When visiting Victoria Falls in Africa, many people first need to decide which side to visit: Zimbabwe or Zambia. The waterfall can be viewed from the two countries as the Zambezi River provides the border between them. Much like Niagara Falls straddles the USA and Canada, Victoria Falls is accessible from either country. Knowing we had the time, Jon and I decided to stay in each country for a few days and see the Falls from both. Did we have a favorite? Let’s compare to find out!

The view from the Zimbabwe side of the Falls gave us a good overview of the entire waterfall.

Proximity

Victoria Falls is situated on the border of two countries: Zambia and Zimbabwe. By obtaining the Kaza visa, we paid for a joint visa that would allow us to visit both countries within a 30 day period. As we finished our Intrepid tour in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, we visited that side of the Falls first. From our campground, we walked approximately one mile to the Falls. A pathway led us straight from the main part of town to an area with souvenir shops across the street to the entrance, where we could pay to access the trails and viewpoints inside. After crossing the border into Zambia, we spent a few days in the city of Livingstone, which is located about 6 miles away from the Falls. In order to access the Falls from Livingstone, we had to take a taxi to and from the entrance. When leaving, it took us a few minutes to find a taxi to take us back to our hotel and then a 10 minute drive before we returned.

Proximity Winner: Zimbabwe. Victoria Falls was conveniently located within walking distance to the Falls, allowing us to access the natural wonder on our own timeframe.

We visited the Zimbabwe side of the Falls with a couple friends (hi Ellie and Sam!) from our Intrepid tour. This picture was taken on the pathway between Victoria Falls (the town) and the entrance to the Falls.

Cost

As with any major site around the world, we had to pay an entry fee to view Victoria Falls from both Zimbabwe and Zambia. The price of admittance in Victoria Falls was $30 USD per person and the cost in Livingstone was $20 USD per person. The ticket in Zimbabwe was included as part of our Intrepid tour, so we were reimbursed by Makori upon return. In addition, in Zambia, we had to pay for a taxi to drive us to and from the Falls which added an extra $20 USD to the total.

Cost Winner: Zimbabwe. While the costs would have been the same if we paid for them on our own, our ticket to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe was included in our Intrepid tour so ended up being no cost to us.

“Mosi-Oa-Tunya” means “Smoke That Thunders.” This is what the locals called the Falls before the Europeans arrived.

Trails

Once inside the entrance gate, both the Zimbabwean and Zambian sides had a series of trails that you could walk with lookout points to view the Falls. In Zimbabwe, the lookouts were numbered and some were named, allowing you to keep track of where you had been. The main trail led through the jungle parallel to the edge and each lookout point gave you a different perspective of the Falls. We stopped at each, looking out at each section of the Falls as well as the Victoria Falls Bridge which links the two countries. The views gave us a good overview of the size and scope of the Falls, since we were seeing them from the opposite river bank. In Zambia, the trails also led through the jungle but wound their way around the rocks and water, including the Knife-Edge Bridge that joined two sections of land. The trails weren’t numbered so it was up to us to find our way around, but provided closer looks at the water and river below. We also hiked down to the base of the river to the Boiling Pot, letting us observe the Falls from a different angle. Both sides of the Falls provided signs and statues placed along the trails, giving us information about the history of the area, forming of the Falls, and geography of the landscape.

Trails Winner: Zambia. This was a close one, but I loved the trail down to the Boiling Pot and the bridge that we crossed as we were right next to the Falls.

On the Zambian side, we hiked down to the bottom to the Boiling Pot viewpoint.

While most of the paths were very well maintained, we came across a huge tree that had fallen on the Zimbabwe side!

Wetness

Both sides of Victoria Falls provide opportunities to get wet along the paths. While visiting the Zimbabwe side, walking out along the path at trail stop #13 quickly got us soaking wet in our shorts and tshirts. Although we had heard that we would get wet, we hadn’t expected it since all the other lookout points were relatively dry. Keeping the camera under our clothes and walking hunched over, we made quick work of the trail before drying out along the rest of the path. By the time we left to walk back to town, we were completely dry (aside from my tennis shoes). In Zambia, we tried planning ahead by renting two cheap ponchos before entering the park. We donned the ponchos once it came time to cross the bridge over the Falls but the cheap design and a few holes had us wet within minutes. The opportunities to get wet were greater on the Zambian side of the Falls and we were still feeling damp when we left to return to our hotel in Livingstone.

Wetness Winner: Zambia. We only got wet at one point along the trail in Zimbabwe, but were pelted with mist and spray from the Falls almost the entire time we were visiting the Zambia side.

On the Zimbabwe side, trail markers led the way parallel to the Falls with various viewpoints looking out over the edge.

We were smarter when we visited the Zambian side of the Falls and rented ponchos, although we still got wet! You can tell how much mist is in the air by the fact that you can barely make out the Falls and shore behind us!

City Appeal

Although Victoria Falls was the primary reason for us visiting both countries, the cities of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Livingstone, Zambia had different personalities and attractions. We spent three nights in Victoria Falls and another three nights in Livingstone. While in each city, we ate at different restaurants and participated in a few different activities. Victoria Falls had a larger variety of restaurants in which to eat and many adventure activities on hand to try. In addition to touring the Falls, we also took a canopy tour of nine ziplines across the gorge and a boat cruise on the Zambezi River. Since Zimbabwe has had economic problems in years past, there were a lot of touts and vendors trying to make a sale as we walked around town. Livingstone didn’t have as many restaurant options as Victoria Falls, but it had one of our favorites (Café Zambezi) where we ate once every day. While there, we went on a game drive in the national park and explored the Livingstone Museum. The people were friendly but didn’t pay too much attention to us as they went about their daily lives.

City Appeal Winner: Zambia. We loved our few days in Livingstone and would happily return for another visit someday. I loved their museum and we got to try eating caterpillars one day for dinner at our favorite café.

We loved Café Zambezi in Livingstone! For lunch one day, we ordered a Zambian sampler platter – complete with caterpillars!

Conclusion

For anyone visiting Victoria Falls for the first time, I highly recommend touring the Falls from both countries to get a different perspective and form your own comparison between the two sides. Each side of the Falls allows you to experience it in a different way, from the proximity and attractions of the nearby cities to the trails and wetness you encounter once you enter the park.

Overall Winner: Zambia. While it’s hard to pick a favorite, our preference is to return to Livingstone and the Zambian side of Victoria Falls should we return someday. We liked the laidback atmosphere of the city where we felt comfortable walking around on our own and exploring. Although the Falls were further away from the city, we enjoyed the experience of being up-close and personal with the natural wonder. With the multitude of trails to explore, taking you down to the river and winding around the edges of the falls, the Zambia side held our fascination for longer than the Zimbabwe side. Although I encourage everyone to visit both sides at least once, Jon and I are eager to visit the Falls again in Livingstone, Zambia in the future.

It was hard to get a good picture of us with the Falls, since it was so wet!

We got a lot closer to the Falls on the Zambia side. Both sides gave us different perspectives and we recommend visiting each if time allows!