Plan Your Waterfall Safari

Planning a waterfall safari starts with one question: when? The answer shapes everything else, from which side of Victoria Falls you visit to the parks you pair with it.

Choose your season first

Waterfalls and wildlife peak at different times. Decide which matters more, then use our month-by-month calendar to pick dates.

Visas and borders

The KAZA UniVisa covers Zambia and Zimbabwe; the East Africa Tourist Visa covers Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. Most other countries offer e-visas. Requirements change, so check them for your passport before you travel.

Health

Carry your yellow fever certificate, take malaria prevention where advised, and drink bottled or filtered water. Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is essential.

What to pack

A good rain jacket or poncho and a dry bag for cameras at high water; sandals with grip for the rainforest paths; neutral colours for safari; binoculars; a headtorch; layers for cold mornings on game drives and in the highlands.

Safety at the edge

Stay behind railings, follow guides at the lip of any fall, and never swim above a waterfall without a licensed operator. Paths are slippery in the spray.

Money

US dollars are widely accepted in Zimbabwe and on safari; carry small notes. Cards work in larger hotels and towns.

Getting there and around

Most waterfall safaris begin with an international flight to Johannesburg, Nairobi, Addis Ababa or Entebbe, then a regional flight to Victoria Falls, Livingstone or Kasane. Within countries we use private vehicles with driver-guides, light aircraft for remote parks and, in places like Chobe and Murchison, boats. Transfers between each stage can be arranged as part of your itinerary.

Travel insurance

Comprehensive insurance with medical evacuation cover is essential. Check that it covers adventure activities you plan to do, such as rafting, abseiling or the Devil's Pool swim.

Photography at the falls

Spray is the main challenge. Carry a microfibre cloth and a waterproof cover, and photograph in the early morning when the light is low and rainbows form. In high water, a zoom lens lets you shoot from drier viewpoints. For lunar rainbows you will need a tripod.

Accessibility

Viewpoints at Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe side are reached by paved and gravel paths with some steps; several viewpoints are accessible with assistance. Boat trips at Chobe and Murchison are suitable for most travellers. Tell us about any mobility needs when you enquire.

Tipping

Tipping is customary on safari. As a guide, allow a daily amount for your guide and a general staff tip at each lodge; ask us for current suggested amounts.

For more answers see our FAQs and the responsible travel guide.