance fee to the falls is a bit cheaper here compare to the Zimbabwean side.

With those few points, it’s easy to see why I highly recommend visiting from the Zimbabwean side . Regardless of when you visit, you’ll be able to enjoy one of the most famous landmarks in Africa from the Zimbabwean side.

Related post: Mistakes to avoid while traveling in Africa

3. Check to see if you need a Visa

If you have zeroed down on the side of the border you’ll be staying at, check with your government to see if you need a visa to enter either country and that should be easy.

The tourist Visa is $30 for Zimbabwe and $50 for Zambia but if it’s only a day trip, then you can expect to pay $20.

But what if you plan on visiting the Falls from both countries?

This can be the tricky part! Some people get a visa for one country and loosely assume that it will be automatic to access the falls from the other side of the border without another visa.

But just like crossing any border, you’ll still need to get a visa (depending on the passport you hold).

Zimbabwe might require you to get a visa and Zambia not, or the other way round! What I advise you to do is to make one country your visiting base and treat the other one as a day trip if you don’t plan on doing any activities there other than just seeing the Falls. This will save you a lot of money on accommodation.

You might also look into getting a double entry visa for your base country which is a bit cheaper instead of paying for two separate visas for when you’ll enter the country the second time after your day trip to the other side of the border.

But if both countries require you to get visas, still find out how easy/hard it is to obtain them and whether you need to get them before you travel or visas on arrival are possible. And if it’s Visa on arrival, make sure that you have cash on you to pay for them! It’s normally in US dollars.

Pro tip* Make sure that you get cleared with customs and get your Passport stamped for any border crossing you make not to run into any trouble with the law.

4. How to get to the Victoria Falls

The best part about visiting Victoria Falls is that it’s easily accessible regardless of where you’re coming from and which side of the border you choose to stay at.

To give you an idea, here is how to get to the Victoria Falls both in Zimbabwe and Zambia.

To Victoria Falls town in Zimbabwe

Just fly directly into Victoria falls airport and take a taxi to Victoria Falls town.

If you’re flying from any of the Southern African countries, it’s super easy to fly directly to Victoria Falls town. For some countries, flights are not daily, so check to see and book your flight on time.

When you get to Victoria Falls town, it’s so easy to just walk to the falls depending on where you’re staying. Some hotels (mentioned later in this post) are just a 10 to 20 minutes’ walk to the falls.

But for hotels that are not within a walkable distance, some offer free shuttle transfers to and from the falls at specific times. But if you want to go on your own, you can just hire a taxi that will take you directly to the entrance of Victoria falls national park. It can be anywhere between $5 to $10 depending on the distance.

However, if your booked a guided tour (I recommend some later in the post), the tour company will pick you up and later drop you back to your hotel after the tour.

To Livingstone town in Zambia

You can still fly from any of the Southern African airports directly to Livingstone airport which is the getaway to the Falls in Zambia.

Unlike Victoria Falls town, Livingstone is not near the Falls to walk there so by all means, you will need to find a way to get. Still, some hotels offer free shuttle transfers to the falls but if not, then you can get a taxi from Livingstone which can be around $10 to $15 depending on the distance.

For a complete guide on how to get to the Victoria falls, check out this post to know exactly how to get there whether by flying, self-drive, or using buses from the major southern African countries.

Related post: Common myths about Africa that are simply not true

5. Opening hours for Victoria Falls

Victoria falls national park opening hours (zimbabwe).

In Summer (From 1st September to 30th April): The park opens at 06:00 am and closes at 06:00 pm.

In Winter (From 1st May to 31st August): The park opens at 06:30 am and closes at 06:00 pm.

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park Opening Hours (Zambia)

The park opens daily at 6: 00 am and closes at 6: 00 pm (regardless of the season).

6. Entrance fee to Victoria Falls

The park entry fees vary depending on your nationality. The park fees can be paid both by cash or by Card.

Victoria Falls National park entry fees (Zimbabwe)

• International visitors: US $ 30
• Southern African Development Community (SADC) visitors: US $20
• Zimbabwean citizens: RTGS$ 60
• Lunar tour visitors: US $40
• Children between 6 and 12: 50% of the adult fee
• Children under 6 years: Free

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park Entry fees (Zambia)

• International visitors: US $20
• Zambian citizens: US $2 or K20
• Lunar tour visitors: US $30

Disclaimer* Please note that all these prices were accurate by the time this post was written but are subject to change at any time without any warning.

Related post: Important things to know before going on an African safari

7. Where to stay at Victoria Falls

You only need to book accommodation on just one side of the border if you plan to treat the other border as a day trip. And since there are so many things to do on the Zimbabwean side, I’d advise staying on this side.

But if you feel adventurous, have the money, time, and want to explore both sides a bit more, then you can choose to stay a couple of days on each side.

There is a variety of accommodation in both Victoria falls town and Livingstone town ranging from camping, budget, mid-range to luxury. So below are a few places I recommend on both the Zimbabwean and the Zambian side.

Accommodation at Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwean side

For camping.

Victoria falls rest camp and Lodges

The camp offers a number of campsites for both pitched tents and rooftop tented cars. The campsites are fully developed with well-maintained ablutions plus electricity on-site.

The advantage of camping at Victoria falls rest camp is that it is just a few minutes walk to the Falls.

Other than camping, it also offers private guest houses for non-campers. There is also a restaurant on-site – (In da belly restaurant) which serves a variety of cuisines, so you don’t have to move far if you’re hungry.

Check prices, reviews or book your spot at the Victoria Falls rest Camp from here .

Budget accommodation

N1 Hotel & Campsite Victoria Falls

N1 Hotel is a perfect choice for budget travelers and it is just located 1 km away from the Victoria falls.

It also offers a camping area with beautiful green grasses though there is no privacy if you’re someone who wants it while camping.

Check prices, reviews or book a room at N1 Hotel from here.

Mid-range accommodation

Shearwater’s Explorers village

Shearwater Explorers village offers a variety of accommodation types from private chalets, dorm tents, to individual camping. It is also near Victoria Falls.

Campsites are reasonably cheap but the Chalets are mid-range which means that it can accommodate a number of budgets.

Check prices, reviews or book a room at Shearwater’s Explorers Village from here.

Luxury accommodation

Victoria falls Safari Suites

Located in the heart of Victoria falls town, Victoria Falls Safari Suites is a five-star hotel that commands luxury like no other. If want to be at home away from home, then this is the place to stay.

Check prices, reviews or book a room at Victoria Falls Safari Suites from here.

Victoria falls safari Lodge  

Just located 4km from the mighty Victoria Falls, Victoria falls safari Lodge is the place to be for travelers seeking absolute luxury.

Check prices, reviews or book a room at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge from here.

Accommodation at Victoria Falls on the Zambian side

Woodlands Lodge & Tours

For people that want to stay in a comfortable place after a day’s sightseeing, then go to Woodlands Lodge and Tours . The availability of a restaurant, an outdoor swimming pool, and a bar makes up for the distance to the Victoria Falls.

Check prices, reviews or book a room at Woodlands Lodge & Tours from here.

Camp Nkwazi 

Camp Nkwazi   provides amazing views or River Zambezi as it’s right in front of the River. It’s also not far from Livingstone town which makes moving around easy. On top of that, you can participate in fishing and horse ride when you want to chill at the hotel.

Check prices, reviews or book a room at Camp Nkwazi from here.

The Royal Livingstone Hotel by Anantara

If luxury is all you want as you experience one of the best adventures in Africa, then sleep at the Royal Livingstone Hotel . It is right next to River Zambezi and just a short minutes walk to the Victoria Falls.

Check prices, reviews or book a room at The Royal Livingstone Hotel from here.

Related post: Best tips for Backpacking Africa

8. Things to do at Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls offer a range of activities to participate in spanning from the high adrenaline activities to the less adventurous. So below are a few activities you should plan to do on top of gazing at the glorious Falls.

