Planning Day Trips from Victoria Falls

A day trip in this province is a question of road time. Use the list below to decide what fits, and treat anything over about three hours each way as an overnight.

Quick comparison

  • Zambezi National Park: about 5 km from Victoria Falls town, half a day.
  • Livingstone, Zambia: across the bridge, half to full day, needs Zambian entry.
  • Chobe National Park, Botswana: about 70 km to the Kazungula crossing, full day.
  • Hwange Main Camp: about 172 to 195 km, a long full day.
  • Binga: about 305 to 310 km, overnight only.

Zambezi National Park

Leave early for a morning game drive. Entry for international visitors is about US$17, with operator prices and park levies added on top. You will be back in town for lunch.

Hwange from Victoria Falls

The drive takes roughly 2.5 hours, and up to 3 in slow traffic. Turn off the A8 at Cross Mabale and follow 23 km of tar to Main Camp. Operators sell this as a day trip. Expect a very long day, with an overnight at a camp being the better plan. ZimParks charges a daily conservation fee plus a vehicle fee, so check both. Seasonally, August to November gives the best game viewing, with May to July also good. Hwange has no permanent rivers and no boat cruises. Animals drink at pumped waterholes and seasonal pans.

Chobe in Botswana

The KAZA UniVisa costs US$50 and covers 30 days in Zimbabwe and Zambia, plus a same-day visit to Botswana through Kazungula. It applies to eligible nationalities only, so check where it can be bought before you travel. Overnight stays in Botswana end the cover.

Livingstone and Devil’s Pool

Livingstone and Mosi-oa-Tunya are on the Zambian side. The Livingstone Museum is in Livingstone town. Devil’s Pool is on Livingstone Island, reached by boat from the Zambian bank, and it cannot be visited from the Zimbabwe side. It generally runs from about mid-August to mid-January. Angel’s Pool replaces it from about mid-June to late August and from January to mid-February, and dates vary. Children under 10 cannot join and under 12 cannot swim.

Binga

Binga needs a separate trip. Leave the A8 at Cross Dete, by the Total garage, and drive 154 km to Binga, tarred to Kamativi and potholed beyond. That puts it at 4 to 5 hours from Victoria Falls. The BaTonga Community Museum is the main visit. Plan an overnight stay.

Not reachable in a day

Bulawayo is about 440 km away. Matobo, Khami, Great Zimbabwe and Mana Pools belong to other provinces and sit much farther away.

Driving tips

Avoid driving outside towns at night, and watch for potholes and livestock. Fuel can be scarce, so top up when you can.

Read more: Multi-day trips and Activities .

Browse excursions on Viator . Hwange access: Great Zimbabwe Guide .