How Much Does Victoria Falls Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Victoria Falls is a bucket-list destination where costs can escalate quickly due to premium park fees and high-octane adventure activities. While it is significantly more expensive than regional hubs like Johannesburg, travelers can manage a budget of approximately $105 per day by staying in hostels and prioritizing self-guided walks. For those seeking the classic safari lodge experience with guided tours and helicopter flights, daily costs often reach $1,146. The unique dual-country nature of the falls means visitors must account for visa fees and park entries on both the Zimbabwean and Zambian sides. Pricing is highly seasonal, with accommodation rates dropping by over $118 per night during the lush green season from January to June.
Is Victoria Falls expensive to visit?
Victoria Falls is a premium adventure destination where daily costs range from $105 for budget travelers to $1,146 for luxury stays.
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Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Victoria Falls
$105
per person /day
$558
per person /day
$1,146
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $314 | $1,675 | $3,438 |
| 5-Day Trip | $524 | $2,791 | $5,731 |
| 7-Day Trip | $732 | $3,906 | $8,022 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
A 15% budget buffer is recommended to cover mandatory government levies, such as the $29 conservation fee for helicopter flights and the $12 river usage fee for cruises. These are often not included in the initial quoted price of activities.
How Does It Compare?
See how Victoria Falls stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Victoria Falls
Food & Drink (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant Equivalent to ~$9.97 for a standard local meal. | $9.97 |
| The Boma Dinner & Drum Show Iconic buffet experience. Add ~$12 for return transfers from hotels. | $60 |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) Price for a local Zambezi lager (~$4.98). | $4.98 |
Transport (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Airport Taxi (VFA to Town) Fixed price of ~$30 is standard; confirm with the driver before boarding. | $30 |
| Local Taxi (Within Town) Most trips within the town center should cost ~$4.98. | $4.98 |
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) Standard fare for local minibuses (kombis) used by residents. | $1.99 |
| Shared Airport Shuttle Cheapest option for solo travelers at ~$17. | $17 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Lodge Standard Room (High Season) High Season rate (July–December). Includes breakfast. Green season rate is ~$279. | $399 |
| Club Suite Room (High Season) Premium luxury suite with waterhole views. Sharing rate is ~$533 per person. | $668 |
| Backpacker Hostel Dorm Bed Social atmosphere in town center. Private rooms also available for ~$50. | $20 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Victoria Falls Park Entry (Zimbabwe Side) Per person, per entry (~$58). SADC residents pay ~$35. | $58 |
| Mosi-oa-Tunya Park Entry (Zambia Side) Price increased from $20 to ~$30 in Jan 2026. | $30 |
| Helicopter 'Flight of Angels' (13-min) Does not include the mandatory ~$29 government and fuel levy. | $173 |
| White-Water Rafting Grade 5 Full day activity including lunch and hotel pickup (~$169). | $169 |
Connectivity (1)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Zimbabwe eSIM - 1GB (3 Days) Standard Telecel network package (~$19). | $19 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining ranges from affordable local spots like Shoestrings Cafe to the immersive Boma Dinner & Drum Show at $60 per person. A standard meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs around $9.97, while a local Zambezi lager is typically $4.98. For the best views without a high price tag, The Lookout Cafe offers a gorge-edge setting where visitors can enjoy a drink for the price of a standard pint.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Shoestrings Cafe
$6.98–$15Town Center · Local chain
Best spot for a cheap dinner (~$7.06) and meeting other travelers.
Three Sisters Restaurant
$7.97–$12Town Center · Local chain
Excellent local Zimbabwean cuisine including Sadza at ~$10.
The Lookout Cafe
$12–$25Gorge Edge · Local chain
Spectacular views for the price of a ~$12 sandwich.
Mama Africa Eating House
$15–$30Town Center · Local chain
Try the crocodile or warthog for a unique dinner at ~$25.
In-Da-Belly
$9.97–$20Victoria Falls Rest Camp · Local chain
Relaxed atmosphere near the campsite; meals around ~$15.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
The town centers are compact and walkable, but airport transfers from VFA cost a fixed $30 for taxis or $17 for shared shuttles. Within town, short taxi hops are standard at $4.98, while local minibuses known as kombis offer the cheapest transport at $1.99 per ride. Crossing between the Zimbabwe and Zambia sides usually requires a taxi or a long walk across the Victoria Falls Bridge.
Accommodation Overview
Accommodation spans from backpacker dorms at $20 to luxury club suites with waterhole views for $668. A standard lodge room during the high season averages $399, including breakfast. Staying in the town center of Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) or Livingstone (Zambia) provides the best value and easiest access to restaurants and markets.
