We're Open8am–6pm SAST
🇿🇦+27 74 315 5782
res [at] privatetourscapetown.com
WishlistPartner Portal
Zambia · Livingstone & the Zambian Falls

Victoria Falls

Mosi-oa-Tunya — The Smoke that Thunders

From the Zambian side, based in the charming town of Livingstone, you experience the world's greatest waterfall at its most intimate and adventurous. Swim at the very lip of a 100-metre drop in Devil's Pool, dine on historic Livingstone Island where the falls were first beheld in 1855, and feel the thunderous spray on Knife Edge Bridge. This is not merely sightseeing — it is standing at the edge of the world.

Best timeAug – Jan (Devil's Pool)WildlifeWhite rhino, elephant, giraffe & zebraThe park1,708 m wide · 108 m highJourneys from$1,200 pp
Explore Victoria FallsPlan with a Concierge
Scroll to Explore
Our Luxury Journeys

Multi-Day Zambia Journeys

Fully private, unhurried and all-inclusive — from a three-day Falls getaway to the six-day Falls & Wildlife Ultimate across the Zambian side. Private guides, the finest Livingstone lodges, and every sunset cruise, gorge walk and rhino encounter crafted entirely around you — the perfect way to experience the great falls and the wild river above them.

Ultra-Luxury
6 Days · 5 Nights

Falls & Wildlife Ultimate

Six Days of Thundering Falls and Untamed Wilderness

From$5,500ppView Details
High-End Luxury
5 Days · 4 Nights

Adventure & Luxury Combo

Five Days of Adrenaline and Indulgence at the Falls

From$3,600ppView Details
Luxury
4 Days · 3 Nights

Zambezi Safari Experience

Four Days Where the River, Falls and Wildlife Meet

From$2,400ppView Details
Value Luxury
3 Days · 2 Nights

Victoria Falls Getaway

Three Days at the Smoke That Thunders

From$1,200ppView Details
The Beyond Africa Difference

We don't just show you the falls. We put you on the very edge of them.

Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya — 'the Smoke that Thunders' — Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, a mile-wide curtain of water plunging over 100 metres into the Zambezi gorge. From the Zambian side, based in the historic town of Livingstone, you experience the falls at their most intimate and adventurous. Here you can swim at the very lip of the falls in Devil's Pool during low-water season, dine on Livingstone Island where David Livingstone first beheld the falls in 1855, and walk through the thunderous spray on Knife Edge Bridge. Beyond the falls, the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park shelters white rhino, giraffe and zebra beside the river, while Livingstone reigns as Africa's adventure capital — home to white-water rafting, bungee jumping, gorge swings and microlight flights. And when the day is done, riverside icons like the Royal Livingstone deliver five-star elegance with wildlife roaming the grounds. This is Victoria Falls not as a distant postcard, but as a visceral, life-altering encounter.

Devil's Pool at the Very EdgeLivingstone Island & the Knife-Edge BridgeSunset Cruises on the Upper ZambeziWhite Rhino in Mosi-oa-Tunya
Destination overview

Why Visit Victoria Falls

One of the seven natural wonders of the world, where the Zambezi plunges 100 metres into the gorge in a wall of thunder and mist you feel long before you see. From the Zambian bank you can edge into Devil's Pool at the very lip, walk the drenching Knife-Edge Bridge, cruise the upper river at sunset and track white rhino just upstream. Here is what makes it unforgettable.

  • Devil's Pool — swim at the very edge of the 100-metre falls (August–January)
  • Livingstone Island — dine where the falls were first beheld in 1855
  • Knife Edge Bridge — walk through the thunderous spray for panoramic views
  • Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park — white rhino, giraffe and zebra beside the falls
  • Africa's adventure capital — rafting, bungee, gorge swings and microlight flights
  • Royal Livingstone luxury — five-star riverside elegance with wildlife on the grounds
The wildlife

Wildlife You'll Encounter

Big Five

White Rhino

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park hosts a protected white rhino population — guided rhino-tracking walks offer close, safe encounters.

Big Five

African Elephant

Elephant herds frequent the Zambezi banks and cross between islands — often seen on sunset cruises and game drives.

Giraffe

Giraffe roam Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and, remarkably, the manicured grounds of the Royal Livingstone Hotel.

Hippopotamus

Pods of hippos populate the upper Zambezi — a common and dramatic sight on river cruises and from riverside lodges.

Zebra

Plains zebra graze freely in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and around the luxury lodges near the falls.

African Fish Eagle

The iconic call of the fish eagle echoes along the Zambezi — frequently spotted on river cruises and falls walks.

