Where to Stay at Victoria Falls

Where to stay at Victoria Falls comes down to three choices: Victoria Falls town in Zimbabwe, within walking distance of the rainforest; the riverbank around Livingstone in Zambia, with lodges on the Zambezi upstream of the falls; or a private reserve further along the river that combines the falls with safari.

Victoria Falls town, Zimbabwe

The town is small, safe to walk and built around the falls. Hotels such as the Victoria Falls Hotel are a short walk from the rainforest entrance, and restaurants, activity operators and the airport are all close. It is the most convenient base for a short stay and for first-time visitors.

Livingstone and the Zambian riverbank

Livingstone is a larger, older town about ten kilometres from the falls. The best lodges are not in town but on the Zambezi upstream, with river views, sunset decks and hippos below. The Royal Livingstone is inside the national park, a walk from the falls, while Tongabezi is a quieter riverside lodge that runs trips to Livingstone Island and Devil's Pool.

Private reserves on the Zambezi

For falls and safari in one place, lodges such as Matetsi sit on private land along the river, with game drives and walks as well as transfers to the falls. They suit longer stays and families.

Lodges with a waterhole

On the edge of Victoria Falls town, Victoria Falls Safari Lodge overlooks a floodlit waterhole visited by elephants and buffaloes, combining wildlife from your room with easy access to town.

Which side should you stay on?

If you plan to spend most of your time at the main falls and in town, stay in Zimbabwe. For Devil's Pool, Livingstone Island and a riverside lodge, stay in Zambia. With the KAZA UniVisa crossing is simple, so many travellers split their nights between the two. See Zambia or Zimbabwe?.

Options at every budget

Beyond the lodges featured on this site, Victoria Falls has a wide spread of places to stay. In Victoria Falls town, Ilala Lodge is a well-known upper mid-range hotel a short walk from the rainforest, and The Kingdom at Victoria Falls is a larger resort-style hotel nearby. For tighter budgets, the Victoria Falls Rest Camp and Shoestrings Backpackers offer simple rooms and camping in town. On the Zambian side, Avani Victoria Falls Resort sits inside the national park next to the falls, and Livingstone has guesthouses and backpacker lodges such as Jollyboys.

How to choose

If walking to the falls matters most, stay in Victoria Falls town or at the hotels inside Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. If you want river views and quiet, choose a lodge upstream on the Zambezi and accept a 20- to 40-minute drive to the falls. If you are combining the falls with Chobe, staying in Victoria Falls town or Kasane keeps transfers short. Book early for June to October, the busiest months.