So, you only have two days available to explore and enjoy Victoria Falls?
But before we jump into that, I want to explain to you exactly what and where Victoria Falls is.
Victoria Falls is in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country, just to the north of South Africa. Botswana is to the west, Mozambique to the east and Zambia lies to the north.
The location of Zimbabwe makes it a fantastic country to include in a multi-country itinerary and it’s quite easy to move between the different counties. You can combine South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia all into one trip over a couple of weeks.
But, back to Victoria Falls. This little gem of a place is actually a town in Zimbabwe, and the name of the airport is Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA). This is where you will find the incredible waterwall known as, you guessed it, Victoria Falls.
| Travel Tip: Sometimes people call it ‘Vic Falls’, and others simply call it ‘The Falls.’ |
How Are the Victoria Falls Created?
The Zambezi River is one of Africa’s greatest rivers, and it forms a natural border between two countries, Zimbabwe and Zambia. This is where the water from the Zambezi River, falls over a 108 metre/ 354 foot edge. And this is where you will find the largest sheet of falling water in the world, the Victoria Falls.
You can actually visit and explore the Falls from both the Zimbabwean side, as well as from the Zambian side.
In this post I’m going to show you how, even if you only have two days available, you can get the most out of a very short stay in this amazing little town.
Firstly, you need to do some homework before you travel. The Falls themselves change throughout the year, sometimes with so much water there are beautiful rainbows that appear from the mist, which is actually the spray rising up from this massive waterfall.
And at other times of the year, the water levels drop so low that the Zambian side of the Falls seem to almost dry up and that’s when it is a good idea to see the Victoria Falls from both the Zambian side AND the Zimbabwe side because it’s extremely fascinating (don’t forget to get the correct visas if you do this).
I took this photo in April 2024 from the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls.
It is still pretty low water and over the next few months, the amount of water falling here would increase substantially.
If you looked down the ravine, you could see that there was a lot more water falling on the Zimbabwe side.
However, you cannot walk through the National Park from the Zambian side to
the Zimbabwean side, as there is another ravine and river. But you can see the people on the other side, so give them a big wave!
Activities also change (for example you can’t go to Devil’s Pool in high water season as its closed, because it is too dangerous). Doing some homework before you travel to Zimbabwe will ensure you’re equipped with the best tips for Vic Falls, and you can really make the most of your time there.
To reach Victoria Falls (VFA) from South Africa, it is a comfortable 3-hour direct flight from Cape Town, or a 1.5-hour direct flight from Johannesburg.
You can also fly into Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI) which was previously called Livingstone Airport, and this is on the Zambian side. Essentially it really all comes down to the hotel or lodge you want to stay at.
| Travel Tip: It is easy to start or end a Botswana safari itinerary from Victoria Falls too. |
Victoria Falls: 2-Day Itinerary
When you think about it, when you travel to a place for two days, you’re really only staying one night.
- You arrive on the first day and check in to your hotel is usually only from 2pm.
- You spend the night in Victoria Falls
- You leave the following day and check out is generally around 10am or 11am.
But, if this is all the time you have available, then it is absolutely possible!
Most visitors to Victoria Falls do the two main activities – they have become the ‘must-do’s’ if you’re heading that way.
Why Would Someone Stay in Vic Falls for Only 2 Days and 1 Night?
Since its only one night and two days, you might be wondering why people would choose to stay for such a short time.
The answer is usually because it’s the only time they have available, which is a pity because besides for the super friendly locals, there is a lot to see and do. Plus, you want some relaxation time to lie around the pool or grab a massage in the hotel’s spa.
Travellers very often include Victoria Falls as a short stop connecting one place with another.
For example:
Itinerary example 1: South Africa and Zimbabwe
Many people travel to South Africa, and they explore, for example Cape Town and the Winelands. Then for their safari part of their trip, and they want to combine this with a safari in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe.
The easiest way to get to Victoria Falls from here, is on a 3-hour direct flight from Cape Town on Airlink. There is only one direct flight a day which is in the morning, otherwise you have to fly via Johannesburg.
An example of this kind of itinerary could be:
- 4 nights in Cape Town
- 2 nights in the Cape Winelands
- 1 Night in Victoria Falls
- 4 nights in Hwange National Park
Itinerary example 2: Botswana and Zimbabwe
Some people enjoy a ‘deep dive’ safari in Botswana – there is a great variety of activities available for travellers, and the wildlife is usually incredible. It is a great country to choose if you are a first-time safari traveller and not sure where to go.