The Signature Collection

The Experiences That Define Victoria Falls

Where the Victoria Falls story unfolds. Swim at the very brink in Devil's Pool, stand where Livingstone first saw the falls in 1855, feel the spray soak you on the Knife-Edge Bridge, and drift the upper Zambezi as the sun sinks behind the gorge — each one built into your itinerary by your private concierge.

2–4 hours

Devil's Pool & Livingstone Island Tour

The signature Zambian experience. Take a short boat ride to historic Livingstone Island, walk the site where David Livingstone first viewed the falls in 1855, and — during low-water season — swim in Devil's Pool at the very edge of the 100-metre drop. Tours conclude with a gourmet breakfast, lunch or high tea on the island. Guided by certified experts; confident swimmers only.

  • Certified guide
  • Boat transfer to the island
  • Gourmet meal or high tea
  • Devil's Pool swim (seasonal)
Enquire with a Concierge
2–3 hours

Knife Edge Bridge & Falls Walk

Within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, walk the trails to Knife Edge Bridge — a narrow footbridge offering the most dramatic, intimate views of the Eastern Cataract and Zambezi gorge. During high-water season (February–May), expect to be thoroughly drenched by the thunderous spray. Rainbows arc through the mist and the roar is deafening — the falls at their most powerful and immersive.

  • National park access
  • Falls viewpoints
  • Knife Edge Bridge
  • Guided option available
Enquire with a Concierge
2–3 hours

Zambezi Sunset Cruise & River Safari

Glide along the upper Zambezi River aboard a sunset cruise as the African sky ignites in gold and crimson. Spot hippos, crocodiles and elephants along the banks while sipping gin and tonic. The tranquil waters above the falls offer a serene counterpoint to the thunderous drama downstream — a quintessential African sundowner experience.

  • River cruise
  • Drinks & canapés
  • Wildlife viewing
  • Sunset over the Zambezi
Enquire with a Concierge
Half-day to full-day

Adventure Capital — Rafting, Bungee & Microlight

Livingstone is Africa's adventure capital. Tackle the world-class Grade V white-water rapids of the Zambezi below the falls, leap from the 111-metre Victoria Falls Bridge on a bungee, soar over the falls in a microlight or helicopter, or brave the gorge swing. For adrenaline seekers, no destination on earth delivers like the Zambian side.

  • Certified operators & guides
  • Safety equipment
  • Choice of activities
  • Transfers
Enquire with a Concierge
More Zambia Journeys

Extend Your Zambia Journey

The Falls are Zambia's grand overture — but the country's wild heart beats upstream, in the walking-safari plains of South Luangwa and the island-strewn channels of the Lower Zambezi. Add a walking safari to your Falls stay, or extend a river-and-wildlife adventure, and shape a longer journey through the finest of wild Zambia — each of these curated journeys leads to a real itinerary our concierge will tailor to you.

Ultimate Walking Safari

7 daysFrom$4,500pp
Explore & Book

South Luangwa Explorer

5 daysFrom$2,500pp
Explore & Book
Instant-Book Adventure Experiences

Explore Our Complete Adventure Catalog

Looking for more Southern African safari and adventure experiences? Visit Gray Line South Africa — our sister company — for a full catalog of instant-book tours across the region, with live availability and instant confirmation.

Browse Gray Line South Africa
Mosi-oa-Tunya · The Smoke That Thunders

The Falls & the Gorge

Victoria Falls is defined by water and thunder — a curtain of the Zambezi more than a mile across folding over a 100-metre lip into the zig-zag gorge below. In high water the spray climbs half a kilometre into the sky, feeding rainbows and a permanent rainforest along the rim; in the low season the flow thins to bare the rock and open Devil's Pool, where you can swim to the very edge. From the Zambian bank you walk the Knife-Edge Bridge into the drench, ride the upper river at sunset among hippo and elephant, and stand where Livingstone first named the falls in 1855. This is one of the seven natural wonders of the world — visceral, deafening and unforgettable.

Devil's Pool at the EdgeLivingstone IslandThe Knife-Edge BridgeSunset Cruises UpriverRainbows in the SprayWhite Rhino Upstream
Plan a Victoria Falls Journey
A Romantic Escape

The Smoke that Thunders, for Two

The Zambian bank of the Zambezi is where the world's greatest waterfall turns tender. Here honeymoons are measured in champagne breakfasts on Livingstone Island, in sunset drifts past surfacing hippo, in open-fronted suites where the river runs beneath your bed and giraffe graze the lawns at dawn. Devil's Pool at the very lip of the falls, private islands with no one else for miles, and the eternal rainbow mist as your backdrop — this is romance written in spray and gold.