Accommodation Budget in Victoria Falls
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Purchase the KAZA Univisa for $50 to avoid paying for separate Zimbabwe and Zambia visas if crossing the border multiple times.
- 2 Visit the Zambian side (Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park) for a lower entry fee of $30 compared to the Zimbabwean side's $58.
- 3 Stock up on supplies at the OK Supermarket or TM Pick n Pay in Victoria Falls Town to avoid paying lodge prices for snacks and water.
- 4 Eat at In-Da-Belly within the Victoria Falls Rest Camp for affordable, high-quality meals in a relaxed setting.
- 5 Walk across the Victoria Falls Bridge for free views of the gorge and the bungee jumpers rather than booking a specific bridge tour.
- 6 Visit during the 'Green Season' (January–June) when lodge rates for a standard room can drop to $279, saving over $118 per night.
- 7 Travel in a group for the 'Flight of Angels' helicopter tour to potentially negotiate better rates on the mandatory $29 fuel and conservation levy.
- 8 Use the local kombi minibuses for $1.99 to travel between the town center and outskirts rather than taking $4.98 private taxis.
- 9 Book activity combos (like rafting and a sunset cruise) through local operators to secure a package discount compared to booking individually.
- 10 Fill up reusable water bottles at lodges; bottled water at the falls' entrance is significantly marked up.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
+30-45%
Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun
-30-40%
May, Jun
The Green Season (Jan–June) offers lower prices but higher water levels, which can obscure views with mist. Peak season (July–Dec) is best for Devil's Pool and clear views, but lodge rates increase by ~$118–$177.
Events to Watch
- ● Victoria Falls Carnival (late Dec): +50% hotels
- ● Easter Weekend: +25% hotels
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 The Big Tree: Visit this massive, ancient Baobab tree located near the Zambezi River which is free to view and photograph.
- 2 Victoria Falls Bridge Walk: Walking across the historic bridge is free (bring your passport for the gate pass) and offers spectacular views of the gorge.
- 3 Curio Market Browsing: Exploring the vibrant open-air markets in Victoria Falls Town or Livingstone is free, provided you can resist the souvenirs.
- 4 Wildlife Spotting near the A8: Keep an eye out for elephants and warthogs which frequently wander through the scrubland surrounding the town roads.
- 5 Jafuta Heritage Center: This small private museum located at Elephant's Walk Shopping Village often allows free browsing of its cultural artifacts.
- 6 Victoria Falls Public Library: A quiet spot in town to escape the heat and learn about local history.
- 7 Mosi-oa-Tunya Road Walk: The walk from town to the falls entrance provides great opportunities for birdwatching and seeing the 'smoke' of the falls from a distance.
- 8 The Lookout Cafe Viewpoint: While food costs money, you can stand near the public areas nearby to see the bridge and Batoka Gorge for free.
- 9 Livingstone Museum (Exterior): While the interior has a small fee, the colonial architecture and grounds are free to admire.
- 10 Sundowner at the Big Tree: Pack your own drinks and sit near the river at sunset for a free alternative to an expensive river cruise.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Helicopter 'Flight of Angels'
The only way to see the full scale of the falls and the gorge system (~$202).
Devil's Pool Swim & Livingstone Island
The most famous 'edge of the world' experience in the dry season (~$158).
Zambezi Dinner Cruise
Luxury sunset viewing followed by a 4-course meal on the river (~$116).
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Victoria Falls
Day Trip Costs
Popular day trips from Victoria Falls and what they cost
Chobe National Park (Botswana)
$40 by Shuttle
$15
$189
Hwange National Park
$80 by Shuttle
$20
$319
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
US Dollar (USD)
Yes
Widely accepted at lodges and major tour operators; cash is king for markets and taxis.
10-15% at restaurants is standard (~$5.89–$12). For safari guides, tip ~$9.42–$14 per day per person.
ATMs in Victoria Falls town dispense US Dollars (USD) or ZiG. Stick to reputable bank ATMs like Stanbic or CABS to avoid skimming. Fees are ~$2.94–$5.89.
Expected in curio markets where initial prices are often marked up by 50%. Taxis have fixed-ish rates but can be negotiated for longer hires.
Connectivity
eSIM: $19 for 1GB (3 days) or ~$41 for 5GB (15 days) (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $10 for 15GB (30 days) including SIM registration
WiFi: Available in most hotels and higher-end cafes like The Lookout, but speeds are inconsistent.
Buy a local NetOne SIM card in town; for ~$10, you get 15GB of data which is far better value than eSIM.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Victoria Falls.
Updated: February 16, 2026
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