Every time I get the chance to explore a new African destination, I’m genuinely excited, and Livingstone, Zambia, did not disappoint. I recently spent a few days there on a solo adventure that also took me across the borders into Zimbabwe and Botswana.
Livingstone was my base as I finally experienced Mosi-oa-Tunya (Victoria Falls), one of the world’s most iconic natural wonders. Beyond that, this trip was all about maximising location. With three countries within easy reach, I turned this into a multi-country itinerary with day trips to Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park.
Trip Planning Resources
Book your accommodation: Find accommodation options for any budget on Booking.com
Purchase Travel Insurance: I use SafetyWing for both my travel and visa application needs
Activities: Find fun activities and tours in your destination via Get Your Guide, Viator or Klook Travel
eSIM: Get your travel eSIM here
This is a pre-trip post, so here’s exactly how I planned it all, from flights and visas to accommodation, activities, and solo travel tips.
Getting There
Getting to Livingstone is straightforward, albeit pricy. There’s a direct flight from Nairobi to Harry Mwanga Nkumbula (Livingstone) International Airport that takes a about 3 hours, and makes this one of the easiest Southern African trips you can plan from this side of the continent.
A more cost-effective option would be to fly to Lusaka first, then either take a domestic flight to Livingstone or make the road trip from there. Personally, I chose the direct flight to keep things simple and avoid layovers. Since I was only spending a few days, I wanted to arrive early and hit the ground running. The first flight from Nairobi lands at around 9 am, giving me almost a full day to explore.
If you’re planning something similar, I’d recommend booking flights early, especially during peak travel seasons around Victoria Falls. Direct routes can fill up quickly, and prices tend to rise closer to your travel dates.
Getting Visas (Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana)
Visa planning for a multi-country African trip can feel overwhelming, but this route is actually quite straightforward. As a Nigerian citizen, I needed to apply for three separate visas for this journey. I applied for all three visas on the same day, no embassy runs required as they are all e-visas, and received them all within 7 working days. While a KAZA Univisa is available to many other nationalities and covers all three countries, it is not available to Nigerians.
I have written a detailed guide on the application process here. I recommend applying at least 14 days before your trip to allow enough processing time.
Since I knew I would be based in Zambia for this trip, I applied for a multiple-entry visa. I recommend this over the double-entry option as they cost the same, and it allows you to visit both Botswana and Zimbabwe in a single trip. For Zimbabwe, I applied for a single-entry visa. For Botswana, since I plan to do a day trip to Chobe National Park, a single-entry visa was all I needed.
Total Visa Cost
| Country | Visa Cost |
|---|---|
| Zambia (multiple-entry) | $80 |
| Zimbabwe (single-entry) | $30 |
| Botswana (single-entry) | ~$23 |
| Total | ~$133 USD |
One important tip I discovered during my planning: always carry printed copies of your documents. I read that border crossings in this region are fairly smooth, but having proof of accommodation, return flights, and travel insurance can save you time if asked. For my trip, I only needed to present printed copies of my visas.
Documents to Prepare
Across all three applications, here’s what I submitted:
- Valid passport (at least 6 months’ validity beyond your travel dates)
- Passport photo
- Hotel booking confirmation (for Zambia)
- Return flight ticket
- Employment documents or proof of income
- Yellow fever vaccination card
- Itinerary
Booking Accommodation in Livingstone
For this trip, when choosing accommodation, I focused on:
- Proximity to Victoria Falls
- Easy access to tour pickups
- Strong reviews from solo travellers
- On-site support for booking activities
Livingstone has a wide range of options, from budget-friendly guesthouses to luxury lodges along the Zambezi River. If you’re travelling solo, I highly recommend staying somewhere that can help coordinate transfers and tours. It reduces stress and makes everything feel more seamless.
I booked all my stays using Booking.com, although for the first time, I had a fairly negative experience with their pricing. I booked a stay for one day, and less than 24 hours later, a cheaper alternative appeared on the site. It was cheaper by $69, which could have gotten me a nice dinner. Booking.com offers a price match guarantee, but this experience taught me that getting that money back is easier said than done. That said, I did contact the hotel directly and received a higher quote, so I cannot stay mad at Booking.com for too long.
For this trip, I split my stays across three accommodations: one super budget, one mid-semi luxury, and a luxury lodge. I am excited to share more about all three stays. The best part is that they were all located along the Zambezi River and came with incredible activities.
Booking Activities: Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park
This is where the trip really comes together.
My main priority was visiting Victoria Falls from both sides. The Zambian side offers close-up views and experiences like the Knife Edge Bridge, while the Zimbabwean side gives you wide, panoramic views.
For Chobe National Park, I booked a full-day safari with Sitalis Travel and Tours that included transport, a river cruise, and a game drive. Chobe is famous for its large elephant population, and it’s one of the best safari day trips you can do from Livingstone.
When it came to booking activities, I decided not to leave everything until I arrived. For high-demand experiences, especially in peak or shoulder seasons, it’s worth booking in advance. The only activity I booked on arrival was the helicopter ride. I wasn’t planning on doing it, but after a bit of encouragement from Mark, I booked a flight on my last morning in Livingstone – and I was lucky to get a spot!
Key Activities to Book in Advance
- Chobe Day Trip (Botswana): Book through a Livingstone tour operator – most offer full-day packages including transport, border fees, boat safari, and lunch. I booked with Sitalis Travel and Tours.
- Royal Livingstone Express: This dinner train runs on select evenings and sells out. Book well in advance via your hotel.
- Zambezi Sunset Cruise: Bookable through the Radisson Blu. You don’t need to be a hotel guest.
- Victoria Falls Entry: You’ll pay a separate gate fee to enter the falls on both the Zambia side (~$20) and the Zimbabwe side (~$7–$60 depending on nationality and residency). Guests of the Royal Livingstone and Avani Hotel get complimentary access to the falls.
Tips From My Planning Process (For Solo Travellers)
Planning this trip solo has been such a learning experience, and there are a few things I’ve been very intentional about.
- First, I prioritised convenience over squeezing in too much. It’s tempting to pack your itinerary, especially when multiple countries are involved, but I’ve built in buffer time, so I’m not constantly rushing.
- Second, I chose accommodations that offer transfers and activity coordination. As a solo traveller, reducing logistical stress is everything.
- Third, I paid attention to border crossing logistics. I looked up opening hours, peak times, and what documents are required. Even simple research like this can make the experience feel much smoother.
- Safety-wise, Livingstone and Victoria Falls are known to be relatively safe tourist areas. I stayed in Livingstone, which is very much a resort town where elephants roam! I didn’t really need to venture out and only left for my activities. I felt very safe throughout.
- Lastly, I’m embracing the solo aspect fully. This trip isn’t just about ticking off destinations, it’s about experiencing them at my own pace.
Final Thoughts
This trip had been on my mind for a while, and finally bringing it to life felt incredibly rewarding. Basing myself in Livingstone and exploring Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana in one trip just made sense. From the power of Mosi-oa-Tunya (Victoria Falls) to the wildlife of Chobe National Park, this region offers so much within a relatively small area.
If you’d like to see more day-by-day trip updates, I’m sharing this on my Instagram page and have all the stories archived. You can check them out here.
If you’ve been thinking about visiting Victoria Falls or planning a multi-country African trip, consider this your sign. With the right planning, it’s not only possible, but it’s also surprisingly seamless. I’ll be sharing the full experience in the coming weeks, so I hope you return to follow along.
