 Victoria Falls main street | ||
| Victoria Falls | ||
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| Zimbabwe has no parent region. | ||
| Residents | 33.060 (2012) | |
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Victoria Falls is a city in the north of Zimbabwe and gateway to the famous Victoria Falls of the Zambezi.
background
The city is surrounded by Victoria Falls National Park, far outside the outskirts, a grid indicates its boundaries. For tourists, there is actually only a small area about 1 km from the waterfalls, there are several hotels, some shops and banks. There is also a tiny train station through which almost only freight trains go to and from Zambia drive. Due to this location, the hotels are surrounded by fences, but this does not prevent baboons or warthogs from visiting the facilities.
getting there
By plane
The Victoria Falls Airport
(IATA: VFA) is about 30 km from the city in the bush. He is flown from Johannesburg of British Airways, South African Airways, Air Namibia and Air Zimbabwe. The building is clearly arranged and small, on arrival you can walk across the apron to the arrival hall. After paying the entry fee you get the visa, the suitcases are lined up a few meters away. Departure is also very clear: there are 2-4 counters, behind it a security check and a small departure hall with only 1 gate and a tidy-looking duty-free shop.
By train
By bus
In the street
- Of the botswana city Kasane Victoria Falls can be reached in about 1.5 hours on a well-developed road, distance approx. 90 km.
- Of the zambian city Livingstone it is about 12 km over the railway bridge at the waterfalls.
By boat
mobility
Tourist Attractions
The main attraction are the Victoria Falls. They are located on the northern outskirts within walking distance, and there are a number of footpaths next to the main road. Since the only railway line leads in the same direction, you can orientate yourself on its course.
If you want to visit the falls outside the park, you can walk the road to the border crossing to Zambia. You then have to make it clear to the customs officers that you do not want to leave the country, but only want to go to the railway bridge. You will then receive a corresponding informal certificate. Without this note, a new entry fee is due upon return! The bridge, built around 1905, has a railroad track and at the same time represents the road connection to Zambia. Bungee jumps are carried out from the middle of the bridge. However, the best view of the waterfalls is from the national park.
activities
Various activities are offered, which are sold in the hotels or in the city from different offices; the activity in question usually comes from the same provider (identical program), even if the descriptions, brochures and prices differ.
- From Victoria Falls you can make a detour to the nearby Zambezi National Park. It is not as big as, for example, Hwange, but there are also big game to be seen.
- Classic boat tours or white water rafting can be done on the Zambezi.
- The bridge over Victoria Falls gives the opportunity to do a 'Historical Bridge Tour' (with a walk over the 'Catwalk' under the route). According to the company's own statements, the second highest bungee jump in the world is also offered here.
shop
kitchen
nightlife
accommodation
- Kingdom Hotel at Victoria Falls, The Kingdom at Victoria Falls, 1 Mallett Drive, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Tel.: 263 13 44275. The house is conveniently located on the main road to the waterfalls. It has a casino as well as a steak house from the well-known "SPUR" chain and a pizzeria. Only the VISA card is accepted. Free WiFi on request.
- Victoria Falls Hotel, The Victoria Falls Hotel, 2 Mallett Drive, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Tel.: 263 13 44751. The house is right next to the Kingdom Hotel and offers a good view of the Zambezi Gorge and the railway bridge.
Footpaths lead to the Zambezi Gorge from both houses. The paths can only be reached through narrow gates until 6 p.m. and are monitored by security personnel.
Other accommodations: see also article Victoria Falls
Learn
Work
security
In the current economic situation (spring 2011) there is a high proportion of unemployed young adults who are looking for a livelihood as street vendors or beggars; they often volunteer as "guides". There are enough hotel staff and tourist police in the vicinity of the tourist hotels to ensure security.
health
The region is located in a malaria area, especially in the rainy season from November to March and in times of high water levels in the Zambezi (until May) appropriate precautions must be taken.
Practical advice
In some hotels (e.g. The Kingdom) free WiFi is offered. The corresponding code is available on request.
trips
- To the Hwange National Park
- to the Chobe National Park in Botswana
