things to do

The legendary Boma Dinner and Drum Show is one of our most popular culinary experiences, with non-stop entertainment from the moment you are ceremoniously dressed in your “chitenge” (sarong), to the Zimbabwean dance performances, traditional face painting and fortune tellers, to the renowned interactive drumming show. With just about every traditional local dish on offer, as well as international cuisine, this is a highly recommended night out particularly for first-time visitors.

Zulu Bistro Bar is owned by the owners of House of Zulu. Centrally located within the Landela Complex in the heart of the city, Zulu Bistro Bar has a diverse menu of tapas style options along with some of the traditional favorites available at House of Zulu. There is a good selection of drinks, including cocktails and its location within the creative Artists’ corner allows you to have a quick refreshment amidst your shopping.

Encounter Africa’s iconic wildlife whilst actively participating in its conservation. The Nakavango Conservation programme runs throughout the year and volunteers can choose to participate for periods ranging between 2 and 12 weeks.

The Buffalo Bar offers casual al fresco dining on a deck overlooking the waterhole. It is also a favourite spot for sundowners. It has an extensive drinks list including a green apple and coconut frozen daiquiri, as well as a selection of South African wines. A book kept at the bar records which animals have been spotted on that day, and you may add your own sightings. For a closer encounter with the wildlife, ask a staff member to book a professionally guided visit to the Siduli Hide, located at the edge of the waterhole.

Offering a number of specialised programmes ranging from horse and wildlife care, wildlife photography and nature and wildlife courses

Set high up on the spectacular cliffs of the Batoka Gorge, between the Victoria Falls Hotel and the Victoria Falls Bridge, the “Lookout Cafe” is also the site for a number of high wire activities including The Gorge Swing.

Take a running jump into thin air over the chasm of the Batoka Gorge, soaring horizontally as if flying over the roaring waters of the Zambezi below. Participants are clipped into a secure harness attached to a pulley which glides along a horizontal cable across the Gorge.

Traverse the rapids right under the Victoria Falls and into the ‘boiling pot’ on a 465 horsepower, custom-made Adventure Jetboat. The Jetboat offers a different perspective on the world’s largest curtain of falling water, as you embark on a fast-paced thrill ride, up and down the rapids through the Batoka Gorge. Purpose built for the Zambezi River, and with specially trained boat captains, the Jetboat is an experience of a lifetime here in the heart of adventure.

With the incredible backdrop of Victoria Falls and the views of the mighty Zambezi river below you, the Bungee jump here is known as one of the most scenic in the world. The Bungee operates off Victoria Falls Bridge midway between Zimbabwe and Zambia. The Plunge is an estimated 111m with a 5 second freefall. Jumps can be conducted as solo or tandem. Passports are required to access the bridge and you will need to pass through immigration to inform them that you are doing the jump. This does not entitle you to enter the country on the other side and a visa is not required.

Exhilarating and fast, the zipline is one of Southern Africa’s longest, providing breathtaking views of the gorge and Zambezi waters below. Participants are securely harnessed to a pulley on a cable across the gorge, allowing for a hurtling acceleration speed of 106km per hour across 425m of gorge.

Fun and adventurous, the slide begins on a platform on the edge of the Zambian side of the Batoka Gorge and traverses along a cable to the bridge, allowing participants to slide across an estimated 300 meters over the rapids.

If you are looking for a heart-stopping experience, then you cannot beat swimming at the very top of the falls. The Devil’s Pool is a natural pool located at the top of Victoria Falls in Zambia with a rock ledge on the lip of the actual Falls.

The Seduli Hide is a replica termite mound where travellers are able to experience up close encounters of wildlife from a unique vantage point. Perfect for photographers, small groups, and wildlife enthusiasts.

Capture the magic of our wildlife, culture and landscape through a lens.

Capture your Vic Falls adventure on film with a lifestyle and travel specialist photographer. Sarah Kerr is a local Victoria Falls resident who works with children, groups, couples and individuals to snap those memorable moments, usually in natural settings.

