Victoria Falls 4-day Itinerary
Multiple countries
Where to go and what to see in Victoria Falls to get the most from your trip – a 4-day itinerary from destination expert and travel writer Richard Holmes.
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Overview >Bucket list experience:
Royal Livingstone Express
Livingstone, Southern Province, Zambia
Credit Shutterstock.com/Dietmar Rauscher
Last updated: 16 November, 2022
Cecil John Rhodes dreamt of a railway from Cape to Cairo, crossing Victoria Falls’ famous bridge. His tracks never made it that far, but you can still relive the glamour of colonial train travel as this historic steam train runs through the Zambian bush.
Carriages are decorated in a plush colonial style, and as the locomotive chuffs through the game-rich Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and across the Sinde River, you’ll have the chance to spot antelope on the hoof. After toasting the sunset on the iconic Victoria Falls bridge, a five-course set-menu dinner is served.
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Destination Guide >Price from: £150
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around
Duration: 4 hours
Getting there & doing it
The train departs from ‘Kilometre 0’ of the Mulobezi Line. Groups can book the train for a private ‘Victoria Falls Bridge Run’; this includes drinks and snacks on the famous railway bridge across the Batoka Gorge. The dress code for the train is strictly smart-casual, and no shorts are allowed.
When to do it
Trains run all year round, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Hotel pick-up is around 5pm (varies by time of year), returning around 9pm.
Recommended itineraries by our writers that include this experience
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Sussi & Chuma
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park , Southern Province, Zambia[2 miles]
Stylish luxury safari lodge offering in a pristine wilderness setting on the Zambezi, with a villa for families and uber-romantic treehouse suites. 20 minutes from Victoria Falls.
Official star rating:
Royal Livingstone Hotel
Livingstone, Southern Province, Zambia[6.2 miles]
A five-star hotel with an unrivalled Falls location, luxury rooms and modern facilities… at a price.
Official star rating:
Victoria Falls River Lodge
Zambezi National Park, Matabeleland North, Central African Republic (CAR)[6.9 miles]
A contemporary, luxury lodge in an enviable location on the banks of the Zambezi River, a short way upstream from the Victoria Falls.
Official star rating:
Ilala Lodge Hotel
Victoria Falls Town, Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe[7.1 miles]
Cosy boutique hotel with an authentic African feel, right on the doorstep of the Victoria Falls.
Official star rating:
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
The world-famous Victoria Falls is also Africa’s adventure playground, offering an array of brilliant adrenalin-packed adventure activities plus Big Five safaris.
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Overview >Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
Guided bush walks to see white rhinos
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Southern Province, Zambia[4.7 miles]
Excellent guided bush walks that will get you up close and personal with the endangered white rhinoceros in Zambia’s Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park.
Best for ages: 14+ | £82 | 2 or 4 hours
Cruise on the Zambezi
Victoria Falls Town, Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe[5.3 miles]
Scenic cruises and game spotting on one of Africa’s greatest rivers, just made for sundowners.
Best for ages: 4+ | £35 | 1+ hours
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Swim in the Devil’s Pool
Livingstone, Southern Province, Zambia[6.7 miles]
Take a dip in the small lagoon on Livingstone Island – right on the lip of the 103m-high Falls. Not for the faint hearted.
Best for ages: 12+ | £115 | 2 hours
Helicopter flights over Victoria Falls
Livingstone, Southern Province, South Africa[6.7 miles]
Appreciate the true scale of the Falls from above, with helicopter and microlight flights.
Best for ages: 10+ | £150 | 1.5 hours
Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..
Experience
David Livingstone Museum
Livingstone, Southern Province, Zambia[1.7 miles]
There’s not much to recommend the town of Livingstone, but Zambia’s largest and oldest museum is certainly worth a visit for its collection of original David Livingstone artefacts, including tools, journals and maps.
Best for ages: 18+ | £5
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Experience
Dambwa Market
Livingstone, Southern Province, Zambia[1.7 miles]
Enjoy a taste of local living at the Dambwa market in Livingstone. This is where locals come to shop, and you’ll find everything from fresh produce to wooden carvings. Guided tours are available if you’re unsure about exploring on your own.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
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Experience
Golf at Elephant Hills
Victoria Falls Town, Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe[5.6 miles]
Designed by golfing legend Gary Player, the 18-hole Elephant Hills course upstream from the Falls is one of the wildest golf courses in Africa, and players will have to mind the antelope and crocodiles as carefully as the water hazards.
Best for ages: 13+ | £10 | 2-4 hours
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Experience
Sundowners at the Royal Livingstone Hotel
Livingstone, Southern Province, Zambia[6.3 miles]
With the spray rising downstream and the sun dipping below the Zambezi, enjoy the best sundowner G&T in Africa from the Kubu Bar at the Royal Livingstone Hotel. Non-residents are welcome, and the views are worth the price tag.
Best for ages: 18+ | £12 | 2-3 hours
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Round-ups that include this experience
20 World’s best train rides (< 1 day)
Multiple countries
Be it jaw-dropping scenery, a rich historical significance, the tradition and atmosphere of the train itself – or a combination of all three – here’s our round-up of the world’s best.
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