We often get asked, “What to do in Victoria Falls and the surrounding area?” And so we have put together our list of the Top Things To Do near Victoria Falls, though, obviously we are a little biased (see Item 2).
What to do in Victoria Falls – Top 10 Activities, Excursions & Tours
- Guided Walking Tour of the Falls
- Matetsi Victoria Falls – the ultimate Victoria Falls Destination
- “Flight of the Angels” – Helicopter Experience over the Falls
- High Tea at the Victoria Falls Hotel
- “Meet the People” – Village Tour and Homestead Visit
- Township Tour Victoria Falls
- Craft Market Tour Victoria Falls
- Livingstone Island Tour – with an optional dip in Devil’s Pool
- Adrenaline Activities Victoria Falls
- Horseback Nature Trail
Guided Victoria Falls Hiking Day Tour
The Victoria Falls itself. Also known as Mosi-oa-Tunya (the Smoke that Thunders), one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the “largest waterfall on Earth”. N.B. for those that are particular, Victoria Falls is neither the highest waterfall (that would be the Angel Falls in Venezuela), nor the widest waterfall, however, it is the largest by surface area, and so is often referred to as the largest sheet of falling water on the Planet. However you define its significance, it is truly spectacular, and the Victoria Falls is the reason that many flock to our very special corner of the world.
With a guided walking tour of the falls, you will have the opportunity to discover the many facets of the magnificent Victoria Falls. During this exceptional excursion, you can explore the surrounding rainforest in the company of your guide who is intimately acquainted with the history of the Falls, as well as its geological significance, and its flora (plants, if those interest you) and fauna (bird and wildlife, often more interesting for first-timers). You’ll have the opportunity to soak up the beautiful vistas, lush surroundings, magical waterfalls, and most likely the spray of the Falls too!
Matetsi Victoria Falls – the ultimate Victoria Falls Destination
Now, we have already mentioned that we are a little biased, and this is for good reason (we actually considered placing Matetsi Victoria Falls at the top of the list, but we thought you might discredit us completely).
Why have we placed Matetsi Victoria Falls, a luxury lodge, on the list of the Top Things to Do in Victoria Falls? Well, because it has SO much to offer. The lodge is set on a 55,000-hectare private game reserve, and it’s just 40 min from Victoria Falls town by road, or 15 min helicopter flight (see Item 3).
For guests staying with us at Matetsi Victoria Falls, we offer a number of safari activities, including morning, evening and full day game drives as well as night drives and walking safaris on Matetsi Private Game Reserve. The property has 15 km of private Zambezi River frontage, and we offer exclusive river cruises, including the stunning sunrise cruise and the renowned Zambezi River Sunset Cruise. We also offer Zambezi River tigerfishing and canoeing as well.
So, you’ve got exclusive safari, river experiences, AND the Falls all-in-one. And we haven’t even dived into the details of these activities that we offer on the property, or mentioned the luxury accommodation, guest facilities and exceptional dining experiences, but you can find out more about those on our website.
Victoria Falls Helicopter Tour – Best Way to see Victoria Falls
We highly recommend the helicopter experience in Victoria Falls! If you’re staying with us on at Matetsi Victoria Falls, opt for a pick-up on property, and then this experience starts as your helicopter lifts off from Matetsi Private Game Reserve’s helipad. You’ll fly across the reserve, with the opportunity to see wildlife from the air, and down the Zambezi River towards the mighty Victoria Falls. Otherwise a shorter “Flight of the Angels” helicopter experience is also available (taking off and landing in Victoria Falls town).
Marvel at the Batoka Gorge formation and experience the renowned “Flight of the Angels” over the Victoria Falls, named from David Livingstone’s reference to the Falls as “a sight so lovely it must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight”. Having had the opportunity to appreciate the scale of the Victoria Falls from the air, your heli touches down in Victoria Falls town, where you’ll be met by your personal guide. From there you will be escorted you to your next activity of choice, or you may choose to retreat back to the tranquil Matetsi Victoria Falls.
