Visiting Victoria Falls-Zambia Side

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The relationship between the mind and body is interesting. As I stared up at the stairs on the Zambia side of Victoria Falls, looming before me, by mind said, they are just steps. Easy peasy. You just walk up them. No big deal.

I started my upward climb, but around step ten, the pressure in the arteries that lead from my heart to my lungs started to build. My body wasn’t circulating oxygen like it should, so I could no longer breathe. I stopped, gasping for air. I waited until I could breath normally again, and while I waited, my mind began again, it’s only steps. Steps are easy, just go for it, and the whole episode repeated, over and over again, until finally, after what felt like an eternity, I reached the top.

After feeling content that we sufficiently experienced the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls, we made our way to the Zambia side.

You can walk from the Zimbabwe entrance to the Zambia entrance. It is a bit of a distance, but doable.

The bridge that leads into Zambia, is quite the sight, and offers a stunning view.

victoria falls-walking to zambia-obligatory traveler

victoria falls-zambia side

We wanted to stay for a while and take in the view, but as soon as we stopped to snap a photo, we were descended upon by two touts.

Now it’s fine, I don’t mind people inquiring if I’d like to buy something, but these guys were pretty aggressive. They said that since we were Americans, and therefore rich, we should give them money just because we were Americans.

The rest of walk was a gauntlet of sellers and taxi drivers approaching us or shouting at us. There were also shops within the Zambia falls area, where people ushered us into their shops.

We kept a brisk pace, since time was dwindling, and we wanted to see as much of the Zambia side of the falls as we could.

Just as a note, you have to pay a separate entrance fee to get into the Zambia side of the falls, and they only take cash. They except U.S. dollars (the same currency of Zimbabwe), as do all of the vendors, so you don’t have to have Zambia currency if you are only visiting the falls for a few hours.

Where the Zimbabwe side of the falls had a pristine, familiar, tourist attraction vibe, the Zambia side felt more like a rugged adventure.

victoria falls-zambia side

We were warned that we could be approached by someone pretending to be kind and helpful, giving us information about the falls. That person would then turn around and demand a tip for being our “tour guide.” We didn’t have any issues with this happening.

Since it was dry season, and there was a drought occurring, there wasn’t a lot of falls to see, but the views were inspiring none the less.

victoria falls-zambia side

I’m a great lover of wildlife, but I still get nervous around animals of the monkey variety, so when we encountered our first congress of baboons, I felt uneasy. Soon we learned that, especially since we weren’t carrying any food, the baboons were friendly. I ended up taking just as many baboon pictures as waterfall pictures.

victoria falls-zambia side-baboonsThe babies were super cute.

victoria falls-baboons-zambia side

On many of the paths it felt like we had a baboon entourage.

victoria falls-baboons-zambia side-obligatory traveler

One of the main areas of the Zambia side of the falls, is the Boiling Pot. Instead of writing out what the Boiling Pot is, here’s the sign that explains it all.

victoria falls-zambia side-boiling pot

To get to the Boiling Pot, you must hike down into the gorge. I noticed that we were climbing down a lot of steps, but the pretty scenery distracted me from just how many.

victoria falls-zambia side-boiling pot

It was worth the hike, just to experience the beauty along the way.

victoria falls-zambia side-boiling pot

victoria falls-zambia side-boiling pot

When we reached the bottom, there was a park employee, who encouraged us to sign a book stating that we visited the Boiling Pot.

victoria falls-zambia side-boiling pot

It was a fun sight seeing a  desk and chair teetering atop the rocks.

The Boiling Pot is a neat sight. We stayed for quite a while, watching the water as it swirled around. If you stared long enough, it was hypnotizing.

victoria falls-zambia side-boiling pot

victoria falls-zambia side-boiling pot

As soon as I started up the stairs, I knew I was in trouble. I didn’t get very far before I was gasping for air. Now that I know what the problem is, it’s not as scary as it was in the beginning, but it is overwhelmingly frustrating. I had to stop constantly. Thankfully there were benches to rest on along the way. It took forever, but we eventually made it to the top. Once I wasn’t climbing anymore, I was back to normal.

