Victoria Falls
One of the world's great waterfalls, where the Zambezi River drops into a deep gorge on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. Local people call it Mosi-oa-Tunya, the smoke that thunders.
Livingstone and Victoria Falls
This town is the base for visiting Victoria Falls, offering bungee jumps off the falls bridge, white-water rafting, Zambezi sunset cruises and swims at Devil's Pool.
Attractive locations
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
A small park on the Zambian side of the falls that protects the gorge and riverbank. It has walking paths to viewpoints near the falls and some wildlife, including giraffes and zebras.
Railway Museum, Livingstone
A museum in Livingstone with old steam locomotives, carriages and railway equipment that recall the line built to the Victoria Falls area and its role in southern Africa's history.
Victoria Falls Bridge
A steel arch bridge from 1905 spanning the gorge below the falls and joining Zambia and Zimbabwe. A walkway gives views of the falls, and the bridge is a base for bungee jumping and tours.
Livingstone Island
A rocky island on the lip of Victoria Falls on the Zambian side, reached by guided boat trip when water levels allow. It gives a close view of the water pouring over the edge.
Airports
Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport LVI
It is about 6 km in a straight line from Livingstone and Victoria Falls.
Victoria Falls International Airport VFA
It is about 28 km in a straight line from Livingstone and Victoria Falls.
Scams and safe taxis
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan24.8 °C139 mm
- Feb24.2 °C126 mm
- Mar23.9 °C92 mm
- Apr22.6 °C33 mm
- May20.2 °C2 mm
- Jun17.6 °C6 mm
- Jul17.0 °C0 mm
- Aug20.4 °C0 mm
- Sep24.5 °C2 mm
- Oct27.8 °C12 mm
- Nov27.6 °C63 mm
- Dec25.6 °C136 mm
Driest months: May, Jul, Aug, Sep. Wettest months: Jan, Feb, Dec.
Costs
Prices here are about 30% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
nature
Victoria Falls at full flow
The falls produce their largest spray and loudest roar.
Who can help
Emergency
999 or 112. Ask your hotel or operator for local police and ambulance numbers.
local government
Zambia Police Service - emergency lines
Helps with: The police service's contact page lists 991 as the emergency and hotline number, with 992 for an ambulance and 993 for the fire brigade. Its office is on Government Road, Lusaka.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Zambia, including visitors, in an emergency.
Phone: 991
Address: Government Rd, Lusaka
local government
Ministry of Tourism, Zambia
Helps with: The government ministry responsible for tourism. Its contact page gives a Lusaka office address, phone and email. The Ministry's travel information page also lists emergency and local police numbers.
Who qualifies: Anyone with a tourism question in Zambia.
Phone: +260 211 223930
Email: info@mot.gov.zm
Address: Kwacha House, Cairo Road, Lusaka (P.O. Box 30575)
local government
Zambia Tourism Agency
Helps with: Zambia's national tourism agency. Its contact page gives a Lusaka office address and phone line for visitors with questions about travelling in Zambia.
Who qualifies: Anyone planning or taking a trip to Zambia.
Phone: +260 211 229087
Address: Abacus House, Stand No. 2338, Kabelenga Road, Boma Area, Lusaka
ngo
Zambia Red Cross Society
Helps with: Zambia's national Red Cross society, founded in 1966, with volunteers in all 10 provinces. Its site lists a toll-free line 7373 as well as the phone number given here.
Who qualifies: People in Zambia needing the Red Cross's humanitarian help, including in disasters.
Phone: 0953054584
Email: info@redcross.org.zm
Address: 2837 Los Angeles Boulevard, Longacres, Lusaka
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Zambia
Helps with: The UN migration agency, in Zambia since 1990. It runs migration programmes and provides protection and referral help for vulnerable migrants, including trafficking victims and stranded migrants.
Who qualifies: Migrants in Zambia, especially vulnerable ones such as trafficking victims or stranded migrants. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +260 211 25 40 55
Email: iomlusaka@iom.int
Address: Plot No. 4623 Mwaimwena Road, Rhodes Park, Lusaka
embassy
Foreign missions in Zambia (Department of Immigration list)
Helps with: For a lost passport or serious trouble, contact your own country's embassy or high commission. This government list covers embassies, consulates and honorary consulates, mostly in Lusaka, with addresses and contacts. The list is undated.
Who qualifies: Citizens of each country, through their own embassy, high commission or consulate.
local government
Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit
Helps with: Zambia's national disaster management unit, set up under the Disaster Management Act of 2010. The Vice-President's office page gives a Lusaka phone number; it lists no hotline and is undated.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Zambia affected by a disaster or wanting to report one.
Phone: +260 211 250827
Address: Cabinet Office, 4th Floor, Independence Avenue, Lusaka (P.O. Box 50773)