Day Trips from Victoria Falls. Excursions, Nearby Cities, Tours

Nearby Destinations

Several remarkable locations are within easy reach, with diverse activities from wildlife safaris to cultural encounters.

Chobe National Park (Botswana) for elephant herds. Hwange National Park (Zimbabwe) known for elephants and diverse wildlife. Livingstone Town (Zambia) / The Falls on the zambezi river Town (Zimbabwe) for cross-border exploration.

Transportation Options

Chobe: Organized day tours are common, including transfers, border formalities, and park pastimes.
Hwange: Road access best reaches Hwange. Guided day tours are available, or self-drive.
Across the border: Walk across the The Falls on the zambezi river Bridge, take a taxi, or arrange a transfer.
Tour vs. Independent: Organized tours simplify logistics; independent travel has flexibility.

Planning Your Excursion

Plan your excursions with these timeframes in mind for various destinations.

Chobe Day Trip

Typically departs 07:00-08:00, returns 17:00-18:00. Trip usually includes a river cruise and a game drive.

Trip Highlights

River cruise on Chobe River.
Game drive for wildlife viewing.
Border formalities.

Hwange Day Trip

Requires an early start. Allow minimum 10-12 hours, including travel. Often a better overnight trip.

Considerations

Early morning safaris in a vehicle.
Long travel time.
Overnight stay for more game viewing.

Natural Escapes & Seasonal Views

Scenic Landscapes

Batoka Gorge: Spectacular cliffs and rapids underneath the falls.
Upper Zambezi River: Calm stretch upstream, ideal for cruises and canoeing.
No immediate beaches are found in the immediate Victoria Falls area.
Limited hilly landscape directly surrounds the falls.

Seasonal Natural Phenomena

Rainbows in the mist: Visible during the day.
Moonbows: Seen during the entire moon at high water.
Water depth: High water shows immense power and mist.
Water levels: Low water reveals more rock formations.

Regional Connections

Direct flights often connectCape Town or Johannesburg
Mana Pools National ParkExceptional walking safaris
South Luangwa National ParkDiverse ecosystems
Lake KaribaHouseboating and fishing

Flights are commonJohannesburg, Cape Town, Maun, Harare, Lusaka, Mfuwe
Overland travel possibleExtended travel times, less comfort
Light aircraft transfersTo remote safari camps
Comprehensive itinerariesWildlife, culture, diverse landscapes

Day Trip Booking

Book your day trips and excursions with GetYourGuide for a seamless experience.

Cultural Excursions & Safaris

Engage with local heritage and communities. The region has opportunities for wildlife viewing.

Zambezi National Park

Borders The Smoke that thunders town, along the Zambezi River. Wildlife drives and walking safaris available.

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park

Includes the Zambian side of the falls and a wildlife section. Known for white rhinos.

Chobe National Park

Accessible day trip, with high wildlife density, specifically elephants.

Hwange National Park

This larger park has diverse wildlife. It is more distant and travel time.

Activities

Diverse wildlife viewing options.
Longer safari experiences.
Further travel distance.

Lower Zambezi National Park

This preserve has a flight or a long drive, but great wildlife viewing, notably by the river.

River Safaris

Exceptional river-based viewing.
More significant travel.
Remote, wild environment.

Historical & Village Visits

Livingstone MuseumThis museum has extensive exhibits on Zambian history, archaeology, and ethnography.

Railway MuseumExplains the history of the railway and Victoria Falls Bridge construction.

Rural VillagesTrips to local villages, like Mukuni Village near Livingstone, give insight into traditional life and customs.

Spiritual SignificanceThe falls hold spiritual meaning for particular local communities.

Mukuni Village ToursDirect interaction with residents.

Cultural InsightsEngage with local heritage and communities.

Conservation & Wildlife

Victoria Falls' natural beauty.
Consider a safari for wildlife encounters.
Zambezi National Park for game drives.
Mosi-oa-Tunya Park For rhinos.
Chobe A National park for elephants.

Extended Adventures

For those with more time, combining Victoria Falls with other regional destinations creates a broader Southern African adventure.

Recommendations for 1-3 Day Additions

Add more time to your trip to explore more of the region. Consider a game drive experience in Hwange or Chobe.

Safari & Falls Focus

Exceptional wildlife viewing.
Explore the opposite side of the falls.
Additional nights at a tranquil lodge on the Upper Zambezi River.

Logical Next Destinations

The Falls on the zambezi river is a gateway to other captivating Southern African destinations. Direct flights often connect to major cities.

Beyond the Falls

Cape Town or Johannesburg for urban exploration.
Mana Pools or South Luangwa National Parks for walking safaris.
Lake Kariba for houseboating and fishing.

Transportation Connections

Flights are the most common method for joining to these further destinations.

Flight & Overland

Regular flights to major hubs (Johannesburg, Cape Town, Maun, etc.).
Overland travel is possible but involves longer times.
Light aircraft transfers for remote safari camps.

Suggested Routes for Longer Regional Travel

Craft a comprehensive Southern African itinerary.

Itinerary Ideas

Pair Victoria Falls with a Botswana safari (Chobe, Okavango Delta).
Combine with a Zimbabwe safari (Hwange, Mana Pools).
Combine with Cape Town or Johannesburg for urban contrast.

Regional Adventure Combinations

Botswana Safari

The Largest waterfall on the planet with Chobe and the Okavango Delta for a sturdy wildlife experience.

Zambian Adventure

Link Livingstone and The Largest waterfall in the world with South Luangwa and the Lower Zambezi for an in-depth Zambian adventure.

Urban & Nature Blend

Combine the falls with a trip to either Cape Town or Johannesburg.

Multi-Day Journey

For extended adventures, explore multi-day extensions. Combine Mosi-oa-tunya with a safari in Botswana or Zimbabwe.

Day Trips from Victoria Falls