Victoria Falls Entrance Fees, Opening Hours & Visitor Guide - Zimbabwe and ZambiaSpanning almost 1.7 kilometres, and split between Zimbabwe and Zambia, the mighty Victoria Falls can be seen from both sides of the Zambezi River and has two entrance gates. Last update: 6th November 2026
If you are visiting Victoria Falls, the information below will be very useful to you Victoria Falls Entrance Fees 2026 - At a GlanceThere are two entrances to Victoria Falls, one in Zimbabwe and one in Zambia. Each has its own entrance fee, and tickets are valid for a single entry only. Here is a quick comparison of the current charges and opening hours.
These are the standard daytime adult entrance fees. Children's rates and special lunar rainbow tour fees are detailed in the sections below. Fees are subject to change. Our local advice: We've lived in Victoria Falls for many years and visited the rainforest countless times. Both sides offer wonderful but very different experiences, and the best choice often depends on the time of year. Below, we explain exactly what to expect from each entrance, with practical advice based on our own experience.
Free local advice • Personalised recommendations • No obligation The beautiful Victoria Falls is located within the Victoria Falls National Park (on the Zimbabwe side), and the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park (on the Zambia side), which means that for you to see the entire length of this the largest waterfall in the world, you will need to enter via two gates in two different countries.
However, people will generally choose one Victoria Falls entrance based on the country they are staying, and/or the time of the year they are visiting (visit our Victoria Falls Weather page to read about the seasonal changes). Choosing which country to stay in is an important decision for various reasons, please read our Zimbabwe vs Zambia page to read about the pro's and cons of each side, but at this point it is worth mentioning that 75% of the Falls are viewable from Zimbabwe and 25% from Zambia. The two entrance gates are close to the border posts on either side, with the Victoria Falls Bridge connecting them. Apart from these two entrances the only other way to see the Falls is from Livingstone island, from above by helicopter or micro-light, from below by either white water rafting or jetboat (both seasonal) and you also get a glimpse of a small section of the Falls when crossing the Victoria Falls Bridge. So how do you get there and what can you expect?Victoria Falls Entrance Zimbabwe
Guided Tours transfers Getting There on Your Own Shuttle Buses On Arrival The entrance to the rainforest is on the left side of the road. You will need to check in at the booth on the left of the gate, produce your passport or identification card (if you are SADC or Zimbabwean), and the parks cashier will let you know the charges. This payment covers a single entry to the Victoria Falls. So if you decide to exit, you will need to pay again to re-enter. Payment can be made in cash or via credit/debit card - (MasterCard or Visa). Here is a detailed page explaining all the Park entrance fees in Victoria Falls. 2026 Victoria Falls Entrance Fees Zimbabwe - inc VAT
Victoria Falls National Park Opening HoursAll year - Opens 06h00 and Closes 18h00 How Far Is the Walk to See Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe?On the Zimbabwean side, the rainforest walking trail stretches approximately 1.7 kilometres (1.1 miles) one way along the edge of the gorge, with 16 viewpoints offering spectacular views of the Falls. You don't have to walk the entire length to Danger Point and the Victoria Falls bridge, but we certainly recommend it if you're able. If you do, allow for a round trip of at least 3.2 kilometres (2 miles) Fortunately, you don't have to retrace all your steps. Several paths take a more direct route back to the entrance gate, away from the Falls. These are a little shorter and offer a pleasant change of scenery as you walk through the forest and are a lot dryer. The paths are generally easy to walk, although some sections can be slippery when the spray is heavy, so comfortable, non-slip footwear is recommended. Please read our Tour of the Falls for more details. Victoria Falls Rainforest Walk – Trails and ViewpointsOnce you have paid your entrance fees, and entered the park, you will see in front of you an information centre with maps and information on the Zambezi River, Victoria Falls and its formation. There is a nice curio shop just beyond and to the right is the Rainforest Cafe, which serves very good light meals and lunches and has restrooms.
Touring the Rainforest
On a guided tour of the Victoria Falls, your guide will take you around the different view points, sharing in-depth knowledge on the waterfall and its history, beginning a viewpoint #1 and Livingstone's Statue (see the map below). If you are touring on your own, which is quite easy to do, it's easiest to start from there as well and work your way eastward. Please read our Tour of the Falls Zimbabwe for full details. Click map to enlarge
Best time of day to visit the Victoria Falls - ZimbabweThe park has early opening hours, which allows you to catch the sunrise from inside the park. This is highly recommended, as not only is it a spectacular sight but the park often has less visitors at that time of day. Just one thing to note is that in high water levels particularly April, May and June, the spray is intense and as it is still early, cooler and there is less wind, it can be difficult to see the falls at all. As the day warms up the spray evaporates and the wind blows the spray away, you get clearer views of the waterfall. So, whilst I highly recommend a visit at sunrise, it should not be your only visit to the Falls. During the morning the rainbows are excellent over Devils Cataract as the sun is behind you looking east to west, but the best time to catch rainbows in the perfect position over main falls is between 2pm and 4pm (pictured below). These are the classic rainbows as seen on postcards.