Take a flight over the Victoria falls

Flying over the Victoria Falls is the most exciting activity at Victoria Falls. The flight offers breathing taking views of the Falls from all angles which makes you appreciate them even more.

The flight also comes with an Audio guide which is well in sync with everything making the experience even much more enjoyable.

It was truly the highlight of my entire trip to Victoria Falls and if it were possible, I would do it over and over again. It’s quite pricey but worth every single penny.

So don’t wait to reach there only to be told that it’s booked out on the day you want, book it now to save your spot. This is actually the exact flight I booked and I had an amazing time with Shearwater Victoria Falls.

Check prices, reviews, or book the Flight of Angels from here.

Pro tip* I opted for a flight of angels but I know some people would prefer the Scenic Microlight Flight. I couldn’t bring myself to do it. But if you’re more adventurous than me, then you can check out the prices, review availability, or even book a Microlight Flight from here. Also, if you’re taking the flight over the falls from the Zambian side, then this is the best flight to book .

Go for a sunset cruise along the Zambezi river.

A sunset cruise at Zambezi River is by far the best way to wind up a day while at Victoria falls. The cruise offers amazing views of the river and a chance to spot hippos and giraffes roaming around the Zambezi national park.

It’s an exciting moment where you get lose, have a couple of drinks and enjoy the most beautiful sunset at Zambezi river.

Check prices, reviews, or book the sunset cruise from here

Go Bungee jumping at the Victoria Falls bridge

For the adrenaline junkies, bungee jumping off the victoria falls bridge is a perfect opportunity to test your adrenaline levels.

Honestly, it can be a bit intimidating to jump off the bridge while looking down the bottom of the cliff but it’s one activity you’ve got to tick off your bucket list.

Check prices, reviews, or book your Bungee jumping adventure from here .

Test your adrenaline by going for white water rafting

This is not an activity for the faint-hearted as the rapids along River Zambezi are of grade 5. But there is no better way to experience the falls than this for extremely adventurous individuals.

I personally didn’t go for white water rafting but since I’ve done white water rafting at River Nile in Uganda , I know how fun, exciting and thrilling it can be and I bet it’s much better with the view of the Falls.

So if you plan to participate, this white water rafting tour is highly recommended by previous participants and I believe you’ll have a blast.

Check prices, reviews, or book your rafting spot from here .

Swim at the devil’s pool

This is truly one of the most fun things to do at Victoria Falls on the Zambian side. Imagine how cool it is to swim at the edge of one of the most famous waterfalls in the world! Incredible, right?

However, please note that swimming at the Devil’s pool can be done at specific times of the year as I mentioned earlier. So if you want to do it, you should first check to see if the time is right.

Check prices, reviews, or book your spot from here .

Go for a bridge swing

Believed to bring out the same heartbeat rate as Bungee jumping or even more, a bridge swing is one of the other adrenaline activities to do at the Victoria Falls.

With a free fall of 80m from the bridge, you’re bound to scream your lungs out as you take on this adventure- at least I did. However, it’s so much you don’t want to miss it.

Those are some of the few things to do at Victoria Falls but others include; the bridge slide, the bridge tour, Sunrise photography tour of the falls, Traditional Village tour , zip-lining, Quad biking, Gorge swing , and so many others. You can check out other fun things to do at the Victoria falls from my previous post.

Related post: Best countries to visit in Africa

You can also check out my recommended tours and activities at Victoria Falls in the widget below   all offered by my favorite tour provider, GetYourGuide .

9. Should you take a tour to the Falls?

If you’re already in Victoria Falls town in Zimbabwe or in Livingstone town in Zambia, then you honestly don’t need to book a tour as the falls are nearby and easy to get.

Actually, even when you’re in the nearby countries, say Botswana or South Africa, and you can figure out the best way to get there on your own (you can refer to my previous post on how to get to Victoria fall ), then you may not need to book a tour. I personally did a self-drive from Botswana to Victoria Falls – so it’s totally doable.

However, not everyone wants to figure out the logistics of how, where, and when. If that’s you, then here are the best tours to Victoria falls that you can consider.

Day trip from Botswana to Victoria falls

If you are in Kasane, Botswana, and just want to take a day trip to the Falls and come back, then this day trip is perfect for you.

You get to see the beauty of the smoke that thunders without the hustles of organizing a trip. The best part about this day trip from Kasane to Victoria falls in Zimbabwe is that it’s only limited to 10 people which means that you won’t be overwhelmed by a large group.

Check for availability, prices, reviews or book your day trip from here

From Livingstone: Victoria falls guided tour

You might be in Livingstone town but what to have a guided tour to learn more about the facts and history of Victoria Falls. If that’s you, then this is the perfect tour to opt for .

With over 3 hours of the tour, you’ll learn everything and get all your questions answered as you hear from the knowleagable tour guides.

Check for availability, prices, reviews or book your guided tour from here

From Victoria falls town: Victoria Falls private guided tour

Victoria Falls might be within a walkable distance from Victoria Falls town but if you want to get a deeper understanding of this incredible world natural wonder, then opt for this private guided tour.

With a professional tour guide, you’ll learn all the history of the Falls, the local wildlife, and everything you might have wanted to learn about this smoke that thunders.

Related post: Best safari destinations in Africa

10. What to pack for Victoria Falls

When it comes to what to pack for Victoria Falls, you don’t need to take much. Just a backpack with a few items will be enough. But to make sure that you don’t forget anything, below are a few items that are essential.

• Passport: Obviously you’ll need to take your passport to be able to purchase the entry ticket to the falls. You can also take a waterproof passport jacket to make sure that your passport doesn’t get wet.
• A daypack: I am a backpacker, so I’ll always have a daypack with me wherever I travel to make sure that all my day’s essentials are kept well. I love the Osprey daypack as it’s lightweight, fits everything I need for a day, and also has a water bottle holder where I can just put my bottle. If you don’t have a daypack already, you can check it out here and I promise you’ll love it. You can check for prices and reviews on Amazon or on the actual Osprey website .
• A good Camera: With this incredible sight in front of you, there is no way you wouldn’t want to take a thousand photos. I prefer a small camera as I can go anywhere with it without any hustles but you can get inspiration from these best travel cameras.
• A waterproof raincoat : They say it never stops raining at the falls and they’re right! The water splashes so high, it feels like it’s raining the entire time. If you don’t take a rainjacket, I guarantee you’ll all be wet by the end of the tour (depending on the time of the year you visit). There are a number of shops nearby where you can rent a raincoat but it’s not cheap considering that you’ll be visiting the Falls for a couple of hours. So I recommend taking your own waterproof jacket to avoid spending more. I like this Columbia lightweight and waterproof rain jacket and for the guys, this one is perfect .
• Sunglasses: They may not be necessary to protect your eyes from the sun or look cool for that matter but rather to protect them from the nonstop rain. You could pass on them but I know it’s not fun when water gets into the eyes the entire time.
• Waterproof Phone Case: If you want to take photos very close to the falls, you might consider taking this waterproof phone case – well unless of course, your phone is water-resistant.
• Comfortable walking shoes: There is so much to see and the place is quite big. And since you’ll be on foot the entire time, you might want to take comfortable walking shoes. Also, since water splashes all the time, the ground will definitely get slippery. So you might want to substitute your flip flops for your running shoes.
• Travel Insurance: Travel Insurance is a must-have regardless of where you’re traveling to and Victoria falls is no exception. With travel bringing on its own challenges, you’ve got to be protected the entire time and the best way to do that is to cover yourself with World Nomads travel insurance. It covers a number of items including the most adventurous activities travelers love to do. You can request a quote from World Nomads from here.

Related post: The complete packing list for Africa

11. How long should your visit last

There is no set time on how long your trip should last as that depends on how fast or paced you want to take in the views from each angle of the Falls.

