Victoria Falls sits on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. If you want to experience the falls from both sides, you’ll need to cross the Victoria Falls Bridge, which connects the two countries and serves as the main border crossing between them.
When I attempted to cross the Zambia-Zimbabwe border myself, I wasn’t entirely sure what I was doing. The guides I found online simply said to “cross the bridge,” but they left out the practical details I was looking for.
I’ve put together this step-by-step guide to make the Victoria Falls border crossing clearer. I’ll cover exactly where to go, what happens at each stage, how long the entire process takes, the visa requirements and 2026 costs, and how the KAZA UniVisa works.
Zambia-Zimbabwe Border Crossing at a Glance
📍 Border: Victoria Falls Border Post
🌍 Connects: Livingstone, Zambia ↔ Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
🕐 Border hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
⏳ Time to budget: 1–2 hours to allow for immigration processing
🎫 KAZA UniVisa: US$50 for eligible travelers
💳 Payment: USD or credit card
🛂 Passport required: Yes
⚠️ Disclaimer: This guide is based on information available in 2026 and my own experience crossing the border. However, visa requirements, border procedures, fees, operating hours, and entry rules can change without notice. Always check the latest guidance from the relevant immigration authorities before your trip.
Table of Contents
Before You Go: Documents You Need
Before heading to the Victoria Falls border, have the following somewhere easily accessible:
- Passport
- Visa or KAZA UniVisa (if you applied in advance)
- Accommodation details
- Proof of onward travel
- Offline copies of your travel documents
- A charged phone so you can pull up your documents
- USD cash for visa fees and taxis
The immigration officer might not ask for all of this information, but it’s good to have it on hand just in case.
Passport Requirements for Zambia and Zimbabwe
If you’re traveling on a U.S. passport, the current 2026 requirements are:
- For Zambia, your passport must have at least six months of validity from your date of entry into Zambia and at least three blank pages.
- For Zimbabwe, your passport must have two blank pages.
- Traveling via South Africa: If your itinerary includes South Africa, you may need additional blank pages to meet South Africa’s entry or transit requirements.
Do You Need a Visa to Enter Zambia and Zimbabwe?
This depends on your nationality and your itinerary. For example, U.S. passport holders do not need a visa to enter Zambia (up to 90 days per calendar year) but do need a visa to enter Zimbabwe.You can get it on arrival at the border or apply ahead on Zimbabwe’s official eVisa site.
Which Visa Should You Buy?
The visa you get depends on how many times you enter Zimbabwe. For most travelers, entry into Zambia isn’t the main concern since many nationalities can visit Zambia visa-free. The bigger issue is making sure you have the right authorization to re-enter Zimbabwe.
This is the cheapest visa to get for U.S. passport holders:
| Your trip | Cheapest visa | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Enter Zimbabwe once | Single-entry | US$30 |
| Enter Zimbabwe twice | Double-entry | US$45 |
| Enter Zimbabwe 3+ times | KAZA UniVisa | US$50 |
Zimbabwe’s visa fees vary by nationality. For some nationalities, a KAZA UniVisa is cheaper than a double-entry visa. As always, entry rules and visa prices are subject to change, so make sure to check the latest requirements.
What is the KAZA UniVisa?
The KAZA UniVisa is a joint visa that allows multiple entries between Zambia and Zimbabwe as long as you stay within those two countries during the 30-day period. It also covers day trips to Botswana through the Kazungula border. This visa costs US$50.
Eligible travelers can obtain the KAZA UniVisa at the Victoria Falls border and other designated ports of entry. Depending on your arrival point, you may also be able to apply online before your trip.
You should get the KAZA UniVISA if you’re:
- Entering Zimbabwe exactly twice, and getting the KAZA UniVisa is cheaper than getting the double-entry visa
- Entering Zimbabwe 3+ times
How to Count Your Zimbabwe Entries
Instead of counting your border crossings, count how many times you plan on entering Zimbabwe.
Multiple entry examples:
(1) Zimbabwe → Zambia → Zimbabwe
If you fly into Zimbabwe, cross the border to Zambia, then cross back to Zimbabwe, you’ve entered Zimbabwe twice. Your international arrival into Zimbabwe counts as your first entry. When you cross back into Zimbabwe after visiting Zambia, that’s your second entry.
