Victoria Falls Town

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

The compact tourist town near the falls, with hotels, restaurants, the craft market and tour operators. The base for everything.

Places in Victoria Falls Town

Cassia (Ilala Lodge) A top-tier hotel restaurant with an extensive South African wine list and refined African-influenced cooking, near enough the falls to hear the spray. The town's smartest dining.
Dusty Road A characterful spot serving a traditional Zimbabwean feast amid quirky retro decor, warmly recommended for authentic local flavours. Genuine and fun.
Victoria Falls Hotel high tea Afternoon high tea on the terrace of the grand colonial Victoria Falls Hotel, cake stands and all, with a view down to the falls bridge. A genteel tradition.
Shearwater Café / town cafés The town's cafés serve coffee, cake and breakfast to travellers between activities. Handy and relaxed.
Victoria Falls Hotel terrace The grand colonial hotel's terrace is a lovely spot for coffee or high tea with a view of the falls' spray and the bridge. Genteel and historic.
Victoria Falls Hotel Stanley's Terrace Sundowners on the terrace of the historic hotel, gin and tonic in hand, gazing toward the bridge and the rising spray. A timeless ritual.

Best time to visit: February to May for the falls at their fullest and most thunderous (expect heavy spray). August to October for lower water, clearer views, the Devil's Pool swim and prime safari game-viewing. Each season offers something different.
Getting around: The town is small and walkable, though wildlife (including elephants) roams, so take care at night. Taxis and hotel shuttles cover the rest; the falls and activities are minutes away. It is an easy hop across the border bridge to Zambia and a short drive to Botswana's Chobe.
Currency: US Dollar ($) Zimbabwe; Zambian Kwacha (ZK) Zambia
Language: English. Shona, Ndebele and Tonga are widely spoken.
Timezone: CAT (UTC+2)
Current trends: A growing crop of stylish safari-lodge-style hotels and riverside restaurants; a focus on conservation and community tourism; the Devil's Pool and other adventure experiences drawing thrill-seekers; and easy cross-border combining with Zambia's Livingstone and Botswana's Chobe.

The Falls & Rainforest — The national park and rainforest along the gorge, with viewpoints looking straight into the thundering chasm. The natural wonder itself.
The Zambezi Riverfront — The upstream river of lodges, sunset cruises and the calm before the falls, alive with hippos and elephants. Where the sundowners happen.
The Gorges & Batoka — The dramatic gorges downstream, the arena for rafting, bungee jumping, zip-lines and gorge swings. The adventure heart.