Art of Africa is an organisation providing a range of creative experiences. Work alongside local artists on painting excursions, observing and interpreting what you see with oils, pastels, watercolours and charcoal. Materials are provided. They will take you to the best spots along the river, the markets, or to encounter elephants close-up, and work with you to create memorable pieces to take home.

To feel the real heartbeat of Victoria Falls join the only interactive drumming show in Zimbabwe. A boma is a temporary shelter constructed from wood, in which people and animals can be protected at night. Traditionally, these nights are filled with dancing, drumming, singing and feasting around the fire. This experience invites the curious to try these traditions firsthand. You will be ceremoniously adorned in a chitenge (sarong) and face-paint - dots to signify beauty for beauty, and stripes to signify warriors for men. Then you will feast and be entertained by traditional dancers, a local folk storyteller and a fortune teller. Only then, in the dark after dinner does the drumming begin. You will learn a few rhythms on the djembe drum and beat your part in the firelight.

Simunye We Are One is an explosive theatrical journey with live music, puppetry and dance. Follow Bomani, the son of Chief Ekanjo, cast out from the Kimba tribe, as he wanders the African hinterland in search of home, accompanied by his loyal elephant friend, Ndlovu. Directed by acclaimed handspring Puppeteer Mongiwekhaya, the show spotlights local professional artists in an intimate 180-seater open air theatre. It delivers a powerful message of love and community so central to Victoria Falls.

Refurbished in one of the oldest buildings right in the centre of town, the River Brewing company is a vibrant micro brewery pub and bar, celebrating its own in-house brand of craft beer “brewed from pure Zambezi water, the finest German malted barley and hops”. The experience is about bringing people together in a down to earth environment with regular local musicians and bands.

One of the quietest times for boating on the river, this cruise typically serves a three course lunch of fresh seasonal ingredients. An ideal time to have the river to yourself, be lulled by the calm waters and soak up the incredible flora and fauna along the river banks.

One of Victoria Falls’ most popular activities for good reason! The sunset river cruise delivers unforgettable sunsets and exceptional photographic opportunities for both scenery and wildlife or birdlife encounters. Refreshments are usually included. There are different offerings to cater to varied budgets and private sunset cruises can also be organized.

Start your day with the serene calm of the river in the early morning. A continental breakfast is usually served while admiring the abundant birdlife and the early rising wildlife. As the sun rises warm on your shoulders, the river offers real peace.

Combining the experience of the sunset cruise with a three course dinner makes this cruise an idyllic end to the day. Enjoy the orange tinted skies of the most memorable sunsets before a romantic, lantern-lit dinner. Gaze at the star studded skies and listen to the sound of the roaring Mosi-Oa-Tunya and distant wildlife. The perfect end to another day in Zimbabwe.

Unobtrusively observe some of the biggest personalities in Africa, in a pristine wilderness environment. Spend time and connect with orphaned and rescued elephants and their handlers in a responsible manner, learning about conservation.

Located in the heart of Chinotimba, the oldest township of Victoria Falls, is the Dusty Road Township Experience - a traditional dining experience where food is cooked the Zimbabwean way, on open fires and in cast iron pots. The restaurant is an eclectic design of inventive recycled artworks from the region with a heavy dose of African humour. This initiative aims to improve the livelihoods of the families in this town as a meeting point for locals and visitors.

For a closer, more intimate experience, book a home-cooked meal with a local family, and share lunch or dinner while chatting with your host. It is advisable to book at least 24 hours in advance.

Embark on an entertaining journey that takes you back over 100 years in time. This theatrical tour provides the history of the iconic Victoria Falls bridge built in 1904. From its remarkable design and initial prefabrication in England, to its construction in Africa, The Historic Bridge Tour is informative and proves a unique perspective on the river and the Batoka Gorge by allowing privileged access to ‘walk the catwalk’ below the bridge - an area normally closed to the public.

