How long should I stay in Victoria Falls?
Victoria Falls attracts about one million tourists every year, which is no surprise as Victoria Falls is one of the Natural Wonders of the World. It is not only about the wonder and the falls but the nature and culture in both Zimbabwe and Zambia are unforgettable.
However, one is asking, How long should I stay in Victoria Falls? It really depends on your planning and the activities you would like to do.
To see the Falls, you need two days minimum. However, to enjoy it to the fullest with some other activities, you need 4 days. And if you want to explore the surrounding areas and safaris, one week is the best.
How Long Should I Stay In Victoria Falls?
Victoria Falls in two days
If you really have only two days to spend in Victoria Falls, the best is to arrive early in Zimbabwe and accommodate close to the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park from where you enter to see the Falls. The walk around the park will take you a few hours and you will see 75% of the falls.
From there you can go to Victoria Falls town to have some lunch. I recommend Three Monkeys restaurant, which was close to the Falls and our accommodation. We did it all by walking. You can read my review of the restaurant here.
In the evening you can go for a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, where you will spend a few hours enjoying some drinks, food, and beautiful African scenery with animals.
You can see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and many bird species. Depending on your cruise, you can have a light snack or dinner on the board or some entertainment like music or dance.
If you still have one full day and your flight is late at night or the next morning, you can either go for a safari in Zambezi Park, but not in the dry hot season as animals hide in the bush and you will not see much.
Another option is to head to the Zambia side and take a tour to Livingstone Island and visit Devil’s Pool. One of the top activities in Zambia.
This can be done only during the dry season when the water level is low. You can read about it here. Alternatively, there is also an Angel pool, which is a bit smaller.
In case your flight is in the afternoon, you don’t have much time, but you can still visit the market in Victoria Falls town to buy some nice souvenirs to take back home.
Victoria Falls in 4 days
Four days is a better option to see Victoria Falls and do some other activities on both Zimbabwe and Zambia sides. This is what we did after we finished our volunteering program in Zambia. However, I would still stay longer as I totally fall in love with the country.
Depending on whether you arrive in Zimbabwe or Zambia, you will do the activities on that side first and then you will cross the border to go to the other country to do the other activities.
Crossing the border is just over a bridge that is connecting these two countries. Can be done on foot or by taxi. Don’t forget to purchase a Kaza visa in order to be able to cross the borders several times. I wrote about it here.
So let’s start with Zambia, shall we? The one thing you want to do is see the Victoria Falls of course. So book yourself a tour to Livingstone Island with either breakfast or dinner.
You will be gifted with a beautiful view of the Falls. Those who have courage can go inside Devil’s Pool. That is the best and the coolest thing while visiting Victoria Falls.
Again, this can be done only during the dry season and only through an official agency. I wrote more about the activities and where to book here.
On the same day, you can go for a walk around Livingstone town, buy some souvenirs on the market and have lunch or dinner. We ate at Cafe Zambezi restaurant and we were very happy with it. You can check my review here.
On the second day, you can go for a rhino walk, where you will see those amazing animals just a few meters away.
Or if you are not afraid of animals, you can go and walk and stroke cheetahs or lions. This was also my top thing while visiting Victoria Falls. Find more about it here or you can see my short video here.
In case you are more into adrenaline activities, you can go for white water rafting, canoeing, helicopter flight, or microlight flight.
In the evening or early morning move to the Zimbabwe side. In the morning, after dropping your luggage at the hotel, walk to Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park to see the Falls. You can walk by yourself or take an organized tour.
After seeing the Falls, you still have a half day which you can use for lunch and other activities like the Zambezi River cruise, White Water rafting, High-speed Jet boat, canoeing, Bungee jumping, zip line, Gorge swing, or helicopter flight.
Please always check if the activities are available based on the season you are coming in. In the evening you can go for a Boma dinner with a drum show which is an amazing cultural experience.
The next day you can go on a safari to Zambezi Park (not during the dry hot season) or you can go for a day to Chobe National Park in Botswana. In this case please check the visa requirement based on your nationality.
Victoria Falls in 5 days and more
If you stay more than 4 days in Victoria Falls, except for all the activities mentioned above, you can do much more. You can actually explore more of the surrounding.
You can go on a safari tour to Hwange National Park, which is the largest park in Zimbabwe. You will need 2-3 days for that. Except for the day game drive, you can enjoy walking safari or night safari.
You will see all kinds of animals here, like elephants, wild dogs, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, and also many bird species. Don’t forget to take a good camera for your lifetime memories.
In case you are interested to meet with locals, getting to know the culture, and making a difference, you can participate in a volunteering program.
This can be in different fields like medical, child care and education, sport, construction and renovation, and more. You can read about my experience as a volunteer in Zambia here.
Victoria Falls in 2 weeks
In case you have 2 weeks or more, you can combine Victoria Falls Zambia, and Zimbabwe with visiting South Africa. Kruger National Park is the largest game reserve in South Africa. So if you are an animal and nature lover, this is the right place for you.
Conclusion-How long should I stay in Victoria Falls?
Victoria Falls is one of the most amazing places I have visited. Whether you’re a nature lover, an adventure seeker, or simply looking for a relaxing getaway, Victoria Falls offers a myriad of experiences that can cater to every traveler’s desires.
The question of how long to stay in Victoria Falls ultimately depends on your personal preferences, interests, and the amount of time you have available.
For those seeking a brief visit, a day or two may be sufficient to witness the awe-inspiring beauty of the falls. This timeframe allows you to capture the essence of Victoria Falls without delving too deeply into the surrounding attractions and activities.
However, if you have the luxury of time, extending your stay in Victoria Falls to four days or more is highly recommended. This duration provides an opportunity to explore the region more extensively, immerse yourself in the local culture, and engage in a wider range of activities.
