If there was a “Hall of Fame” of waterfalls, Victoria Falls would be one of the first to be inducted. Its beauty has earned it a spot as one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. Located between Zambia and Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls is a definite must-visit location.
There are countless things to see and do around Victoria Falls. We were only in the area for three days and wanted to fit in as many experiences as possible. Our goal was to see Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwe and Zambia side, take a helicopter ride, swim to the edge of falls at Devil’s Pool, and go for a game drive in Chobe National Park.
Victoria Falls is massive! At 5,604 feet long, it is the largest curtain falls in the world. Seeing the falls looks like the earth just split in two and the river falls off the edge of the earth. I love all waterfalls and this was like being able to see hundreds of falls at once. One of the things we really wanted to do was compare the views of the falls from the Zimbabwe side and the Zambia side. Zimbabwe has a lot more viewpoints of the falls, but Zambia has the iconic Knife’s Edge Bridge. Basically, you can’t go wrong with either side. If you could only pick one side, Zimbabwe has so many viewpoints that I would lean toward this side. The Zambezi River is flowing from the Zambia side which allows the Zimbabwe side to see the entire length of the falls. However, Livingstone, Zambia is the largest town and most popular place for tourists to stay. So to sum it up, if you have the chance it is worth seeing these amazing falls from both country’s viewpoints!
The best way, and only way to see the entire falls at once, is from the air! We booked a helicopter flight with Livingstone’s Adventure. If there is one helicopter flight you are going to take in the world, this is the perfect place to experience it. There is no way to appreciate the sheer size of the falls except from the air. We could see all 5,604 feet of the expansive falls. The mist of the falls and the brilliant rainbows rising out of the water looked like something out of a movie. During our flight, the pilot circled around the falls three times! We’ve experienced helicopter rides around other landscapes and have always only gotten one pass. So this was an extra special experience. During our flight we also spotted elephants, zebras, and hippos below! Our pilot was very friendly and made the whole experience a joy. Livingstone’s Adventure is located very close to the falls and has a beautiful waiting location. If you are traveling all the way to see one of the seven natural wonders of the world, it is definitely worth booking the Livingstone’s Adventure helicopter tour! They offer many other tours as well, from river cruises to horseback safaris.
One of the things that has been on my bucket list since high school was Devil’s Pool. This is a small, natural pool right on the edge of Victoria Falls. We booked a Livingstone Island Tour to sit on the edge of the falls in Devil’s Pool! The incredible guides even held our feet so we could lean out toward the edge! It is an experience unlike anything else in the world. It is definitely an adrenaline rush and probably one of the most amazing / crazy things we’ve done. Feeling the rush of water fall over the edge of the cliff as we sat on the edge was something that is hard to describe. It was beautiful and slightly terrifying at the same time. But while I was scared sitting on the edge, the fearless guides walked confidently on the edge making sure we got the perfect picture!
With the rushing water and sheer drop, it is definitely important not to panic and swim exactly where the guides tell you to. But thanks to the unbelievable guides, Devil’s Pool is also possible for all ages to experience. In our group we had a family with two 13 year olds and an 11 year old. They were far more fearless than me and made hanging at the edge of a 354 foot waterfall look easy! In the next group, we even saw one of the guides put a lady in her 60’s on his back and swim her out to the pool! Many of the guides running the Livingstone Island Tour have been taking people to Devil’s Pool for 15 years and have always brought everyone safely back! (There are locals who will offer to take you to the falls edge illegally. This is life threatening and illegal. Make sure to book your Livingstone Island Tour with Tongabezi, part of Green Safaris).
Due to the changing water levels, Devil’s Pool is only open between mid-August to mid-January. (These dates can change, so it’s best to go somewhere in the middle. Also if you aren’t a strong swimmer, the beginning to the end of the season has a much stronger current you have to swim through.) We found out afterwards that we were the first group of the season to experience Devil’s Pool! I was so thankful for the fearless and extremely patient guides and that I was finally able to check Devil’s Pool off of my high school bucket list. If you’re interested in reading more about our Devil’s Pool experience, click here!
How We Got Around
The way that we were able to see and do so much in a short amount of time is thanks to Dewclaw Eco Tours and Safaris. Dewclaw is a one-stop-shop for tours and adventures in Zambia and beyond. Lacken, the owner of Dewclaw, has many years of experience in safaris. They have an amazing team to help coordinate your dream vacation. Located in Livingstone, Zambia – the tourism capital of the country – Dewclaw coordinates countless adventures, from rhino walks to mobile camping safaris. Some of their most popular tours are: Victoria Falls guided tours, local village tours, game drives, and more. If you’re interested in an adrenaline rush, Dewclaw also arranges bungee jumps, helicopter rides, rappelling, white water rafting, and the famous Devil’s Pool swim. Pretty much anything you can think of, Dewclaw can arrange to visit.
Dewclaw arranged the transportation and border crossings for us so we could focus on the activities. Once we landed in Zimbabwe, we were greeted by Oliver, the owner of Inkwazi Tours and Transfers, a Zimbabwe based shuttle service that Dewclaw works with. He was incredibly friendly and an expert on the falls. It was so nice knowing that we had an air conditioned passenger van waiting to take us directly to the falls. Dewclaw and Inkwazi also made the border crossing from Zimbabwe to Zambia a breeze. The next day, we told Dewclaw where we wanted to go and they made sure we got there on time. It was great having a built-in tour guide to show us around town and chauffeur us to each of our activities. Also on our drives around Livingstone, we got to see elephants, zebras, impalas, and other wildlife. It was like having a mini safari within a 20 minute drive!
Located just a short distance from four country borders, Dewclaw also arranges for international travel and transportation. The most popular countries for travel are Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Malawi. Dewclaw has contacts all across these countries. But one of the coolest trips that Dewclaw offers is a mobile camping safari. The company brings their own chef, sets up the campsite, and guides the game drives. So during the day you get to see the incredible wildlife and at night return to a fully set up camp and hot meal! The next day, you continue on to the next national park or country and Dewclaw sets up everything in the new location. This is the perfect option for families and friends who want the perfect, private safari getaway!
For people looking to venture out on their own, Dewclaw rents out fully equipped safari vehicles. These cars have anything and everything you could ever need for the ultimate safari trip. In addition to a rooftop tent, the Land Cruiser is fitted with a built-in kitchenette, camping gear, and high voltage solar panels. It is truly a camping safari dream vehicle.
We loved our time in Livingstone, Zambia. There is so much to see and do in the area and surrounding countries. If you are looking to book a trip to Africa and want to see one of the seven natural wonders of the world, go on a safari, walk with rhinos, or swim in Devil’s Pool – Livingstone, Zambia is an incredible place to start!
