Victoria Falls & Livingstone

Named after the Victorian explorer and missionary David Livingstone, the first European to see the mighty Victoria Falls in 1855, the border town of Livingstone has grown up around tourism. It’s the start or end point for nearly all adventures through Zambia.

Livingstone itself is an archetypal modern African town, full of budding entrepreneurs, backpacker lodges and traffic, with few luxury Livingstone hotels or lodges found in the town itself. The majority of visitors simply pass through the town en-route from the airport to their lodge, which are strung out along the mighty Zambezi River, almost all the way to the border with Botswana.

Closer to The Falls you tend to find the slightly larger hotel and resort style properties, some of which have direct access to the walking trails which are a great way to witness the Zambezi crash over the precipice and into Batonka Gorge below. Whilst proximity to Victoria Falls has long been regarded as a bonus, it is worth bearing in mind that the presence of helicopters flying overhead offering visitors a “Flight of the Angels” experience can become bothersome, especially if you are looking to relax on your tailor made Victoria Falls holiday.

Further upstream a succession of smaller lodge style properties is now very well established and allows visitors looking for a more peaceful experience the perfect spot to sit back, relax and enjoy the views out across to the Zambezi River, whilst also having easy access to all of the activities that make it such a popular spot to visit.

As well as guided walking tours of The Falls and scenic flights, which can be enjoyed by helicopter or microlight, there are plenty of things to do at Victoria Falls. Cruises along the Zambezi are very popular, especially at sunset when the golden light makes for beautiful photographs. The waters of the Zambezi are also perfect for keen anglers who wish to try their hand at catching tiger fish. Picnics on sand bars, visits to traditional villages, mountain biking, nature walks and tours of Livingstone town are also part of the regular activities programme on offer. There is also the chance to visit the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, a small wildlife enclave but one of the few spots in Zambia where it is possible to see rhino.