Victoria Falls has two entrance fees, one for each country, and you pay them separately. At the time of writing (November 2026), the Zambian side in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is reported to cost about US$30 for international visitors, and the Zimbabwean side in Victoria Falls National Park about US$58. Both went up at the start of 2026. Fees here change more often than guidebooks are reprinted, so treat these as a guide and check at the gate.
Zambian side: Mosi-oa-Tunya
For years the international fee at the Zambian falls entrance was US$20 per person per day. In October 2025, Zambian and regional news reported that the National Heritage Conservation Commission, which manages the falls site, had agreed to raise it to US$30 from 1 January 2026. We could not find a published official tariff confirming the new rate, and some travel sites still quote US$20 or US$25.
Other points, as reported:
- Zambian citizens and residents pay a much lower fee in kwacha (reported as K50 for adults).
- A reduced rate for visitors from SADC countries was announced alongside the increase. The amount had not been widely published at the time of writing.
- Children pay less. Ages and amounts vary, so ask at the gate.
- The falls section is usually open from about 06:00 to 18:00.
The fee covers the trails, Knife-Edge Bridge, the Boiling Pot path and the viewpoints along the Eastern Cataract. It does not cover the game park section upriver, where rhino walks and game drives carry their own park and activity fees. Our page on Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park explains how the two parts work.
Zimbabwean side: Victoria Falls Rainforest
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) sets the fee here. Its 2026 tariff, reported in January and February 2026 by trade bodies and local press, put the international day visitor fee at about US$58, up from US$50, with VAT now included. Reported rates for the other categories:
- SADC residents: about US$35.
- Zimbabwean citizens and residents: a small fee in local currency or US dollars.
- Children: reduced rates.
The ticket covers the rainforest path along the opposite side of the gorge, with around 16 numbered viewpoints from the Devil's Cataract to Danger Point. This side faces the main body of the falls, which is why it keeps more water in the dry months. For the choice between the two sides, see Victoria Falls: Zambia or Zimbabwe.
Extra charges
Lunar rainbow viewing. On the nights around a full moon, mainly from about April to July when spray is high, both parks open in the evening. This is a separate ticket. ZimParks' 2026 tariff reportedly raised its night-viewing fee to around US$116. The Zambian side runs its own evening visits at a lower price. Dates depend on the moon and the water; check locally.
The bridge. Walking onto the Victoria Falls Bridge from the Zambian side means leaving Zambia. If you are only going to the middle for photos or the bungee, ask immigration for a free bridge pass rather than using up a visa entry. Bungee and bridge-tour operators may add a small bridge or border levy, which some activity prices include.
Livingstone Island and Devil's Pool. These are reached by boat and booked as a paid tour, separate from your falls ticket. Whether any park levy is included in the tour price varies, so ask when you book.
Activities from inside the parks. Operators sometimes fold park fees into a package price and sometimes add them on top. When you compare quotes, ask: "Does this include park fees?"
Paying
- Currency. Both sides price international fees in US dollars. Zambia accepts kwacha at the current rate from many visitors; Zimbabwe effectively runs on dollars at the gate.
- Cards. Both entrances have card machines. Both lose connection regularly. Carry cash for the full fee.
- Notes. Bring clean US dollar notes printed after about 2013, in 10s and 20s. Old, torn or marked notes are often refused. Our guide to money in Zambia has more.
- Receipts. Keep your ticket. Rangers check it on the paths and at re-entry points.
Is it worth paying for both sides?
If you are in the area for two days or more and have a visa that lets you cross, yes, at least once. The Zambian side gets you close to the Eastern Cataract and across Knife-Edge Bridge; the Zimbabwean side gives the long, front-on view. In October and November, when the Zambian side can be nearly dry, the Zimbabwean ticket is the one to buy if you only buy one. In April and May both sides are so drenched that one visit, on either side, may be all you want. Our guide to high water vs low water explains how the view changes through the year.
If your lodge runs guided falls visits, ask whether the entrance fee is included in the trip or charged on the day. At an all-inclusive lodge like Zambezi Dusk, Victoria Falls visits are one of the experiences arranged with partners, and what is covered depends on the activity and season, so confirm it when you plan your days.
Sources to check
Before you go, look for the current ZimParks tariff on its website or social media, and ask your lodge or operator what the Zambian gate is charging that month. Both are more reliable than travel blogs, including this one, for a figure that can change at short notice.
