My exact solo Victoria Falls Itinerary

Was this the best solo trip of my life? Well, yes!

And because I love you guys, and I know you're going to ask, here is my exact itinerary word for word, bar for bar so you can steal it. But first..

Day 1: Arrive in Livingstone, Zambia and Royal Livingstone Express

Fly into Livingstone

I flew Airlink from Johannesburg, South Africa, to Livingstone, Zambia, in the morning and arrived around noon. Upon arrival, I asked for the Kaza Univisa. This visa is available to citizens of a few different countries, including the US and UK, and allows for easier movement between Zimbabwe and Zambia. It also allows day trips to Botswana. It costs $50 and can be purchased only when landing in the Zambia or Zimbabwe airports.

I used a tour guide in Zambia, but long story short, I would not reccomend them. They overcharged me, and I just don't trust them. You can book a private airport transfer via your accomodations, or pay for a taxi. In Zambia, the Kwacha is their currency, but most prices are quoted in USD. In Zimbabwe, they use the USD.

Check into Hotel

I stayed at the Avani Victoria Falls for my first two nights. I wanted to stay at the Royal Livingstone, which is their more-luxurious sister property but my funds were not there yet. So I just kept popping over to visit lol, there is a free shuttle that takes you between the two. The biggest perk at staying at either of these properties are that you get direct, free access to the Zambian side of the falls, as they both are located within Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park. I walked from my room to the falls right after check-in. My stay was $740 for two nights.

Ride the Royal Livingstone Express

Africa has some of the most beautiful scenic train rides, and this one has to be at the top of everyone's list. This activity is managed by BushTracks Africa, and cost $220. I booked the experience direct via email, which I suggest anyone to do especially if you're going solo. The activity is about 4 hours long, and includes pick-up, a multi-course dinner and sunset views. This is their email: gh.zm@bushtracksafrica.com

The train has varying schedules seasonally:

October-March the train operates on Wednesdays and Saturdays

April-September the train operatesMonday, Wednesday, and Saturday

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Day 2: Chobe National Park and Sunset Drinks

Take a day trip to Chobe National Park

I feel like if you're coming all the way to Zambia and Zimbabwe, you must add a stop into Botswana. Chobe National Park is the perfect day trip! Especially if you want to get a little safari in during your trip.

This experience was arranged by that same tour guide I just can't reccomend, but I found a similar experience on Viator. I paid $200. I had a driver that brought me to the border crossing between Zambia and Botswana, and then the tour guide picked us up. This is where having the Kaza visa comes in handy- it allows for border crossings for day trips to Botswana.

You spend the first half of the day in a Safari vehicle where we saw so many elephants and a pack of lions as well. Afterwards, we did lunch and the boat part of the safari, where you float down the Zambezi and spot hippos and more elephants. It's a long day, but worth it especially if you love crossing off new countries on your list!

Sunset drinks or dinner at the Royal Livingstone Hotel

Even though I stayed at the Avani, I spent most of my time lounging at their nicer sister property the Royal Livingstone Hotel. It's located right on the Zambezi river, so you get the mist views of the falls, and one of those straight-out-of-a-fairytale sunset views at their various riverside bars and restaurants. You must do at least one sunset here

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Day 3: Helicopter and Transfer to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Helicopter Ride over Victoria Falls

I didn't tell my mom I was doing this because to be honest, I was nervous I'd talk myself out of it (but I'm so glad I didn't). I booked this experience through United Air Charter, and I paid about $300 for their medium length flight for 25 minutes. Yes, it's expensive, and yes, you should absoutely still do it.

The ride included a pick-up from my accomodation, and then you're checked into their lounge. God was watching out because I got the BEST seat in the house, right in the front with crystal clear views. You begin with a racing ride through the gorge, and then you lift off over the falls. If you can ask to sit at the far right, please do! I was so scared, but so happy I did it.

Here's my video:

Check into Samanzi

Time to head to Zimbabwe! I took a taxi from Zambia to the border, and had a driver help me transfer to my hotel. My driver in Zimbabwe is Sydney Mugadza, and he was kind, responsive, and very helpful. You can find him on TripAdvisor or reach out to him via WhatsApp (+263 77 509 0860).

I am a huge lover of boutique hotel, so Samanzi was a dream. Every suite is a Cabana-style room with a private pool right outside. They are also apart of the Shongwe family, so they're connected to 2 of their other properties. The food was also INCREDIBLE and the service was spectacular as well. I'd reccomend the stay to anyone visiting. I paid $587 for two nights.

Tour Victoria Falls National Park

Now I hope the Zambians don't jump me, but the views of the falls from the Zimbabwe side are so beautiful. But no matter what I think, it's so important that you see it from both sides. I did a tour with Ruach Travel Agency, and the guide was $25 and enterence fee into the park is $58.

I visited during high water season, so the falls were a bit misty. I was able to rent a rain poncho for about $10. It helped, but I still got soaking wet, so don't wear anything you care to much about, and go for the waterproof sandals.

Sundowner drinks at Shongwe Lookout

I love a boutique hotel with some perks. Samanzi's sister property, Shongwe, has a beautiful lookout tower. I was so relieved, because to be honest I have been spending WAY too much money. I was going to venture to the Lookout Cafe, which has beautiful sunset gorge views, but this was even better.

It was just a short walk over, and a few steps up to see a marvelous little sunset view. They also have the cutest little pulley system, to bring your drinks up to the top. Afterwards, grab dinner at Samanzi. This had to have been the best culinary experience I had at a hotel this year.

Day 4: Home-hosted Lunch and Dinner Cruise

Have a local lunch with a family in Victoria Falls

You can't come all the way to Zimbabwe and not try Sadza (or Nshima in Zambia). Samanzi was able to organize this experience with us, where we had an intimate lunch with a local family just 15 minutes from the hotel. The experience was $60, and I really loved getting to dine and learn more about culinary traditions in Zimbabwe. The sadza, a thick cornmeal porridge, reminds me so much of grits (iykyk).

Sunset dinner cruise with Pure Africa

I really ended my trip on such a high note with this beautiful sunset cruise on the Zambezi. This experience cost around $197 which includes the cruise and park tax, and is organized by Pure Africa. It also included transfers. I did their Classic Dinner Cruise, which is their premium experience that includes a six-course dinner and wine pairing, on a smaller boat. They have other cruises and dinner experiences that don't cost this much, so I reccomend checking out their website to see the variety.

For four hours, we slowly cruised down the Zambezi, spotting hippos and eating our heart out. I also appreciated how kind the crew was- they didn't make me feel weird at all about traveling solo.

If you're visiting solo, I reccomend booking this experience by emailing Pure Africa, just to confirm they have availability for one person.

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Day 5: Check out and head home