The immense and awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, known locally as “Mosi-oa-Tunya” – the Smoke that Thunders – is the world’s greatest waterfall - a breathtaking spectacle which throws up great clouds of spray visible for miles around. David Livingstone ‘discovered’ the falls in 1855 exclaiming, "scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by Angels in their flight”.

Made up of five separate falls - the Devil's Cataract, Main Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Rainbow Falls and Eastern Cataract and spanning 1,700 metres in width, the highest point along the fall line is at Rainbow Falls with a drop of 110 metres. The Zambezi River flow peaks at the end of April each year, with an average high water volume going over the Falls of 500 000 m3 per minute. The river then begins to drop steadily until it gets to low water which is normally the first week of November, with an average low water volume of 20 000 m3 a minute.

The Victoria Falls Bridge, built by Cecil Rhodes in 1905, spans the gorge and forms the Zimbabwean / Zambian border, providing easy access between the two countries. The famous Victoria Falls bungee jump is done from this bridge, with a terrifying drop of 360ft (111m). The bridge has an amazing view of the Falls and the lush green mist-soaked rain forest on its edge, although nothing can beat a 'Flight of Angels' to fully appreciate the size and grandeur of the falls. There are many vantage points on numerous paths, each giving a different view and some giving a good dousing from the spray. As the Zambezi River enters the steep sided Batoka Gorge, numerous rapids provide the “best one day white water rafting experience in the world”. 

Other things to do here include guided tours of the Falls; river boarding; kayaking; sunset cruises on the Upper Zambezi; craft markets; crocodile farms; helicopter flights; horse riding; golf; elephant rides, picnic lunches on Livingstone Island or just relaxing in the comfort of your hotel. Just about any adrenaline sport can be attempted here, either on the Zimbabwean or Zambian side. Many people prefer the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls, as it is less commercially developed and also at present the political climate in Zimbabwe is such that we are hesitant to make recommendations of hotels in Zimbabwe, and prefer the more stable Zambian side.

Access

There are direct flights from both Cape Town and Johannesburg to Livingstone Airport daily.

Hotels

Sun International’s resort along the Zambian banks of the great Zambezi River consists of two luxury hotels, the Royal Livingstone & the Zambezi Sun, as well as the Falls Entertainment and Convention Centre, all situated on a 46 hectare private site of unspoiled African bushveld inside the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Wildlife Park. The close proximity to The Victoria Falls makes this resort unique, as guests are invited to take a leisurely stroll along the banks of the Zambezi that lead right up to the ‘smoke that thunders’.

Royal Livingstone Hotel (5 star)

The Royal Livingstone overlooks the smooth waters just before it plunges over the legendary waterfall creating a permanent waterspray.  As you sit on the sundeck overlooking the forest and the Zambezi, rainbows fill the air creating an enchanting atmosphere. The hotel has been named as one of the 'Leading Hotels in the World' for its exceptional levels of service, fine dining, comfort and hospitality.

The hotel consists of a series of 17 colonial-style buildings with deep verandas, set amidst indigenous trees and plants. The main hotel is a sequence of thatch-roofed buildings and incorporates the lounge, restaurant and bar. The swimming pool visually links the river with the terraces of the hotel, with a sweeping timber deck in the swirling waters of the Zambezi.

Large, shaded and spacious verandas fall within the colonial style architecture of the Royal Livingstone. The bedrooms are located in two-story clusters and are luxurious & spacious. Each cluster has 10 en-suite bedrooms, each with their own private terrace and five-star amenities.

Zambezi Sun (3 star)

The Zambezi Sun, a three star hotel located right on the edge of the Eastern Cataract of The Falls, is both a sanctuary and a world of activity.  All 212 en-suite guestrooms are open and airy, and are skilfully crafted in a fusion of Zambian design providing an atmosphere that is bright, fun and welcoming. All are air-conditioned with satellite television, mini-safe, tea and coffee making facilities.

All rooms face outwards onto the natural African bush or spill inwards onto a landscaped pool that is an irresistible oasis on hot summer days.  The rooms have spacious bathrooms offering a separate bath and shower, and a private balcony. They have been designed with singles, couples and families in mind and offer guests a choice of holiday lodgings.  39 rooms have king-size beds and sleeper couches, the remaining 167 rooms have two double beds, a queen size bed or two separate single beds. The 4 suites offer more in terms of luxury and space.

Outside activities centre around the spacious pool area where you are invited to have a dip, or sip on colourful iced cocktails under the leafy canopy of acacia trees.  There is an ‘alfresco’ grill located alongside the entertainment area at the pool and is an ideal spot for light, inexpensive poolside lunches. Alternatively, there is also an indoor buffet restaurant overlooking the pool, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.  In the evening you can look forward to dancing to the sounds of a live band (6 nights a week), candlelit dinner for two with the promise of fine cuisine, a lively gathering of friends at the Pool Bar, an evening of dazzling entertainment African style or the thrill of winning at the resort’s on-site casino.

Lodges

Tongabezi Lodge
Experience Extraordinaire

Tongabezi is a small, secluded lodge situated on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River 25 kms upstream from Victoria Falls and 18 kms from Livingstone. It is a wonderfully peaceful alternative to staying in one of the hotels on the busy Zimbabwean side of the Victoria Falls. Set in a tranquil grove of African Ebony trees on a sweeping bend of the Zambezi River, Tongabezi's accommodation offers something totally different and unexpected. Accommodation is in five luxury thatched cottages and four spacious open fronted lodge houses. All rooms have magnificent views of the river and a private verandah. Dinner is a hosted occasion or room service.

Four double and one twin thatched cottages have private verandahs overlooking the river, en-suite bathrooms, bath and separate shower, flush loos with views hot and cold running water. The Tree House, Bird House, Honeymoon House. Nut House and Dog House each have unique architectural features, four-poster oversized beds with unique and large airy mosquito canopies, ensuite bathrooms, flush loos with view, running hot and cold water (shower and bath).

Activities included in the rate: visits to Victoria Falls, Livingstone museums and markets, the Mosi oa Tunya National Park, swimming pool, grass tennis courts, birding, fishing, boating, canoeing, and walking or simply watching the elephants, hippos and game go by.