(2) Zambia → Zimbabwe → Zambia → Zimbabwe
The same principle applies if you start in Zambia and make multiple crossings. Here, you’ve also entered Zimbabwe twice.
Single entry examples:
(3) Zambia → Zimbabwe → fly home from Zimbabwe
(4) Zambia → Zimbabwe → Zambia → fly home from Zambia
(5) Zimbabwe → Zambia → fly home from Zambia
For these three cases, you’ve only entered Zimbabwe once, so a single-entry visa would suffice.
How to Cross From Zambia to Zimbabwe at Victoria Falls
This is the route you’ll take if you’re leaving Zambia and entering Zimbabwe on foot:
Livingstone hotel → Zambia border → Zambia exit immigration → Victoria Falls Bridge → Zimbabwe immigration → Zimbabwe customs → Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls
Here’s exactly what the process looked like for me.
Step 1: Get a taxi or transfer to the Victoria Falls border
From Livingstone, you’ll need transportation to the Victoria Falls Border Post. Make sure you specify that you want to go to the Victoria Falls border rather than simply saying “Victoria Falls.” Victoria Falls can refer to the waterfall, the national park, the Zimbabwean town, or the border area.
I organized my transfer through my hotel for US$10.
Step 2: Exit Zambia
When you arrive at the border, follow the signs for immigration and departures. You’re now leaving Zambia, so you’ll need to clear Zambian immigration. Have your passport ready. The officer may ask basic questions such as how long you were in Zambia and where you’re going. They will then process your departure and record your exit.
Important: Before leaving, make sure that your passport has the correct departure record/stamp.
Step 3: Walk Across Victoria Falls Bridge
Once you’ve cleared Zambian immigration, follow the pedestrian route toward Victoria Falls Bridge.
This is one of the rare border crossings where the walk between immigration posts is actually part of the experience. You’re walking between two countries, with spectacular views of the gorges and falls in the distance!
When you’ve crossed the bridge, head to the Zimbabwe border post. It took me about 30 minutes to walk from one border post to the other with luggage.
Step 4: Enter Zimbabwe and Go Through Immigration
Once at the Zimbabwean border facilities, you’ll need to complete the required entry declarations form before seeing an immigration officer. When I did this, it was an electronic form.
The officer may ask basic questions such as the purpose of your visit and how long you’re staying in Zimbabwe. For most tourists, this should be straightforward.
If you don’t yet have a visa, the officer will ask whether you want a single-entry visa, a double-entry visa, or the KAZA UniVisa. Choose the right one for your trip (see the Which Visa Should You Buy? section above). You can pay for the visa by card or USD, but I would bring USD in case the card machines don’t work.
Important: Before leaving, make sure that your passport has the appropriate visa or entry stamp.
Step 5: Go Through Zimbabwe Customs
After immigration, you’ll need to clear customs. Zimbabwe uses a Green Route/Red Route system.
- Green Route: For travelers who have nothing to declare or only goods that qualify for the applicable duty-free allowances.
- Red Route: For travelers carrying dutiable or restricted goods, or anyone who is unsure which route applies.
Step 6: Get From the Border to Victoria Falls
Congratulations, you’re officially in Zimbabwe! From the Zimbabwe border post, you have several options.
- Walk 15-20 minutes to the Victoria Falls Main Entrance to see the falls from the Zimbabwe side.
- Walk 15-20 minutes into Victoria Falls Town where you can find restaurants, tour agencies, and accommodation.
- Take a 5-minute taxi into Victoria Falls Town. There are plenty of cab drivers waiting for you after you exit the border post. I paid $5 for a ride into town.
How to Cross From Zimbabwe to Zambia at Victoria Falls
Crossing in the opposite direction is essentially the same process in reverse. Your route will look like:
Zimbabwe hotel → Zimbabwe border → Zimbabwe exit immigration → Victoria Falls Bridge → Zambia immigration → Zambia customs → Zambia side of Victoria Falls
The main difference is that you’ll first need to complete your Zimbabwe departure procedures, walk across the bridge, and then complete your Zambian entry procedures.
Once you’ve entered Zambia, you can walk to the entrance and see Victoria Falls from the Zambia side. To get to Livingstone town, you have to take a 15-minute taxi.
