Where is Victoria Falls (and the famous Devil’s Pool) located in Africa?

The approach to Victoria Falls is through the bushveld of southern Africa, and it’s a completely unique experience. From miles away there’s a cloud of mist and a mighty roar. The cloud is formed by the massive torrent of water – 500 million litres per minute – pouring over the edge of the largest waterfall on Earth, and it’s where its traditional name, Mosi-oa-Tunya, ‘the smoke that thunders’ is derived from.

As you alight from your vehicle and walk closer, you’ll enter a rainforest created by the permanent shroud of moisture, and the ground will shake beneath your feet. Thunder indeed! Get ready to explore: you’re in a 6860-hectare UNESCO World Heritage Site that incorporates the falls, two national parks, islands, and parts of the Zambezi River. It’s so spectacular that about a million people visit it each year. Small wonder that it’s classified as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

What country is Victoria Falls in?

The Victoria Falls are in both Zimbabwe and Zambia. The Zambezi forms the natural border between the two countries. Although about two-thirds of the Falls lie in Zimbabwe, a fully immersive experience requires visitors to visit both. Traditionally, Zimbabwe is usually considered to have the best views of Victoria Falls. Zambia, however, is host to the Knife's Bridge, Livingstone Island, and the fabled Devil's Pool. While Victoria Falls Town, lies less than 2 km from the falls, residents of the Royal Livingstone Hotel and the Avani Resort in Zambia, have free entrance to the Zambian section of the Falls — a huge money-saver. Adventure activities are found in both countries and if possible, tourists should get a KAZA Univisa on arrival which will allow multiple entries into both countries as well as day trips to Chobe in Botswana.

Where is Victoria Falls located?

The mighty waterfall that utterly gobsmacked Scottish explorer David Livingstone in 1855 lies almost exactly halfway along the mighty Zambezi River, one of the oldest and most pristine waterways in Africa. The southern side is in the northwest of Zimbabwe, near the Kazungula Junction, the only place in the world where the borders of four countries – Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe – meet. The northern side of Victoria Falls is in Zambia.

On the Zim side, the waterfall is surrounded by the Victoria Falls National Park, which teems with wildlife and has lodge accommodation options for travellers. The Zambian side has the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, which incorporates the Eastern Cataract of Victoria Falls. Here you can go on guided tours, walking tours with an armed ranger, and boat tours down the Zambezi River. Those who want a romantic getaway can stay in the lodges lining the river on the Zambian side.

There’s a wide variety of things to do and places to stay in Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls Town, from upmarket hotels to modest backpackers, just a kilometre from the falls. Livingstone in Zambia is 10km from the waterfall but has attractions of its own, such as game viewing en route to the waterfall.

Vic Falls is 1200 km /  746 miles from Joburg, and there’s the choice of driving through either Zim or Botswana to get there. For a quick weekend hop, flying in via Victoria Falls International Airport, or Livingstone International, makes more sense. It’s safe to travel to all the renowned national parks and tourist destinations, as Zimbabwe is dependent on them for foreign exchange income. You might also want to book a tour which takes care of where you stay and what to do. You can talk to an African Budget Safaris travel consultant today to make your life that much simpler.

Where is Devil's Pool Victoria Falls?

Devil's Pool is on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls, midway across the mile-wide waterfall, close to Livingstone Island. It is accessible only on guided boat tours that leave from a launch on the Zambian bank, upstream from the falls.

There’s nothing quite like the close-up view you get by taking a dip in Devil’s Pool, in the center of the 1708 m / 5600 ft wide waterfall. This calm natural pool is smack-bang on the edge of the 85 m high chasm the water falls into, separated only by a narrow piece of rock. Visitors can swim or wade to Devil’s Pool from Livingstone Island. Swimming is safe if you follow the instructions of the guides: the hippos and crocs that lurk in the Zambezi upriver are too sensible to come close to the waterfall, and the guides will carefully scan the water before allowing guests in. To find out more, see Devil's Pool in Zambia.

The seasonal boat tours from Livingstone Island to Devil’s Pool operate for seven months of the year, from June to December. The pool is closed to tourists when the flow is dangerously high, usually from January to August. The falls are at their most spectacular in the rainy season, but white-water rafting and swimming are best when the Zambezi is not in full flow.

Rest assured, you will not get bored if you take a holiday to Victoria Falls, no matter what your age is. Activities for the adventurous include bungee jumping and taking flights over the falls in helicopters and microlights, but if you’re more into kicking your heels up, try spoiling yourself with a sunset cruise down the mighty Zambezi River.

When is the Best Time to Visit Victoria Falls

The peak safari season is from June to October. This is the best time to combine a wildlife safari with a visit to Victoria Falls – and there’s a host of excellent game reserves such as Hwange National Park and Chobe National Park in the vicinity, with tours from Victoria Falls to the ones topping your bucket list. African Budget Safaris specializes in custom-made small-group safaris to Africa.  Talk to one of our experienced travel consultants about planning your dream trip to Victoria Falls.