Victoria Falls Bridge: history, tours, bungee and views

Victoria Falls Bridge

Photo: Google Maps

Type

Tour operator

Address

Zimbabwe Africa, Livingstone Way, Victoria Falls

Area

Zimbabwe side of the falls

Google rating

4.6 (1,395 reviews) on Google Maps, checked October 2026

On the map

Open in Google Maps

Opening hours on Google Maps, checked October 2026

Day	Hours
Monday	00:00–24:00
Tuesday	00:00–24:00
Wednesday	00:00–24:00
Thursday	00:00–24:00
Friday	00:00–24:00
Saturday	00:00–24:00
Sunday	00:00–24:00

What the bridge is and why people go

The bridge carries a road, a railway and a footway across the Second Gorge². It’s the only rail link between Zambia and Zimbabwe⁴, and there are border posts at both ends², so even a walk to the middle starts at a border post.

It’s a big draw locally: the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority calls it the second most popular landmark in the region⁵. The size of it explains why:

Bridge history: Cecil Rhodes and the railway

The bridge was built in 1905 at Cecil Rhodes’s request, to carry the unfinished Cape to Cairo railway⁶. More than a century on, trains, cars and walkers still share it.

The exact opening date depends on the source. Professor Sir George Darwin officially opened it on 12 September 1905², though another account gives April 1905⁴.

Things to do on and around the bridge

The bridge works for a slow look, a history lesson or an adrenaline hit. The quieter options first:

• The view: the centre of the bridge has a view of the falls¹. Expect that you will get wet⁶ crossing, so bring a dry bag for your phone.
• The Boiling Pot: this deep pool, where the water entering the Second Gorge makes a sharp right turn⁷, can be seen beneath the bridge⁶.
• Bamba Tram Bridge Run: a 90-minute⁸ sunrise or morning run on the tram, with views of the falls and the Batoka Gorge.
• Steam train dinner: at sunset an antique steam locomotive shunts carriages onto the bridge for fine dining⁶.
• Royal Livingstone Express: this steam train boards only at the Royal Livingstone Hotel on the Zambian side and runs towards the bridge⁹.

Bungee, swing and zip line

The jumps and rides run from the bridge and the surrounding gorge⁶. The table sets them side by side, and the bungee jumping page covers what to expect before you sign up.

Can you take a tour of the bridge?

Yes: historical guided tours of the Victoria Falls Bridge, focused on how it was built², are one of its main draws. The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority sells it as an entertaining talk and scenic tour⁵.

Listed lengths differ between booking agents. Expert Africa gives two hours, with morning and afternoon departures¹⁰, while Pamarah Lodge’s booking page lists 2.5 hours¹¹.

Getting to the bridge and crossing on foot

From Victoria Falls town you reach the bridge through the Zimbabwe border post, which stands right next to the Rainforest gate¹ of Victoria Falls National Park. The listed address is Livingstone Way, Victoria Falls¹².

You don’t need a car: the bridge has a footway² alongside the road and railway. Its Google Maps listing shows it open Mon–Sun 00:00–24:00¹². Since November 2025 the Victoria Falls Border Post has been open 24 hours a day¹³ (checked October 2026).

Driving across

A maintenance fee for vehicles crossing the bridge came in during February 2018, Tourism Update reported in March 2018¹⁴. That report gave no amount, so ask your transfer company or check at the border.

Where to photograph the bridge

For photos, head to the terraces and cafés that face it across the gorge:

• The Victoria Falls Hotel: its terrace looks out over the Second Gorge and the bridge¹⁵. The hotel says afternoon tea on Stanley’s Terrace comes with views of the bridge¹⁶.
• The Lookout Café: it overlooks the canyon below the falls, including the bridge¹.

Near the bridge

The bridge sits between the main sights on both banks:

• Victoria Falls National Park: the Rainforest gate is beside the border post, and the park opens 06:00 to 18:00¹. From the Zimbabwe side you see 75%¹⁷ of the falls, according to Travel Butlers. See the rainforest side of the national park.
• Livingstone: the Zambian town at the far end of the bridge. Read the Livingstone page before you cross.
• Devil’s Pool: an infinity pool on the lip of the falls, on the Zambian side⁷. The Devil’s Pool visiting guide explains how trips work.
• Chobe National Park: many visitors take a day trip to Chobe National Park in Botswana¹⁸. Check Chobe day trip timing and travel.
• Victoria Falls town: it lies immediately next to the falls¹. Find Victoria Falls town details on its own page.

To see the falls from both banks with a guide doing the planning, this tour covers each side:

For everything else, the hub lists the area’s things to do in full.

Questions people ask