Zimbabwe - Daytrip to Victoria Falls

Getting from Zambia to Zimbabwe was easier than I expected. It's very unusual for Africa that two neighboring countries have such a relaxed and easy immigration process. Tourists can go back and forth between the countries without problems. 

I stayed on the Zambia side in Livingstone, which is 10 minutes from the border. 

The two countries are separated by a river, the Zambezi River, and crossing the border is by walking over the bridge. 

My plan was to cross the border to Zimbabwe in the morning, see Victoria Falls, and get back to Zambia in the evening. It's possible to see the falls from Zambia and Zimbabwe, but from several sources I've heard and read that visiting the falls from Zimbabwe is more spectacular as it's possible to see them on a larger scale.

Although a big question for this visit in general was: Will the Victoria Falls be better than the Iguazu Falls in Brazil? 

I doubted it but will figure it out.

How to get to Zimbabwe from Zambia in one day?

There was almost zero traffic on the bridge and the same small amount of people, but most of them locals. I had this Kaza Univisa which allows tourists to cross between the two countries as often as desired. Basically, it was four simple steps to get to Zimbabwe:

1. Go to the Zambia immigration office and get the exit stamp (the taxi to the border was like 5 dollars)

2. Walk over the bridge for 20 minutes

3. Go to the Zimbabwe immigration office and get the entry stamp

Entering Victora Falls Waterfalls in Zimbabwe

After the immigration office, the entry to victoria falls was 200 meters further along the road. It's impossible to not find it as it's crowded with bus loads of tourists. Outside were hordes of visitors arriving and walking around the souvenir shops.

But there was no queue at the ticket booth and all went quickly. The entry was 30 USD (which is the same price for decades they told me).  After entering the premises it's not allowed to go out and back in without buying a new ticket. 

From the entry station, it's easy as well, by just following the path along the waterfalls for like 1.5 km until the end and walking back the same path again.

The staff along the path advised visitors to look out for snakes, monkeys, and warthogs. Although the only animals I saw were warthogs.

The path is well maintained with a constant view of the falls. In total it took me about 1 hour until the end of the path.

Along the path are many viewpoints. After a certain point along the path, it gets closer to the main falls and water splashes up constantly. It feels like it's raining.

Generally, there were a lot of tourists for this time without school vacations. Interestingly most tourists seemed to come from the USA. Fully equipped with tactical safari gear and hats.

In the middle of the path, it's possible to see the visitors on the Zambian side of the falls. They are bathing in the "Devil's Pools". 

At the very end, there are some of the best views on one of the whole fall. 

At the entry station was a huge map with indicators about the path. It explains each viewpoint in detail and gives an indication about the size of Victoria Falls. 

Based on these drawings it's easy to figure out that the Zimbabwe side of the falls had a broader view on the falls. At least when there is no one in the picture taking selfies.

From there it's a simple procedure as it's all about walking back the same path. After about 2 hours I was out of Victoria Falls park. 

Which is better: Victoria Falls in Africa or Iguazu Falls in Brazil?

When comparing Victoria Falls with the Iguazu Falls in Brazil, I would definitely say Brazil's Iguazu Falls are more spectacular and has better paths with a more extended route along the falls. 

Also, in Brazil, it's possible to get much closer to the main falls which even has three-story buildings to see the main fall from different heights.

Continue from the waterfall to the town of Victoria Falls for lunch

After leaving the waterfalls I went for a visit to the town called "Victoria Falls" (almost everything is called Victoria Falls here). 

It's a quiet small town made mainly for tourists as it has countless souvenir shops, outdoor and indoor.

But I must admit the souvenir shops are the best I've ever seen anywhere. They craft safari animals in real size which look just spectacular and almost real.

Getting back to Zambia in the afternoon

In the afternoon I took a small taxi to the border. It's the same procedure as in the morning just vice versa. 

Across the bridge, there are even rickshaws for 2 dollars which provide a comfortable slow ride all across the bridge up until back to the Zambian immigration office.

The same again, stamp purely and well is. Zero problems and all very fast without any queue.

From the border towards the city is a part with wildlife. where wild elephants are walking around. Easily to spot from the cab and the main road. 

Wild animals like elephants all over 

Spectacular to see wild elephants and zebras so near a lively city. I've been told they apparently run criss-cross through the city and it's not uncommon for them to injure locals. Various signs along the road warn tourists not to get too close to Zebras. The signs have been built as tourists often got kicked and injured by Zebras, especially in front of Hotels or Restaurants. 

How to easily get to Botswana from Livingstone?

Now back in Zambia and tomorrow I will continue to Botswana. It's an easy 45 minutes taxi ride to Botswana. How to find the shared taxi to Botswana, have a look here.