But to get the most out of your visit and this is when you’ve seen every little corner, I suggest putting aside 2 to 3 hours. It might seem like a lot (or little for some), but it’s the ideal time.

If you’re not traveling with a group, you won’t have to worry about this as you can take your time without feeling like you’re delaying or rushing the others.

If you visit the Falls from the Zimbabwean side, it’s very easy to see every spot as they marked out well all the best viewpoints from 1 to 16 with 1 being the starting point – so it’s hard to skip any spot.

12. Where to eat at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls town is a major tourist place with so many great restaurants to eat at. Whether you want to try out Zimbabwean dishes or Mediterranean dishes, these restaurants offer a wide range of choices.

Lola’s Tapas.

Owned by Lola, a very friendly Spanish native, Lola’s Tapas is a great place to enjoy local games meat and Mediterranean cuisine.

While you’re there, try out the special Crocodile dish. And if you’re lucky, you’ll be treated to a performance from the local artists.

Shearwaters cafe

Want to treat yourself to a western meal? Then opt for Shearwaters cafe. It is perfectly located on the main street of victoria falls town serving a wide range of western meals and cocktails.

Shearwaters café has a great and welcoming ambiance – a quality that has made it a popular spot among tourists.

In da belly restaurant.

Located inside the Victoria falls rest camp, In da belly restaurant serves a mix of local game meats and traditional local dishes. The name “In da belly” is a play of words derived from “Ndebele”, one of the major tribes in Zimbabwe.

There you have it, those were the essential Victoria Falls tips you need to know to plan your trip well. On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest, how excited are you to finally see the Victoria Falls! I know I was at 11, so I know how incredibly amazing it is.

For me, visiting the Victoria falls was one of my best travel experiences and I am excited for you! But if you’ve already been to this wonderful landmark, share with me how your experience was!

And if you have more questions as you plan your trip to the Victoria falls, leave them in the comment section and I will answer them soon.

More posts to help you plan your African trip

• Best Countries to visit in Africa
• Safest countries to visit in Africa
• Things to know before going on an African safari
• Best National parks to visit in Africa

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Free walking tour near Victoria Falls

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• INTELLIGENT TRAVEL

How to Visit Victoria Falls

It’s not the widest or the tallest falls in the world, but it is without doubt the most impressive.

Victoria Falls is on almost everyone’s bucket list, but few people know the best way to experience it. On a recent trip to southern Africa, I saw it from every which way, so you don’t have to.

Why is it worth visiting?

Known by locals as Mosi-oa-Tunya, or “the smoke that thunders,” it was first seen by Western eyes in 1855 when British explorer David Livingstone came upon it and named it after his queen. Reflecting on the experience of seeing Victoria Falls for the first time, he wrote, “Scenes so lovely must be gazed upon by angels in their flight.”

The cataract still has that power to strike awe. It spans about a mile—the entire width of the Zambezi River—and drops a distance about twice the height of Niagara into a narrow gorge in one seemingly continuous sheet, forcing mist to rise high into the sky.

Not only can you see it, but you can hear it (from about a mile away), feel it, smell it, and taste it.

Where is it?

The falls straddles Zimbabwe to the west and Zambia to the east. You can access it from either country, via the town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or Livingstone in Zambia. Both have good air connections.

Zimbabwe has historically been the more popular entry point, but political turmoil and hyperinflation in the 2000s made Zambia preferable.

Zambia has been one of Africa’s most stable and understated democracies; its safari lodges are known for their old-fashioned hospitality and plentiful wildlife.

Tip: At the airport of the country you enter first—Zimbabwe or Zambia—make sure you obtain the UniVisa (currently U.S. $50 for nationals from many countries) that serves as a multicountry pass.

How do I get there?

There are national park entrances on both sides of the falls, easily accessible from the towns of either Livingstone or Victoria Falls.

If you’ve booked through a safari operator, your guide will simply drive you to the entrance. The per-person fee is $20 on the Zambia side and $30 on the Zimbabwe side.

Which side is better?

Put very briefly: To see the falls, go to Zimbabwe; to feel the falls, go to Zambia.

But I recommend seeing it from both sides, and here’s why:

The Zambia side at high flow (February to June) is an exhilaratingly visceral experience; visitors walking on the other side of the narrow gorge can feel the spray (get drenched or rent a poncho). In the dry season, because the falls are at an incline, portions of land stay dry, which opens up other opportunities (see question on Devil’s Pool, below).

The Zimbabwe side tends to offer the more picturesque views because the viewpoints are farther, offering perspective. If you go in the height of the dry season, say, in November, the water volume is at a low point and the falls can feel a little underwhelming.

Can I do both sides in a day?

In fact, I did both sides in a couple of hours. Make sure you have a multiple-country visa in your passport. From either Livingstone or Victoria Falls, visit the border-crossing office and get your passport stamped for exit.

You can drive or walk across the bridge between the two countries, get your passport stamped for entry, and walk to the national park entrance.

If you wish to return, make sure you get your passport stamped leaving the country and entering the other country.

• Nat Geo Expeditions

However, I feel compelled to mention that one of the most compelling experiences I had didn’t even require park entrance. I stood on the bridge between the two countries, straddled Zim and Zam, and gazed at the world’s most famous waterfall.

There were a few other Western tourists, but I was mostly joined by the cross-border drivers and migrant workers. Safety during the day on the border road isn’t much of a concern, though travelers do have to deal with polite but pesky trinket sellers.

What else can I do at the falls area?

A luxury dinner train crosses from Zambia to Zimbabwe over the Zambezi River and stops in the middle for a view of the Falls (though plans call for an additional departure in the other direction).

For an aerial view, microlight flights are popular, and so is bungee jumping. There are comfortable or luxury lodges near both towns, often the launching points of multiday wildlife safaris.

I’ve seen photos of people standing at the edge of the falls. How do I do that and is it dangerous?

Devil’s Pool is an experience you can have only on the Zambia side and only during the dry season (mid-August to mid-January). It involves a boat ride on the Zambezi to Livingstone Island, from which you can swim in a natural pool at the edge of the falls.

Breathe easy: An unseen lip prevents you from actually going over. Run by a well-regarded tour operator, the Devils Pool is not a dangerous activity—provided you follow the directions of the guides. There are other unofficial natural pools in which people have gone over the edge; make sure your outfitter is licensed.

Norie Quintos is an editor at large at National Geographic Traveler . A former editor at U.S. News and World Report and Caribbean Travel and Life , she bikes, hikes, jumps on hotel beds, and tweets @noriecicerone .

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• Victoria Falls Activities

Dinner Cruise

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Boma Dinner & Drum Show

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View the magnificent Victoria Falls as a knowledgable guide escorts you through one of the Seven Natural Wonders of The World. A breathtaking experience!

The main attraction and number one reason to visit this unique destination. The Victoria Falls. An astounding natural beauty of thundering water and misty rainbows. Known as the largest sheet of falling water in the World, the Victoria Falls will leave you breathless as you process the sheer magnitude of this water wilderness. A Victoria Falls Guided Tour is a must do activity when visiting Victoria Falls.

As you enter the Victoria Falls rain forest at the beginning of the tour. you will notice a change in vegetation. This natural rainforest has been created by the constant spray of the Victoria Falls falling on the surrounding area. Explore the unique rain forest feasting your eyes on magnificent plant and bird life, whilst taking in the grandeur that is the Victoria Falls. You will be guided through the rainforest and stop at the different view points along the way. Find yourself in awe as you witness the sheer magnitude of the Victoria Falls. This truly is an inspiring experience.

The Victoria Falls will be in full flood between April and June. Be sure to wear a raincoat during these months as you will get soaked from the spray of the Falls.

Read this article on: When is the best time to view the Victoria Falls?

If you would like to view the Victoria Falls from a different perspective why not book a  Helicopter Flight  over the Victoria Falls. This will give you spectacular views of this magnificent attraction.

