Day Trips from Victoria Falls and Hwange
Most day trips in this province start from Victoria Falls town, and distances are larger than they look on a map. This page sorts the options by how much road they need.
Half day: Zambezi National Park
The park gate is about 5 km from town, so a morning or afternoon game drive fits easily around other plans. International entry is about US$17, and park levies are extra to operator prices. Go early, when animals are most active and the heat is lower.
Long day: Hwange National Park
Hwange Main Camp is about 172 to 195 km from Victoria Falls, roughly 2.5 hours on the A8 and up to 3 hours in slow traffic. The Main Camp turn-off is at Cross Mabale, followed by 23 km of tar. Operators sell Hwange day trips from Victoria Falls, but the day is very long and an overnight stay is better. Entry means a ZimParks daily conservation fee plus a vehicle fee, so confirm both with ZimParks or your operator. The best game viewing is from August to November, when animals gather at pumped waterholes. Painted Dog Conservation at Dete is a free stop on the way, and it is outside the park.
Day across the border: Chobe
Chobe National Park in Botswana is reached through the Kazungula border post, about 70 km from Victoria Falls. The KAZA UniVisa, at US$50, covers a same-day trip to Botswana through Kazungula for eligible nationalities, and staying overnight voids that cover. Check your own nationality and where the visa is sold before you rely on it.
Day across the bridge: Livingstone
Livingstone and Mosi-oa-Tunya lie on the Zambian side, and the Livingstone Museum is in Livingstone. Crossing needs a Zambian entry, either a single-entry visa or the KAZA UniVisa. Devil’s Pool is on Livingstone Island in Zambia, reached by boat from the Zambian bank. It is usually open from about mid-August to mid-January, and children under 10 cannot join the trip.
Binga and Lake Kariba: plan two days
Binga is about 305 to 310 km from Victoria Falls and takes 4 to 5 hours on a poor road. The turn-off is at Cross Dete, next to the Total garage, and the 154 km to Binga is tarred to Kamativi, then potholed. A same-day return is not sensible. If you go, spend a night and visit the BaTonga Community Museum with a respectful, quiet approach.
Places that are not day trips
Bulawayo is about 440 km from Victoria Falls, a 5.5 to 6.5 hour drive. Matobo, Khami, Great Zimbabwe and Mana Pools are outside Matabeleland North and are far too distant for a day.
Road tips
Watch for potholes and livestock, avoid driving outside towns after dark, and carry cash because fuel can be scarce.
Read more: Multi-day trips and Activities overview .
Search day tours on GetYourGuide . Border visa details are at KAZA UniVisa .