Victoria Falls Travel Guide: 7 Essential Tips from a Recent Visitor

Thanks to a Travelzoo deal, I recently explored Southern Africa, including Cape Town, the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park in Botswana, and the majestic Victoria Falls. This itinerary delivered a perfect blend of culture, history, natural beauty, and breathtaking landscapes.

Based on my firsthand experience, here are seven practical tips to make the most of your Victoria Falls visit:

1. Bring plenty of $1 U.S. bills for tipping. Zimbabwe uses the U.S. dollar as its currency, and changing larger bills into $1s can be challenging.

2. Expect to get soaked! Pack a raincoat (available to borrow from stalls across from the entrance), sandals or spare shoes (my "waterproof" ones were drenched inside and out), and protect your camera in a Ziploc bag or waterproof case.

3. Visit in the afternoon for the best rainbows. I confirmed this after exploring both afternoon and morning—afternoons delivered more vivid displays.

4. For views from Victoria Falls Bridge (connecting Zimbabwe and Zambia), ask Zimbabwean immigration for permission to walk across and back without an exit stamp. This avoids needing a new visa if you have a single-entry one. (I couldn't try this without my passport.)

5. Skip the Zambian side unless you have yellow fever vaccination proof—Zimbabwe and South Africa often require it after Zambia visits. Most falls are visible from Zimbabwe.

6. Watch hundreds of vultures at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge's 1 p.m. feeding. Enjoy watering hole views from their restaurants (meals are pricey, like $15 burgers), and try unique dishes like crocodile or warthog.

7. Check weather before a Zambezi River sunset cruise. I encountered a severe storm—unlike any the crew had seen—making it a close call.