Champagne above the falls

Motor out to historic Livingstone Island for a private champagne breakfast or high tea served at the very brink of the falls — the Zambezi folding into the gorge just an arm's length away, spray drifting over your table. Between courses, slip into Devil's Pool and float at the edge of the world, two hearts on the precipice.

Sunset cruises for two

As the heat softens, drift the glassy upper Zambezi with a flute in hand — pods of hippo surfacing, elephant drinking on the banks, and the whole sky catching fire behind the palm-fringed islands. A private sundowner cruise here is the golden hour every honeymoon deserves.

Riverside plunge pools

Retreat to open-fronted suites and private plunge pools that hang right over the river, each with its own valet and nothing between you and the water but warm Zambian air. On secluded private islands upstream, the only sounds are birdsong, the river, and the two of you — barefoot luxury at its most intimate.

The falls at your doorstep

Fall asleep to the distant roar of Mosi-oa-Tunya — the Smoke that Thunders — and wake to rainbows arcing through the spray at first light. A five-minute stroll delivers you to the falls whenever you please, mist on your skin and a double rainbow overhead: a backdrop no honeymoon album could ever exhaust.

Plan a Victoria Falls Honeymoon
Photo gallery

Victoria Falls in Pictures

Eastern Cataract of Victoria Falls, Zambia
The Eastern Cataract in full flow, viewed from Zambia
Devil's Pool edge, Victoria Falls Zambia
Devil's Pool — swimming at the very edge of the 100-metre falls
Devil's Pool infinity edge, Victoria Falls
The ultimate infinity pool at the precipice of the Zambezi
Livingstone Island dining, Victoria Falls Zambia
Gourmet dining on historic Livingstone Island
Knife Edge Bridge, Victoria Falls Zambia
Knife Edge Bridge — walk through the thunderous spray
Rainbow in the mist of Victoria Falls, Zambia
Rainbows arc through the eternal mist of Mosi-oa-Tunya
Royal Livingstone Hotel, Victoria Falls Zambia
The Royal Livingstone — five-star riverside elegance
Zambezi sunset cruise, Victoria Falls Zambia
Sunset cruise on the upper Zambezi River
The perfect Southern African journey

Pair Victoria Falls with a Journey

Victoria Falls pairs beautifully with the wild heart of Zambia. Follow the thunder of the falls with the walking safaris of South Luangwa, the canoe safaris of the Lower Zambezi, or the remote plains of Kafue and Liuwa — and we'll weave it all into one seamless itinerary.

Lower Zambezi · The Great River Wilderness

Pair the falls with the Lower Zambezi's canoe safaris — both on the mighty Zambezi River.

Kafue · The Busanga Plains

Combine the Smoke that Thunders with Kafue's Busanga Plains for falls-and-safari perfection.

Liuwa Plain · Africa's Second Migration

Bookend the remote Liuwa migration with the adventure and luxury of Livingstone.

How the Zambian Side Compares

Victoria Falls: Zambia vs Zimbabwe

Both sides of the falls offer unique perspectives — here's how the Zambian side stands out.

FeatureZambian SideZimbabwe Side
Signature experienceDevil's Pool & Livingstone Island — swim at the edgePanoramic full-falls views (Zimbabwe side)
Falls viewsIntimate, up-close — Eastern Cataract & Knife EdgeBroader, front-on panorama (Zimbabwe)
AdventureAdventure capital — rafting, bungee, gorge swingAvailable from both sides at the bridge
WildlifeWhite rhino & game in Mosi-oa-Tunya NPZambezi National Park (Zimbabwe)
Base townLivingstone — historic & relaxedVictoria Falls town (Zimbabwe)
Best timeAug–Jan for Devil's Pool; Feb–May for full flowYear-round front-on views
Plan your timing

When to Visit Victoria Falls

Devil's Pool Season

August – January
★★★★★

Low-water season is when Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island tours operate — the signature Zambian experiences. The falls are gentler in volume, but the swimming and island access are unmatched. September to December offers the clearest views and safest pool conditions.

Warm to hot (25–38°C) · Clear skies

Peak Flow Season

February – May
★★★★☆

Peak flood season — the falls are at their most thunderous and voluminous. Knife Edge Bridge delivers a soaking, immersive experience with spectacular rainbows. Spray can obscure views, and Devil's Pool is closed for safety, but the raw power is unforgettable.

Warm & humid (24–34°C) · Heavy spray

Shoulder — Best of Both

June – July
★★★★☆

The sweet spot: high enough water for a dramatic falls display, yet Devil's Pool begins opening in August. Clear skies, cool temperatures and excellent wildlife viewing — an ideal balance of spectacle and adventure.

