Experiences in Victoria Falls

See the mighty Victoria Falls

Gazing over the edge of the glorious Victoria Falls, it's no surprise to learn that its local name means, 'the smoke that thunders'. Spend the morning or afternoon exploring one of the Seven Wonders of the World, meander along the walking trails and stop off at each of the 15 view points to see the falls from every angle. As one of the world's largest waterfalls, there is no bad time to be there but it reaches a roaring zenith in May when 10 million litres of water cascades into Batoka Gorge. If you want to have a more involved experience then this can be booked as a guided activity for an additional cost.

Float down the Zambezi on a sundowner cruise

There are so many ways to see Vic Falls by day, but by dusk, there's only one contender - a sundowner cruise. Step aboard for a cruise along the glimmering Zambezi River. With an ice-cold sundowner in hand (and tasty kebabs to snack on), wind your way past basking hippo, deftly moving Nile crocodile and elephant who trumpet at the water's edge as African fish eagles soar overhead. Return to shore when night has fallen and don't forget to look out for the famous 'moonbows' that appear in the right conditions. Your best time to go is the dry season months of April to September when the river and wildlife are in overdrive.

White water rafting down the mighty Zambezi

This is your chance to conquer the thundering waters and burbling rapids of the impressive Zambezi River on an inflatable raft in the experience of a lifetime. Choose a full day of rafting to experience all 21 ferocious rapids (or 25 if in high water season) with a stop for lunch in between, or opt for the more gentle (!) half-day experience. The morning trip takes in rapids 1 – 10, ending with lunch and drinks, whilst the afternoon experience starts at rapid 11 and continues to 21, ending with drinks. And with the rapids aptly named things like ‘The Gnashing Jaws of Death’ and ‘Devil’s Toilet Bowl’, those drinks might just be needed…!

Take a helicopter flight over Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is breath-taking from all angles, but the best view has to be from high above, from the window of a helicopter…

As the mighty Victoria Falls tumbles into the Batoka Gorge below, let your helicopter pilot swoop you up into the heavens for the most epic view of the Falls available. It’s a perspective usually reserved for birds and a helicopter flight will give you a truly unique view of this great Wonder of the World. The short, 15-minute flight will take you over the Falls and the Zambezi River with plenty of opportunities to flash your camera at the views, before returning to the airfield. Longer, 30-minute flights begin in the same way with the addition of scenic flight up the Zambezi and over the scattered islands to rapid 26.

Take a helicopter flight over Victoria Falls

Bungee jump from the famous Victoria Falls bridge

If you've ever dreamt of a heart-soaring and adrenaline-rushing leap, there's no better place for it than Victoria Fall's famous bridge. At 111m, it is one of the tallest in the world and bungee jumping off it is an unforgettable experience. After being strapped in, free fall before swinging high above Batoka Gorge with Victoria Falls gushing down behind you. This experience firmly cements Vic Falls as Africa's Adventure Capital.

Take a day trip to Chobe for a boat safari

A mere hop, skip and a jump from Victoria Falls is the spectacular Chobe National Park. It’s famed for magnificent elephant sightings, but there’s plenty more in the way of wildlife to spot, making for a wonderful day of game-viewing. In the morning, you’ll head for the border and meet your Botswana guide for the day. Then, it’s straight to the river for a morning boat cruise and eye-level encounters with the watery wildlife and of course, the iconic herds of elephant that line the banks. You’ll enjoy lunch in a nearby hotel before hopping on a vehicle for an afternoon game drive and (hopefully) some predator action, before returning to the border and crossing back into Zimbabwe.

Take a daring dip in Angel’s Pool or Devil's Pool

On this trip, you’ll take a boat out to Livingstone Island, the spot where Dr David Livingstone first glimpsed the mighty Victoria Falls and the launch point for the Devil’s Pool. The boats leave from the Royal Livingstone hotel and take around 5 – 8 minutes to reach the island. After a guided tour of the island it’s time for the swim of your life and you’ll inch across the Zambezi before plunging into the ultimate, natural infinity pool. Once in the frothing ‘Jacuzzi’, swim up to the brim for a once-in-a-lifetime view of the water tumbling down to the rocky gorge below. Phew! Depending on the time of your visit, light refreshments (or lunch) and drinks will be served on the island.

Enjoy lunch with a view at the Lookout Cafe

Even the most adventurous of us have to eat so why not do it while soaking up the most magnificent vistas. Take a break from epic excursions with lunch at the Lookout Cafe, so named because of its prize position overlooking Batoka Gorge and mist-swirled falls cascading into the Zambezi River. Tuck into dishes from their inventive a la carte menu including the likes of fish from the Zambezi, one-of-a-kind kebabs and sticky date pudding to finish. Clink a glass of South African wine or sip on cocktails like the 1st Ugly Sister (vodka and strawberry daquiri) as you enjoy the roar of the falls.

Launch yourself into the air with a Gorge swing

With the roar of Vic Falls in your ears and pure adrenaline in your veins, take a leap of faith (and fearlessness) into the mouth of Batoka Gorge. You'll free fall for 70 m, which surprisingly only lasts three seconds, but it's more than epic! And you don't have to be alone, you can enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience side by side. Feel the thrill of swinging through the gorge as the Zambezi gushes below, taking in the views from a truly unique vantage point. A pulley slowly and safely lifts you back to land.

Track the Zambezi's wildlife on a game drive

Set out from your lodge as dawn breaks (with breakfast on the go or when you return) or after the heat of midday to explore one of the smallest parks of Zimbabwe. With your in-the-know guide leading you, enjoy wildlife spotting to your heart's content. From your seat in a 4x4, gaze out over massive herds of elephant who gather down by the river along with throngs of buffalo, zebra and wildebeest. Not to mention, the big cats! Finish the afternoon with snacks and drinks under an acacia, before heading back for evening festivities.