If you were wondering how to visit Victoria Falls from South Africa on a budget? Then this is the guide for you.
Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world. It is one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, alongside the likes of Mount Everest, the Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Victoria Falls straddles the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia on the Zambezi River.
Around 75% of the falls are situated on the Zimbabwe side, with the remaining 25% being situated in Zambia. Don’t let this put you off from visiting the Zambian side, the views are no less stunning.
Unfortunately, all of this comes at a price and Victoria Falls can be difficult to visit as a traveler on a budget.
In this guide I am going to describe how to visit Victoria Falls from South Africa on a budget and outline all the costs you should expect.
Where to Stay in Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe or Zambia?
Most travellers’ trips to South Africa will start and finish in Johannesburg, which makes a side trip to Victoria Falls an easy decision.
If you are wondering where to stay in Victoria Falls, then you have the option of basing yourself in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe – a small tourist orientated town, or Livingstone, Zambia – a small city with a more local feel.
The best place to stay in Victoria Falls depends on what you are looking for.
If you are short on time, I would recommend staying in Victoria Falls town in Zimbabwe due to its easier access to the falls. The entrance to the falls is within walking distance of the town.
However, accommodation in Victoria Falls is generally more expensive than Livingstone.
If you want more value for money, stay in Livingstone but note the falls are not within easy walking distance, you will need to get a taxi. It cost around 10 USD for a taxi ride to the entrance of the falls or the border with Zimbabwe in July 2025.
If you aren’t short on time I’d recommend staying a couple of nights in both countries. When I visited, I was fortunate enough to stay 3 nights in Victoria Falls and 3 nights in Livingstone.
Do I Need a Visa to Visit Zimbabwe?
Yes – the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most EU countries require a Visa to enter Zimbabwe.
You have the option of getting a Visa On Arrival, where you pay at the airport in Zimbabwe, or you can apply online for an e-Visa before travelling.
- Single Entry – allows 1 entry within 1 month (no re-entry allowed) – 30 USD*
- Double Entry – allows 2 entries within 3 months of issue date – 45 – USD*
- Multiple Entry – allows any number of entries within 6 months of issue date – 55 USD*
- KAZA UNIVISA – allows for travel back and forth between Zimbabwe and Zambia, and day trips into Botswana at the Kazungula Border. Valid for 30 days, invalid if you spend the night in Botswana – 50 USD*
*THE VISA FEES FOR BRITISH, IRISH & CANADIAN CITIZENS DIFFER*
| VISA FEES FOR UK & IRELAND | VISA FEES FOR CANADA |
| SINGLE ENTRY – 55 USD DOUBLE ENTRY – 70 USD MULTIPLE ENTRY – 55 USD KAZA UNIVISA – 50 USD | SINGLE ENTRY – 75 USD DOUBLE ENTRY – NOT AVAILABLE MULTIPLE ENTRY – NOT AVAILABLE KAZA UNIVISA – 50 USD |
If you are a British, Irish or Canadian, the cheapest and most cost-effective visa to get is the KAZA UNIVISA.
I am a British Citizen, and I got a KAZA UNIVISA for 50 USD. This allowed me to enter Zimbabwe, cross into Zambia, take a day trip to Botswana from Zambia, and cross back into Zimbabwe to exit.
I applied for the e-Visa online simply because I was running low on passport pages. The process was simple and relatively quick. If you don’t have long left before your trip, get the Visa On Arrival to be on the safe side, the price is the same as online.
Certain countries are exempt from visa requirements and other countries must apply for an e-visa before arrival. You can check online for individual country visa requirements.
Do I Need a Visa to Enter Zambia?
No – the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most EU countries do not need a visa to enter Zambia. A return ticket or proof of onward travel is required.
For the requirements of other countries, check online.
How to Get to Victoria Falls from South Africa?
Getting to Victoria Falls from South Africa is easy; you can take a short flight from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport (JNB) to either Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) in Zimbabwe or Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI) in Zambia.
The flight time is around 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Alternatively, you can also fly direct from Cape Town Airport (CPT), the flight time is around 2 hours and 50 minutes.
I flew with Fly Safair into and out of Victoria Falls Airport from Johannesburg, simply because it was the cheapest option available at the time.
If you are planning to spend a couple of nights in both Zimbabwe and Zambia, it might make most sense to fly into one country and leave from the other. If this isn’t possible due to flight costs and you still plan on seeing both sides of the falls, make sure to get a visa that allows more than one entry into Zimbabwe.
You can also take a 14-hour bus to the falls. I’d recommend flying as affordable flights are available.
You can read my Ultimate 3-Week South Africa Itinerary here.
Getting to and from the Airport
You can arrange a transfer through your accommodation or take a taxi.
The Victoria Falls Airport is a 20–30-minute ride from the town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, whilst Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula Airport is slightly closer just at the edge of Livingstone in Zambia.
I arranged a transfer through my accommodation from the Victoria Falls airport to the hotel and it was 15 USD per person. On the return to the airport, I took a taxi, and it cost 20 USD for two people.
Visiting Victoria Falls from Zimbabwe
The Zimbabwe side of the falls is situated in Victoria Falls National Park.
The entrance fee for international visitors aged 12 years and over is 50 USD for a single entry. Make sure to spend enough time there, as once you leave the park you will have to pay the full entrance fee again to re-enter.