How Long Does the Victoria Falls Border Crossing Take?
It depends on your nationality, whether you need a visa, the time of day, staffing and how busy the border is. For my crossing, the entire journey took roughly 80 minutes door to door:
| Part of the journey | My time |
|---|---|
| Zambia hotel → Zambia border (taxi) | 15 minutes |
| Zambia exit processing | 10 minutes |
| Walking across the bridge | 30 minutes |
| Zimbabwe entry processing | 20 minutes |
| Zimbabwe border → Zimbabwe hotel (taxi) | 5 minutes |
Your experience could be faster or considerably slower. The bridge itself is not the part I’d worry about. Immigration and visa processing are where you’ll want to leave extra time.
Can Your Taxi Drive You Across the Victoria Falls Border?
Don’t assume that a regular local taxi can simply drive you across the international border. Always confirm where the driver will drop you off before starting the journey.
Say you’re coming from the Zambia side. Some taxis may only take you up to the Zambia border post. Others can drive you all the way across the bridge and let you off at the Zimbabwe border post.
If you’re not comfortable navigating the border crossing on your own, ask your hotel to arrange a private transfer for you. This also makes sense if you’re traveling with heavy luggage and don’t want to worry about changing taxis at the respective borders.
How Much Does It Cost to Cross the Victoria Falls Border?
There isn’t a general fee simply for walking across Victoria Falls Bridge. Your costs will usually come from:
- Visa fees, if applicable
- Taxi or transfer costs
- Any applicable customs charges
In total, I paid $45 for my border crossing.
| Part of the journey | Cost |
|---|---|
| Taxi: Zambia hotel → Zambia border | US$10 |
| Single entry visa to enter Zimbabwe | US$30 |
| Taxi: Zimbabwe border → Zimbabwe hotel | US$5 |
Again, these are my actual costs, not fixed border fees.
Tips for a Stress-Free Victoria Falls Border Crossing
- Have your passport ready. Don’t bury it at the bottom of your backpack.
- Screenshot your accommodation. If an immigration officer asks where you’re staying, you can show the booking immediately.
- Screenshot your visa if you obtained a KAZA UniVisa or another visa electronically.
- Carry USD to pay for the visa if you’re getting it on arrival. Small bills are useful.
- Pack light if you’re walking between the two border facilities.
- Allow for buffer time since processing times can be unpredictable.
- Cross during daylight. Even though the border is open 24/7, daylight makes getting across the bridge easier.
- Check your passport before leaving each immigration counter. Make sure you’ve received the appropriate entry or exit documentation.
Official Visa and Border Resources
For the most current requirements, check the relevant immigration and government guidance before your trip.
- Zambia Department of Immigration
- KAZA UniVisa information (Zambia Immigration)
- Zimbabwe eVisa (official)
- Zimbabwe Department of Immigration
- Zimbabwe Revenue Authority: Red Route and Green Route
- U.S. State Department pages for Zambia and Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls Border Crossing: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Zambia-Zimbabwe border at Victoria Falls open 24 hours?
Yes, the Victoria Falls border operates 24 hours a day, but I recommend crossing during the daytime.
Can I walk across the Victoria Falls Bridge?
Yes, pedestrians can cross Victoria Falls Bridge after completing the required immigration procedures. It took me about 30 minutes between border posts with luggage.
Can you cross the Victoria Falls bridge with luggage?
Yes, I had a large backpack and a smaller day pack with me and thought it was fine. If you’re traveling with a lot of luggage, consider arranging a cross-border transfer through your hotel.
How much does it cost to cross the Victoria Falls Bridge?
There’s no fee just to walk the bridge, but you’ll have to pay for transportation to/from the bridge as well as applicable visa fees.
Can I get the KAZA UniVisa at the border?
Usually, yes. It’s sold at the Victoria Falls border. But both countries have run out of KAZA stickers at times, in which case they’ll issue you a single or double entry visa.
How long does the Victoria Falls border crossing take?
The bridge itself is short, but the complete border process takes longer. My entire journey from hotel to hotel took about 80 minutes.
Do I need to carry U.S. dollars?
I recommend it. Visa and payment arrangements can change, and carrying USD gives you a backup if card payment isn’t available.
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