Can You See Victoria Falls From Botswana?
You’re touring Botswana soon, and you’d love to visit Victoria Falls during your trip. But you aren’t sure if you can see Victoria Falls from Botswana directly, or you’ll have to book a tour in a neighboring country to see the Falls.
The short answer is that you can see Victoria Falls from Botswana. At Good Earth Tours, we offer Botswana safari tours that include Victoria Falls and other exciting attractions around Botswana. We also provide affordable and luxury tailor-made tours for honeymoons and families with kids.
Can You Visit Victoria Falls from Botswana?
Victoria Falls borders both Zimbabwe and Zambia, but you can easily visit it from Kasane, Botswana. Day trips with guided tours are readily available, and they offer stunning views of Victoria Falls and other exciting activities. One such trip is the Botswana Focus Safari at Good Earth Tours.
Seeing Victoria Falls from Botswana
If you visit Victoria Falls from Botswana, you’ll see the Falls from the Zimbabwean side. This area is surrounded by tropical gardens and lily ponds, all of which highlight the magnificence of the Falls.
The tour begins with a transfer from the Victoria Falls Airport in Zimbabwe to the Victoria Falls Hotel, which is only a 5-minute walk away from the center of the Falls.
Guests can either view Victoria Falls from the windows of their hotel or stroll across the Falls to get an up-close look.
Best Time to See Victoria Falls from Botswana
The best time to see Victoria Falls from Botswana is between February and May, when the water is flowing at its peak. Since this period falls within the dry season in Victoria Falls, you’ll experience scorching hot weather as you stroll across the Falls. Ensure to pack sun hats, sunscreen, lip balm and light clothing in your luggage.
During the rainy season, the water in Victoria Falls dries up significantly. However, some flow is still visible on the Botswana side, and you can catch the lunar rainbow forming on the gorge. You also get to enjoy thrilling experiences like rafting, zip lining, and bungee jumping.
How to See Victoria Falls from Botswana
This section covers the different ways to experience Victoria Falls from Botswana:
- Stroll Across the Falls
Walk through a private footpath across Victoria Falls to witness a large torrent cascading down the monstrous cliff and hear the thunderous roar of the water.
If you visit the Falls during March or April, you’ll have to keep a slight distance from the waterfall to protect your ears against the deafening sound. Since Botswana is close to the Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls, you’re guaranteed a wider view of Victoria Falls.
If you have a chance to visit the Zambian side of the Falls, explore the Rain Forest trail to experience the intense humidity at the edge of the cliff. On your way back down, stop at the Boiling Pot to catch a view of the Zambezi River down below.
The Boiling Pot is a steep path surrounded by series of rapids on a small stream that connects the Batoka Gorge to the Zambezi River.
- Take a Helicopter Flight
Another unique way to experience Victoria Falls is to fly over the mighty waterfall. The helicopter flight might be a little costly, but its exclusive views are worth the money.
Watching the gushing water from a bird’s eye view as a towering wall of mist rises above it will leave you mesmerized. Take a breath and spend some minutes watching this beautiful sight in all its glory. Don’t forget to take exquisite photographs of this spectacle to remind you of your experience.
Other Tourist Activities on the Botswana Side of Victoria Falls
- Swimming in Devil’s Pool
The Devil’s Pool is a natural 10-foot pool located near Victoria Falls. The rapid currents in this pool make it challenging for even experienced swimmers to wade through. While trying to manage the brisk waves, you still have to worry about maintaining your balance, as a slight slip could land you in a brutal fall.
Fortunately, there are always able-bodied guides positioned at the edge of the pool to keep you from falling. Even so, it’s best to avoid Devil’s Pool if you are scared of heights or new to swimming.
Devil’s Pool is only open to the public between August and January. Outside these months, the waves in the Pool move too fast for average humans to handle.
- White Water Rafting
No one should leave Victoria Falls without rafting through the white water rapids of the Zambezi River. If you do, you’ll miss the thrill of paddling through over ten rapids with scary names like ‘Gnashing Jaws of Death’ and ‘The Overland Truck-eater’ that hint at their high speed.
But not to worry, you don’t need any previous rafting experience to survive the Zambezi rapids.
There are on-field guides that will teach you how to raft and explain what you should expect during the trip. A rescue team is also readily available in case of accidents.
At the beginning of the activity, you’ll be taken to the Boiling Pot, where the rapids are slowest. Then, everyone will be divided into teams, with each team placed in a separate raft. Every time you encounter a rapid, the entire team must paddle hard to overcome it.