And while they’re ‘in the area’, many people add on a night or two in Victoria Falls before flying home.
After all, it is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the world.
An example of this kind of itinerary could be:
- 3 Nights in the Okavango Delta at a land-based camp
- 3 nights in the Okavango Delta at a land and water-based camp
- 1 night in Victoria Falls
But there are many, many ways you can put an itinerary together in this part of Africa. My personal suggestion is to make the time and definitely spend more than one night.
However, if you only have one night available, make it count!
So how do you fit in the biggest highlights in such a short space of time?
Two ‘Must-Do’ Activities in Victoria Falls
There are so many activities that you can enjoy in The Falls. There are some for the adventurer, and some for the traveller who wants a more chilled vibe.
And there are lots of activities for children as well, which makes Vic Falls a really fun destination for families.
Best Activities for Families at Victoria Falls
1. Tour of the Victoria Falls & the Rainforest
2. Visit the Crocodile Farm & Nature Sanctuary
3. Zambezi River Sunset Cruise
4. Painting with Elephants
Tour of the Falls
Only to state the obvious, you have to visit the Victoria Falls when you’re in Victoria Falls!
I’ve seen bookings where people are there for only one night, and they just haven’t planned properly, or their flight has been delayed, and just don’t have time to visit them.
The Falls are truly amazing, especially when the Zambezi River is in full flow, and they change constantly throughout the year due to rainfall and a couple of other reasons.
Read more about the reasons why the levels of The Falls change as you’ll want to pick the right time for you. There are pros and cons to both the high-water level period as well as the low-water level period.
A guided tour will give you a lot of great info into everything about this national park (Victoria Falls are located inside a national park), but you can also explore on your own.
Just stay on the paths (which are well maintained) and don’t go too close to the edge. There are railings and barriers in most places, but there are a few gaps so just be aware.
A leisurely walk through the rainforest trails along the edge of the Falls and offers viewpoints and misty magic at every turn.
Sunset Cruise
The second activity I would personally recommend is a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. This is AMAZING and the perfect way to end your day.
When it comes to the sunset cruises in this part of the world, you are absolutely spoilt for choice!
Seriously.
There are large boats, small boats, boats with decks, seats with captains, traditional boats, and of course, sundowner drinks all available on board for that perfect African sunset.
Sunset cruises are conducted ABOVE the Falls, and if the flowing water levels are high enough, you will see the spray from the Falls rising into the sky.
Sunset cruises are not done at the bottom of the Falls, so you won’t be able to look up and take a picture of this massive wall of water plummeting over the edge.
The area beneath the Falls is actually quite inaccessible, unless you are doing an extreme adventure activity, such as white-water rafting, or jet boating because the starting point is at the bottom of the Falls.
How Do You Explore Victoria Falls in Two Days?
It’s a bit of a whirlwind, but if you have your batteries charged it’s absolutely doable!
My first suggestion, if you only have one night, is to book and do the following:
Day 1:
Arrive in Victoria Falls around midday (depending where you’re flying from), take a transfer from the airport to the hotel, check in and then around 4pm you will be collected for your sunset cruise.
In the evening, booking a restaurant in Vic Falls and enjoy a change of pace – you can find anything from a local craft brewery for a beer and burger, to a luxurious riverside restaurant, to a fun African-themed night.
Day 2:
Up and at ’em! Enjoy a Tour of the Falls around 7am, and then head off to your next destination.
If you do want to enjoy more activities than that, then you will have to book one more night. At least. Other activities include adventure activities, such as jet boating, to bunjee jumping, to a whizzing across the ravine on a zipline, also known as the Flying Fox.
For a more slow-paced vibe, you can visit the elephants, try some fishing, enjoy a helicopter flight (called the Flight of the Angels) or microlight flight over the Falls. There really is a lot to do, but don’t forget to leave a little room for spontaneous magic.
With a smart plan and the right energy, this is how to explore Victoria Falls in two days and make it feel like a full adventure. You’ll need that safari afterwards for a little bit of R&R!
Would doing these two tours in Victoria Falls make it feel worth your while if you only had 2 nights available? What else would you like to try and see and do while there?
Let me know!
If you have questions, please feel free to contact me at: thesafariaddict@gmail.com
