When the Zambezi River is high, 10 million litres of water rush over the lip of Victoria Falls each second, falling 108 metres into the roaring chasm below. Livingstone Island sits in the heart of this spray, on the brink of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and offers an experience that is entirely unique.
Follow in Dr David Livingstone's footsteps as you tour the island, hear about its history, experience luxury dining, and soak up the sights. In certain seasons you can even swim in Angel or Devil's Pool on the very edge of the waterfall.
Your tour begins by departing by boat for Livingstone Island from the Livingstone island Launch Site. Our guides will let you in on the incredible history of the island as you follow the footsteps of Dr David Livingstone all the way to the edge of the waterfall. Depending on river heights, prepare to be drenched in the spray from the Falls or watch a rainbow stretch across the open gorge. Those who wish can even take a dip in Devil’s Pool or Angel's Pool, and everybody completes the experience with a 5-star gourmet meal prepared for you on the island itself.
Play Video
Archaeological diggings around the Falls have yielded stone artefacts that date back some 3 million years. However, it was only in November of 1855 that the Scottish explorer Dr David Livingstone travelled down the Zambezi River to see for himself the spot that the indigenous people called Mosi oa Tunya, or The Smoke that Thunders. Members of the local Makolo tribe transported Livingstone to the Falls in canoes, so that his first sighting of the largest waterfall in the world was from an island right at the heart of the falling water.
Livingstone was so affected by the sight that he exclaimed in his notes, “It has never been seen before by European eyes, but scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.” He went on to rename the Falls after his British queen, Victoria, but today the World Heritage List also recognises the original name, Mosi oa Tunya. The island from which Dr Livingstone first witnessed the Falls is the very same island you can visit today. A local heritage site, nothing on the island is permanent except for the David Livingstone Memorial Plaque.
Bespoke historical tours are available with Victoria Falls Heritage Tours
It is possible to stay right by Victoria Falls, but the Seven Natural Wonders of the World tend to get a little busy. The savvy traveller experiences the Falls in their own time and then gets transported back to a quieter world. Why not stay just a little further away, coming home to a romantic dinner overlooking the Zambezi with not another person in sight?
Just upstream of Victoria Falls, Tongabezi Lodge is a romantic hideaway on the banks of the Zambezi River. Listed as one of the 20 best hotels in the world by Condé Nast Traveller, Tongabezi is a part of the Green Safaris collection of sustainability-driven lodges around Zambia and Malawi, and combines an exclusive ambience with the legendary warmth and hospitality of the people of Zambia.
Check Availability Visit Website
Sindabezi Island is unique – the discerning traveller’s best kept secret. An idyllic, exclusive camp on our very own private isle in the Zambezi River, this is the only luxury bush camp from where Victoria Falls can comfortably be explored.
Check Availability Visit Website
If you have any questions about your booking, please contact the reservations team on:
Telephone numbers: +260 21 332 7450, +260 978291886
Zimbabwean cell: +263 772 239 877
E-mail: livingstoneisland@greensafaris.com
Click here to enquire