Southern Africa is renowned for its safaris, diverse landscapes, and abundant wildlife. Victoria Falls, one of the world’s most thrilling geographic spectacles, lies partially within two countries: Zambia and Zimbabwe. For many first-time visitors, the burning question is which of these two gateway countries they should choose.
This article provides a detailed comparison of Zambia and Zimbabwe, focusing on various aspects such as the Victoria Falls experience, wildlife viewing, accommodation options, activities, and general travel considerations.
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls: A Shared Wonder
Victoria Falls stands on the Zambezi River as it flows in a northeasterly direction along the mutual border, with Zambia to the northwest and Zimbabwe to the southeast.
Victoria Falls - Zambia or Zimbabwe? #africa #zambia #zimbabwe
Views and Perspectives
The most famous and photogenic full-frontal view is to be had from Zimbabwe’s small but strategically located Victoria Falls National Park. There are also some fine, and very different, viewpoints in Zambia. Indeed, when the water is high, nothing compares to Zambia’s spray-doused Knife Edge Bridge, which runs so close to the Eastern Cataract you feel like you’re immersed in the roaring cascade.
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Aerial view of facilities on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls.
Whichever side of the falls you’re based at, when it comes to views, it is worth setting aside a half day to cross over to the other one. This is very easy to do, as you can literally walk between Zambia and Zimbabwe via Victoria Falls Bridge, which spans the Batoka Gorge a short distance downriver of the main event. Paperwork is very straightforward, especially if you buy a KAZA UNIVISA upon arrival in either country.
Seasonal Considerations
April to September is when the level of the Zambezi is highest and the waterfall is at its most spray-kickingly awesome, so it’s a good time to be on either side. At other times of the year, Zimbabwe will be more impressive than Zambia. If rafting and canoeing are a high priority, river conditions are best for that between August and January. If the main purpose of your visit to southern Africa is a safari and Victoria Falls is essentially an add-on, wildlife viewing tends to be best from May to September/October. For bird-watchers, avian activity peaks from November to April, when migrants are present and many resident species adopt a colorful breeding plumage.
Adventure Activities
There is more to Victoria Falls than waterfall sightseeing. The gateway towns - Livingstone in Zambia and Victoria Falls township in Zimbabwe - are the adventure capitals of southern Africa, with numerous adrenaline-charged activities on offer. Popular highlights include hippo-dodging canoe trips on the Zambezi upstream of the falls, white-water rafting as the river surges through Batoka Gorge, and bungee jumping from Victoria Falls Bridge. Fortunately, access to these activities is about the same whether you stay in Zimbabwe or Zambia.
Devil's Pool in Zambia
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Accommodation
There is very little to distinguish between Zambia and Zimbabwe when it comes to accommodation. Zim has accommodation as varied as the country. You can even, up in Mana Pools, stay in a houseboat on Lake Kariba. Zambia's charm lies in its many ‘bush camps'. Truly rustic, intimate, rebuilt every season from scratch out of wood and thatch by local villagers, bush camps hark back to the safaris of yesteryear. If you do want to splurge, however, then Zambia does have top-of-the-line camps where tents are the size of small houses and come with outdoor showers and private plunge pools.
Wildlife Viewing
There are good wildlife-viewing opportunities on both sides of Victoria Falls.
Elephants at a waterhole, Zimbabwe
- Zambia: Zambia’s Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is home to plenty of elephant, buffalo, hippo and antelope, and it offers an opportunity to track white rhinos on foot, but no big cats are present.
- Zimbabwe: On the Zimbabwean side, elephants and buffaloes are often seen in the vicinity of the falls, and big cats are present in Zambezi National Park. Zimbabwe's huge open plains in Hwange make it ideal for big game viewing and you should see good-sized families of elephants and buffalo. Like most places in Africa, rhino are hard to find but a dedicated guide can get lucky. Head to the rockier regions to find species that like to hang around boulders like leopards, klipspringers and rock hyraxes.
General Travel Considerations
Cost
Traditionally, the Zambian side of Victoria Falls is regarded to be the cheaper of the two, but when you factor in flights and other transport costs, there’s unlikely to be much in it.
Safety and Stability
In recent years, Zambia has entrenched itself as one of the safest and most stable countries in sub-Saharan Africa, whereas Zimbabwe has become synonymous with tyrannical rule and economic mismanagement.
Read also: Zambia Travel Guide
Health
Always talk to your doctor or travel clinic before you set off for a foreign destination and try to be as fit and healthy as you can be, especially if you're coming to Africa to do a physically taxing walking safari or undertaking mobile camping. Bring along a small bottle of hand sanitiser but there is no need to rush out and buy specialist equipment (masks and gloves are definitely not necessary!). Depending on your country of origin, you may need a yellow fever vaccination. There is a risk of malaria during summer around water and some areas still have tsetse fly, which can leave a nasty bite. Much like Zambia, there is a small risk of malaria and you may have to get a yellow fever vaccination. Despite so much water around, the risk of malaria in Botswana is very low (unless you go into villages).
Country Comparison: Zambia and Zimbabwe
The following table provides a concise overview of various data points for Zambia and Zimbabwe.
| Category | Zambia | Zimbabwe |
|---|---|---|
| Terrain | Tropical woodlands, wetlands, and savannahs | Classic dry savannah (except near Victoria Falls) |
| Best for | Hiking, camping, canoeing, birding | Big game viewing |
| Big 5 sightings | Possible, but less common in a single day | Possible, but less common in a single day |
| Safety | Generally safe and stable | Less stable |
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