Victoria Falls guided tour

Transfers from victoria falls based hotels, us$50 national parks fees per person.

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Zambezi tram.

The Zambezi Tram Tour takes you on a magnificent 2 hour journey to the Victoria Falls Bridge that includes drinks and gourmet canapés.

Book a Zambezi River Dinner Cruise in Victoria Falls. Enjoy a 4 course dinner while floating on the Zambezi River above the Victoria Falls.

Book a Luxury Zambezi River Cruise in Victoria Falls. The Luxury Sunset Cruise is the perfect way to relax at the end of a busy day in Victoria Falls.

Victoria Falls Guided Tour. View the magnificent Victoria Falls while you enjoy a guided tour of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of The World.

View the Victoria Falls, Batoka Gorge and Zambezi National Park in this epic Zambezi helicopter flight. Exactly as the name suggests, this flight is Spectacular!

Experience a bird’s eye view of the magnificent Victoria Falls, Zambezi River and Batoka Gorge on this epic Victoria Falls Helicopter Flight. Book Online.

A Zambezi River Sunset Cruise is the perfect way to complete a busy day in Victoria Falls. Relax as you watch the sunset while cruising the Zambezi River.

Book the most luxurious Sunset Cruise in Victoria Falls. The Signature Sunset Cruise is pure extravagance on the Zambezi River in Victoria Falls.

Other Experiences

Devils pool (livingstone island).

Experience dramatic views of the Victoria Falls, before plunging into Devil’s Pool, a natural rock pool on the edge of the Victoria Falls.

A Victoria Falls Steam Train Dinner will transform you to a bygone era of luxury steam train travel. Experience true colonial splendour.

Enjoy this fun and mildly adventurous bridge slide across the Batoka Gorge as you take in spectacular views of the Victoria Falls.

Bridge Swing in Victoria Falls and freefall 80 meters into the Batoka Gorge and over the mighty Zambezi River. The Victoria Falls provide an epic backdrop.

Raft the best grade 5 white water rafting rapids in the World. Raft below the Victoria Falls along the mighty Zambezi River. Zambezi River Rafting.

View the Big 5 in Victoria Falls on a leisurely game drive. Enjoy a Victoria Falls Game Drive at the Stanley & Livingstone Private Game Reserve.

Visit an authentic African village and interact with the local villagers. Witness rural life first hand on a Victoria Falls Village Tour.

A Chobe Day Trip is a full day safari experience that includes a cruise on the Chobe River and a Game Drive in the world famous Chobe National Park.

With the Victoria Falls themselves as the backdrop, and the mighty Zambezi River flowing beneath you, this is sure to be the greatest bungee jump you’ll ever experience.

An unforgettable evening at The Boma Dinner & Drum Show in Victoria Falls. Enjoy a traditional dinner followed by an interactive African drumming show.

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The Ultimate First Time Visitor’s Guide to Victoria Falls

LAST UPDATED: 4/12/23 – Visitor’s Guide to Victoria Falls

Before Dr. David Livingstone happened to cross paths with it during his explorations of Africa back in 1855, most of the Western world had no idea that Victoria Falls even existed. After seeing this stunning natural wonder for the first time, he nicknamed the Falls “the smoke that thunders” because of the thundering crash and clouds of drenching mist that the enormous amount of water falling into the Victoria Falls gorge creates.

After falling in love with its beauty, he formally named it after the British Monarch at the time, Queen Victoria. As I explain in this guide to Victoria Falls, the Falls are located on the mighty Zambezi River, which forms a natural border between the countries of Zimbabwe and Zambia. While it may not be the tallest or the widest waterfall in the world, Victoria Falls is the world’s largest sheet of water and is a natural wonder that every traveler should see with their own eyes.

While I know you probably want to start making plans to visit Victoria Falls right away, I would strongly suggest taking the time to research your trip first. This way, you can be sure to see and do everything that you want to do and have a trip that you will remember for a lifetime. One of the best ways to do that is to read this detailed guide to Victoria Falls.

In this guide to Victoria Falls, I am going to provide you will all of the information that you need to plan a successful trip to see this beautiful wonder of the world. I cover the best times to visit and the best ways to get there so that you can maximize what you are able to see and do on your trip. 

I also outline all of the top things to see and do while you are there and where the best places to stay and eat are. With the information in my guide to Victoria Falls in hand, you can be confident that your trip to see the Falls will be a trip that you remember for a lifetime.

At a Glance

Before you start making any travel plans, you will want to make sure to take care of all of the passport, VISA, and immunization requirements for your trip.   In addition, you will want to make sure you have a clear understanding of what languages they speak in Zimbabwe and what currency they use so that you can plan any translation needs you might have for your trip and exchange currency before your trip if necessary.  I have included some of this key information in my guide to Victoria Falls below for you to review as you start to make your travel plans.

Passport, VISA, Customs, and Immunization Requirements

In order to assist you in navigating the legal requirements for visiting Zimbabwe, I have included a link to my Zimbabwe Passport, VISA, Customs, and Immunization Requirements Guide for you to review below.  This guide will give you all of the information that you will need to meet the VISA, passport, customs, and immunizations requirements and recommendations for visiting Zimbabwe.

I have also outlined all of the vaccination requirements and recommendations for travel to Zimbabwe in the guide below. You will want to be sure to review this section of the guide thoroughly to ensure your health is protected during your visit.

In addition to this passport, VISA, and immunization advice, I have also included links to supplemental guides that I have created on why I recommend getting the Rabies pre-exposure vaccination before traveling internationally and how to protect yourself from tick and mosquito-borne illnesses when traveling. Even though Victoria Falls isn’t a high-risk area for malaria, it is still good to protect yourself just in case.

Packing Tips

Outside of taking care of the passport, visa, and immunization requirements so that you can get into Zimbabwe and don’t get sick, there is no more important pre-travel planning task than making sure you pack the right clothing and gear for your trip.  To help make sure you are properly packed and prepared, I have included links to some of my packing resources for you to review in my guide to Victoria Falls below.

Top Things to See and Do

While the top attraction that people visit Victoria Falls to see is undoubtedly the Falls itself, there are plenty of other incredible things to see and do in the Victoria Falls area. Whether you are visiting to see the falls and the area’s incredible landscapes, go on safari in the area’s many incredible wildlife parks and reserves, or just want to plan a relaxing stay, visiting Victoria Falls is certain to be an experience you will remember for a lifetime. In order to help ensure that you have all of the top sights on your itinerary, I have outlined the top ten things I would recommend seeing and doing while vising the city in my Guide to Victoria Falls below.

Visit Victoria Falls National Park

One of the best ways to view Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwe side is to visit the Victoria Falls National Park and walk the Victoria Falls footpath. In addition to offering a variety of different viewpoints of the falls from which to take photographs, the park is also home to the Dr. David Livingstone Statue.

While you aren’t able to get as close to the falls from the Zimbabwean side as you are from the Zambian side, the views of the falls from Zimbabwe are much prettier in my opinion because you get to see the largest parts of the waterfall. You have to pay to get into the park, so please be sure to check the official Victoria Falls National Park website for current rates before visiting.

Be aware, while large predators are rarely spotted inside Victoria Falls National Park, this is a wildlife park and wild animals do live there. Some of these animals can be dangerous to humans, so avoid being in the park before sunrise or after sunset. For information on which viewpoints to stop at during your visit, please refer to the map I have included in my guide to Victoria Falls below.

View Larger Map

See the Livingstone Statue

One of the ca n’t-miss spots to stop at within Victoria Falls National Park is the Dr. David Livingstone statue. If you aren’t familiar with who Livingstone was, this is a perfect way to get to know this infamous 19th-century British explorer a little better.

Livingstone was renowned for his explorations of Africa. Throughout his career, he made several trips to the continent to work as a missionary, explore the unknown interior of the continent, and most famously search for the source of the Nile River.

