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Victoria Falls on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Victoria Falls is hard on a budget because the main sights and activities have fixed US dollar fees, but it is possible if you limit activities. Plan on about US$115 per person per day (bed US$30, food US$25, sights US$50, transport US$10), staying in a backpackers and eating locally.
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | US$30 | US$100 | US$350 |
| Food & drink | US$25 | US$50 | US$110 |
| Sights & tickets | US$50 | US$150 | US$350 |
| Local transport | US$10 | US$25 | US$60 |
| Per person, per day | US$115 | US$325 | US$870 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Victoria Falls day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Walk to the Victoria Falls Bridge and look into the Batoka Gorge (gate pass from the Zimbabwe border post)
- Watch the bungee jumpers and bridge swing from the bridge area
- Walk around Victoria Falls town and its craft markets by day
- See the spray cloud rising above the falls from town, especially from February to June
- Have a look at the view across the gorge from near the Victoria Falls Hotel (paying only for a drink on the terrace)
- Watch the sunset over the Zambezi from the river bank near town (keep away from the water's edge)
Cheap eats
- Sadza with beef or chicken stew at a local eatery: about US$3–8
- Sadza with kapenta: about US$3–7
- Braai plate: about US$8–20
- Zambezi bream with chips: about US$12–25
- Zambezi or Mosi lager: about US$3–5
Where to sleep for less
Budget travellers stay in backpackers and guesthouses in Victoria Falls town or Livingstone, at about US$40–90 a night for a room, with dorm beds cheaper. Many have pools, kitchens and activity booking desks. Book early for June to August.
Getting around cheaply
In Victoria Falls town, the falls, the bridge and the hotels are 10–20 minutes' walk apart by day. Livingstone is about 10 km away, a taxi of roughly US$10–15. Activities usually include pick-ups. Flights arrive at Victoria Falls Airport, about 20 km from town, or at Livingstone; shared transfers are cheaper than private ones.
A sample budget day
- Morning: Victoria Falls Rainforest park at opening (about US$50)
- Lunch: sadza and stew at a local eatery in town (about US$5)
- Afternoon: walk to the Victoria Falls Bridge and watch the bungee (gate pass, free)
- Evening: dinner at a café or braai spot with a beer (about US$15–20), taxi back if after dark (a few dollars)
- Total: about US$75–85 plus your bed (US$30), so roughly US$105–115
More ways to save
- See one side of the falls properly rather than paying for both if money is tight; the Zimbabwe side has more viewpoints.
- Rent a raincoat at the park entrance in high-water months instead of buying one.
- Join group activities rather than private ones.
- Compare activity prices between backpackers' booking desks and operators directly.
- Bring enough small US dollar notes, as ATMs on the Zimbabwe side can be unreliable.
- Use kitchens in backpackers to cook some meals.
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Common questions
Can you visit Victoria Falls on a budget?
Yes, with limits: a backpackers, local food and one side of the falls keep a day around US$115, without big activities.
Which side of Victoria Falls is better on a budget?
The Zimbabwe side, with about 16 viewpoints for one entry fee, is the better single choice most of the year.
Is the KAZA UNIVISA worth it?
Yes if you visit both Zimbabwe and Zambia, at about US$50 for many nationalities, but availability has varied; check before you fly.