Cool mornings, warm days (12–30°C) · Clear skies

Month-by-Month Guide

Good to know

Useful Victoria Falls Travel Tips

The practical details that make a safari effortless — gathered from years of crafting private Zambia itineraries for our guests.

Book Devil's Pool ahead

Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island tours sell out, especially August–December. Reserve well in advance — we can secure hard-to-get slots.

Time it to your priority

Visit August–January for Devil's Pool, or February–May for the falls at their most thunderous. June–July offers the best of both.

Protect your electronics

Knife Edge Bridge soaks you in high-water season — bring waterproof protection for cameras and phones.

See both sides

A day visa lets you also view the falls from the Zimbabwe side for a broader panorama — we arrange the border formalities.

Health precautions

Malaria prophylaxis and yellow-fever vaccination are recommended — consult your travel clinic before departure.

Carry USD cash

Bring US dollars for activities, park fees and tips; ATMs in Livingstone can be unreliable.

Location & Access

Getting to Victoria Falls

17.9243° S, 25.8572° E

Your Journey

The Zambian side is reached via Livingstone, just minutes from the falls.

  • Fly into Livingstone (LVI)
  • Transfer to your lodge
  • Explore the falls & beyond

We arrange all flights, transfers, border formalities and activity bookings — including hard-to-secure Devil's Pool slots.

Where to stay

Our Hand-Picked Victoria Falls Camps

From the grand colonial-era hotels of Livingstone to the intimate island lodges and riverside suites on the banks of the upper Zambezi, the most coveted addresses beside the falls, each held for you by our concierge.

★★★★★$$$$$

The Royal Livingstone by Anantara

The crown jewel of Livingstone luxury — a Victorian-era masterpiece on the banks of the Zambezi within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, a five-minute walk from the falls. Elegant rooms with private verandas, butler service, and zebras and giraffes roaming the manicured grounds, plus unlimited falls access and the iconic Royal Livingstone Express steam-train dining experience.

The grande dame of the Zambezi — a Victorian-era masterpiece set on manicured lawns within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, a five-minute riverside stroll from the falls themselves. Butlers glide between colonnaded verandas, resident zebra and giraffe drift across the grounds at golden hour, and sundowners are poured on a deck where the Zambezi slides toward the precipice. Unlimited falls access and the fabled steam-train dining make it Livingstone's most romantic address.

Anantara · Victorian-era icon

FromR 11,895per person, per night

★★★★★$$$$$

Tongabezi Lodge

An award-winning, romantic riverside lodge upstream of the falls, renowned for personalised service and stunning open-fronted houses perched above the Zambezi, each with a private valet. Tongabezi operates the exclusive Livingstone Island and Devil's Pool tours — perfect for honeymoons and intimate luxury away from the crowds.

An icon of Zambezi romance, upstream of the crowds where the river runs wide and quiet. Open-fronted houses and cliffside cottages are carved into the bank — several with their own valet, plunge pool and a bed that rolls out beneath the stars. As the exclusive operator of Livingstone Island and Devil's Pool, Tongabezi turns a honeymoon into legend: private dinners on a sandbank, candlelit baths above the water, and service that anticipates every wish.

Green Safaris · multi-award-winning

FromR 13,176per person, per night

★★★★★$$$$

Thorntree River Lodge

A contemporary, eco-conscious luxury lodge within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, blending modern African design with riverside serenity. Ten spacious suites with private plunge pools overlook the Zambezi, and game drives within the park reveal white rhino, giraffe and zebra — an ideal base combining safari and falls in refined comfort.

Contemporary and light-filled, Thorntree threads modern African design through riverine forest inside the national park. Ten airy suites open to private plunge pools above the Zambezi, and game drives from the door reveal white rhino, giraffe and zebra before you have finished breakfast. It is the rare address that folds a genuine safari and the world's greatest waterfall into a single, refined riverside stay.

African Bush Camps · eco-luxury

FromR 10,614per person, per night

★★★★★$$$$$

Sindabezi Island Camp

Tongabezi's private-island sister camp — five open-air chalets on a pristine Zambezi island, entirely solar-powered and utterly secluded. The ultimate barefoot-luxury eco-retreat, where you fall asleep to the sound of the river and wake to hippos grazing nearby. A rare, romantic escape for total immersion in the wild Zambezi.

