Town in Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls
Tourist town beside the Zambezi gorge, packed with bungee, rafting, helicopter and sunset-cruise options, and cheaper than Livingstone's hotels. Safe in the tourist core; prices in US dollars and daily power cuts frustrate.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$1,100–1,800Comfortable, one person · $1,100–1,800Details
- Value for money66/100Better value than 65% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–OctWarmest: Oct, 36°CDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledTap water is unreliable; drink bottled or filtered water.Details
- LGBTQ+2/5HostileDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: widely spokenDetails
- Doctor's visit$30–60Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundTaxiWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashUS dollars are widely used; carry small notes.Details
Where to stay in Victoria Falls
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Victoria Falls town centre | Walkable shops, restaurants, activity offices and hostels |
| Zambezi Drive | Hotels and lodges toward the river and the Falls |
| Mkhosana | Residential area with cheaper local stays |
Apps that work in Victoria Falls
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- EcoCash: Mobile money used by locals
- Taxis: No dependable ride app. Use hotel taxis or ask a lodge to call one; confirm US dollar fares first.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Zimbabwe.
- Mixed: cards and cash US dollars are widely used; carry small notes. Cards work at hotels and bigger restaurants but can fail; ATMs often run dry or pay in local ZiG.
- Currency: Zimbabwe Gold (ZWG). US$1 ≈ $26.77 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs often run out of cash and dispense ZiG or limited USD; fees are high. Bring USD cash for most spending.
- Tipping: 10% in restaurants is appreciated; tip safari guides and trackers in USD per day. Tourist lodges usually pool tips.
- Paying by phone: EcoCash and OneMoney are local mobile money; visitors mostly use cash USD or Visa cards. Apple/Google Pay is rare.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Most nationalities buy a visa on arrival (USD cash, around 30 days) or apply for an e-visa beforehand; keep small USD notes.
- The KAZA UNIVISA (50 USD) covers Zimbabwe and Zambia, with day trips to Botswana; sold at Victoria Falls airport and border.
- Passport needs 6 months validity and blank pages; yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from risk countries.
Emergency numbers
Police 995 · Ambulance 994 · Fire 993
Plugs
Type D, G · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Econet and NetOne SIMs sold at shops and Harare airport; passport and registration required. Data bundles priced in USD.
More places in Zimbabwe
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.