During the middle of the day the sun is overhead so the rainbows are not clearly visible and would only be seen right at the bottom of the gorge. After 4pm the sun is getting a bit low and the rainbows are high in the sky or not visible at all and shadows are starting to be cast on the Falls themselves. Although it's a magical time of day, if you are only visiting the Falls once then don't go in after 4pm as you are not seeing them at their most glorious. The best place to view the late afternoon is from Danger point (#15) but remember that the gate closes at 6pm and you are at the most furthest point from the exit gate, so allow enough time. You will not be able to watch the sunset from this point, as there is just not enough time. For more detailed information on rainbows their positions and taking photographs of them please read out Tips on taking Photographs of Victoria Falls Read a personal account on visiting the Victoria Falls Rainforest
Free local advice • Personalised recommendations • No obligation Victoria Falls Entrance Zambia
Getting There on Your Own Shuttle Buses On Arrival
Current Victoria Falls Entrance Fees Zambia
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park Opening HoursThe park opens daily at 6am, and closes at 6pm (all year round)
Victoria Falls Zambia Walk – Trails and ViewpointsOnce you have entered the park, you will find a selection of clearly marked pathways taking you to different sections of the Victoria Falls, including viewpoints of the Victoria Falls bridge behind and Zambezi River below. The Knife's Edge bridge (pictured below) is a footbridge which spans a deep gorge and affords you access to the western most viewing point on the Zambian side. From this bridge, you can see the full view of the Eastern Cataract, except during the peak flow months when the spray obliterates the view completely. This round trip is approximately 1.5 kilometres (1 mile) The Boiling Pot trail (No 25) takes you on a steep descent into the Boiling Pot, and another path (No 17) takes you upstream close to the edge of the Falls, looking onto the Zambezi River before it plummets over the edge and into the gorge. Please read our Zambian Tour of the Falls for more details Click map to enlarge
Please be aware that during the months of late September, October, November and even early December (if the rains are late), the Zambian side of the Falls, also known as the eastern cataract are completely dry, there is only an impressive dry rock face. During these months it is important to view the Falls from the Zimbabwean side and/or Livingstone Island. During the peak flow months of February, March, April and May, because the gorge is narrow and the paths are so close to the Falls, the incredible volumes of spray can obliterate the view. It is advisable during these months to also view the Falls from above either in a helicopter or a microlight.
Best time of day to visit the Victoria Falls - ZambiaSunrise is always a magical time to be up and about. At this time of day the light is beautiful and it will be very peaceful and quiet, however unlike the Zimbabwean side, because of the lay of the land and movement of the sun, you don't get to see the sun rising above the Falls, except for a short period, from certain angles, in June and July. Mid-mornings and mid-afternoons are both good for Rainbows, as you can view east to west in the mornings and west to east in the afternoon. Midday is the worst for rainbows as there is very little angle for the sun to create them, however the sun is bright and you can see deep into the gorge. As mentioned earlier though, in the dry months there is just a dry rock face so no rainbows are visible at all. In the peak flow months there is so much spray it is difficult to see anything except from the viewpoints just as you enter the park and those going upstream. One of the Zambian side's great advantages over the Zimbabwean side is that the exit gate is close to 1st view point, so you can watch the sunset over the Victoria Falls and still exit the park before the gate closes. For several months of the year the sunsets directly down the length of the Falls which is a spectacular site. Check out the Photographers Ephemeris website for which months.
Rainforest Do's & Don'tsThe Victoria Falls is essentially a safe place as long as you use your good judgement and don't break the rules or do anything silly..
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There are wild animals in the Victoria Falls National Park, and that includes
the rainforest. While there aren't any common predators, you may come across the
more nervous species such as warthog and bushbuck, or the cheeky monkeys and
baboons (hide your food!). Be sure to keep your distance and never feed the
animals. Keep an eye out for snakes along the path as well but generally they
are more scared of you than you are of them. Victoria Falls Entrance Fees - Frequently Asked QuestionsHow much does it cost to enter Victoria Falls in 2026?On the Zimbabwe side, international adults pay US$58, SADC visitors US$35 and Zimbabwean citizens US$7. On the Zambia side, international and SADC adults pay US$20, while Zambian citizens pay US$2. These are daytime entrance fees, and children's rates are lower. Can I pay Victoria Falls entrance fees by credit card?Yes, the Zimbabwe entrance accepts Visa and Mastercard credit or debit cards, as well as cash. We recommend carrying some US dollars as a backup in case the card facilities are temporarily unavailable. Can I enter Victoria Falls more than once on the same ticket?No. Entrance tickets on both the Zimbabwe and Zambia sides are valid for a single entry only. If you leave the park and wish to return, you will need to purchase another ticket. What time does Victoria Falls open and close?Both the Zimbabwe and Zambia entrances open at 6am and close at 6pm throughout the year. Is it better to visit Victoria Falls from Zimbabwe or Zambia?Both sides offer different experiences. Zimbabwe provides views of approximately 75% of the Falls and is generally the better choice during the low-water months. Zambia offers spectacular close-up viewpoints, particularly during higher water levels, but sections can become dry towards the end of the dry season. If time permits, visiting both sides is worthwhile. Please see our Zimbabwe vs Zambia page for further explanation. How much time should I allow to visit Victoria Falls?On the Zimbabwean side, we recommend allowing a minimum of two hours to explore the viewpoints comfortably, and preferably longer if you really want to take your time and savour this magnificent Wonder of the World. The Zambian side has a shorter walking route and can easily be explored within one and a half to two hours. Again slower is better. How long is the walk to see Victoria Falls?On the Zimbabwean side, the rainforest trail is approximately 1.7 kilometres one way, with 16 viewpoints. Walking the full route and returning to the entrance is at least 3.2 kilometres, although shorter return paths are available. On the Zambian side, the main viewing walk is about half the distance around 1.5 kilometres (1 mile) for the complete round trip, with pathways leading to the Eastern Cataract and the famous Knife-Edge Bridge. The separate walk down to the Boiling Pot is much steeper and more demanding and is approximately 800 metres one way if leaving from the entrance gate. Need help planning and booking your Victoria Falls trip? We're based right here in Victoria Falls and can help with accommodation, activities, safaris and transfers. Our planning advice is free. Free local advice • No obligation
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