Victoria Falls, locally known as Mosi-oa-Tunya (The Smoke That Thunders), is one of Africa’s most breathtaking destinations. It was one of the undisputed highlights of my backpacking trip through Africa. Words don’t do justice to how powerful the experience of witnessing these waterfalls firsthand is. Victoria Falls straddles the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, and can even be viewed for free from the bridge connecting the two countries.
Both countries have national parks dedicated to Victoria Falls, and many travelers wonder, which side is best for seeing the Falls? Whether you’re short on time, budget, or simply just want to tick off the box, choosing one over the other can be a tough task. I visited Victoria Falls from both Zambia and Zimbabwe. If you have the time and budget, I’d recommend the same. The Zambian side and the Zimbabwean side both have their pros and cons. If you must pick one, there’s surprisingly a lot to take into consideration. Let’s compare the two.
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Visiting Victoria Falls From Zambia
The Pros of Visiting Victoria Falls from the Zambian Side
- Zambia is More Budget-Friendly
The entrance ticket on the Zambian side costs only $20, which is a dang good deal for a natural wonder like Victoria Falls. If your main goal is simply to see Victoria Falls, visiting from the Zambian side will be adequate and won’t break the bank.
- Variety of Activities and Viewpoints
From the Zambian side, one can only view about 25% of the falls. However, the viewpoints are more varied and there are a number of activities that Zimbabwe doesn’t offer. One can take a death-defying walk along the Knife Edge hanging bridge, offering a stunning view of Victoria Falls and the dramatic drop below. There’s The Boiling Pot hike down to the Zambezi River, with views of the Victoria Falls Bridge, the towering canyons, and the roaring Zambezi River.
There’s also the famed Devil’s Pool where one can swim at the edge of the Falls. Keep in mind this is only accessible during low-water months. One can also take a tour of Livingstone Island and soak in the views from where David Livingstone himself first viewed the falls.
- Livingstone Has More To Do
The town of Livingstone, Zambia is a great home base for seeing Victoria Falls. Overall, I found it a much more enjoyable place to visit than the town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Livingstone feels like an actual city with more history, livability, and things to do. It’s more budget-friendly with a wider variety of restaurants, markets, and bars to visit.
If you’re looking for a place to stay in Livingstone, JollyBoys Backpackers is a Livingstone staple. It’s popular among travelers and locals alike during the evenings, making for a good social atmosphere. There is a pool, a restaurant, a bar, common areas, and an activity center to help you book any tours or safaris. They also have a free shuttle to Victoria Falls and the Zimbabwe border every morning at 10 AM. It makes visiting the waterfalls easy, although you’ll have to make your own way back. There are private taxis and shared taxis that wait outside the entrance, so it’s not hard to find a ride.
Oh, and before you go, it’s always a good idea to have travel insurance while adventuring across the world. I use SafetyWing to keep me covered throughout my travels for as low as $2 a day. Their coverage includes Zambia and Zimbabwe among the 190+ countries that they cover.
The Cons of the Zambian Side
- Smaller, See Less of Victoria Falls
Like I mentioned earlier, one can only see 25% of Victoria Falls from the Zambian side. If you want to see as much of the falls as possible, you might prefer the Zimbabwean side.
- Dries Up For Part of the Year
Timing your visit might also be tricker on the Zambian side. While Zimbabwe has water flowing year-round, much of the Zambian side dries up from September to November. The local name, Mosi-oa-Tunya, means The Smoke That Thunders. During dry season, it doesn’t feel all that thunderous, which can be disappointing if you were hoping to see them at full blast. On the other hand, the Devil’s Pool is only accessible during the dry season, so that could sway your decision towards Zambia in the dry season.
Visiting Victoria Falls From Zimbabwe
The Pros of Visiting Victoria Falls From the Zimbabwean Side
- Longer Trail With More Viewpoints
Visiting Victoria Falls form the Zimbabwean side offers the most extensive views. You can see 75% of the falls from the Zimbabwean side, including viewpoints like Devil’s Cataract and Horseshoe Falls. If you want to see as much of the falls as possible, visiting from the Zimbabwean side is the way to go.
- Waterfalls Flow Year-Round On the Zimbabwean Side
Victoria Falls flows year-round on this side. Even if your visit coincides with the dry season, it’s still possible to experience the awe-inspiring thunder of Victoria Falls.
- The Town of Victoria Falls is Very Tourist-Friendly
For less-experienced travelers, Victoria Falls town is a good home base. Since it’s more catered to tourists, the accommodation, restaurants, and shops are overall nicer than what you’ll find in Livingstone. It’s also within walking distance to the entrance of the park, making it easy to get to without having to arrange transportation.
The Cons of Visiting From Zimbabwe
- More Expensive
The Zimbabwean side is significantly pricier with the entrance to Victoria Falls costing $50. I mean, it’s a world wonder, so I happily shelled out the money to spend the day doing laps up and down the trail. But compared to the $20 entry fee on the Zambian side (and the $30 visa for Americans to get into Zimbabwe), it is more money than many budget backpackers are willing to spend.
That price tag also extends to the town of Victoria Falls. As mentioned earlier, it’s much more of a tourist town than Livingstone, so the cost of everything is much higher. I was paying between $20-30 per meal in Victoria Falls town.
Accommodation wasn’t too bad, though. I stayed at Shoestrings Backpackers for about $20 a night. It has large common areas, a pool, a restaurant and bar, and a travel agency to help you book any activities. It’s a short walk from the main town center, if Victoria Falls can even be called a town. Shoestrings is a party hostel during the weekends, though. Keep in mind that they’ll be bumping music until the early morning, so if you’re looking for a peaceful getaway, avoid Shoestrings on the weekends.
Final Verdict: Zambia or Zimbabwe?
I enjoyed my visit to Victoria Falls in both countries, but if I could pick one country, it would be Zambia. The overall cost of visiting from the Zambian side was much lower. Livingstone is a more exciting city to use as a home base, and offers a more cultural experience than Victoria Falls town in Zimbabwe. The variety of things to do in Zambia also helps its case, with its quality of viewpoints beating out Zimbabwe’s quantity.
Of course, this can all depend on when you’re visiting. If your visit aligns with Victoria Falls’ dry season, then you’re better off visiting the Zimbabwean side. Again, you can’t go wrong with either choice. It’s one of the most breathtaking places you’ll visit in your lifetime. None of this money will matter when you’re looking back at your memories.
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