Adventures in Zambia: Livingstone and Victoria Falls travel guide

1. Helicopter tour over Victoria Falls

Number one on any bucket list of things to do in Livingstone has to be a helicopter flight over the falls. There’s no better way to truly appreciate the sheer magnitude of this natural wonder of the world. Seeing the thundering water tumbling through the misty air is guaranteed to leave you speechless.

Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the spectacle by taking a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter tour. It’s well worth every penny, cent, or ngwee (the local currency in Zambia). Helicopter flights over Victoria Falls typically last for around 13 to 25 minutes, with longer flights allowing you to marvel over more of the area.

Don’t forget a fully charged camera so you can capture those magical moments for posterity. Not to mention making your friends green with envy when they spot the latest addition to your Insta feed! One top tip is to get ready before take-off: you’ll be over the falls almost immediately, and you really don’t want to miss a moment.

Livingstone Island is a local heritage site accessed from Zambia. On the Zambezi River, it’s perched right by the edge of what’s arguably the most famous waterfall in the world. Getting there is part of the fun, and it involves a thrilling boat ride to the island.

This ever-changing site offers a different experience for every visitor. You might see a rainbow stretched over the rocky gorge, or you may get soaked by the spray. A memorial plaque dedicated to explorer David Livingstone is pretty much the only immovable part of the site.

There’s also two well-known pools at Livingstone Island – the Angel’s Pool and the Devil’s Pool. The latter certainly offers an exciting experience for daredevils, if you take on the same challenge I did.

Think you can’t overlook the edge of one of the world’s most famous waterfalls? Think again! If you’re a strong swimmer, head to the Devil's Pool at Victoria Falls in Zambia and you can do just that. Experienced guides and strict protocols ensure your safety – and you’ll be glad to know they also hang onto your legs while you’re peering over the edge!

As you might imagine, the sunsets in this part of Africa are a jaw-dropping daily spectacle. We took a sunset boat tour from our hotel, the Radisson Blu Livingstone, to max out the mesmerising experience. By taking to the water at this time of day, you get to see local wildlife both before and after dark.

Expect to spot flocks of water birds skimming the surface of the Zambezi as the sun starts to sink. You could also be lucky enough to see bigger creatures while sailing on the river, such as crocodiles, or even elephants and hippos.

Sunset cruises typically last for a couple of hours, and take place in both the summer and winter. Food and drinks are served on board too, so you can watch the sunset with a glass of wine in hand.

Booking a guided tour of Victoria Falls means being led by a local expert, helping you make the most of this one-off experience. Tours can also be arranged for guests by the Radisson Blu Livingstone. They generally operate between 6am and 6pm. 

Making an early start means you can experience a more peaceful atmosphere. Though it would be unrealistic to expect to have the ever-popular Victoria Falls to yourself – at any time of the day. 

If you’re a thrill-seeker who wants to do more than gaze at the falls in awe, snapping pictures from all angles, then a choice of adrenaline activities awaits. You can take a zip line ride above the gorge and Zambezi River, or even take the plunge by bungee jumping 111 metres for a four-second, rip-roaring freefall. This is Africa's Adventure Capital, after all!

For many visitors, Africa is all about the call of the wild, and that means going on safari. Zambezi National Park is conveniently located just upriver from Victoria Falls, and is home to an astonishing array of local fauna. Mopane forests and savannah, as well as the mighty Zambezi, provide a habitat for a range of wildlife. 

We took a luxury safari with Bushtracks, a local operator with over three decades of experience, and were lucky to see rhinos, hippos, giraffes, elephants, zebras, and more.

The best part of our safari, from my own point of view, was taking a bush walk, where we were fortunate enough to view a white rhino tending to her calf. That close encounter was an incredibly special and entirely natural experience.

This experience isn’t only about the train ride; it’s also fabulous for foodies, photographers – and of course fans of steam trains. The heritage locomotive will transport you from Livingstone to the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site. En route you’ll pass the Victoria Falls Bridge, one of the area’s most photographed spots. 

If you don’t want to miss this, make sure you’ll be in Livingstone on a Wednesday or Saturday, when the trains operate. Departures are at 4.30pm in winter or 5pm during summer, and the trip lasts for 3-4 hours. 

In addition to travelling by vintage train and enjoying some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery, the Royal Livingstone Express Train experience includes a sumptuous fine dining experience. As we did, you’ll tuck into five delicious courses while travelling through the iconic Victoria Falls area. Drinks to accompany your meal are also served by the friendly, helpful train staff. 

Not all things to do in Livingstone are best suited to adrenaline junkies. Pay a visit to Mukuni village, and you can see first-hand how the Leya people live. You’ll get insights into their fascinating cultural heritage, and get to meet them as your guide leads you around.  

It’s fascinating to witness the simple but fulfilling lifestyle of the villagers. By booking a tour you'll also be helping to support the local economy, which now largely relies on tourism. 

Whether the market at Mukuni Village is a highlight or lowlight really depends on how much you like shopping – and bartering! You’ll be tempted by all sorts of stalls, selling local handicrafts. They make great gifts and souvenirs, and tend to be sold here at competitive prices.