High Tea at the Victoria Falls Hotel
High Tea at The Victoria Falls Hotel, especially after your guided walking tour of the falls, is a wonderful experience. Give yourself the time to sit and relax on the terrace while enjoying a beautiful view over rolling lawns across to the Victoria Falls bridge, the Batoka gorge and the Falls themselves – with the most impressive views during high water season when the spray cloud from the Falls climbs magnificently into the air.
“Meet the People” – Village Tour and Homestead Visit
This interactive tour takes you through an authentic rural village, just outside of the Victoria Falls area. Here, a community member will guide you around their homestead, and from this you will gain a fascinating insight into Zimbabwean village life. You will have the opportunity to learn about the significance of the different parts of the homestead, as well as the culture and day-to-day aspects of village life.
Each community member is an individual who has their own style for their homestead tour. We recently went to visit the wonderful Ma Ncube, and you can read more about our experience here.
Township Tour Victoria Falls
Over time, some families and individuals have moved from the villages to the township areas of Victoria Falls town. Through this tour, you will gain an understanding of some of the key differences between village life and township life, as well as the differences between township life and your life back home.
Within the townships, there are every-day markets, vegetable markets, clinics, schools and shops – each area of the township has a different story to tell and together they aid our guides in giving you a personal insight into township life.
Craft Market Tour Victoria Falls
Zimbabweans are known to be truly remarkable artists and craftsmen (and women!). A guided craft market tour gives you the opportunity to learn from your personal guide about the different craft items available within the market, from the wooden animal figurines to abstract stone sculptures and authentic African art that you’ll find displayed across the open-air market.
There are also hand-woven baskets and crochet items, as well as textiles and local jewellery, on display in the women’s covered market. You may wish to purchase something to take home. When bargaining with the individuals within the market, do always remember that the items within the craft market take significant time and skill to create. For those less keen on bargaining, there are also a number of galleries and shops within Victoria Falls that your personal guide will be able to show you.
Livingstone Island Tour with optional dip in Devil’s Pool
On Livingstone Island you will be given a guided tour, learning about its history from ancient times when it served as a sacrificial site to the present day and its World Heritage status. Tours run at set times during the day, with the option of morning and afternoon tea as well as breakfast and lunch on the island. Availability it limited, so we highly recommend booking well in advance, and if you can get a slot – take it!
The optional Devil’s Pool activity is available during the low water season (generally Aug – January) – so if you have your heart set on taking the plunge in the Devil’s Pool, we suggest you check out our post of When to Visit Victoria Falls and discuss the timing of your trip with a travel expert.
Also, it’s good to note that the Livingstone Island activity is accessible through Zambia, so if you’re staying in Zimbabwe (with us…) we recommend opting for the KAZA Univisa at port of entry (if you’re eligible for that).
Adrenaline Activities Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls is an adrenaline destination. The number of different adventure activities is extensive, and we can’t do it justice in this post, so we’ll do a whole separate post just on the Top Adrenaline Activities to Do in Victoria Falls. In summary, Victoria Falls offers everything from ziplining to bungee jumping to white-water rafting! Take your pick! Or do them all. The Victoria Falls bungee jump is one of the most iconic bungees in the world! And the Zambezi rafting is world-renowned.
Horseback Nature Trail
Equine enthusiasts can embark on an enjoyable horseback safari within a wildlife area near the majestic Victoria Falls. Tailored for both novice and experienced riders, the safaris are led by experienced guides and can be enjoyed in the early morning or late afternoon.
As you move though from Mopani woodland to the shady banks of the Zambezi River, dotted with Ilala Palms and African Sausage trees, you might have the opportunity to see elephant, buffalo and other game (from a safe distance) or ride within feet of shy impala, waterbuck or kudu.
We recently spent a wonderful Saturday morning out on horseback in the bush, read more about our personal experience here.
If you’re staying with us at Matetsi Victoria Falls, all of these activities can be booked in advance through your agent or our reservations team. If you have any questions about any activity in particular, feel free to email us on info@matetsivictoriafalls.com.
