Victoria Falls: The Perfect Zambia Escape on the Zambezi River

Staying at Radisson Blu Mosi-Oa-Tunya Livingstone Resort in Livingstone, Zambia felt like the perfect mix of “adventure of a lifetime” and total relaxation. The area is so beautiful and full of wildlife even when you’re doing something as simple as sitting by the pool, you’re looking straight out at the Zambezi River… and there might be a hippo lounging across the water like it owns the place. It’s one of those destinations that makes you slow down and just take it all in.

Zembezi River cruise

We were really looking forward to doing the sunset river cruise party boat (we had visions of music, drinks, and that golden-hour glow on the water)… but somehow we didn’t set our watches correctly and missed it. The resort staff was so kind and totally saved the moment by arranging a private boat ride for us the next day on a smaller private boat, and honestly, it ended up being even better. We saw hippos in multiple spots, elephants on the banks, crocodiles, and so much more, and the boat driver shared tons of information the whole time. My teenagers absolutely loved it, and since we were there in June and went in the morning, we even had sweatshirts on which was such a fun surprise for Africa and made the whole experience even cozier.

Resort time

We spent the warm hours of the day at the pool (best decision ever), and even just driving around town was an experience because you never know what you’ll run into—sometimes monkeys, sometimes elephants, casually hanging out near the road. We ate only at the resort and it was delicious. My favorites were the grilled fish, pizza, and the burgers (the kind that hits perfectly after a day outside).

The cutie pie you could see from our pool

One night, the resort hosted a really fun evening with singing and dancing, a big buffet dinner, and everyone gathering around the fire pit—it felt lively, cultural, and totally different from anything we’d done before.

Night show

Related note: The resort even has mosquito nets over the beds, which is such a thoughtful touch and makes everything feel extra comfortable at night.

Victoria Falls

And Victoria Falls… WOW. We visited the falls from both sides—Zambia and Zimbabwe—and I highly recommend doing that if you can, because the views feel completely different from each country. Just be prepared: you are going to get soaked. The power of the falls is unbelievable. The water crashes down with so much force that it creates this massive mist that shoots right back up into the air and rains down on you like you’re standing inside a storm. I’ve truly never seen anything like it. Wear something that can get drenched and still dry quickly.

We saw a local fishing right off the edge here.

One thing I wish we had done differently. If you’re crossing between countries, I recommend parking the car and walking over the bridge. We made the mistake of flying into one airport, staying in Zambia, and then crossing over, and it ended up being a long process (think hours, not minutes). In town, there’s also a local market where you can buy handmade items and souvenirs, which was really fun.

Yep, I’m dripping wet crossing the bridge. Victoria Falls said “no dry people allowed”.

One quick heads-up though: there is a mosque in town, so if you stay more in the center (not the Radisson) you may hear it during the night. If you aren’t used to that, it can definitely interrupt sleep.

Personally, I think two full days in this area is perfect unless you’re adding more excursions like a helicopter flight over the falls, a safari day trip, a museum visit, or even more time on the river. We stayed three nights and it felt just right, especially since this stop came after Cape Town (including Boulders Beach to see the penguins!) and then Kruger National Park.

Transportation & getting around

Renting a car here wasn’t difficult at all, but I noticed a lot of people arriving were only in town for the day and just grabbed a taxi. If you truly want to soak in Victoria Falls and Livingstone and not just check a box, I definitely recommend staying more than one day before moving on. It’s the kind of place that surprises you in the best way, and it’s a trip my family will never forget.

• Bring quick-dry clothes and water-friendly shoes—you’ll get soaked at the falls, even on a sunny day.

• Pack bug spray (especially for evenings).

• If you want to visit both Zambia and Zimbabwe sides, double-check visa requirements ahead of time so crossing is easy.

• Keep small cash on hand for local markets and tips.

• If you have extra time, fun add-ons include a helicopter ride over the falls, a safari/game drive, bungee jumping (off the bridge!), or a cultural village visit.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Zambia page.