Day Trips to Botswana, Zambia and Hwange
Choosing a day trip from Victoria Falls Town mostly comes down to three questions: how early can you start, what do you want to see, and are you willing to cross a border? The answers below point to the right outing.
How early can you start?
Hwange asks the most. Its Main Camp is about 180 km away, two to two and a half hours each way, so tours leave near 06:00 and return around 18:30 to 19:00. Chobe tours leave around 07:00 to 07:30 and are back for the early evening. Zambezi National Park and Livingstone suit a late start or a half day.
Do you want elephants?
Chobe in Botswana is the best answer. The Kazungula border is roughly 70 to 80 km west of town, about an hour on a paved road. The wider Chobe ecosystem holds around 120,000 elephants, and a boat ride in the morning puts you near herds drinking and swimming, with hippos and crocodiles close by. Lunch is at a riverfront lodge, and an afternoon vehicle drive follows on the floodplain.
Hwange also has large herds, with more than 45,000 elephants. It adds wild dogs and lions, across a park of 14,651 square km that is known as the Land of the Giants.
Do you want the falls from another angle?
Cross the bridge to Livingstone in Zambia, about 10 to 15 km away. Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park has viewpoints on the eastern side, including the Knife-Edge Bridge, a narrow span where spray can drench you. In Livingstone town, the Livingstone Museum holds the explorer’s letters and Zambian collections. Devil’s Pool and Angel’s Pool are reached from the Zambian bank by boat, with one licensed operator running the island trips.
Do you want something short?
Zambezi National Park has an entrance about 5 km west of town, so you can fit a morning or late afternoon drive around other plans. International visitors pay US$17 at the gate.
Are you willing to cross a border?
Livingstone needs Zambian entry, which is either a single-entry visa or a KAZA UniVisa, depending on nationality. The KAZA UniVisa costs US$50, lasts 30 days and also allows a same-day visit to Botswana through Kazungula. An overnight stay in Botswana voids it. It is sold only to eligible nationalities, so check the Zimbabwe eVisa portal or the Zambia Department of Immigration. Always carry your passport.
Packing
- Water, a hat and sun cream.
- A light layer for dawn departures.
- US dollar cash, since card machines can lose their connection.
Malaria is present in the region, so ask a doctor about prevention.
Read more: Multi Day Trips from Victoria Falls Town and the seven day Victoria Falls itinerary .
Booking help
Search day tours on GetYourGuide . Chobe park information is at chobenationalpark.co.za .