During one of his expeditions, he heard a roaring thunder in the distance and saw what he thought were plumes of smoke rising into the air. As he got closer, he became one of the first Westerners to ever set eyes on what he would later name Victoria Falls.

The waterfall was so huge and powerful that he nicknamed it “the smoke that thunders”. Today, the city of Livingstone, Zambia is named after Dr. David Livingstone and there are many monuments in his honor in the area. One of the most famous is this statue of him in Victoria Falls National Park.

Take a Cruise on the Zambezi River

While seeing Victoria Falls from the foot trail within Victoria Falls National Park is undoubtedly the best way to experience and photograph the falls, there are many other adventures available for you to enjoy near the falls as well.

One such adventure that I recommend every traveler experience is a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. You will be left speechless by the beauty of the river and the abundance of the incredible wildlife that lives both in and around it. There is a great chance you will see hippos or crocodiles in the river as you meander your way down this iconic river.

There is also a great chance you will see elephants, giraffes, and various species of antelope along the river’s banks, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled. Finally, there is nothing more beautiful than seeing the sun set over this breathtaking landscape from your comfortable spot aboard the boat. It is truly an experience you will remember forever.

Go on Safari in the Zambezi National Park

While Victoria Falls is widely considered to be one of the most incredible landmarks in the world for good reason, there is a lot to see and do in the area outside of just visiting the Falls. One of the most popular activities that visitors enjoy during their visit is going on safari to see some of Africa’s most amazing wildlife.

I do strongly suggest that you plan enough time to explore some of the national parks and wildlife reserves outside of the Victoria Falls area. The most notable on this list would be Chobe National Park in Botswana and Hwange National Park to the South in Zimbabwe. However, if you don’t have a lot of time, that doesn’t mean you can’t go on a safari during your visit.

The incredible Zambezi National Park is located just outside of Victoria Falls and is home to four of Africa’s “Big Five” animals. This includes lions, cape buffalo, elephants, and leopards. If you are lucky, you might even spot the critically endangered African wild dogs. For more information on the Zambezi National Park, please check out the official Zimbabwe Parks website for details.

Go on Safari in the Livingstone Private Game Reserve

While the nearby Zambezi National Park is outstanding, it does not allow visitors the opportunity to see all of the “Big Five” animals of Africa. The one animal that you definitely won’t see when visiting is the rhinoceros. If seeing one of these beautiful creatures is on your bucket list, you are in luck.

The nearby Stanley Livingstone Private Game Reserve offers private safaris that give you a great chance of seeing the critically endangered southern black rhino. Unlike the national parks in Southern Africa, the private game reserves are privately owned and maintained. This creates additional conservation lands to help protect the beautiful wildlife.

If you would like more information, I would suggest checking out the Stanley Livingstone Private Game Reserve website . For those who would like to book a tour, there is a great Stanley Livingstone Private Game Reserve safari tour option available on Viator.com.

Go Rafting Down the Zambezi River

For travelers who are looking for a little bit more adventure than just seeing Victoria Falls, there are many incredible adventure travel opportunities that you can try in the area. One of the most popular of these activities is to take a whitewater rafting tour down the Zambezi River.

Your heart will be pounding as your tour group navigates the rapids of the Zambezi River, which is certain to be an experience you remember for a lifetime. Not only is the rafting incredible, but the opportunity to spot elephants and other wildlife on the banks of the river is a bonus you won’t find on many other whitewater rafting tours in the world.

If you are interested in booking a whitewater rafting tour during your stay in the Victoria Falls area, please be sure to check out my Recommended Tours and Excursions section of this guide to Victoria Falls below.

Try Bungy Jumping

Another adventure opportunity that you can try while visiting Victoria Falls is to go bungee jumping into the Zambezi River Gorge. If you are an adrenaline junky that loves to bungee jump, I can’t think of many places more beautiful to try the sport than at the breathtaking Victoria Falls.

There are two locations in which you can jump in the Victoria Falls area. The first is the Shearwater Bungee Jump at the Victoria Falls Bridge . This 364-foot jump off of one of Africa’s most iconic bridges is certain to be an adventure you remember forever.

The second bungee location is the Wild Horizons Lookout Cafe Bungee Jump , in which you jump 364 feet from a platform on the side of the river gorge. Like the bridge jump, it is a truly breathtaking landscape in which to enjoy the sport!

Swim to the Edge of the Falls at Devil’s Pool

Don’t get me wrong, you can get some absolutely spectacular views of Victoria Falls without getting wet. I have already outlined how the foot trail in the Victoria Falls National Park on the Zimbabwean side has some of the best viewpoints and the Knife Edge on the Zambian side lets you get very close to the edge of the Falls.

However, if you want to get some out-of-this-world views of Victoria Falls, there is no better way to do that than at Devil’s Pool. This strangely becalmed 10-foot feet natural pool with a rock lip makes it relatively safe to swim right up to the edge of the Falls and peer over.

There are tours you can book to visit Devil’s Pool, which involves swimming across the Zambezi River with a guide to Livingstone Island, where you can then access the pool. Obviously, swimming to the Devil’s Pool is only safe during the low-water periods during the dry season, so if this is something that you would like to do when you visit Victoria Falls, I would make sure to plan your visit between the months of June and December.

Devil’s Pool is on the Zambian side of the Falls, so if you are staying on the Zimbabwean side, you will need to cross over the Victoria Falls bridge and pay the VISA fee in order to take this tour. For more information on the Devil’s Pool tours available, please check out the Recommended Tours and Excursions section of this guide to Victoria Falls below.

Cross the Bridge Between Zimbabwe and Zambia

Why see Victoria Falls from just one side when you can easily see it from both sides? This natural wonder of the world is unique because it sits on the natural border between the countries of Zimbabwe and Zambia.

While a majority of the Falls are located on the Zimbabwean side, there are some very unique and incredible viewing opportunities on the Zambian side as well. I have already covered the amazing foot trail in the Victoria Falls National Park in Zimbabwe, as well as the Knife Edge and Devil’s Pool in Zambia.

If you are staying in Victoria Falls and want to experience the Falls from Zambia or you are staying in Livingstone and want to see the Falls from Zimbabwe, going back and forth between the countries couldn’t be easier. You will need a VISA to cross between Zimbabwe and Zambia and then back, so you can either pay the $50 USD for a KAZA UniVisa at the border or pre-pay for your VISA by purchasing a Zimbabwe e-VISA and a Zambia e-VISA online ahead of time.

Take a Helicopter Ride Over the Falls

While the views of Victoria Falls from the ground are spectacular, seeing this natural wonder of the world from the air is a whole different level of beauty. It is very hard to really appreciate the scale and the power of Victoria Falls unless you can see the Falls in their entirety.

The only way to do that is to get up in a helicopter and fly over it. For those travelers who are up for the adventure, you will be happy to know that there are helicopter tours available that will fly you over Victoria Falls.

In fact, on some tours, they also fly over the rest of Victoria Falls National Park, so you also have the opportunity to spot elephants, giraffes, and other wildlife from the air. It is a spectacular experience that you will never forget. For more information on Victoria Falls helicopter tours, please see the Recommended Tours and Excursions section of my guide to Victoria Falls below.

How to Get There

If you are planning on visiting Victoria Falls, there are several different ways that you can get there, depending on what else you are planning to see and do during your trip. If you are coming to the area primarily to visit the falls, the easiest way to get to Victoria Falls is to fly into the Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) , which is located just outside of the city.

You can also fly directly into the area by flying into the Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI) on the Zambian side. For those who are planning on going on safari in Botswana and would like to take a side trip to visit the falls, you will probably be flying into the Kasane International Airport (BBK) in Botswana. You can then arrange a day tour to Victoria Falls from your lodge in Chobe National Park or the other wildlife parks and reserves in Botswana.

