Victoria Falls Travel

How to get there? is one of the most common questions we are asked, we hope to shed some light on this below...

The three major access options to Victoria Falls are quite obviously Air, Rail and Road we have broken them down into these sections below.

Click on this link Vic Falls travel questions for commonly asked travel questions.

Victoria Falls Travel by ** Air **

Victoria Falls Town (Zimbabwe) and Livingstone Town (Zambia) both have international airports. These are serviced by several flights a day from various destinations.

We will deal individually with the major routes below:

Flights from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls

There are two choices here, you can either fly into Victoria Falls airport (Zimbabwe) or Livingstone airport (Zambia). This is an important initial decision to make as it affects many things.

If you are unsure as to which country to stay in please visit this page Zimbabwe or Zambia it should help you to make a decision.

Flights into Zambia are generally cheaper than the flights into Zimbabwe, however there are a few things to consider and it is worth reading our comments on the Zimbabwe or Zambia page. Things  like yellow fever vaccinations, extra visa fees and higher prices for accommodation and activities, can balance the sums.

If you opt to stay in Zimbabwe, then of course if you fly into Zimbabwe direct there is no problem, you might need a visa (check here) which is given to you at the airport and then catch your transfer into town (22kms). The time this process takes all depends on how full the flight is, so at peak times of year with full aircraft it can take a couple of hours to clear customs and catch your bus into town, in quieter times this can be done in under an hour, so just bear this in mind when booking any activities on the afternoon you arrive.

If you want to stay on the Zimbabwe side but take advantage of the cheaper flights into Zambia consider these points:

1. This works well for nationalities like South Africans who don't need to buy visas for Zimbabwe or Zambia, but for nationals who do need to purchase entry visas you need to weigh up the costs of this extra double entry visa into Zambia. See here for visas fees
2. Yellow fever vaccination required by all nationalities the cost of this varies, in South Africa it costs about ZAR450 from a travel clinic.
3. The cost of a transfer to get from Livingstone across the border into Zimbabwe.
4. The extra time it will take you to get from Livingstone to your hotel in Zimbabwe. Although the distance is about the same you have to clear customs and immigration again as you exit Zambia and enter Zimbabwe. Depending on how busy it is this can take up the whole of your first afternoon.

Airlines who fly from Johannesburg to Livingstone, Zambia

Itime airlines, Kulula air, South African Airways

Airlines who fly from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

British Airways, South Africa Airways

It is interesting to note that flight prices are very erratic across all the airlines. Highly expensive one day and then quite cheap the next. You can search all the major airlines and get the best prices available by using the Travel Start search engine below. Its really good actually, we use it all the time for our bookings.

From Depart Pass. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 To Return One click to find the best travel deal

Air Zimbabwe is currently not operating a regular or reliable service between Harare and Victoria Falls. For updates on the situation see our Important Newsflash section.

The only other real alternative is to fly via one of the 4 air charter companies who service this route, they are Wilderness Air, Solenta Air, Executive Air and Halstead Air. A Harare to Victoria Falls flight will cost in the region of US$250 to US$350.

Flights From Windhoek and Maun to Victoria Falls

Air Namibia flies to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. These flights go via Maun in Botswana for passengers wanting to connect from there.

For research on all these destinations use Travel Start search engine above, it makes life a lot simpler.

See our Getting Around Page on the best way to get from the Airports into town.

Victoria Falls Travel by ** Rail **

Regular train services no longer run between South Africa and Victoria Falls no matter what you might read in some Guide books.

There is however a luxury train service that travels directly to Victoria Falls from South Africa which is the Luxury Rovos Rail. This is not a regular shuttle service but rather a holiday in itself. Cape town to Victoria falls takes about 6 days and I must say sounds absolutely out of this world. Cost are not for the faint a hearted though.

Botswana Rail services links Gaborone with Victoria Falls via Bulawayo, they have regular trains that run between Francistown and Bulawayo.

There is an overnight train from Bulawayo to Victoria Falls, this is an option but it is certainly not luxurious. The trains are a bit run down – but it is a unique African experience if you are up for it and is perfectly safe, our son did it just the other day.

Read this review from a traveller who has done the trip Update: National Railways of Zimbabwe it gives you a clear idea of what to expect.

You will be able to buy your ticket to Victoria Falls from the office at the station. You should be able to get one for the day you want to travel. This ticket to Victoria Falls is fairly cheap with a first class costing approximately $10.

The train station in Victoria Falls is right next to Victoria falls Hotel and the Kingdom Hotel and less than a kilometre from the town centre.

There are three classes on this train – 1st, 2nd and economy class. 1st and 2nd class have bench seats that convert into bunks. The only difference between 1st and 2nd class is there is three and six beds in 2nd instead of two and four in 1st.

Travellers together will normally be put into a two bed berth but if you are travelling on your own you may be put in with other travellers – normally of the same sex. With the tickets being so cheap my advice to you would be to buy two tickets and have a berth to yourself.

Bedding is normally provided but unfortunately there is no longer a restaurant carriage. Economy does not have benches that convert into beds and is your normal train seating arrangement.

This site also gives useful info in train services to Victoria Falls 

 

Victoria Falls travel by ** Road **

Travelling to Victoria Falls by road is also an option. Fuel is now pretty much freely available, however some garages do run out so always make sure you have enough to get to the next fuel point. The price does fluctuate as with fuel prices around the world, but it is currently priced on par with South Africa and Botswana. Don't forget to take cash with as they will not accept credit or debit cards.

Fuel is available from the Shell and Total garages in the Victoria Falls town centre (Total is Cheaper). If for some reason they have run out you will be able to source fuel from one of the bulk suppliers in the industrial sites. (see map)

Botswana fuel stations accept all major credit and debit cards. In South Africa I don't know of any fuel stations that accept credit cards but most will accept local debit cards but not foreign ones, but of course most stations have ATM machines where you can withdraw cash.

The roads in Zimbabwe are all still in very good condition and are probably some of the best in Africa and they are beautifully quiet to travel on.

Bus Services

The Greyhound bus company operates a very good regular bus service between Johannesburg and Harare and Johannesburg and Bulawayo.

Click here to read about City link who have just started a bus service between Harare, Bulawayo and Vic Falls. It gives you all the prices etc

The border post options available

Beitbridge Border Post - Between Zimbabwe and South Africa.. Very Busy but efficient…Worth avoiding if you can.
Plumtree Border Post – Between Botswana and Zimbabwe ..Mostly quiet and efficient, although still best to arrive early morning or late afternoon.. My choice of preference, as long as fuel is available as you still have a long way to go to get to the Falls.
Pandamatenga Border Post- Between Botswana and Zimbabwe.. Very quiet but efficient…once when we came through here at about 3 o’clock in the afternoon we were the only vehicle that had been through that day and we had to wake up the customs officials. The road on the Zimbabwe side for about 80 kilometres is dirt and is quite tough going, on the map it looks like a short cut but in reality it is not.
Kazangula Border Post – Between Botswana and Zimbabwe.. Moderately busy but efficient. This is only 70 Kilometres from the Falls so is an ideal place to refuel and shop for supplies.
Victoria Falls Bridge – Between Zambia and Zimbabwe… Busy and moderately efficient. Essential for getting into Zambia to do activities on that side or visa versa. Ideal for refuelling when required.


Try this useful Distance Calculator to help plan your trip

Please read these Victoria Falls Travel Reviews from other travellers who have just been there.