The first three rapids hit your raft in successive order. Then, a short interval ensues before the next rapid. During the break, you can admire the majestic Batoka Gorge or chat with your teammates.
- Bungee Jumping
At 111 meters high, the bungee jump at Victoria Falls is one of the highest and most thrilling bungee jumps in the world. Little wonder celebrities like Will Smith couldn’t resist the experience.
The jump takes place at the Victoria Falls Bridge, which stands on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Don’t forget to bring your passport along with you, so you can easily cross the border.
When you get to the top of the bridge, you’ll meet some jumpmasters who will weigh you and confirm your age. Children under 14 years old aren’t permitted to take bungee jumps.
If you are eligible for the jump, the guides will strap harnesses to your body and ankles.
Then, you’ll receive instructions on how to do the jump. During this short lesson, you can admire the incredible landscape around you, or study the mean flow of the Zambezi River below your feet.
Once you’ve gotten all the necessary instructions, the guides start a 5-second countdown and launch you into the abyss. As you fall through the distance, you’ll feel the adrenaline rush through your veins.
When you reach the base of the bridge, another jumpmaster recoils the rope and winches you back up. You only need about 15 minutes to practice and take the jump, and you can finally cross it off your bucket list.
- Zip Lining
Imagine gliding at a fiery speed of 106km/h, with a rushing torrent of water flowing beneath you– Exciting, right? That’s what you’ll experience when you zip line over the Zambezi River.
The zipline at Victoria Falls is suspended 120 m above the massive Batoka Gorge, and it extends over 400 m of the Zambezi area. Luckily, this activity is suitable for all ages. So, you can bring your child along for this activity.
To keep you safe, the guides at the venue tie you into a harness before attaching your body to the zip line. Then, you are launched into the Batoka Gorge at a horrifying speed of 106 km/h.
As scary as the experience may seem, the Victoria Falls zip line is one of the safest in the world. All the guides are well-experienced and boast a 100% safety record. They stay alert and monitor your experience to ensure a smooth ride.
- Sunset Cruise
Another unique experience in Victoria Falls is the Zambezi River Sunset Cruise. The golden African sunset is not only spectacular for its striking colors, but also because of the shadows of animals that flock the sea at nighttime.
As you navigate the entire 6km across the river, you’ll sight animals like hippos, crocodiles, and elephants. You’ll also catch some birds flying from the nearby forest.
Although you won’t be able to see Victoria Falls from your location, the cloud of spray that crowns the Falls is still visible. As you view the spectacle before you, you can munch on the finger snacks served on the boat or sip a drink.
- Wildlife Safaris at Chobe National Park
The Chobe National Park is the closest national park to Victoria Falls on the Botswana side. It is a top choice for tourists who want to view the diverse wildlife in Africa. The most common animals here are:
- Hippos
- Giraffes
- Kudu
- Elephants
- Antelopes
- Warthogs
These animals reside across the various landscapes at the national park, ranging from dry woodlands and marshes to savanna forests and grasslands. Chobe National Park also boasts over 400 bird species, which include the kingfisher, Pell’s fishing owl, sacred ibis, and African fish eagle.
We recommend seeing these animals up close through guided game drives. Our tour operators provide open 4*4 safari vehicles that will take you around the park, while a professional tour guide educates you about the animals.
After your game drive, you can relax at the tastefully-furnished Chobe Game Lodge. The lodge contains facilities like a beauty salon, gym, swimming pool, bar, and a large billiard table. A restaurant overlooking the Chobe River also serves delicious African and Continental dishes.
- Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta spans about 16,000 square kilometers, making it the largest inland delta in the world. This delta is also special because of its unique structure. While flood waters usually spread over water in most deltas, the flood at the Okavango Delta spans onto land.
Another notable feature of the Okavango Delta is the diverse population of endangered wildlife species. Some rare animals like the black rhinoceros, white rhinoceros, cheetah, and African wild dog are permanently situated at the park.
As the Okavango Delta is rarely crowded, it is a great place to plan an intimate African safari. You can visit during safari peak seasons and still enjoy the undivided attention of your tour guide.
Book Your Botswana Tour with Good Earth Tours
Want to plan a Botswana Tour that includes Victoria Falls? Then, contact us at Good Earth Tours.
Our travel experts will help you develop a personalized Botswana tour itinerary that covers the Falls and other exciting activities around the area. We’ll ensure that your trip is unforgettable and affordable, so you can relax and enjoy the experience.
March 4, 2024