After having zero issues while hiking in Panama and Costa Rica, having issues in Zambia was disappointing, and proved that I still need to be cautious when navigating my travels with my pulmonary hypertension.

While crossing into Zambia required nothing more than a quick stamp in our passports, returning to Zimbabwe involved filling out forms, and a substantial wait, in an endless, slow moving line, so be prepared. Give yourself plenty of time if you need to catch a bus or shuttle at a specific time.

We didn’t get to see everything on the Zambia side of the falls, as we ran out of time at the end of the day, but we enjoyed what we did get to see. It didn’t fit into our schedule this time around, but if we ever returned, I’d probably break the falls up into two days, visiting each side in the morning, as tackling both sides in one day left us exhausted.

victoria falls-zambia side-obligatory traveler

I know some people say that the Zambia side of Victoria Falls is skippable, but I think that the views, baboons, and visiting the Boiling Pot, are worth the time.

If you need information on what visa to get in order to visit both sides of Victoria Falls, you can read my post: Africa Trip-Travel Days 

 

If you’re looking for a great travel community to join, check out WeekendWanderlust

 

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  1. Eric Gamble

    at

    What a great adventure. It is definitely on my bucket list to see Victoria Falls and to hike both the Zambia & Zamibia sides, though I am not sure i want to be that close to the baboons! We saw tons of baboons in India and they were a bit aggressive if you didnt offer them food.
    Love the Boiling Pot zone, had never even heard of that area before. Looks like a great day

  2. Ruth

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    Wow, another incredible post! Love the insight I am getting about this part of the world. So cool you guys where able to walk with baboons. Not sure if my husband would like to do that. He is not that fond of monkeys.

    1. obligatorytraveler@gmail.com

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      I used to be afraid of monkeys, until I had one climb on me in Costa Rica. I’m still weary of them, but not as afraid as before.

  3. Allison

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    This would be such a cool experience. I’d love to see Victoria Falls. #weekendwanderlust

  4. Lisa

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    Woooow – love all your pictures! What an awesome experience! #WeekendWanderlust

  5. Nicole

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    When we visited Victoria Falls in Zambia, we were handed sling shots to deal with the baboons. We were not supposed to actually use them, but simply show them that we had it. The baboons we encountered were a bit aggressive and showing them the sling shot actually had them running away. A bizarre experience!

    1. obligatorytraveler@gmail.com

      at

      That sounds crazy. Glad you didn’t really have to use them.

  6. Mikkel

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    I’m glad you were okay and learned about caution with your pulmonary issue. So proud of you that you made it though and were rewarded with the view! I can completely understand how that was probably alarming after being fine in Costa Rica! The photos are beautiful and I love the colors even during the dry season!

    1. obligatorytraveler@gmail.com

      at

      Thanks. I loved all of the yellows contrasted with the dark rocks. It was so pretty.

  7. Esther

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    This looks amazing. I love waterfalls! I am totally scared of babboons though (ever since one decided to reside in our car in South Africa) 😉 Great photos!
    #WeekendWanderlust

    1. obligatorytraveler@gmail.com

      at

      Wow! A baboon in your car? Now that is a story. We saw some scary ones at the Cape of Good Hope, but the ones in Zambia were nice.

  8. Neha

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    I’d love to see the Falls someday, but I’m terrified of all things monkey…I think it was brave of you to walk with them 🙂
    #WeekendWanderlust

  9. tracy collins

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    Fantastic! I visited from the Zimbabwean side about 22 years ago when I was pregnant with my daughter – though we have been back to Botswana and SA we haven’t been back to the falls – something I think we should remedy! Beautiful pics – and baboons argghh! I ended up in amongst a huge troop at the Zimbabwe ruins and they are scary!!

  10. Michelle

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    Amazing views. Both sides of the falls are on my list when I finally make it there. I feel the same way about steps… easy peasy until I get going…

  11. Jillian

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    What an amazing adventure! I love the baboon entourage! Stunning views, even in dry season.

    1. obligatorytraveler@gmail.com

      at

      Though I’d love to go back and see them during the high season, I’m glad we got to see them during the dry season. The rock formations are so interesting and unique.

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