An unforgettable experience in a spectacular outdoor setting, with a fusion of african and western flavors with views of the historic Victoria Falls bridge. The evening buffet incorporates nightly entertainment from energetic traditional dancers including the spiritual, masked Makishi dancers, and a local story teller narrating the meaning behind each dance and the purpose of the tribe.

This iconic restaurant has spectacular views of the Batoka Gorge and the swirling white-waters of the mighty Zambezi River. The menu ranges from cocktails and canapes to breakfasts, lunches and dinner, with a number of plates incorporating locally sourced and foraged flavors from the area. Delicious food, staggering views and exceptional service make the Lookout Café a must during your stay.

The Rainforest Restaurant is found just inside the entrance to the Rainforest in Victoria Falls National Park and serves light meals and cold drinks before or after having walked around the majestic Victoria Falls.

Located in the heart of the residential area around popular boutique guest lodges is the Local Buzz, a small, quaint Cafe with casual outdoor seating, pizzeria, good coffee and a takeaway menu as well as a container bar that serves cold craft beers, gin and wine.

Located upstream of the Victoria Falls, Baines Restaurant has been stylishly built to blend in with the natural environment and offers exceptional views of the mighty Zambezi River with the roaring sound of “Mosi-Oa-Tunya” as its backdrop. It serves freshly prepared breakfasts, lunch and cocktails. With couches and swinging chairs this is a beautiful place to relax whilst soaking up the views.

Three Monkeys restaurant and cocktail bar is centrally located and has been partially built to encompass a beautifully restored 1935 railway carriage from the Rhodesian times, with a under canvas wooden deck perfect to enjoy our outdoor climate. Expect good, wholesome food, a lively atmosphere and a mixture of locals and visitors.

Marula Cafe offers a cool, relaxing environment serving international flavors with some local twists. It serves a diverse menu for breakfast and lunch, tapas style dinner, and range of cocktails. The decor is fresh with a tropical feel and the restaurant is spacious and welcoming to ensure comfortable dining.

Yoga is a natural fit with the energy of Victoria Falls, and is offered by a number of private teachers, and through many of the larger hotels. Practising yoga and guided meditations while immersed deep in our forests and falls will leave you energised, refreshed and with a new sense of balance.  

Elephant Hills Resort has two on-site squash courts to help you break a sweat, as well as two floodlit tennis courts. Rackets and balls are available for hire from the hotel.

Imagine riding along the wild banks of the Zambezi River, surrounded by national parks and wildlife. Zambezi Horse Safaris has access to rugged and varied riding country.

Elephant Hills Resort offers a state of the art, 18 hole golf course which is regularly frequented by wildlife including kudu, waterbuck and impala. The course is open to all visitors and hires equipment, carts and caddies. Designed by world famous South African golfer Gary Player, the course is beautifully integrated into the surrounding natural environment and can also be walked for those not interested in golf.

Victoria Falls has a number of beautiful spas nestled in the green lungs of our forests, both built within our lodges and in custom built facilities. Treatments range from manicures and hair-dressing to skilled therapeutic treatments like massages, facials and reflexology.

Take a breather and sit down to traditional High Tea at a number of iconic spots. Look out over the lawns of the historic Victoria Falls Hotel, or enjoy your cake in the manicured gardens of Stanley and Livingstone watching wildlife come down to drink at the waterhole. If champagne and instagram-worthy confectionery is your vibe then why not try out a pre-arranged High Tea at The Palm River Hotel overlooking the majestic Zambezi River.

What better way to keep active than to uplift the community while you do it? The Victoria Falls Boxing Academy offers personal training sessions, using the boxing and gym equipment, and is also home to a number of local orphans. Proceeds from the academy help support their livelihoods and shelter.

Hike the trail at the top of the Gorge, and take a refreshment with local herdsmen. This is a half-day experience that will start with a scenic drive through the countryside to the top of the Gorge, at rapid number 23. After the safety briefing, you will enjoy the hour long walk at the top of the gorge, along the river to rapid 25. The hike continues to a beautiful and authentically decorated Ndebele homestead to share a light refreshment with your graceful hosts. The hike includes navigating some steep slopes and a basic level of fitness is required.

