Said to make Niagara Falls look like a trickle, Victoria Falls on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia is truly a sight to behold. The spray hits you by the time you’re within about 100m of the edge, and the sound of the rushing water is enough to bring out the goosebumps! Around the falls, a whole town has built up and become a kind of tourists playground. While some say it lacks a bit of soul, it certainly doesn’t lack adventure or the opportunity to meet both travelers and locals.
1. Victoria Falls
No surprises here, surely no one goes to a town called ‘Victoria Falls’ and misses the star attraction? As above, the sight is absolutely magnificent – unlikely any waterfall you’ve probably ever seen. To cross over into Zambia and see it from the other side you’ll need your passport, but make sure it is in a very, very, very watertight container. You’re bound to get pretty much soaked at Vic Falls, and as nice a place as it is, you probably don’t want to be stuck there forever!
2. Get The Adrenaline Pumping
Victoria Falls is so full of adventure activities that if we listed them separately, there’d be no room on the list for anything else! Take your pick for what you want to do – from whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, canyoneering or gorge swinging, there are endless options that make your life flash before your eyes (just before you land safely back on the ground).
3. Try A Cooking Class
For something a bit different, try a cooking class and learn how to cook traditional African dishes. You’ll soon learn that the Zimbabwean staple ‘sadza’ takes an awful lot of arm strength and that caterpillars (also known as mapone worms) are a delicacy. There are varying levels of luxury with the cooking classes, but some of the best are those that are just set up in someone’s home, giving you a unique opportunity to learn about life for locals at Vic Falls. You might need to ask around a little bit to find a good one, as word of mouth tends to be how these operate, however, there are some international operators.
4. Meet The Elephants At The Wild Horizons Elephant Sanctuary
Everyone’s favorite giant animal is the elephant, and the Wild Horizons Elephant Sanctuary has been protecting them for decades. While the sanctuary focuses on releasing elephants after they have recovered from their injuries or a safe place has been found for them, there are a few permanent residents who cannot be released. Visitors are welcome to meet them and get some great photos!
5. Go Shopping
Given how many tourists flock to Victoria Falls, it is no surprise that there are plenty of market stalls selling all kinds of weird and wonderful souvenirs at cracking prices. From gorgeous African beads – many of which can be made right in front of your eyes – to $10 billion banknotes from Zimbabwe’s ridiculous inflation, you’ll love the souvenirs you can pick up in Victoria Falls. Just be ready for some good-natured haggling!