The same can be said for travelers who will be visiting Zimbabwe to go on safari in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. If you are planning on spending the majority of your time around Hwange, you may find it more convenient to fly into and out of the Hwange National Park Airport (HWN) and then arrange transportation to Victoria Falls for a day trip. For more information on where these parks and cities are located in relation to Victoria Falls, please see the map I have included in my guide to Victoria Falls below.

Choosing a Side to Visit

What many people who haven’t visited the area don’t realize is that Victoria Falls sits along the border between the countries of Zimbabwe and Zambia and can easily be visited from both countries. The good news is, you don’t need to choose between a side. You can easily pass between the Zimbabwean and Zambian sides of the falls by using the Victoria Falls bridge.

All you will need is your passport and a double\multiple entry VISA (which you will need to pay for at the border). Which side of the falls you choose to use as your base of operations will depend greatly on what else you plan on seeing and doing during your visit to the area.

The Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls has by far the best view of the falls. Three-quarters of the waterfall is in Zimbabwe, and the Victoria Falls National Park footpath offers a plethora of incredible viewpoints from which to view the falls.

You will actually feel the tremors of the falls thundering into the canyon below your feet as you wander thru the mist-filled rainforest along the path. This incredible footpath makes the Victoria Falls National Park in Zimbabwe an absolute must-see destination when in the area.

While the Zambian side of the falls may not offer as many good viewpoints, you are able to get much closer to the falls on the Zambian side. On the Zambian side, you are able to walk along paved paths at the edge of the waterfall and cross a stomach-turning Knife-Edge bridge that crosses over the falls. During high water season, the experience is absolutely exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.

And for those who are really adventurous, you are even able to swim up to the Devil’s Pool, which sits right at the precipice of the falls during low water season. From here, you can peek your head over the falls and into the canyon below. If you love adventure, it is hard to top this incredible travel experience!

For more information on what you can expect from each side of the falls, please refer to the summary of the Zimbabwe and Zambia side of Victoria Falls that I have included in my guide to Victoria Falls below.

Visiting the Falls from Zimbabwe Side

• Incredible views of the main falls
• You can see a majority of the water flowing over the falls at varying degrees of strength throughout the year
• Most of the hotels are within walking distance of the falls
• You are able to explore Victoria Falls town and its iconic market
• Victoria Falls town is a classic tourist town with a wide assortment of restaurants and bars
• The Victoria Falls Hotel, the most historic hotel in the Falls area, is on this side
• See the critically endangered black rhino at Stanley Livingstone Private Game Reserve

Visiting the Falls from Zambia Side

• Amazingly close waterfall viewing
• The ability to swim to the fall’s edge at Devil’s Pool during the low-water season
• You are able to visit Livingstone Island when water levels permit
• There is a wide assortment of romantic river-side lodges
• Incredible game viewing at Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
• The city of Livingstone isn’t as tourist-oriented and is mostly comprised of businesses

Best Time to Visit

One of the biggest decisions you will have to make when planning your trip to see Victoria Falls is the time of year you plan your visit. Not only will the time of year impact the type of weather can expect to have during your visit, but it will also have a big impact on what you can see and do at the falls.

Depending on the time of year, Victoria Falls will either look like a wall of raging water or several smaller waterfalls flowing into a large canyon. Victoria Falls is absolutely breathtaking at full capacity during the wet season, but it can also be fun to visit when the water levels aren’t as high as you can safely get closer to the falls. In this section of my guide to Victoria Falls, I outline what you can expect to see and safely do at Victoria Falls and what type of weather to expect throughout the year.

Average Temperature (°F)

The weather in Victoria Falls is typically very warm throughout the year, but it can get incredibly hot between late September and mid-December. During this time of year, daytime high temperatures can reach into the 90s (Fahrenheit) and it can feel much hotter in the sun. If you don’t do well with heat, you may want to avoid visiting during this time of year.

While temperatures can be much cooler during the winter period of late May thru early August, it can get rather cool at night. If you are planning to visit at this time of year, you will want to bring a light jacket with you to wear during the evenings.

Average Precipitation (Inches)

For those who are planning on going on safari while visiting, or have a lot of activities planned outdoors, you will also want to consider the average rainfall that Victoria Falls gets throughout the year. During the wet season, which lasts between late November and mid-March, the area gets quite a bit of rain.

However, during the winter months of May thru the beginning of September, the area sees very little rainfall. During this time of year, the wildlife is much easier to spot while on safari because there is less vegetation to obstruct your view. However, near the end of the dry season is when Victoria Falls is furthest from its peak volumes.

January to March

If you are looking for good travel deals, then January is likely your best time to visit Victoria Falls. Even though it is the height of summer, the water level of the Zambezi is still relatively low. This makes it not the ideal time to see the falls, but you can find some great rates on the luxury Victoria Falls lodges. This is also the ideal time to go whitewater rafting on the Zambezi River as water levels are starting to rise, but they aren’t near their peak.

If you want to see Victoria Falls reaching its maximum capacity, I would suggest waiting until late February. Without a doubt, this is the best time to view and photograph the falls. The waters of the Zambezi will be plummeting down into the gorges and the mist from the falls creates some of the most beautiful rainbows you will ever see.

However, February thru May is one of the worst times to go on safari in nearby Hwange National Park and the parks and game reserves of Botswana such as Chobe. The heavy rainfall from the previous months will mean lush vegetation in the parks, which makes spotting animals much more difficult.

By March, the water levels of the Zambezi and the volume of water going over the falls are at their apex. In fact, there is so much water going over the falls during this time of year that you can hear the waterfall from miles away. You can still go white water rafting during this time of year, but the high water levels of the Zambezi River can make it a terrifying experience if you aren’t an experienced rafter.

April to June

When the calendar hits April, summer comes to an end in Victoria Falls. With the end of summer, the temperatures start to drop a bit. With lower temperatures and water levels of the Zambezi River still relatively high, this is one of the best times to visit Victoria Falls. However, because of the high volumes of water flowing over the falls, the strong mist in the air can make it difficult to see the entirety of the falls. One of the best ways to get around this is to book a helicopter tour and view this iconic landmark from the air.

Starting in May, the dry season in Victoria Falls begins. This is when nighttime temperatures really start to drop, so make sure you pack a jacket and long pants if you decide to visit during this time of year. With very comfortable daytime temperatures, this is undoubtedly the best time of year to visit if you want to avoid the heat.

If you are planning on visiting Victoria Falls and the parks and game reserves of Botswana, including the infamous Chobe National Park, the best times of year to visit are from June to August. The dry season means there is less vegetation to obstruct your views of animals and the shrinking water holes mean the animals need to congregate near the Chobe River. This makes it much easier to find and spot wildlife. It is also a good time to visit Victoria Falls as well. Even though this is the start of the dry season, the volume of water flowing over the falls is still greater than it is at the end of the dry season.

July to September

Even though the month of July is in the middle of the dry season at Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River is no longer at full volume, it can still be a great time to visit the falls. For instance, this is the time of year when the infamous lunar rainbow makes its incredible appearance at Victoria Falls. The mild daytime temperatures also make daytime safaris at Hwange National Park and Chobe National Park much more enjoyable.

Starting in August, the temperatures in Victoria Falls start to increase again. This means that early morning and evening safaris in the surrounding parks aren’t quite as chilly. There is still very little rainfall, so it is a great time to see the falls, go on safari, and try some outdoor activities such as whitewater rafting or Devil’s Pool swim tour.

The month of September is the start of spring in Victoria Falls and is undoubtedly the best time of year to visit the falls if you are planning on going on a safari at one of the surrounding wildlife parks. The temperatures are not too warm, but they are warm enough to make early morning and evening safaris very enjoyable.

This is the month of the year when spotting difficult-to-see wildlife such as the elusive leopard is easiest because of the sparse vegetation. However, the later in September you visit, the dryer Victoria Falls will be. This is why I think late August and early September are the optimal times to visit when combining a visit to Victoria Falls with a safari experience.

