For visitors already in Botswana — whether on a Chobe safari, a longer overland trip, or stopping over in Kasane — Victoria Falls is within a day's reach. The Kazungula border between Botswana and Zimbabwe sits 15 minutes from Kasane, and Victoria Falls town is another hour beyond it. The question is less "can I go" than "how should I structure it", and this guide lays out the options.
Kasane as your gateway
Kasane is the default staging town. It sits on the Chobe River at the four-corners point where Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia meet, with Kazungula border just upstream. From a Kasane lodge or the Chobe riverfront, Victoria Falls is roughly 80 kilometres by road. Most visitors are already here because they are on a Chobe safari, but some arrive specifically to access the Falls from the Botswana side.
If you are arriving by air, Kasane Airport (BBK) has daily connections from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Maun and occasionally Nairobi.
The Kazungula border crossing
The Kazungula border is the operational heart of a Falls trip from Botswana. Since the Kazungula Bridge opened in 2021, Zimbabwe and Zambia now both border Botswana directly at this point, making either side of the Falls reachable in an hour or less.
Hours are 06:00 to 20:00 for Botswana–Zimbabwe and 06:30 to 18:00 for Botswana–Zambia. Queues are at their worst between 09:00 and 11:00 when day tours cluster, and again in the late afternoon for the return leg. Starting early — crossing by 07:30 — is the single best way to shave an hour off your day.
Full documentation requirements and visa options are covered in our Kazungula border guide.
Day tours versus overnight stays
You have two options.
Day tour from Kasane. Most visitors choose this. You leave at 07:00, cross into Zimbabwe, visit the Falls, have lunch in Victoria Falls town and return to Kasane by dinner. Our Victoria Falls day tour from Kasane handles border paperwork, transfers and guided viewing in three tiers — Gold, Silver and Bronze.
Overnight in Victoria Falls town. If you want to include a sunset cruise, a helicopter flight or a rafting trip, one or two nights in Victoria Falls town makes the trip less hurried. You can book a transfer from Kasane one-way and return by road at the end.
Zimbabwe side or Zambia side — which to pick?
Both are accessible from Kasane, but most Botswana-based visitors choose the Zimbabwean side for three reasons:
- Scenery: the Zim side offers roughly 75% of the frontal views.
- Ease: Victoria Falls town is better developed for tourism.
- Border logistics: the Botswana–Zimbabwe crossing is faster and simpler than the Botswana–Zambia crossing in most circumstances.
The Zambian side has its strengths — Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island, some of the best sunset cruises, access to Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park's game drives — but for a one-day trip, Zimbabwe tends to win on scenery per hour. Read more in our Zimbabwe-side guide.
Getting from Chobe to Victoria Falls
Logistically, the sequence is:
- Pick-up from your Kasane lodge or Chobe riverfront (typically 06:30–07:00).
- Drive 15 minutes to Kazungula border post.
- Exit Botswana, cross into Zimbabwe, clear immigration (30–60 minutes on a normal day).
- 55-minute tarmac drive to Victoria Falls town.
- Guided tour of the Falls (2–3 hours).
- Lunch in town or at a riverside restaurant.
- Return drive to Kasane by 17:30–19:00.
Visa requirements
Most foreign nationalities need a visa for Zimbabwe and Zambia, available at the border. The KAZA Univisa is the most efficient option if you plan to cross into both countries; it costs US$50 for 30 days and covers roughly 60 eligible nationalities. Zimbabwe-only single-entry visas are US$30 for most nationalities and also available at the border. Botswana does not require re-entry paperwork for returning visitors on the same day.
Sample itineraries
1-day: Falls and back
Morning: 07:00 pickup, Kazungula border crossing. Late morning: rainforest trail, all sixteen viewpoints. Lunch: Victoria Falls town. Afternoon: Victoria Falls Bridge walk and optional curio shopping. Return: depart 15:30, back in Kasane by 18:00.
2-day: Falls + one activity
Day 1: morning pickup from Kasane, cross border, check into Victoria Falls town hotel. Afternoon: rainforest trail. Evening: sunset cruise on the Zambezi. Day 2: helicopter flight (early), bridge walk or brunch, transfer back to Kasane by 15:00.
3-day: Falls + Chobe highlights
Day 1: morning game drive in Chobe, afternoon river cruise. Day 2: Victoria Falls day tour (see Livingstone Meets Chobe for a packaged version). Day 3: second Chobe activity and airport transfer.
Practical notes
- Carry small-denomination US dollars (1, 5, 10, 20) for visa fees, tips and entry fees. Larger notes are accepted but change can be limited.
- Keep passports and yellow fever certificates accessible at the border.
- Start early — the difference between a 07:00 and a 09:00 pickup is roughly an hour of border queue time.
- Most tours include border assistance, guide and entry fees for the Zimbabwean side. Confirm inclusions before booking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Victoria Falls from Kasane?
Approximately 80 kilometres by road. Actual travel time is 90 minutes to two hours depending on the queue at the Kazungula border post.
Can I drive myself from Botswana to Victoria Falls?
Yes, but you will need a letter of authorisation if the vehicle is rented, a third-party insurance certificate (purchased at the Zimbabwean border if not already held), and your driver's licence. A guided day tour handles these requirements for you.
Which border is used between Botswana and Zimbabwe?
Kazungula. It is 15 minutes from Kasane and has been the main crossing since the Kazungula Bridge opened in 2021.
Is the Falls visit worth a separate trip if I'm already on a Chobe safari?
For most visitors, yes. Victoria Falls is a bucket-list site and the logistical overhead from Chobe is small — a single long day. The only time it is not worth it is if your safari is heavily time-constrained, in which case a scenic flight over the Falls is an alternative.
What do I need to pack for a day trip?
Passport and visa documentation, US dollars in small notes, rain jacket or poncho (essential February–June), comfortable walking shoes, hat, sunscreen, drinking water, a camera with a protective cover.
Can I do Victoria Falls as a half-day trip from Kasane?
Not really. The minimum viable round trip is around nine hours with one border queue. A half-day "bridge and viewpoint" version exists but the experience feels rushed. Most visitors allocate a full day.
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