Best Times to Visit Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in Africa, measuring over 300 feet in height and 5000 feet in width. So, if you love traveling around the world, you’ve probably heard of Victoria Falls and are thinking of touring the area. But when should you visit to get the most out of your trip?

In this article, we’ll share the best times to visit Victoria Falls in descending order and what to do in each season. 

When is Best Time to Visit Victoria Falls?

The best time to visit Victoria Falls is between February and May when the waterfall is flowing at its peak. But other seasons in Victoria Falls also have their unique appeal. For instance, high-adrenaline activities like bungee jumping are best done between June and December. 

1. February to May

The period between February and May is the most suitable time of the year to visit Victoria Falls because the water is filled to the brim. The waterfall has had enough time to fill itself up from the heavy rains of the past year. February to May is also the time when the waterfall rapids are at their fastest. 

The weather during this period is quite hot. So, if you choose to visit then, make sure to pack light clothes and sunscreen in your luggage. 

What To Do in Victoria Falls Between February and May

• Stroll Through Victoria Falls

Take a ten-minute stroll through Victoria Falls and witness the water dropping from great heights. You’ll also hear the pleasant sound of water rushing at lightning speed and foaming in the Boiling Pot. You may get soaked while taking this stroll, but it’ll be a much-needed relief from the scorching sun.

• Explore the Forest in Victoria Falls National Park

Victoria Falls contains rare trees like Mopane, Wild date palm, Cape fig, and milkwood. One of the most notable trees in the forest is the strangling creeper, which grows over other trees and kills its host tree after attaining maturity.

Standing close to the park is another outstanding tree called the Big Tree. This tree earns its name from its size, which at 20m long and 16m wide, is quite impressive. But the most interesting fact about this special baobab tree is that it has existed for over 1000 years. The Big Tree has survived several disasters, like the flooding that occurred after the completion of the Kariba Dam Wall in 1956.

• Birdwatch at Chobe National Park 

If you visit Victoria Falls around April or May, you’ll be able to see several birds at the nearby Chobe National Park. Birds like ibis, African fish eagles, kingfishers, Marabou storks, and black-winged stilts fly to the park around this time. 

Remember to pack your binoculars for the birding trip. It’s also important to stay still and keep mute during the trip, as forest birds often get shy when they sense humans around them. 

2. June to September

By June, the water in Victoria Falls has slightly dried off due to low rainfall, but it still looks magnificent. There are beautiful formations of mist around the spray, and a lunar rainbow appears on the face of the waterfall. 

When you take a stroll across the waterfall, you’ll see unique geological structures on different areas of the site. 

Don’t miss the huge layer of Basalt that surrounds the waterfall. 

The Basalt is a dark volcanic rock that was formed after a volcano erupted millions of years ago. It boasts a width of 200km, stretching across the Zambezi River area in Kazungula to the river’s confluence with the Matetsi River in the Batoka Gorge. 

The weather at this time is cooler than in the first quarter of the year. So, if you can’t tolerate torrid weather but you hate winter, you should consider scheduling your tour to Victoria Falls between June and September. 

What to Do in Victoria Falls Between June and September

• See the Stunning Moon Rainbow on the Waterfall

Visit Victoria Falls on a full moon night to see the lunar rainbow reflected over the waterfall. This rainbow is so-called because it results from a refraction of moonlight instead of sunlight, unlike common rainbows. 

The lunar rainbow is often difficult to see during the high-water season (February – May) because of the flooding of water over the rocks. But the rainbow becomes more visible when the waterfall is slightly dried. Even then, you might still need a camera to make out the rainbow and distinguish its color. Only people with strong night vision and highly-sensitive retinas can see the rainbow clearly with naked eyes.

.

• White Water Rafting

White water rafting in Victoria Falls is another adventure that will get your adrenaline pumping. When engaging in this activity, you sit in a paddleboat and crash through the rapids in the waterfall.

Although white water rafting is usually available to tourists throughout the year, it’s best to wait until June to try it, especially if you are a beginner. 

The high volume of water at the beginning of the year makes the rapids difficult to paddle through. Besides, rafting isn’t as thrilling as in the low-water season (June to December) because the water often floods the rocks as you paddle. By June, the water level drops enough to crash through the rocks when your boat hits the rapids. 

A guide will provide you with detailed paddling instructions and safety measures. You’ll then receive a paddle, life jacket, and helmet before heading to your paddle boat and facing the first rapid. 

Your paddle boat will have a rafting guide, who will inform you when you need to paddle forward or backward, and when to stay still. But you won’t spend the whole day paddling.

 After every 5 rapids, you’ll raft through long, calm stretches of water. You can spend this break admiring the beautiful scenery, watching birds, viewing wildlife, or chatting with your fellow rafters. 

• Watch the Big 5 at Chobe National Park

The season between June and September is a great time to view wildlife in Victoria Falls. Since the rains have stopped, many animals spend time in the open, searching for water to drink. 

The Big 5 Predators— Lion, Cape Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, and Rhinoceros— also walk around the forest looking for prey to devour. You can find these animals at the nearby Chobe National Park or Moremi Park Reserve. 

3. October to January

The highlight of Victoria Falls between October and January is the array of massive gorges on the waterfall. Since the waterfall is at its lowest, the rocks that surround the waterfall are clearly visible. 

You can admire their huge size or study the zigzag patterns on them. Even if you move closer to the gorges to get a better view, you won’t get drenched. 

The weather around this period is usually cool due to frequent occurrences of heavy rains, making it a comfortable time for Westerners to visit.

What to Do in Victoria Falls Between October and January

• Swim in Devil’s Pool

If you want to experience a thrilling activity, you should take a dip in Devil’s Pool. Devil’s Pool is a natural 10-ft pool located inside Victoria Falls. 

The currents in this pool move just as fast as the waves in Victoria Falls. You also risk the possibility of falling over the edge of the pool while swimming. So, if you are still an amateur swimmer, you should only take a shallow dive into the pool.

Experienced swimmers who float to the deeper ends of the pool must follow the instructions of the swimming guides to stay safe. While you swim, some of the guides will might stay around the edge of the pool to prevent you from falling.

• Bungee Jump from Victoria Falls Bridge

Challenge yourself with a thrilling jump off the Victoria Falls Bridge. As the bridge boasts 111m in length, jumping from its top will make you feel like you’re free-falling. Add that to the backdrop of Victoria Falls and the bottom view of the great Zambezi River, and you have a refreshing but scary feeling you can’t get anywhere else. 

No wonder celebrities like Will Smith and Evan McGregor couldn’t resist taking the plunge. 

You don’t have to do the usual head-first dive, unless you’re a beginner. If you’re an experienced bungee jumper, you can try a backflip or an inward tuck. Some pros even attempt jumping with a kayak or bicycle. 

• Zipline Across the Batoka Gorge

The Wild Horizons Zipline at Victoria Falls is the longest zipline in the world. The zipline stretches over 425 m and lasts for one hour. 

The staff will attach you to a cable suspended 120m above the Zambezi River before launching you to the edge of the line. As you move across the cable, your speed will keep rising until you’re traveling at 106 km/hour to the end of the line. 

Schedule Your Victoria Falls Tour with Good Earth Tours

Have you decided when you want to visit Victoria Falls? Why don’t you plan your tour with Good Earth Tours?

Having planned several customized tours of Victoria Falls over the years, we have all the necessary resources and information to make your dream vacation a reality. 

We are also familiar with the companies in charge of the tourist activities around Victoria Falls. So, we can help you schedule an opening with them at your soonest availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

January 3, 2024