Victoria Falls Visitor Numbers: ~1.5 Million Annually

The Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya) on the Zambia–Zimbabwe border attracts approximately 1.5 million visitors per year (pre-pandemic baseline), making it one of Africa's most visited natural landmarks.

Breakdown by Side

• Zimbabwe side (Victoria Falls town): ~60–70% of visitors. Better infrastructure, iconic viewpoints (Main Falls, Devil's Cataract), Victoria Falls Bridge, more hotels.
• Zambia side (Livingstone): ~30–40%. Knife-Edge Bridge, Boiling Pot, Devil's Pool (seasonal), Mosi-oa-Tunya NP.

Seasonal Patterns

• High Water (Feb–Jul): Maximum spray, rainbows, "smoke that thunders" spectacle. Devil's Pool closed. Best for photography.
• Low Water (Aug–Jan): Geology visible, Devil's Pool open (Sep–Dec), white-water rafting prime. Fewer crowds.

Visitor Profile

• International: ~60% (UK, US, Germany, South Africa, China, Australia)
• Domestic/Regional: ~40% (Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, SA)
• Day-trippers from Chobe (Botswana) / Hwange (Zim) significant.

Economic Impact

• Direct tourism revenue: ~$100M+/yr (both countries)
• Employment: ~50,000 jobs (guiding, hospitality, transport, crafts)
• Conservation funding: Park fees support anti-poaching, community projects.

Post-COVID Recovery

2020–21: <500K. 2022: ~1.1M. 2023: ~1.4M. Targeting 2019 peak (1.6M) by 2025. KAZA TFCA (5-country conservation area) marketing boosts regional appeal.