The Falls are located within easy walking distance of Victoria Falls Town, however taxis are available if you prefer and cost around 5 USD in July 2025.
Zimbabwe is home to 75% of the falls and some of the most iconic panoramic viewpoints such as the Main Falls, Horseshoe Falls and Rainbow Falls. From Danger Point (my favourite viewpoint) you can see across to the Zambian side.
Visiting Victoria Falls from Zambia
The Zambian side of Victoria Falls is located within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.
The entrance fee for international visitors aged 12 years and over is 20 USD.
The remaining 25% of the falls are located on the Zambian side. Despite its smaller area, the views are just as spectacular. Here, you can see the famous Knife-Edge Bridge viewpoint and if you’re brave enough, swim on the edge of Devil’s Pool at the top of the falls.
You can also walk the Boiling Pot Trail to the base of the gorge for incredible views of the Boiling Pot whirlpool and Victoria Falls Bridge. The walk is steep and can be difficult in the heat so take plenty of water.
Crossing Victoria Falls Bridge
To cross over from the Zimbabwe side to the Zambian side, you need to cross the Victoria Falls Bridge.
You can walk or take a taxi to the Zimbabwe border. A taxi cost 5 USD from Victoria Falls town to the border in July 2025.
Once you are stamped out of Zimbabwe, walk across the Victoria Falls Bridge to the Zambian border. Alternatively, you can take a taxi across the bridge, there are taxis available on both sides of the border. I walked across with my luggage, and it was fine albeit a little chaotic.
Once you are stamped into Zambia, it is a short walk to the Zambian entrance of the falls. If you are staying in Livingstone, then you will need to take a taxi to your accommodation. I arranged a taxi with my accommodation, and it was 10 USD.
When to Visit Victoria Falls
The visibility and waterflow of Victoria Falls changes throughout the year.
The wet season runs from November to April. From February to May, water flow is at its highest and the falls are at their most powerful. Visibility may be limited due to the mist so don’t forget your waterproof jacket because you will get wet.
Dry Season takes place between March and October. The best time to visit Victoria Falls is between June and September. During these months the mist and spray have eased but the water is still flowing strongly from the wet season.
The low season at Victoria Falls coincides with the lowest water flow, between October and December, when the falls are at their least powerful. Sections on the Zambian side can be completely dry. However, this is one of the best times to visit for activities such as Devil’s Pool. From August the water flow has subsided enough so that you can swim in a natural rock pool at the top of the falls.
The most popular time to visit Victoria Falls is between July to October, during this time you can expect to pay the highest prices. The least popular and cheapest time to visit is between November to January.
Things to Do at Victoria Falls
There are plenty of activities to keep you entertained at Victoria Falls, unfortunately, a lot of these come with a hefty price tag.
As this is a budget guide to visiting Victoria Falls from South Africa, I won’t cover these activities in too much detail. However, if you want to treat yourself – as I did – then continue reading.
Scenic Helicopter Flight Over Victoria Falls
Enjoy aerial views over Victoria Falls. Views are most impressive during the wet season when the water flow is heaviest.
White-Water Rafting
White-Water Rafting along the Zambezi River. Best season is around August to October.
Bungee Jumping
Bungee Jump from the Victoria Falls Bridge connecting the Zimbabwe and Zambia sides of the falls.
Swimming in Devil’s Pool
Swim in a natural infinity pool at the top of the falls, only available by tour and during the dry season.
Game Drive in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
Spot wildlife on a game drive on the national park surrounding the Zambia side of the falls.
Chobe National Park Day Trip
Visit Botswana for the day and enjoy a 3-hour game drive at Chobe National Park. After lunch, take a 3-hour river cruise down the Chobe River.
This is the activity I chose to do whilst at Victoria Falls. You are picked up from your accommodation in Victoria Falls or Livingstone and driven to the border of Botswana before embarking on a full day of safaris. If you are visiting from Zimbabwe, make sure to get a visa allowing multiple entries.
I was fortunate enough to spot elephants, giraffes, zebras, crocodiles and hippos, but unfortunately no big cats as they were too busy sleeping.
Where to Stay in Victoria Falls on a Budget?
The Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge Vic Falls is a cheap option when staying in Victoria Falls Town, Zimbabwe. The lodge has dorm rooms, large 2-man tents with beds, and private rooms available. The rooms are quite dated, but it’s still a comfortable stay. The best area of the lodge is the sociable bar and pool area where you will probably spend most of your time. The lodge attracts a diverse crowd of all ages, from young backpackers to families.
In Livingstone there are plenty of cheaper places to stay. I stayed at Kasuda En-Suit Rooms. The rooms were big and clean, and the staff were lovely. It is a little out of the way, but most places in Livingstone will require a taxi ride to the border and falls. The owner put us in touch with a driver who drove us about during our stay. The only down-side is load-shedding, as it got very hot without air-conditioning. Load-shedding is common in this region of the world and is not exclusive to this accommodation. Fortunately, we were aware of the schedule and still had some power thanks to the generator.
Final Thoughts on “How to Visit Victoria Falls from South Africa on a Budget?”
A side trip to Victoria Falls is the cherry on top of any trip to South Africa. With only a short 1.5 hour flight from the capital of Johannesburg you can visit three countries instead of one.
Victoria Falls is a truly magnificent sight, and although it is expensive, it is worth every penny to see this natural wonder with your own eyes.