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.

Shoestrings Cafe is located between the entrance and the garden area at Shoestrings Backpackers. With a variety of seating options in the gardens or by the bar, you can enjoy reasonably priced meals in a relaxed setting.

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.

The new kid on the block, Simba’s bakery is centrally located in the heart of the city and offers a range of pastries and artisanal breads locally made by Chef Simba. The Bakery has a ‘Parisian’ atmosphere and incorporates a quaint seating area where you can watch the hustle and bustle of the street.

Malonga Village restaurant is located close to the entrance to Victoria Falls and claims to have ‘the biggest burger in town’ and offer casual lunchtime dining.

Little sister to The Three Monkeys Restaurant, Little Monkey is a very small takeaway serving healthy meals, snacks and sushi for those on the go whilst exploring the city.

Active Sushi is located at the N1 Hotel property, at the pavilion by the pool. The atmosphere is relaxed, and you can enjoy large portions from their extensive menu. They offer a sit in or takeaway menu.

The famous Livingstone Room at the elegant and iconic Victoria Falls Hotel offers a memorable fine-dining experience of one of the oldest establishments in Victoria Falls. There are two menu options of either classic a la carte or a 7 course tasting menu, alongside an award winning wine list. Formal evening dress is no longer a requirement and has been replaced with a smart casual dress code.

Experience gourmet dining in Victoria Falls at the top-rated Cassia Restaurant. Centrally located only minutes away from the Victoria Falls at Ilala Lodge Hotel, the newly-renamed restaurant offers a delicious breakfast buffet, lunch and al fresco evening dining. The restaurant delivers an investive menu paired with an extensive wine list with carefully selected wines from South Africa’s top vineyards. The tranquil ambience is further complemented by the gentle rumble of Victoria Falls in the background.

The award-winning Makuwa-Kuwa Restaurant at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is widely known for its unrivalled views overlooking a wildlife-rich waterhole. The a la carte dinner menu features local produce incorporating global trends, such as coconut crusted bream fillet, slow cooked coffee infused beef short ribs and spicy okra and paneer masala. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunches and dinners. 1$ from every lunch supports the Vulture Culture experience hosted daily in front of Victoria Falls Safari Lodge.

Comprising of Bakers Inn, Chicken Inn, Pizza Inn and Creamy Inn, the Innscor Food Court in Victoria Falls has a diverse offering of fast food.

A lovely, small open bar, away from the crowds. A great spot to relax and enjoy a cold beer. Friendly staff with regular local entertainment and an authentic locally made craft beer.

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.

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.

Across from Elephants Walk is the Orange Elephant, a premier gift shop, specialising in handmade, locally inspired art, craft, homeware & books. The Orange Elephant regularly hosts artists and authors to conduct children’s reading and art workshops on Saturdays.

To meet the local communities around Victoria Falls, embark on one of the Community Village visits. Located within the quiet rural countryside, you can visit traditional Zimbabwean homesteads and learn about life, customs and history of the village. These activities support the development of community-based tourism in more diverse areas of the city.

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.

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.

Hop onboard an authentically styled 19th century tram known as the Bamba Tram. This is the world’s most beautiful tram ride and a fun experience for families and groups. It goes from the Railway station through Victoria Falls National Park and down onto the historical Victoria Falls Bridge, taking in astonishing scenery of the landscape and city. Whilst admiring the view from the bridge, light refreshments are served. Spectacular sunrise trips are available on request and confirmed with a minimum of 6 people.

Situated in the Trading Post complex in the heart of the City Center, Mama Africa Eating House has a vibrant local atmosphere with traditional African style decor. With live music most nights from the local Mama Africa band which includes jazz, reggae and pop renditions, you can expect great live music to accompany a casual dining experience.

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.

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.

The Eatery at the Pure Africa Waterfront offers a mesmerising dining location on the banks of the Zambezi River with ilala palm trees and cascading manicured lawns and the sounds of nature as the backdrop. Enjoy al fresco lunches and dinners prepared by highly qualified chefs, and three-course dinners served by lantern light under a star-studded African Sky. Alongside these, The Eatery Pot Experience serves a selection of potjie pots with traditional stews cooked for hours over an open fire.

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.

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.

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.

Located centrally behind Ilala Lodge, this pedestrian courtyard area contains specialty shops and studios where you can meet local craftsmen at work. The center is home to handmade products made by local community members at the Batoka Creatives studio, Ndoro Designs, art galleries, sculpture galleries, a book shop, a jewellery workshop, and Brooks Cafe.

Sawanga is the first shopping mall you will see on your way into Victoria Falls on the right hand side and is adjacent to the main road just before you reach the City Centre. A large parking lot is surrounded by a multitude of shops which range from liquor and stationary supplies, a shoe shop, banks, a supermarket and a pharmacy.

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.