Where Water Meets Wilderness: A Nature-Lover’s Guide to Vic Falls & Surrounds
We have just returned from a 4-night, 5-day visit to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, and I wanted to share a few hints and tips for fellow travellers who love nature, birding, and quieter moments. September is an excellent month to explore the area, and our experience was nothing short of unforgettable.
Why September is Special
In September, the water levels of the falls are lower, which allows you to see the full curtain more clearly. There is still enough spray in places to remind you of the falls’ power, but without the overwhelming mist that often blocks the view earlier in the year. It is also the end of the main tourist season. While it was busier this September than expected, it was still more relaxed than the peak months.
The drier conditions also mean wildlife and birdlife are concentrated along the river, which adds to the experience. Daytime temperatures were hot, but still manageable. From October onward the heat becomes more intense and only breaks again around April.
Start at Sunrise
If you take just one tip from this blog, let it be this: go to the falls at sunrise. The gates open at 6am in September, and at that time the light is spectacular, the crowds are non-existent, and the spray is calmer with less wind. You get clearer visibility and a chance to enjoy the scale of the falls in peace, without the noise of circling helicopters. By 8:30 or 9am it starts to get busy and loud, so those early hours are golden.
Pro tip for birders: walk some of the longer exit paths for a quieter experience. These trails are alive with birdlife and often reveal sightings of baboons and bushbuck.
Birding and Wildlife Highlights
As birders, we found the falls and the town itself to be full of specials. Around the falls and nearby gardens we saw:
- Trumpeter Hornbills
- Schalow’s Turacos
- Brown Firefinches
- Hartlaub’s Babblers
- Miombo Blue-eared Starlings
- Meves’s Starlings
- Tropical Boubou
- Collared Palm Thrush
- White-browed Coucal
- Northern Grey-headed Sparrows
Along the Zambezi and in Chobe National Park we enjoyed sightings of:
- Red-necked Spurfowl
- Long-toed Lapwings
- Slaty Egrets (plenty)
- African Spoonbills
- Bradfield’s Hornbills
- African Skimmers
In addition, we came across bushbuck, baboons, warthogs, mongoose, zebra, impala, and even buffalo and elephants in and around the town and falls area.
The Lookout Café
The Lookout Café should be on every visitor’s list. Perched above the Batoka Gorge, it is a superb spot for a relaxed breakfast, sundowners, or a long lunch with panoramic views. It is also the launch point for the gorge swing, zipline, and tandem bungee jump. Book ahead during busy periods, especially if you are more than two people, as it fills up quickly.
Where We Stayed: Insika Lodge
We based ourselves at
Insika Lodge, a boutique luxury property just outside of town. It offered the perfect balance of comfort, nature, and peace.
What stood out:
- Beautifully kept gardens, with a small wetland attracting plenty of birdlife
- A spa, sauna, pool, onsite restaurant, and bar, with a gym under construction
- Free shuttle services to town and the falls, making it easy to get around
- Exceptional meals
- A small, intimate feel compared to the resort-style lodges in the area
- Regular sightings of impala, bushbuck, baboons, and warthogs right in front of the lodge
- Comfortable luxury rooms with aircon, fans, mozzie nets, and both bath and shower options
Although it is not on the river or at the falls, the quiet setting away from the constant helicopter noise was a real benefit. For birders, the gardens were a joy, and we even had a Collared Palm Thrush hopping around beside us while we enjoyed morning coffee at the pool. Insika is ideal for couples and nature lovers, and they are also adding a dedicated family section.
Our 5-Day Itinerary, as an example:
Day 1
- Arrival at Victoria Falls Airport
- Check into Insika Lodge, explore the gardens, relax by the pool
- Evening dinner cruise with Wild Horizons Malachite
Day 2
- Sunrise at Victoria Falls
- Morning birding and exploring the falls
- Afternoon sunset cruise and canapés on the Zambezi Vista (a highlight experience)
Day 3
- Full-day trip into Botswana: Chobe River cruise, lunch, and a short game drive in Chobe National Park
- Return to Zimbabwe for a fine-dining dinner at Insika Lodge
Day 4
- Another sunrise at Victoria Falls, followed by a relaxed morning of birding
- Afternoon lunch and sundowners at the Lookout Café while watching the more adventurous guests bungee jump
Day 5
- Early morning pick-up for the Bamba Tram sunrise trip to the Victoria Falls Bridge and into Zambia
- Coffee on the bridge, museum visit, and return to Insika for breakfast
- Check out and transfer back to Victoria Falls Airport
Between activities we made time to relax at the lodge, enjoy drinks at the pool, and spend the hottest hours of the day birding quietly in the gardens or resting in the cool comfort of the rooms. Some activities we enjoyed more than once, so if you are short on time, a shorter itinerary can still cover most of the highlights.
Final Thoughts
Victoria Falls in September is much more than just a world wonder. For nature-focused travellers and birders, it offers a rewarding combination of dramatic landscapes, exciting birding, and unique experiences like the Bamba Tram and small-boat cruises on the Zambezi. Staying at a boutique lodge such as Insika adds comfort and quiet to the adventure, allowing you to balance exploration with rest.
All of these activities and accommodations (and more!) can be booked through
Nightjar Safaris, and we highly recommend combining a few of the standout experiences to create your own unforgettable trip.
Until next time,
Charles & The Nightjar Team
safaris@nightjar.co.za |
www.nightjar.co.za