The Zambezi River is the fourth longest in Africa with some of the best fishing in Africa. With over 60 species inhabiting the Upper Zambezi, there is variety all year round. All fishing is ‘catch and release’ as part of a responsible tourism practice. Fishing guides are well versed in the flora and fauna of the surrounding areas, and going fishing offers great opportunities for wildlife and birdlife sightings. Fly fishing can be catered for on request and river usage and fishing permits are normally included in the price.

Cruises deliver unforgettable sunrises and sunsets and exceptional photographic opportunities for scenery, wildlife and birdlife. With refreshments, snacks or meals included, a cruise along the Zambezi River allows you to relax and unwind in celebration of yet another day in the heart of adventure.

Nothing can prepare you for the experience of seeing Victoria Falls for the first time. Getting your first glimpse of the world’s largest curtain of falling water whilst being enveloped in its mist and feeling the roar of the thundering water is a magical experience. The Victoria Falls Rainforest is walkable from the City Centre however a guided tour is highly recommended as it provides unique insight into the history, unique ecosystem, the geological formation and seasonal changes of this natural world wonder. Victoria Falls is also one of the few places on earth where the natural phenomenon of a lunar rainbow takes place on a regular basis. Each full moon the Victoria Falls Rainforest re-opens in the evening for special tours to see the magical lunar rainbow.

Get off the beaten track by exploring the remoter areas of Victoria Falls on a quad bike. Guided small groups adventure off-road to explore the natural environment or local villages, embracing the dust and the rugged terrain. Different routes and options are available, offering breathtaking views and a chance to experience the unique ecosystem, cultures and natural heritage of the area.

Embark on one of Victoria Falls’ signature adventures on one of the most magnificent white water rafting corridors in the world. Choose between an “oar boat” (controlled and manoeuvred by the guide) or a “paddle boat” (in which participants actively assist the guide with rafting). It’s a white-knuckle experience for both experienced rafters or beginners, and is popular for families and groups. Spark your adrenaline on rapids such as ‘Stairway to Heaven’, ‘the Terminator’, and ‘the Washing Machine’.

The Upper Zambezi is a spectacular stretch of river. The canoeing experience is a magical blend of adventure and tranquillity as the flow of the river fluctuates from a slow meander to fast-flowing rapids. Almost the entire river bank along the Zimbabwean side is National Parks, allowing for captivating encounters of wildlife and birdlife along the river’s edge whilst paddling one of Africa’s oldest rivers.

Observe the riverine forest around the Batoka Gorge from a variety of different vantage points; above, below and within the canopy itself. The Victoria Falls Canopy Tour offers a network of 9 slides, trails and rope bridge walkways within the canopy of the hardwood forest. It’s a family focused, safe and fun activity with a unique birds-eye view of one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Forest birdlife is rich and you may spot the Knysna and Purple-crested Turaco (Lourie) and Peregrine Falcon. There are two guides on each tour.

The Victoria Falls Enduro is an annual motorbike challenge where people from across Southern Africa meet in Victoria Falls to ride some of the most rugged dirt road tracks in Africa. The event takes place over 2 days and all the proceeds from the event are donated to community and conservation projects around Victoria Falls Town.

Art of Africa is an operator that provides a range of unique art experiences for travelers. Through Art of Africa you can work alongside local artists on painting excursions, observing and interpreting what you see in oils, pastels, watercolors and charcoal. Materials are provided. The team will take you to the best spots along the river, in the markets, or to encounter elephants close-up, and work with you to create memorable pieces to take home. They also organise art-cruises, creative cultural art tours and tailor each excursion to your requirements.

Search for endangered black rhino after an immersive talk with an expert guide. Alongside black rhino, you may also see the rest of the Big Five and an abundance of thriving bird species.