October to December

In my opinion, one of the worst times of year to visit Victoria Falls in October. Not only is this the hottest month of the year, but the water level of the Zambezi River is at its lowest level. This means that the water flowing over Victoria Falls is at its least remarkable level.

The wet season officially kicks off again in November, and during this time of year, you can expect to see the first spring rains in Victoria Falls. However, don’t expect the water level of the Zambezi River to rise too quickly in November as it takes time for the rainfall to travel from the Angolan Highlands down to the river.

If you are into bird watching, November is the best time of year to spot many of the migratory birds that start arriving in Victoria Falls. There are some stunning bird species and this is one of the best times of year to spot them.

By December, it is nearing the height of the wet season in Victoria Falls. The daytime temperatures are still very hot and you can expect frequent afternoon thunderstorms. The water level of the Zambezi River is starting to rise and this is the last month for a while that you will be able to safely go whitewater rafting on the river. The migratory birds are also still around the falls thru December, so bird watching continues to be very good.

Where to Stay

One of the most important decisions you are going to have to make when planning your trip to see Victoria Falls is where you will stay.  When you travel, the accommodations you choose are oftentimes amongst the biggest expenditures for your trip.  So not only do you need to be comfortable where you are staying, but you also need to be comfortable with how much you are paying to stay there. 

Finding the right accommodations for your trip involves looking at the amenities, the location, and most importantly, the price.  If you are starting to plan your trip to Zimbabwe and want some hotel and hostel suggestions, I have included some great options at different price points in my guide to Victoria Falls below for you to review.  As always, don’t be afraid to expand your search to room-sharing sites such as Airbnb or VRBO if you aren’t finding a hotel or hostel that meets your needs.

Where to Eat

When most people plan a trip, the primary focus is on how to get there, where to stay, and what is on the list of things to see and do.  What many travelers neglect to plan, is where to eat when they are there.  Granted, it is sometimes fun to be spontaneous when choosing a restaurant while traveling, and it is always smart to get recommendations when you arrive.

However, it can also be advantageous to have some ideas of restaurants you would like to try during your trip written down beforehand as well.  This way you can be assured that you won’t miss out on a highly recommended culinary experience that you will regret.  To help you decide on some restaurants in Victoria Falls to add to your list, I have included a list of some highly recommended options for you to review in my guide to Victoria Falls below.

Recommended Tours and Excursions

There is an abundance of amazing things to see and do in the Victoria Falls area and one of the best ways to experience those things is on a tour.  If you are looking for fun tours and excursions to fill out your trip, I have included some category links to recommended tours and excursions you can review in my guide to Victoria Falls below.

In addition to the plethora of wonderful tours and activities that I have linked to above, I would strongly recommend considering a safari while visiting the Victoria Falls area. Victoria Falls is situated in close proximity to a number of incredible national parks and wildlife reserves in Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Zambia.

Two parks that I would strongly recommend are Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, which is a few hours South of Victoria Falls, and Chobe National Park in Botswana, which is located just an hour to the West. For more information on how to plan a safari at these parks, including which tours to book, please see my detailed guides linked below.

Photo Gallery

One thing that Victoria Falls is not in short supply of is amazing things to photograph. I was able to capture a lot of great photographs while touring Victoria Falls, and I have included some of my favorites in a gallery in my guide to Victoria Falls for you to review below.

If you would like to view some more of my top photos from this trip, as well as photos from some of my many other travel adventures, make sure you are  following me on Instagram  as well!

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Published by Josh Hewitt

Avid traveler and photographer who loves to see new places, meet new people, and experience new things. There is so much this world can teach us, we just need to explore! View all posts by Josh Hewitt

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2 comments ›.

Really impressive and thorough guide!

Thank you so very much for the kind words!! 😄

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Thank you so much for the kind words!!

Thanks so much! Great article, so helpful and thorough :)

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In May 1903 Rhodesia Railways awarded the contract for the construction of the bridge to The Cleveland Bridge Company of Darlington, England, for a price of £72,000 pounds sterling. The entire bridge was fabricated in Darlington, England and then shipped in parts to the port of Beira, Mozambique and then transported by rail to Victoria Falls.

It is one of the many outstanding achievements - that the bridge, built in England, could be fitted together so perfectly more than 8,000km away in the heart of Africa.

This is just a snippet of the history surrounding this bridge and how it was built, so early in the 1900's. At the time of it's construction it was the highest railway bridge in the world .

The Historical Bridge Tour unveils the whole history in an unusual and entertaining way and even if you weren't interested before, I would dare to say you will be afterwards.

The Victoria Falls Bridge Tour Begins...

You are collected from your hotel and transferred by vehicle through customs and immigration to the Victoria Falls Bridge Visitors Centre. After registration, the tour begins.

It starts with a very entertaining performance by an actor impersonating Mr Georges Imbault who was the chief engineer during the construction of the bridge (and also responsible for the Syndey Harbour Bridge in Australia).

This show last about 45 minutes as he regales stories of how and why the bridge was constructed, the enormous problems they encountered and how they overcame them. It's enthralling and fascinating.

After this is finished an informative guide shows you around the Visitors Centre, where information and pictures of the Bridge's history is displayed. This visual part of the tour enhances what was mentioned in Georges Imbault's theatrical presentation.

There is plenty of opportunity to ask any questions you might have. You will more likely than not, now be engrossed and fascinated by the history of the Bridge.

After the Visitors Centre walk is completed, there is an “optional” physical under the Bridge tour, where you get the rare opportunity to walk on the catwalks used in the original construction of the Bridge.

After a short safety briefing and the donning of a safety harness by which you attach yourself to safety ropes under the bridge, you are then led on a guided walk underneath the bridge which gives you a real opportunity to marvel at the Bridge's construction.

Once back at the Visitors Centre you have the opportunity to enjoy wandering around on your own for approximately 30 minutes before heading back to your respective pick up points.

The onsite thatched Bridge Cafe and Bar offers tasty burgers, a cold drink and respite from the baking sun. It overlooks the spectacular Zambezi gorge and you can enjoy watching the more adventurous throw themselves off the bridge doing Bungee , Bridge slide or Bridge swing . Of-course there's a shop with a selection of Clothing and Memorabilia to say you've done it.

There are 2 tours scheduled per day with approximate pick up times being 10h00 and 14h00. All Trips include courtesy transportation to and from all major lodges/hotels in Victoria Falls.

The Bridge is considered "No Mans Land" and therefore it does not count as an exit or entry into the country, therefore it does not affect your entry visa status.

We thoroughly enjoyed the Victoria Falls Bridge Tour and feel no trip to the Falls is complete without it.

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Money blog: Bank of England voting hints change is coming as rate held at 5.25% - savers urged to act now

The Bank of England has held its base rate at 5.25%. Read this and all the latest personal finance and consumer news below - and use the form to comment on any of the stories we're covering.

Thursday 21 March 2024 19:10, UK

Interest rates

• Bank of England holds interest rates at 5.25%
• Ed Conway : How members voted is 'significant' and hints 'big moves' coming
• Bank 'on the way' to interest rate cuts, says Bailey
• Savers urged to act now
• Pound falls slightly - as markets still forecasting June rate cut
• 10 UK towns seeing biggest house price increases
• Women affected by change in state pension age are owed compensation, report finds
• Price of wine to rise by 44p as government refuses to drop post-Brexit tax changes
• Savings guide : The account where you could save £20,000 - and end up with £28,000 after five years

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An advert by Mango has been deemed "irresponsible" by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for featuring a model who appeared to be "unhealthily thin". 

The listing on the fashion retailer's app was for a short-sleeve jumper, and featured a woman wearing it with her arms by her sides. 

The ASA received a complaint about the ad and contacted Mango, but said the company failed to respond. 

It said it considered that the model's "upper body and hips appeared to be very narrow and there were gaps between her arms and body, accentuating her slender frame". 

"Because the model appeared to be unhealthily thin, we concluded that the ad was irresponsible." 

