Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Where to Stay: Insika Lodge
A beautiful lodge with solid amenities and kind staff, though communication could be improved.
Pool: Gorgeous setting with views of warthogs, monkeys, and impala nearby. Limited lounge chairs as it gets crowded in the afternoon.
Drinks & Snacks: Strawberry daiquiris were slow to arrive but worth the wait. Bar snacks were fine, standard chicken strips and quesadilla-style “pizza wraps.”
Shuttle Service: A huge plus. Complimentary and runs to key spots like Victoria Falls and Elephant Walk shopping center. The driver even dropped us at the Lookout Café, which saved us from a short but un-safe walk.
Breakfast:
Sit-down: Includes a light continental spread and your choice of hot options.
Packed: Great for early excursions. Included fruit, muffins, a croissant, yogurt, granola, and water. Must be requested ahead of time.
Staff & Service:
Very kind and well-intentioned, though there were minor miscommunications.
Room was cleaned before we checked out making for an uncomfortable exit, and dinner reservations weren’t clearly explained. On our last night, we had to shift plans when we found out the restaurant was closed and dinner was hosted offsite. After a long day trip, it was not news we were excited to hear as we wanted an early night in.
Overall: Staff made efforts to accommodate, but more transparency upfront would have helped.
What to Do & See
Victoria Falls (from the Zimbabwe Side – $30 USD)
Go Here Over Zambia (unless doing Devil’s Pool): More panoramic viewpoints (at least 13), especially great in the dry season when the full scale of the falls is visible.
Park Facilities: Includes a café, gift shop, and educational plaques. There is an option to go with a guide, however we still learned a lot walking around ourselves.
Street Vendors: Expect a lot near the entrance. We found it overwhelming and chose not to engage.
Bridge Walk to Zambia: We tried this but don’t recommend it. The route is filled with trucks, people asking for money, and no other tourists. We turned back before reaching the Zambian immigration post. Technically safe, but not a comfortable experience in hindsight.
Optional: Helicopter Ride – $150 per person
We didn’t do it, but it's said to be the best way to see the falls during the wet season when visibility from ground level is limited.
Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River
Through Insika Lodge: $65 per person for a private 2-hour cruise (Zimpark fee not included).
Alternative (Zambezi Breeze): $90 per person via Get Your Guide
Our Experience:
We had a great spot at the front of the boat. It was really pretty and scenic.
Fewer animals than expected, however we still saw a few including a hippo and water buffalo.
The river is the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, so we technically crossed countries mid-cruise!
Bug warning: I didn’t wear repellent, wore a skirt, and got eaten alive even on the boat. Three weeks later, I still had bites. Lesson learned: always use bug spray, even on the water. Don’t make my mistake.
Day Trip to Chobe National Park in Botswana
Tour Cost: ~$160 per person via Get Your Guide
Duration: ~10 hours
What to Expect:
Your day begins with a hotel pickup by a driver who will take you to the border crossing. Please note that due to foot-and-mouth disease control measures, you'll be required to walk through a chemical solution at the border. Once you’ve crossed, a different driver will be waiting with the game drive vehicle to take you on a 30-minute journey to the national park. At the end of the day, your original driver will meet you at the border and drive you back to your hotel.
Morning Game Drive: Deep sand roads made the ride very bumpy. Mostly elephants, but also zebras, giraffes, impala, vultures, and a unique antelope species we hadn’t seen elsewhere!
Lunch: Buffet at a local resort which was decent but nothing special.
Afternoon River Safari: The highlight! We saw elephants swimming and drinking, hippos, crocodiles, birds, and buffalo—all from a whole new angle. Absolutely worth it!
Boma Dinner & Drum Show
Booking Options:
Direct through the restaurant: ~$110 (excl. transfers)
Via Get Your Guide: $55 per person (includes pickup/drop-off at nearby meeting point)
Experience:
Fun, lively, and a bit chaotic.
4-course buffet dinner with African specialties like crocodile tail and BBQ warthog. They also offer an option to try the local Mopane worm!
Drum show and dancing add to the energy, but it can feel touristy and crowded (up to 300 guests). We’re glad we did it but wouldn’t necessarily go back.
Where to Eat
Lookout Café
Located near the gorge and operated by Wild Horizons, this spot offers stunning views, especially of kayakers navigating the waters below. The vegan pancakes were delicious, and the coffee paired with Amarula was a real treat. However, a word of caution—the walk from the Victoria Falls park entrance isn’t ideal. There are no sidewalks, and active wildlife in the area can pose a risk. We started walking since it was a short walk on Google Maps but were kindly picked up by a local who warned us it wasn’t safe. It's best to take a cab instead.
The Boma
As detailed above. A buffet with traditional foods and live performances. Great for a one-time cultural experience.
Three Monkeys
Popular spot downtown near Elephant Walk shopping center. Known for burgers and pizzas. We didn’t get to go, but it looked like a fun, casual place.
Where to Drink
The River Brewing Co.
Located in the Elephant Walk area, this spot is known for its live music and selection of local brews. Although we didn’t get a chance to visit ourselves, it comes highly recommended by others.
Tips & Things to Know
Currency: U.S. dollars are used. Bring crisp bills as older or worn bills may not be appreciated.
Visas: Bring cash for your visa on arrival. Card payments mean long waits, and not all desks have card readers.
Transportation: Airport taxis are expensive (minimum $30). They're part of a single company, so prices are fairly fixed.
Malaria: This is a malaria zone. Visit your doctor beforehand for antimalarial pills
Water: Not safe to drink. Stick to bottled water only.