Victoria Falls is on almost every southern Africa wish list. What many travellers don’t realise is that one of the continent’s great elephant parks lies just south of it, in the same country. Combining the two gives you the thunder of the Falls and a classic, uncrowded safari, with no border crossings and only one short flight.
This guide explains how the combination works, the best order and season, three sample itineraries with 2026 costs, and a day-by-day plan. For camps and rates, see our Hwange safaris page; for Falls activities, see Victoria Falls tours.
Why Combine Victoria Falls and Hwange?
- One country, one short flight: no border crossings or long transfers between the Falls and your safari.
- Two very different experiences: spray, rainforest and adventure at the Falls; quiet plains and elephants in Hwange.
- A premium safari without the crowds: Hwange’s Linkwasha Concession is private and used by just three Wilderness camps.
- Easy to extend: add Mana Pools, Chobe or the Okavango Delta for a longer journey.
How the Journey Works
Most international guests arrive at Victoria Falls International Airport, often via Johannesburg. After your nights at the Falls, a road transfer takes you back to the airport, where Mack Air’s light aircraft fly you to the Linkwasha airstrip in Hwange in under an hour. Your guide meets you on the airstrip and the game drive to camp begins straight away.
We recommend flying rather than driving. The flight is quicker, far more comfortable than the long road journey on sand and gravel tracks, and gives you a beautiful view of the park from above.
Falls First or Safari First?
| Falls first | Safari first | |
|---|---|---|
| Why choose it | Recover from the long-haul flight in a hotel, and build in a buffer in case international flights are delayed | Finish with the Falls’ adventure activities and a short hop to the airport for your flight home |
| Good for | Most travellers, especially on a first visit to Africa | Travellers who want to end on a high in town |
| Watch out for | Repacking into soft bags before the flight | Leaving enough time between the Hwange flight and your international departure |
For most of our guests, we recommend Falls first. Arriving to unhurried days at the Falls makes the safari more relaxing.
Best Time for Both
| Months | Victoria Falls | Hwange | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan – Mar | Water rising, lush and green | Green season, newborns, best value | Great value and photography |
| Apr – May | Peak flow; spectacular but very misty | Bush drying, wildlife returning | Most powerful Falls |
| Jun – Aug | Strong flow with clearer views | Dry and cool, wildlife at the pans | Best all-round |
| Sep – Oct | Lower water; rock faces visible, some areas dry | Peak elephant gatherings, hot | Best for Hwange wildlife |
| Nov – Dec | Lowest water | First rains, lower rates | Quiet and good value |
Read more in our best time to visit Victoria Falls guide and our Hwange National Park safari guide.
Three Victoria Falls & Hwange Itineraries
Hwange costs below are 2026 Wilderness camp nights only, per person sharing, fully inclusive of meals, activities, park fees and local drinks. Victoria Falls hotels, activities and flights are added to suit you.
| Itinerary | Route | Hwange camps from | Peak (Jun–Oct) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falls & Hwange Classic 5 nights | 2 nights Victoria Falls + 3 nights Wilderness Davison’s | US$1,758 (Jan–Feb) | US$3,036 |
| Falls & Hwange in Style 7 nights | 3 nights Victoria Falls + 2 nights Little Makalolo + 2 nights Linkwasha | US$3,036 (Jan–Feb) | US$6,504 |
| Falls, Hwange & Mana Pools 8 nights | 2 nights Victoria Falls + 3 nights Linkwasha + 3 nights Ruckomechi (Mana Pools) | US$6,150 (Apr–May)* | US$9,984 |
*Camp nights for Hwange and Mana Pools combined. Mana Pools camps open roughly April to mid-November.
Sample 7-Night Day-by-Day
Day 1: Arrive at Victoria Falls
Meet and greet at the airport and transfer to your hotel. In the evening, a Zambezi sunset cruise (from ZAR 1,150 pp) is the perfect welcome.
Day 2: The Falls
A guided tour of Victoria Falls (from ZAR 1,550 pp) through the rainforest viewpoints in the morning. In the afternoon, a helicopter flight over the Falls (from ZAR 3,400 pp), then dinner in town.
Day 3: At leisure
Choose a game drive in the Zambezi National Park, a village tour, or the Boma dinner and drum show. Or simply relax by the pool.
Day 4: Fly to Hwange
Transfer to the airport and fly to the Linkwasha airstrip. Your guide meets you, and you game-drive to Wilderness Little Makalolo for an afternoon at the waterhole and a spotlight drive after sundowners.
Day 5: Little Makalolo
Morning drive or walk, time in the log-pile hide as elephants drink, and perhaps a night on the Madison Pan Star Bed.
Day 6: Move to Linkwasha
A short game drive across the concession to Wilderness Linkwasha on the Ngamo Plains, where lion and sable roam the grassland.
Day 7: Linkwasha
A full day of drives, a visit to the sunken hide, and a final sundowner on the plains.
Day 8: Depart
Fly back to Victoria Falls International Airport to connect with your flight home.
Activity prices are from our Victoria Falls tours page, per person, and subject to change.
Extending Your Journey
- Mana Pools: Zimbabwe’s Zambezi floodplain, famous for walking safaris and canoeing (April to mid-November).
- Chobe: add a Chobe day trip from the Falls.
- Okavango Delta and Linyanti: continue to Botswana. See our Victoria Falls & Okavango Delta journeys and the transfer guide.
- Honeymoon: see our Victoria Falls honeymoon guide.
Before You Go
- Visas: see our Victoria Falls visa and KAZA UniVisa guide.
- Health: both areas are in a malaria zone, so speak to your doctor or a travel clinic before you travel.
- Safety: read is Zimbabwe safe for travellers?
- Insurance: comprehensive travel insurance is essential for fly-in safaris.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get from Victoria Falls to Hwange?
The best way is a light-aircraft flight from Victoria Falls International Airport to the Linkwasha airstrip in Hwange, which takes under an hour. Your camp guide meets you at the airstrip.
How many days do you need for Victoria Falls and Hwange?
Five to eight nights is ideal: two or three nights at Victoria Falls and three or four nights in Hwange.
Should I visit Victoria Falls or Hwange first?
For most travellers we recommend the Falls first. It lets you recover from the long-haul flight and gives a buffer in case international flights are delayed before the light-aircraft connection.
What is the best time to combine Victoria Falls and Hwange?
June to August is the best all-round time, with good water at the Falls and wildlife gathering at Hwange's waterholes. September and October are best for Hwange wildlife, but the Falls have less water.
How much does a Victoria Falls and Hwange safari cost?
In 2026, three nights at Wilderness Davison's in Hwange cost from US$1,758 per person sharing in January and February, or US$3,036 from June to October, fully inclusive. Victoria Falls hotels, activities and flights are added to suit your trip.
Do I need a visa for Victoria Falls and Hwange?
Both are in Zimbabwe, so one Zimbabwe visa covers the trip. Many nationalities can get a visa on arrival, and the KAZA UniVisa also covers Zambia.
Plan Victoria Falls & Hwange
Our Victoria Falls activities and fly-in Hwange safaris.
Plan Victoria Falls & Hwange
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will build your Falls stay, flights and Hwange camps into one seamless journey.
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