Mango has been told to remove the ad in its "current form". 

The average annual council tax bill will rise by £106 this year, new figures show.

It comes as local authorities try to maximise revenue to pay for struggling frontline services. 

The bill for an average Band D property will increase by 5% to £2,171, according to statistics released by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Some financial advice firms are putting their  customers' retirements "at risk" , the City watchdog has warned. 

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has asked chief executives to review and improve retirement income advice services following a scathing review into the sector. 

It found a number of firms were providing incorrect information to customers, and in a "small number of instances" it had resulted in customers incurring unnecessary charges. 

Sarah Pritchard, the FCA's executive director of markets and international, said some organisations were "not even getting the basics right and putting their customers' futures at risk". 

"We urge all firms to take on board our findings and review their own processes. Where they do not, we will act," she added. 

Single parents have the lowest average income for both men and women - with mothers particularly affected, a new study suggests.

Figures from NOW: Pensions and the Pensions Policy Institute, released on National Single Parent Day, show single fathers earn 32% less than the "average" man, while mothers earn 37% less than an average woman.

When comparing a single mother to the average man, the gap is 53%. Single mums also have the lowest labour market participation of all groups, according to the research.

In the UK, women retire with an average of just £69,000 in their pension pot - two-thirds less than men - with differences in working patterns one of the drivers.

Figures show women spend a decade away from work on average while raising families or taking on other care needs, with the career gap amounting to roughly £39,000 in lost pension savings.

For some reason no-one can quite remember, when economists talk about interest rates they invariably find themselves referring to species of birds.

They call those who are broadly in favour of lower interest rates "doves". Those who are keen on higher borrowing costs are "hawks". 

Analysts in the City of London draw up diagrams of the nine members of the Bank's Monetary Policy Committee, denoting how many of which bird there are at each meeting.

Those who invariably lean towards higher rates are perma-hawks or Uber-hawks and those on the other side are perma-doves; an announcement which surprises in one direction is "dovish" or "hawkish" and so on and so forth.

At the last meeting there were two hawks on the committee (Catherine Mann and Jonathan Haskel, who both voted for an increase in rates), and one dove (Swati Dhingra, who voted for a cut). Two hawks versus one dove. The rest of the committee voted to leave rates on hold and that was that.

This time around, the hawks fled the tower (if that is the appropriate terminology), with both Mann and Haskel voting not to increase rates but to leave them on hold. That leaves one dove.

In other words, in the Kremlinology of interest rates, all of a sudden an interest rate cut is looking that bit closer.

Right now, markets reckon it could come as soon as June, and some economists think there's an outside chance of it arriving in May. 

It's just a question of how quickly the neutrals turn dovish. And all of this silliness about birds belies a more straightforward, less avian, story. 

Inflation - the main thing the Bank is targeting - is dropping. This doesn't mean, as you'll already know, that prices themselves are falling; they remain stubbornly higher than they were a few years ago.

However, they are at least rising less quickly, and that is what the Bank cares about.

Come April, inflation could even be down to the Bank's 2% target. Other central banks around the world are also poised (the Federal Reserve and European Central Bank) to cut rates and some (the Swiss National Bank) have already done so. And like many birds, the Bank of England tends to move with the rest of the monetary flock.

All of which is to say, it might have looked as if nothing happened today. And in one sense that's true. Like a swan gliding across the water, the Bank seems on the surface to be doing very little.

But beneath the surface the legs are kicking, manoeuvring and preparing the ground for lower interest rates. And that's quite enough bird analogies for one day. 

The US Justice Department has launched a lawsuit against Apple, accusing the tech giant of maintaining an illegal monopoly on smartphones.

The 88-page lawsuit alleges California-based Apple focuses on what Attorney General Merrick Garland described as "exclusionary, anticompetitive conduct that hurts both consumers and developers".

Mr Garland said Apple has limited what developers can offer iPhone users by imposing restrictions and fees, and has degraded the functionality of non-Apple apps and accessories for iPhone users.

Read the full story here ...

The Bank of England is "on the way" to cutting interest rates, Andrew Bailey has said. 

Speaking after today's rate decision, the Bank's governor said he was "very hopeful" and "encouraged" by good signs in the economy. 

He also said the technical recession seen at the end of 2023 appears to be "subsiding". 

However, he said consistent progress towards hitting the 2% inflation target needed to be seen before rates were cut. 

"We do need to see further progress, but do want to give this message very strongly [that] we have had very encouraging and good news, so I think, you know, we can say - we are on the way," he said. 

Responding to questions from broadcasters about whether markets were right to price in two or three rate cuts this year, Mr Bailey said it was "reasonable". 

"That is not a prediction from me as to what's going to happen, either on timing or amount, but I am encouraged," he said. 

The Bank of England's interest rate decision has been branded "disappointing", "out of touch" and the "coward's way out" by mortgage experts. 

When the rate changes, people on tracker and standard variable rate deals usually see an immediate change in their monthly payments, while those looking to remortgage or get on the housing ladder will see deals go up or down.

Newspage, an industry news service, sent a selection of comments from mortgage experts to the Money team.

"The Bank of England seems totally out of touch with what the public are going through," Ben Perks, managing director at Orchard Financial Advisers, said. 

"Today was an opportunity to take the pressure off borrowers, and it's so disappointing that they haven't had the bottle to do it and the cost of borrowing will remain at the highest level for 16 years."

Gary Bush, financial adviser at Mortgage Shop, said the decision was the "coward's way out" and called the group a "committee of ostriches". 

"Sadly, like the government, the BoE couldn't care less about the people at the bottom of the food chain, it seems," he added.

(Graphic: iStock)

Our   business presenter Ian King has been taking a look at the minutes from the Bank of England's interest rate meeting, and says it is clear members are still "very concerned" about tightness in the labour market. 

"They note that wage inflation is growing more rapidly still in the UK than it is in peer economies, particularly the United States," he says. 

"There are references to persistent inflationary pressures and they make it very clear that they will not be voting to lower interest rates until these pressures start to ease away." 

He adds that the Bank is expecting consumption growth to return in the first half of the year, and for GDP to grow by around 0.25%. 

"They have picked up on the indications that consumer spending is starting to recover... it also notes that mortgage approvals in January were at their highest level since October 2022," King says. 

The Bank of England has "tightened the screws too much" and should be cutting interest rates, a respected economist has said.

After the Bank held its interest rate at a 16-year high of 5.25% - which is where it has been since August - Carsten Jung, senior economist at the Institute For Public Policy Research (IPPR), said inflation was coming down "more quickly than many predicted just a few months ago" and so were domestic price pressures.

"All this shows the Bank of England tightened the screws too much, which is squeezing much-needed future growth," he said.

"The Bank should thus cut rates more quickly than its current plans. The tightening stance by both the chancellor and the Bank of England contribute to the UK's growth falling far behind the US's fast recovery."

Away from the interest rate decision for a moment...

We have just heard from the Department for Work and Pensions after a report recommended women born in the 1950s and affected by a change to the state pension age are owed compensation.

A spokesperson has said the department will "consider" the report's findings and "respond in due course". 

"The government has always been committed to supporting all pensioners in a sustainable way that gives them a dignified retirement whilst also being fair to them and taxpayers," they added. 

"The state pension is the foundation of income in retirement and will remain so as we deliver a further 8.5% rise in April which will increase the state pension for 12 million pensioners by £900."

Number 10 has refused to say whether it will pay up to compensate those backed by Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) who were hit when the state pension age for women was raised to 65 in 2018 to match men.

The prime minister's spokesperson would only say it would "look at" the report's findings.

Markets are still focused on June as the date for a first interest rate cut.

Nothing has changed on that front after the Bank of England's decision to hold at 5.25%, though the pound has fallen slightly, three tenths of a cent against the dollar. It still stands at $1.27, however.

The FTSE 100 is up 1.5% - though it was already up 1% before the decision.

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