Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or prefer to indulge in more relaxed pursuits, there are a myriad ways to get the best view of one of the best and greatest waterfalls on Earth.
1. Walk. Take a Guided Tour of the Falls
First up, grab a local guide and a raincoat, and make a beeline for the rim of Victoria Falls at the Victoria Falls Rainforest National Park and enjoy one of the world’s most astounding hikes along the edge. Your hotel can arrange one. We highly recommend Mr Zulu from Victoria Falls Safari Lodge.
2. Cruise. Sip a cocktail at Sunset on the Zambezi River
Drift gently into dusk on the Zambezi, flanked by crocodiles and hippos, and sip on a cold local beer of the same name, while watching the sun dip. On a clear day, you’ll be able to see the plume of the Falls rising in the distance. We were fortunate enough to enjoy the sunset cruise from the Zambezi Explorer’s Signature Deck, and highly recommend it. If you have wriggle room in your budget, make space for that – it’s the top deck, with couches and loungers, and the price includes an endless stream of appetisers and cocktails that the attentive staff serve for 2.5 hours. You definitely get the bites and booze for your bucks, never mind the astonishing setting.
3. Fly. Get the Angels’ view
See the world’s greatest curtain of water from the sky. You can opt between a short flight (approximately 15 minutes) to a longer one (around 25 minutes to half an hour), the latter of which includes both the falls and a little aerial game viewing over the Zambezi National Park. If there is a slot available, try book for the earliest possible flights, to get a touch of dawn in the sky.
4. Jump! Take a leap
Nevermind faith, take the 111m leap into the highest waterfall in the world, by bungee jumping off Victoria Falls Bridge into Victoria Falls’ Bakota Gorge, with Zambia on one side, Zimbabwe on the other and the Zambezi River flowing beneathing you. If dangling from a string off of a bridge is pushing it a bit but you still want to do something exciting, you can try the Flying Fox Zipline, organised by Wild Horizons, from one side of the gorge to the other.
5. Swim!
During the dry season, get yourself bathing suited up and make your way to Devil’s Pools, from Livingstone Island, on the Zambia side. Swim to the very edge of the falls, and gaze upon the plunging depths of the falls below.
6. Ride! Enjoy a trip on the steam train at sunset
Depart from Victoria Falls Station on the Victoria Falls Steam Train, a luxurious and lovingly restored locomotive, for an unforgettable sunset and dinner experience. The five hour ride includes a four course gourmet meal, drinks and a stop to admire the incredible view.
