Best Travel Guide Livingstone | ArrivalGuides.com

LivingstoneGuide was updated: 2025-04-28

This historic colonial town, just a short trip away from thunderous Victoria Falls, thrums with adrenaline and old-world charm. Once Northern Rhodesia’s capital, today the town serves as a crossroads of southern Africa, where Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana meet. At sunset, the Zambezi’s waters turn golden as safari boats glide past hippos, while craft markets overflow with vibrant textiles and carvings. Whether you come for the falls’ deafening roar or the town’s laid-back charm, Livingstone delivers Africa at its most spectacular.

Do & See

While Lusaka serves as Zambia's political capital and most populous urban centre, Livingstone holds particular appeal for travellers owing to its enviable position near both the Zambezi River and the spectacular Victoria Falls. These world-renowned waterfalls represent merely the beginning of the region's attractions, which encompass magnificent national parks, wildlife safaris, and adrenaline-fuelled activities including bungee jumping, bridge swinging, zip lining and white water rafting. For those with cultural interests, Livingstone offers equally compelling experiences. The town boasts well-preserved colonial architecture, several noteworthy museums, and diverse culinary offerings. You may further enrich your understanding of local traditions by exploring nearby villages where communities maintain ancestral ways of life. This unique combination of natural wonders, adventure opportunities and cultural depth establishes Livingstone as an unmissable destination within southern Africa.

Victoria Falls

Where the mighty Zambezi River plunges 108 metres into a basalt chasm, Victoria Falls — or Mosi-oa-Tunya (The Smoke That Thunders) — carves one of Earth’s most dramatic spectacles. Spanning 1,708 metres along the Zambia-Zimbabwe border, this UNESCO World Heritage Site reveals its full fury between February and May when floodwaters transform the falls into a thunderous curtain of spray visible from 50 kilometres away. By November, the dry season unveils the geological artistry of the underlying gorges, including the yawning Boiling Pot whirlpool where the river's full force churns violently. On the Zambian side within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, jungle paths lead to the Knife Edge Bridge where visitors brave drenching mist for heart-stopping views of the Eastern Cataract and Rainbow Falls — the highest single drop at 108 metres. The adventurous can descend a steep trail to witness the Zambezi's power at the Boiling Pot, while keeping an eye out for resident baboons and bushbuck. For broader panoramics of the Main Falls and Devil's Cataract, the Zimbabwean side offers unparalleled vistas, especially striking during low water periods from August to January when the falls separate into distinct cascades. A valid passport allows easy border crossing to experience both perspectives. Unique phenomena abound: during full moons, lunar rainbows materialise in the night spray, while Livingstone Island (seasonally accessible) lets visitors peer directly into the precipice where Dr Livingstone first witnessed the falls in 1855. Morning visits provide the clearest views before afternoon spray builds, with waterproof gear essential in wet season. Helicopter flights reveal the falls' full grandeur from above, showcasing how the entire Zambezi funnels through a narrow 110-metre cleft in the basalt plateau — nature's own hydraulic masterpiece. Whether you come for the dry season's geological theatre or the wet season's deafening roar, Victoria Falls remains Africa's most humbling natural wonder, where rainbows dance in perpetual spray and fish eagles soar above gorges carved over millennia. The falls' enduring power continues to captivate, just as they stunned Livingstone, who famously declared: "Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight".

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Devil’s Pool

For brave souls seeking the world’s most exhilarating swim, Devil’s Pool delivers an unforgettable adrenaline rush. This natural rock pool, sculpted by millennia of erosion, sits precisely on the precipice of Victoria Falls, where the Zambezi’s waters cascade 100 metres into the gorge below. Accessible only during the dry season (typically mid-August to mid-January), the experience begins with a boat ride to Livingstone Island — the very spot where explorer David Livingstone first laid eyes on the falls in 1855. The adventure continues as visitors wade and swim through gentle currents, guided by experts to the pool’s edge. Here, a submerged rock lip creates a natural barrier, allowing swimmers to peer safely over the thunderous drop while the river’s force swirls around them. In the driest months (October-November), some may walk across exposed rocks to reach the pool, though a guide remains mandatory. While the sight of bathers lounging at the waterfall’s brink makes for iconic photos, the reality is even more breathtaking. As over 500 million litres of water plunge past each minute, the pool’s deceptive calm contrasts with the roaring abyss just beyond your fingertips. Five daily tours depart for this once-in-a-lifetime experience, though nature dictates the schedule — high waters from March to May render the pool inaccessible. For those who dare, Devil’s Pool offers not just a swim, but a visceral connection to the raw power of Africa’s greatest waterfall.

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Helicopter Flight over Victoria Falls

For the most dramatic perspective of Victoria Falls, nothing rivals the aerial views available through scenic flights. Livingstone's Adventures, the operator for these experiences, provides various options to suit different preferences, from brief helicopter flights to extended ones featuring dramatic low-level passes through the Batoka Gorge. These flights not only showcase the falls' full grandeur but also reveal stunning vistas of surrounding islands and local villages. While requiring a minimum of two passengers and representing a considerable investment, the unrivalled panoramic views make this experience truly unforgettable and well worth the expense.

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Gorge Swing & Zipline Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

The Victoria Falls gorge swing delivers an electrifying adventure, blending the intensity of a 70-metre free-fall with spectacular panoramic views of the mighty Zambezi River and the dramatic Batoka Gorge. You will receive comprehensive safety briefings and equipment from the professional and attentive staff who ensure every participant feels confident throughout the experience. The adventure continues with nine exhilarating zip lines that criss-cross the gorge, each transition offering moments to pause and absorb the breathtaking surroundings. For comfort and safety, you are advised to wear sun protection, comfortable clothing and hiking or running shoes.

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Zambezi River Cruise

A Zambezi River cruise offers a magnificent vantage point to admire Victoria Falls' towering spray from a safe upstream distance while observing the river's abundant wildlife. You will see hippos, majestic Nile crocodiles, and vibrant birdlife throughout the journey. These cruises cater to various preferences and budgets, ranging from classic sightseeing trips to elegant dinner cruises and luxury experiences. Most tours include refreshments including alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, and light fare. For particularly breathtaking views, sunset cruises reveal the Zambezi's beauty as daylight fades across the water.

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Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park Walking Safaris

This extraordinary encounter offers an unparalleled opportunity to observe Zambia's endangered white rhinos at close distance during an immersive walking safari, accompanied by expert guides deeply committed to wildlife conservation. The adventure begins with a foot safari through pristine bushland, where you will encounter not only these magnificent creatures but also diverse flora and fauna. Following the walk, the experience continues with a traditional game drive in a safari vehicle, allowing you to appreciate Zambia's wilderness from multiple perspectives. Few experiences compare to the thrill of traversing the untamed African bush on foot. Please note the walking safari maintains strict group limits with no more than eight participants at a time, making advance booking essential. The team collects you directly from your accommodation in the early morning, then takes you to Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, where the adventure begins.

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