Victoria Falls and the Golden Triangle

The area around Victoria Falls is often described as the Golden Safari Triangle. Its three corners are the falls in Zimbabwe, the Chobe riverfront in Botswana and Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. Each corner gives something different, and together they make a trip of about a week.

The three corners

Victoria Falls Town is the adventure base. It has the rainforest trail, the bridge, rafting, helicopters, cruises and the Boma dinner. Two nights is enough for most of it.

Chobe and Kasane are the river corner. Kasane is about one to one and a half hours from town by road through the Kazungula border. Two nights on the riverfront give you boat and vehicle safaris among elephants, which the wider Chobe ecosystem holds in the region of 120,000.

Hwange National Park is the dry-land corner. It covers 14,651 square km and is known as the Land of the Giants, with over 45,000 elephants, wild dogs and lions. Allow two or three nights in a lodge or tented camp, because a day trip means four to five hours in the vehicle just for the journey.

Shorter versions

  • Two days: the rainforest trail, a helicopter flight and a sunset cruise on the first day, then rafting or the bridge bungee and a Boma dinner on the second.
  • Three to four days: add a Chobe day, then a day in Livingstone, Zambia, for Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and, in season, Devil’s Pool.

Border and visa planning

  • The KAZA UniVisa, US$50, is valid for 30 days and covers repeat crossings between Zimbabwe and Zambia, plus one same-day trip into Botswana through Kazungula.
  • Staying a night in Botswana voids it, so a Kasane stay needs its own entry arrangement.
  • Not every nationality can buy it. Use the Zimbabwe eVisa portal or the Zambia Department of Immigration to check eligibility.
  • Never plan on a visa-free crossing.

When to travel

The Zambezi sets the calendar. Low water, about August to December, gives the best rafting and a clear gorge. High water brings heavy spray, and the flood in about March to June closes rafting. Devil’s Pool usually opens from mid-August and runs to mid-January, though the dates move.

Costs worth knowing

The rainforest ticket for international visitors is about US$58 per entry. Zambezi National Park charges US$17 a day. Safari lodge prices vary widely, so compare rooms before you decide how many nights to spend in each corner.

Staying safe

Take medical advice about malaria. Avoid walking in town after dark, because elephants and buffalo graze in streets. See the UK travel advice for Zimbabwe for current government guidance.

Read more: Day Trips from Victoria Falls Town and the seven day Victoria Falls itinerary .

Booking help

Compare stays on Booking.com . Zimbabwe park information is at ZimParks .