The Zambia side in brief
The Zambian bank of the Zambezi sits inside the Mosi-oa-Tunya area. The base is Livingstone, a different town from Victoria Falls Town on the Zimbabwe side. The two sides have separate entrances, separate tickets and no shared pass.
Footpaths lead to viewpoints on the falls. The Knife-Edge Bridge is a footbridge to viewpoints in the spray, not the road and rail bridge that joins the two countries. A path to the Boiling Pot has a steep descent. Bring shoes with a grip and expect to get wet when the river is high.
This is an independent guide. It is not run by the park, the heritage authority or any tour operator.
Zambia and Zimbabwe side by side
Adult fees in USD, 2026, from published secondary sources. Check the gate for the current rate.
| Item | Zambia side | Zimbabwe side |
|---|---|---|
| International adult, daytime | $20 | $58 |
| Regional (SADC) visitor | $20 | $35 |
| Children | Aged 6 to 16 half price, under 6 free | $29 for ages 6 to 12, age 5 and under free |
| Moonlight visit | $30 (lunar tour) | $116 |
| Hours | 06:00–18:00 | 06:00–18:00 |
| Leave and return | – | Pay again after you leave |
The Zambian figure is the falls and heritage entrance. The wider Mosi-oa-Tunya game park has its own, separate fee structure (see below). Do not add the two sides together into one ticket: there is no joint ticket.
Our picks: the Zambia side
A tour of both sides, plus flights over the falls that start in Livingstone.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Helicopter flight over the falls from Livingstone
The flight and the transfer from your accommodation in Livingstone are included. A $6 aviation fee per person and a fuel surcharge are extra: $9 for 15 minutes, $16.55 for 30 minutes.
Check availability →
Microlight flight over Victoria Falls
The flight over the falls and the hotel transfer are included. A $6 aviation fee per person and a fuel surcharge ($1.85 for 15 minutes, $3.70 for 30 minutes) are extra, as are food, drinks and the flight video.
Check availability →
Guided tour of the falls from Zimbabwe and Zambia
Guides on both sides, water, hotel transfer and rain coats. Park entry is extra: $58 for Zimbabwe and $20 for Zambia, plus food and drinks.
Check availability →Tours on the Zambia side
Flights, Livingstone Island, cruises and combos that start in Livingstone, with live prices and availability.
What to know before you go
Fees, paths, entry and health.
Falls fee and park fee
The falls entrance and the Mosi-oa-Tunya game park are charged differently. A 2025 fee table for the park lists $10 per person per day for international visitors, $5 for residents and SADC visitors and $15 for self-drivers, with children under 5 free and ages 5 to 13 at half price. Confirm the current rate before you go. Island walking tours add a $20 heritage fee, payable at the falls entrance.
Paths and viewpoints
The Knife-Edge Bridge and the Boiling Pot path are the best-known routes. Descriptions of both date from earlier years, so ask about current conditions at the gate. Stay on marked paths, do not feed animals and keep your distance.
Livingstone guide →Water level changes the view
The river is high from about February to June and low from about October to December, with a lot of spray at the high end and little at the low end. On 14 October 2026 the Zambezi River Authority measured 328 cubic metres per second at Nana's Farm, against 247 on the same date in 2025. A moonlight tour needs spray, clear sky and bright moonlight, and Zambian lunar tours can be limited when the Eastern Cataract is dry.
Best time to visit →Entry from Germany, Austria and Switzerland
The Zambian embassy's visa-free list from 2025 includes German, Austrian and Swiss citizens. Germans need a passport valid for at least 6 months on arrival. The usual first stamp is 30 days, with at most 90 days in 12 months. The KAZA Univisa ($50, 30 days, valid for Zambia and Zimbabwe plus day trips to Botswana) is not a visa for every country. Check the current rules with the embassy before you travel.
Visa and practical tips →Crossing from Zimbabwe
The Victoria Falls Bridge joins the two border posts. Sources give different opening hours for the border, so confirm them locally and allow time. Bridge activities need your passport.
Bridge guide →Money and safety
The currency is the kwacha (ZMW). Cards work at larger businesses, and outages happen. Tour operators quote in dollars, but that does not make dollars the only way to pay. The German Foreign Office reports petty crime in tourist centres and power cuts that can affect lighting. It also advises against swimming in fresh water because of bilharzia.
Health
The Foreign Office lists a high malaria risk all year in the whole country, towns included. Use mosquito protection and ask a doctor about prophylaxis. Yellow fever proof is needed if you arrive from a risk area or transit there for more than 12 hours.
Plan the rest of your trip
The other side, the town and the activities.
Victoria Falls Zambia: frequently asked questions
How much does the Zambia side cost?
A travel site lists $20 for international and SADC visitors, $2 for Zambians and $30 for the lunar tour. Children aged 6 to 16 pay half and under-6s go free. The game park charges separately, so confirm the rate on the day.
Is the Zambia side better than the Zimbabwe side?
Neither is better in general. Zimbabwe has the rainforest path along the main falls and costs $58. Zambia costs $20 and has the Knife-Edge Bridge and the Boiling Pot path. Many visitors see both. Water level and spray change what each side shows.
Do I need a visa for Zambia?
German, Austrian and Swiss citizens are on the embassy's visa-free list from 2025. The usual first stamp is 30 days, and your passport must be valid for 6 months. Rules change, so check with the embassy before you travel.
Can I visit both sides in one day?
You can cross at the border post by the bridge, but you pay the entrance on each side, and you need time for border formalities. Sources disagree on the border hours, so confirm them locally and plan the Zambia side early.
What are the opening hours?
A travel site lists 06:00 to 18:00 daily for the Zambian falls area. Last entry and moonlight operation can differ, so check the current times at the gate or ask your operator.