5 Things to do at Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is a World Heritage Site and one of the world’s greatest natural spectacles. Long before Dr David Livingstone ‘discovered’ and renamed the falls in 1855, the local Batonga people had named them Mosi-oa-Tunya, ‘the smoke that thunders’. Victoria Falls is a great add-on to your Africa trip. Not sure I would recommend coming all the way to sub-Saharan Africa for Victoria Falls (at least from the USA) but if you’re here it’s certainly a great 2 day side trip. Here are my favorite 5 activities…

1. Walking Tour of Victoria Falls

This one seems obvious but I had to list it! We started at the David Livingstone Statue and made our way through the many viewpoints – Cataract View, Devil’s Cataract, the Main Falls and the Eastern Cataract. As you go further along the path, you get more wet from the spray of the falls…they sell rain ponchos outside the gates and I recommend getting one or else you’ll be completely soaked by the end of your walk. We visited during the full flood season (May) and when we were at the Main Falls view, the spray was so heavy we were unable to see anything; it felt like we were in the middle of a crazy rainstorm!

2. Take a Sunset Cruise along the Zambezi River

Our first evening, we took a sunset cruise along the Zambezi River. Our guide and captain said they would try to find animals but that the cruise was more about experiencing the river and sunset. Nevertheless, we saw a crocodile catching the last of the afternoon’s sun rays, a hippo pod and a glimpse of an elephant that was in the bush along the river. There were spirits and yummy appetizers throughout the cruise.

3. Ride an Elephant

Explore the African bush seated comfortably on the back of an elephant. After mounting your elephant (don’t worry, there are stairs!) your guide will share with you your elephant’s story of how they were rescued. The safari lasts about 45 minutes and when you’re done, you’ll have a chance to feed, pet and pose with your new friends.

4. British High Tea at Victoria Falls Hotel

The Victoria Falls hotel was gorgeous and exuded the colonial era. When you walked around the grounds you couldn’t help but feel as if you were transported back 100 years. Andrew and I had our first British high tea out on the terrace with a perfect view of the spray from the falls and the Victoria Falls Bridge in the distance. The tea included freshly baked scones with homemade cream and delish berry jam to dollop on top.

5. Helicopter Flight over the Falls

The Flight of Angels takes off from Maramba Airfield and within minutes you’re over the falls. Seeing Victoria Falls from the air gives you a new perspective; it made me realize how small they are in comparison to everything around them. From the ground the waterfalls seem so massive but from the air you realize they’re just another blip on the world’s surface.

Ready to continue your African virtual journey to get inspired for your next trip? Check out our trip to track mountain gorillas in Rwanda.