Painted Dogs, Tea and Tram Tours
Each stop below has a short note on who it suits. Pick two or three rather than all of them, because the distances between Victoria Falls and Dete are long.
Painted Dog Conservation
Go if you want a free, educational stop on the way to Hwange. The centre is at Dete, opposite Hwange National Park Airport, reached from the A8 at Cross Mabale. Because it sits outside the park, you pay no park fee. Visits take up to about 2 hours and hours run about 08:00 to 17:00. Check before you drive out, since it may close on the last weekend of the month. Donations support the work. This is a rehabilitation and conservation centre, not a zoo.
Victoria Falls Crocodile Farm
Go if you are curious about a working farm. It lies about 5 km from town beside Zambezi National Park, and began in the 1950s under the name Spencer’s Creek. Visitors see feeding times, a snake park and a curio shop. Opening hours are about 08:00 to 17:00 and tickets are about US$20 for adults and US$10 for children. This is a commercial farm, not a sanctuary, and lion contact is not worth supporting.
Bamba Tram
Go if you want the bridge without the bungee. The tram runs from Three Monkeys, close to Victoria Falls Railway Station, into the national park and on to the bridge. The sunrise departure takes about 1.5 hours. The operators also run the Bamba Bus, and have done so since April 2022.
Stanley’s Terrace tea
Go if you like grand hotels. Victoria Falls Hotel was built in 1904, and tea is served from about 15:00 to 17:30. Non-guests are welcome. The price is set by the hotel, so ask when booking.
Elephant Express
Go if you are already staying at Bomani Tented Lodge or Camelthorn Lodge. The 22-seat open railcar covers about 70 km between Dete Siding and Ngamo Siding in about 2 hours, then a game vehicle covers the last 10 to 15 minutes. Timings follow the railway, and seats are not guaranteed. Confirm with Imvelo that it runs on your dates. It is a train safari, with no close contact with elephants.
Zambezi National Park drives
Go if you have a morning free. The park is next to town, and international entry is about US$17. Operators may add their own charges.
Evening dinner
For an evening meal with a show, The Boma - Place of Eating at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge takes advance bookings.
Simple advice
Pay in US dollars, keep cash for the gate, and treat any figure from a reseller as a starting point.
Read more: Family-friendly activities and Sightseeing .
Browse listings through GetYourGuide for Matabeleland North . The centre’s own site is painteddog.org .