Essential Victoria Falls safari tips – Guide to Victoria Falls Safaris – Facts about the Victoria Falls
Essential Victoria Falls safari tips – Victoria Falls is the kind of place that you will visit for a few days, and still be talking about decades later. Like any holiday destination, there are details to hash out regarding Visas, vaccinations, and money matters that are vitally important to know before you travel so your holiday is not ruined. This article is the tip of the iceberg but will equip you with the “Absolute Need to know” for Victoria Falls.
Which side, Zimbabwe or Zambia?
Victoria Falls lies between Zimbabwe and Zambia, two countries separated by the Zambezi River and the chasm of the Batoka Gorge. The waterfall can be viewed from either country, but in all honesty, you want to see it from Zimbabwe because sixteen of the twenty viewpoints are in the rainforest on the Zimbabwean side that’s 75% of the waterfall.
In the dry season, the water levels drop and the side facing Zambia dries up. You are here to witness the Mosi-Oa-Tunya (Smoke that Thunders), so for those only visiting Zambia then, a dry rock face is going to be very disappointing.
Visa Requirements
To enter Zimbabwe or Zambia, you may be required to purchase a Visa. The specification for visitors differs depending on their passport.
Obtaining the wrong Visa will not only be an expensive mistake, but it will also cause hassles when you try to cross through Immigration and you could well end up missing out on a bucket list activity.
The last thing you want is to start your holiday off on a stressful note because of an easily avoidable problem.
Medical
- Malaria
Victoria Falls is a malaria zone, but fortunately, it is preventable. Please ensure you consult a doctor who is familiar with the disease and the area.
- Yellow Fever
Victoria Falls is not considered a yellow fever risk zone by the WHO so vaccinations are not necessary or required. However, if you are traveling from a country that IS a Yellow Fever risk zone, then entry to Zimbabwe will be denied unless you have a vaccination certificate.
Information on Money matters.
It is no secret that the cash crisis in Zimbabwe is critical. Victoria Falls continues to flourish as a tourist destination, but there is little to no hard cash in Zimbabwe.
You must bring enough with you (USD is the currency) because although almost everywhere now accepts credit cards, a few still don’t. You will need cash for incidentals, parks fees, tips, and curio shopping, and a reserve in case the card machine is not working, for things like visas. Pre-book and pay for as much as you can before arrival.
You will NOT be able to get money out of an ATM in Zimbabwe.
However, remember this is Africa and there are plenty of poor people, so it is seriously unwise to carry large sums of cash with you, it’s just an unnecessary risk.
Booking in advance
Essential Victoria falls safari tips – Victoria Falls is bursting with activities, and there are several advantages of booking in advance. Not only does it make sense to be doing your research online in the comfort of your own home rather than wasting your valuable holiday time having to make decisions and choices but Victoria Falls is also a busy destination and some popular activities with limited numbers, such as the Devils Pool are fully booked months in advance. Booking in advance also negates any issues that you may encounter with the current cash crisis.
Best time to visit
Each season cloaks the town with unique adventures but their differences dramatically affect the experience you will have. It’s vitally important to prioritize your expectations and choose the right time of year. We have created a month-by-month calendar so you can evaluate the seasons and choose which suits you best.
To witness Victoria Falls in peak flow visit from March to June, but don’t visit then if you wish to experience the Devil’s Pool as it will be closed.
White-water rafting is at its best between August and December when the water is low, but if you are looking for a quintessential safari, travel between July and October when the bush is dry and animals congregate around the only available water sources.
Ideal Length of Stay
Any traveler who has explored Victoria Falls will have endless stories about the amazing time that they had there.
However, too often these stories end with “I just wish we had stayed longer”. The town is a melting pot of culture, activities, eateries, and adventures. There is so much to do, so we cannot stress how important it is that you plan your time wisely. Often international flights are delayed causing travelers to miss their connecting inbound flight to Victoria Falls, if you only planned on spending 2 or 3 nights and you lose an entire day and night, it can be very disappointing, so just think carefully about how long you plan to stay.
In our opinion an ideal stay is 4 nights; excluding any add-on safari days. Make sure you also have good travel insurance to cover you in the advent of canceled flights.
