Things To Do in Victoria Falls

The area is famous for its myriad adventure activities and excellent wildlife-viewing opportunities, but when all is said and done, the falls are the star of the show.

Soaking Up the Falls -- There are two great vantage points, each in a national park and affording a different angle; it's worth covering both, which will take at least half a day. Break up your return journey by stopping for high tea at the colonial-era Victoria Falls Hotel (or the Royal Livingstone, if you've opted to stay on the Zambian side), and drink in more views.

Viewing Wildlife -- Despite the commercialism of Vic Falls Village, the falls remain surrounded by dense bush, and you can start your African safari right here. Venture a few miles upstream from the river along Zambezi Drive for a look at the Big Tree, a 1,500-year-old baobab (if you're lucky, you'll see elephants, too), or take a guided Zambezi River walk to view species like hippo and crocodile. A number of tour operators will arrange morning, afternoon, and night drives to Zambezi National Park, Mosi-Oa-Tunya Park, and Hwange, as well as full days in Chobe, Botswana; the three biggest operators are Shearwater (www.shearwateradventures.com), Wild Horizons (www.wildhorizons.co.za), and, of course, Safari Par Excellence (www.safpar.com).

Great arts and crafts are available on both sides of the falls. Don't miss the bustling Maramba Market, worth a visit for the atmosphere alone, and browse the woodwork, masks, handcrafted jewelry, sculptures, and other trinkets at the craft market that borders the entrance to Mosi-Oa-Tunya (off Livingstone Rd.). In Zimbabwe you'll find persistent, cash-starved stall owners selling finely crafted sandstone and woodcarvings, woven baskets, and traditional Zimbabwean batik fabrics for rock-bottom prices, but the stalls that lined the roads on the Zimbabwean side were razed in a brutal campaign by Mugabe's government against those perceived to have supported the opposition in recent elections. Some salesmen will even offer to exchange their handicrafts for a pen or other such "luxury" that has become difficult to find in Zimbabwe. This can be an intimidating experience, as desperation (you may represent the only chance of a meal for weeks to come) can result in some pushy behavior (though the specially trained Victoria Falls Tourism Police has resulted in a huge reduction of harassment, as well as petty crime against tourists). Before you try to drive prices down, remember that cheap wooden curios put pressure on the hardwood forests and may mean that these desperately poor people end up chopping down a tree for a couple of bucks. If you'd prefer to shop in a more sedate fixed-price shop, try the Falls Craft Village off Livingstone way, Soper's Curios (Soper's Centre), and the Landela Centre.