📍 Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe / Livingstone, Zambia
Flying over Victoria Falls in a helicopter isn’t cheap, but it is worth it.
Victoria Falls, which straddles the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, is twice the height and twice the width of Niagara Falls. It is neither the world’s highest waterfall nor its widest, but it does create the world’s largest sheet of falling water. It’s impressive, especially from above.
In Lozi, the local language, Victoria Falls is Mosi-oa-Tunya, The Smoke That Thunders. When you first hear the waterfalls, that name makes perfect sense. But it isn’t until you soar high above them that the big picture comes into focus.
Victoria Falls is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It spans the entire width of the Zambezi River, sending water gushing down a 360-foot drop and spraying mist high enough to be seen from miles away.
Walk through Victoria Falls National Park, a rainforest at the foot of the waterfall, and you’ll get a just peek at its glory. But to really understand the size, scope, and power of this natural wonder you have to see it from above.
When I was in Victoria Falls, I flew with The Zambezi Helicopter Company on the Flight of Angels. This 12 – 13 minute ride is short but spectacular. Within seconds you’ll find yourself glued to the helicopter window.
The Flight of Angels helicopter route crisscrosses Victoria Falls providing epic views from every seat while following the Zambezi River as it cuts across this swath of Africa, gushing over gorges seemingly carved into the earth. The helicopter also passes over Zambezi National Park, offering travelers with a keen eye the chance to spot four of Africa’s Big Five game animals.
A longer 25-minute ride adds the Batoka Gorge, where the Zambezi river flows over a basalt plateau gathering momentum as it moves toward its stunning vertical drop. The longer ride also offers additional opportunities to spot wildlife in Zambezi National Park. Look out for elephants, Cape buffalo, giraffes, and kudu. If you’re really lucky, you may even spot one of the leopards or lions that call this park on the edge of Zimbabwe home.
Shorter helicopter rides cost around $150. Longer rides are around $300. Private charters also are available.
How To Book
A handful of companies offer helicopter rides above the falls from both sides of the border. There’s usually a shorter, cheaper helicopter ride option priced around $150 and a longer option priced around $300.
- The Zambezi Helicopter Company: https://www.zambezihelicopters.com/
- Bonisair Helicopters: http://www.bonisair.com/
Helicopter prepares for our sky tour. 
Here I am during our flight. You can see Victoria Falls over my shoulder. 
The tour takes you around the waterfalls to get the best views. 
A view of the falls from the opposite side. Make sure you get lots of photos. 
A rainbow joins me for a selfie on the ground near the falls.
When To Go
The best time to visit Victoria Falls depends in part on what you want to do.
Victoria Falls is at its strongest between February and May after this area’s rainy season ends. This is when the Zambezi River is most swollen and when you’ll see the most water flowing through Victoria Falls. But the rush of water is so some popular experiences cannot be accessed safely.
If you’re looking to experience Devil’s Pool, the 10-foot deep natural pool that sits at the waterfall’s edge, you’ll want to plan your trip for between August and February. Devil’s Pool can only be accessed by seasonal guided boat tours. Getting from the boat to the pool requires swimming upstream, which can be more dangerous when water levels are higher.
If you’re interested in river rafting on the Zambezi, plan to travel by December.
Dry season runs from about October to December, and it’s not uncommon for the waterfalls to almost completely dry up on the Zambian side. This may make it easier to access Devil’s Pool. If you’re after the views head to the Zimbabwean side of the falls where water flows year-round.
How To Get To Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls straddles the border of Zambia or Zimbabwe. You can visit from either side — or both.
The Zambian side of the Victoria Falls offers a chance to get closer to the falls and snap a selfie at Devil’s Pool at the expense of the more expansive views found on the Zimbabwean side. But the Zimbabwean side offers a more developed tourist infrastructure and art scene.
To visit the Zambian side of Victoria Falls, fly into Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone. To visit the Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls, fly into Victoria Falls Airport.
A special KAZA visa is available for travelers who want to experience both sides of Victoria Falls.
*I am not even going to try and predict the future of COVID-19 travel restrictions. Remember to check those and visa requirements as you’re planning your trip and again before you go.