Tongabezi's barefoot-luxury sister camp — five open-air chalets scattered across a private Zambezi island, entirely solar-powered and gloriously off-grid. There is no glass between you and the river: you fall asleep to its murmur and wake to hippo grazing at the water's edge and elephant crossing the shallows. For couples who want the wild all to themselves, no more secluded honeymoon island exists on this stretch of the river.

Green Safaris · solar-powered island retreat

FromR 12,627per person, per night

Worth the premium

Why It Justifies the Price

The Zambian side delivers the world's greatest waterfall at its most intimate, adventurous and luxurious — here is what makes it exceptional.

Devil's Pool — swim at the edge

During low-water season, a natural rock lip lets the brave swim to the very precipice of the falls and peer over a 100-metre drop — an experience found nowhere else on earth.

Historic Livingstone Island

Reach the island on the crest of the falls where David Livingstone first beheld Mosi-oa-Tunya in 1855, and dine there with the Zambezi thundering all around you.

Knife Edge Bridge

Walk the narrow bridge into the spray for the most dramatic, intimate views of the Eastern Cataract — drenched by mist and framed by rainbows.

Africa's adventure capital

Livingstone offers world-class rafting, a 111-metre bungee, gorge swings, zip-lines and microlight flights over the falls — the ultimate adrenaline destination.

Royal Livingstone luxury

Riverside icons like the Royal Livingstone pair five-star elegance with unlimited falls access and zebra and giraffe roaming the grounds.

Every journey is privately guided, fully bonded and backed by our 4.9/5 rating from more than 200,000 guests since 2008 — with a dedicated concierge from first enquiry to final farewell.

Good to know

Victoria Falls, Answered

Should I visit Victoria Falls from Zambia or Zimbabwe?

Both offer unique perspectives. Zambia (Livingstone) offers the more intimate, adventurous experience — Devil's Pool, Livingstone Island and Knife Edge Bridge put you right at the edge. Zimbabwe offers broader panoramic views of the full falls. Ideally, visit both. Zambia is superior for adventure and the iconic Devil's Pool swim.

When can I swim in Devil's Pool?

Devil's Pool is open during low-water season, typically mid-August to January (exact dates depend on annual river levels). During high-water season it's closed for safety. When water is too high for Devil's Pool but still safe, alternative pools such as Angel's Pool may be offered. It's booked via the Livingstone Island tour operators.

Is Devil's Pool safe?

When accessed through certified guided tours, Devil's Pool has an excellent safety record. A natural rock lip prevents swimmers from being swept over, and guides assist throughout, often holding your feet as you lean over the edge. It requires the ability to swim and moderate fitness, and is only accessible via official Livingstone Island tours — never attempt it independently.

How do I get to the Zambian side of Victoria Falls?

Fly into Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (Livingstone, LVI), just 15 minutes from the falls, or fly into Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) and cross the border. Most luxury lodges arrange seamless transfers, and the falls and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park are a short drive from Livingstone town.

What is Mosi-oa-Tunya?

Mosi-oa-Tunya means 'the Smoke that Thunders' in the local Tonga language — the indigenous name for Victoria Falls, referring to the towering column of spray and deafening roar. It is also the name of the national park on the Zambian side, home to white rhino, giraffe and other wildlife.

Can I see wildlife at Victoria Falls, Zambia?

Yes. Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park hosts white rhino (with guided tracking), giraffe, zebra, elephant, buffalo and antelope. Remarkably, wildlife also roams the grounds of luxury hotels like the Royal Livingstone, and Zambezi cruises reveal hippos, crocodiles and elephants — a rare combination of natural wonder and genuine safari.

What adventure activities are available in Livingstone?

Livingstone is Africa's adventure capital: white-water rafting (Grade V rapids), bungee jumping from the 111-metre Victoria Falls Bridge, gorge swings, zip-lining, microlight and helicopter flights over the falls, jet boating and abseiling. Combined with Devil's Pool, it's the ultimate adrenaline destination.

How many days should I spend at Victoria Falls, Zambia?

We recommend a minimum of 2–3 nights to experience the falls, Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island, a sunset cruise and optional adventure activities. Add extra days for rafting, Mosi-oa-Tunya game drives or simply relaxing at a riverside lodge. It combines superbly with a Zambian safari to Kafue, Lower Zambezi or Liuwa.

Your journey, your way

Ready to start planning your Victoria Falls journey?

Tell us how you love to travel and we'll shape a private journey around you — every flight, every transfer, every cruise and every falls excursion taken care of. One dedicated concierge, start to finish.

  • 18+ Years of Excellence
  • 4.9/5 Guest Rated
  • 200,000+ Guests Since 2008
Plan My Victoria Falls JourneyBrowse Every Zambia Journey
Chat