One of the most common questions I hear from clients planning a trip to Victoria Falls is whether they should stay on the Zimbabwe or Zambia side. Having visited both during the same journey: flying into Zimbabwe, spending a night in Victoria Falls, crossing into Zambia to explore Livingstone, and then returning to Zimbabwe, I came away with a clear favourite. That said, there really isn’t a wrong choice, as both countries offer an excellent visitor experience.

Victoria Falls National Park, Zimbabwe — *The magnificent Victoria Falls, from the Zimbabwe side*

Airport Access

This is one area where Zambia has a definite advantage. Victoria Falls Airport in Zimbabwe is a modern international airport, but it is around 20 km from the town centre, requiring a transfer of around 20–25 minutes. By comparison, Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone, Zambia, is only about 5 km from town, making arrivals much quicker and cheaper.

If you are only spending a couple of nights at the Falls, this convenience is worth considering.

Distance to the Falls

Zimbabwe takes the lead here. From the centre of Victoria Falls town, it is an easy walk to the entrance of the national park. Livingstone is slightly further from the Zambian entrance, so most visitors take a short taxi ride. The difference is not significant, but Zimbabwe simply feels more compact and pedestrian-friendly.

Victoria Falls National Park Entrance — *Entrance to the Victoria Falls National Park, Zimbabwe*

Accommodation

Both countries offer an impressive selection of accommodation, ranging from charming boutique hotels to ultra-luxury safari lodges.

On the Zimbabwe side, excellent options include The Victoria Falls Hotel, Anantara Stanley & Livingstone and Matetsi Victoria Falls.

Across the border in Zambia, standouts include Royal Livingstone Hotel by Anantara and Mukwa River Lodge.

One thing both destinations have in common is that many of the best hotels are located along the Zambezi River or close to the national parks rather than in the town centres. If you are looking for a lively evening atmosphere within walking distance, it is worth choosing your hotel carefully.

*The historical Victoria Falls Hotel, Zimbabwe*

Which Side Has the Better View?

For me, this is where Zimbabwe clearly wins.

The Zimbabwean side offers the classic panoramic view that appears on most postcards. The walking trails follow the opposite side of the gorge, allowing you to admire almost the entire curtain of falling water from numerous viewpoints. The park also feels larger, with enough trails to spend several hours exploring.

The Zambian side offers a completely different perspective. Here, you are often much closer to the waterfall itself, particularly from the spectacular Knife-Edge Bridge. During the dry season, visitors can also experience the famous Devil’s Pool, where it is possible to swim right on the edge of the Falls.

While these are unforgettable experiences, I personally found the sweeping panoramic views from Zimbabwe more impressive. Of course, this is entirely subjective, and some travellers prefer the immersive experience that Zambia provides.

Victoria Falls on the Zambia side — *On the Zambia side, you are right at the Falls. Here is the upstream.*

When Should You Visit Victoria Falls?

The answer also depends heavily on when you travel. Water levels usually rise from early in the year and are at their most dramatic between roughly February and May, when the Zimbabwean side delivers the classic wall-of-water panorama—although the spray can become so intense that some viewpoints are partially obscured. During the lower-water period, broadly August to January, the difference between the two sides becomes more pronounced. Parts of the Zambian Falls can reduce considerably, particularly around October and November, but this is also when experiences such as Devil’s Pool and some white-water rafting departures are generally possible. Exact timings vary each year with rainfall, so the best side—and the best activities—should always be matched to the travel date.

Adventure Activities

If adventure is your priority, Zambia arguably has a slight edge.

Activities include Devil’s Pool (seasonal), white-water rafting through Batoka Gorge, 111-metre bungee jumping from Victoria Falls Bridge, ziplining, gorge swings, microlight flights, helicopter flights and sunset cruises on the Zambezi River. Most activities can be booked from either side of the border, so where you stay will not significantly limit your options.

My Recommendation

If I had to choose only one side, and assuming a visit in the higher-water months, I would stay in Zimbabwe. The panoramic views are simply more spectacular, the town is closer to the national park, and everything feels slightly more convenient.

However, if your itinerary allows, I strongly recommend spending two or three nights in Zimbabwe and crossing into Zambia for a day. For eligible nationalities, the KAZA UniVisa currently costs US$50 and permits multiple crossings between Zimbabwe and Zambia for up to 30 days, making it particularly useful for travellers who want to experience both sides of the Falls. Visa availability and eligibility should always be checked before travelling.

Why Stop at Victoria Falls?

Victoria Falls combines beautifully with many of Southern Africa’s other highlights. A tailor-made itinerary can easily include Kruger National Park, Cape Town, the Cape Winelands, Botswana’s Chobe National Park or the Okavango Delta, creating an unforgettable 10 to 16-day journey.

At Expeditioner Travel, we design Victoria Falls around the season, the water levels and the experience you value most, rather than treating it as an isolated two-night stop - whether that means arranging a visit to the Devil’s Pool at the right time of year, adding a private safari in Kruger or Botswana, or avoiding unnecessary border crossings and poorly timed connections. The result is a Southern Africa itinerary in which every stop earns its place.

Zimbabwe vs Zambia: Which Side of Victoria Falls Should You Stay On?