Visa & Entry Requirements for Victoria Falls
- What Visa Do I Need for Zimbabwe?
- Zimbabwe Visa Fees
- What Visa Do I Need for Zambia?
- Do I Need a Visa for Botswana Day Trips?
- What Is the KAZA UniVisa?
- What Documents Do I Need When Travelling with Minors?
Zimbabwe uses a three-category visa system. The category your nationality falls under determines whether you need a visa, how to obtain one, and what it costs. To streamline and speed up the immigration process on arrival The Zimbabwe Immigration Department has implemented an online immigration declaration form that ideally, should be completed by all travellers prior to arriving at any Zimbabwean border post, including Victoria Falls Airport. Please complete the following link https://www.zimimmigration.gov.zw/
Category A – Visa Exempt
Nationals of Category A countries do not need a visa to enter Zimbabwe. You simply present your passport at the port of entry and complete an immigration declaration form. Category A countries include most SADC member states such as South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Malaysia, Singapore and Mauritius, among others.
Nationals of Category A countries do not need a visa to enter Zimbabwe. You simply present your passport at the port of entry and complete an immigration declaration form. Category A countries include most SADC member states such as South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Malaysia, Singapore and Mauritius, among others.
Category B – Visa on Arrival
Most Western nationalities fall into Category B, including citizens of the United Kingdom, Ireland, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France and many other European countries. Category B nationals can obtain their visa directly at the airport or border post on arrival. You pay the visa fee in cash (USD) and receive your visa stamp immediately.
Most Western nationalities fall into Category B, including citizens of the United Kingdom, Ireland, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France and many other European countries. Category B nationals can obtain their visa directly at the airport or border post on arrival. You pay the visa fee in cash (USD) and receive your visa stamp immediately.
Important: If you are a Category B national, you do not need to apply for an eVisa in advance. The eVisa system (evisa.gov.zw) is primarily designed for Category C nationals.
Category C – Prior Approval Required
Nationals of Category C countries must apply for a visa in advance through the Zimbabwe eVisa portal (evisa.gov.zw) or at a Zimbabwean embassy. Approval is not automatic and may take several working days. Apply well in advance of travel.
Nationals of Category C countries must apply for a visa in advance through the Zimbabwe eVisa portal (evisa.gov.zw) or at a Zimbabwean embassy. Approval is not automatic and may take several working days. Apply well in advance of travel.
Zimbabwe visa fees vary by nationality. The table below shows the most common fee structures:
| Visa Type | Standard | UK / Ireland | Canada | KAZA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Entry | USD $30 | USD $55 | USD $75 | USD $50 |
| Double Entry | USD $45 | USD $70 | – | – |
| Multiple Entry | USD $55 | – | – | – |
Note: Visa fees apply to all travellers regardless of age, including infants and children. Fees are payable in cash (USD) at the border. Carry small denominations, as change may not always be available. Credit cards are not accepted at all entry points. Multiple entry visas can only be obtained through the eVisa facility at evisa.gov.zw and are not available at ports of entry. Visa fees are subject to change.
If you are only visiting the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls, you do not need a Zambia visa. However, if you plan to cross the border into Livingstone, visit the Zambian side of the Falls, or take a day trip into Zambia, you will need either a Zambia visa or a KAZA UniVisa.
Zambia Visa Fees
| Zambia Visa Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Single Entry | USD $50 |
| Double Entry | USD $80 |
| Multiple Entry | USD $150 |
| Day Tripper (under 24 hours) | USD $10 (subject to change – may be discontinued) |
| KAZA UniVisa (covers both countries) | USD $50 |
Tip: If you plan to visit both sides of Victoria Falls, the KAZA UniVisa at USD $50 is almost always the best value. A single Zambia visa alone costs USD $50, and you would still need a separate Zimbabwe visa on top of that.
Zambia Prohibited Medications Advisory
Zambia maintains a list of controlled substances that are found in some prescription medicines from other countries. Some travellers have had difficulties entering Zambia when carrying medications containing these substances.
Our advice: If you take regular prescription medication, check with your doctor or pharmacist whether your medicine contains any substances that may be controlled in Zambia. Where possible, ask your doctor to prescribe an alternative that does not contain a controlled ingredient. If no alternative is available and you must carry the medication, bring a letter from your prescribing doctor that clearly states the drug name, dosage, and medical necessity.
Zambia maintains a list of controlled substances that are found in some prescription medicines from other countries. Some travellers have had difficulties entering Zambia when carrying medications containing these substances.
Our advice: If you take regular prescription medication, check with your doctor or pharmacist whether your medicine contains any substances that may be controlled in Zambia. Where possible, ask your doctor to prescribe an alternative that does not contain a controlled ingredient. If no alternative is available and you must carry the medication, bring a letter from your prescribing doctor that clearly states the drug name, dosage, and medical necessity.
Many Victoria Falls visitors take a day trip to Chobe National Park in Botswana. The good news is that citizens of Commonwealth countries (with some exceptions), EU member states, the United States, and several other nations do not require a visa to enter Botswana for short stays.
If you hold a KAZA UniVisa, it covers day trips to Botswana through the Kazungula border post. However, the KAZA UniVisa is not valid for overnight stays in Botswana. If you plan to stay overnight in Botswana, you would need to exit on your KAZA UniVisa and may need to purchase a new visa to re-enter Zimbabwe or Zambia.
Nationals requiring a Botswana visa: Citizens of Bangladesh, Cameroon, Ghana, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka (among Commonwealth countries) do require a visa and should apply in advance through a Botswana embassy or high commission.
The KAZA UniVisa is a joint visa for Zimbabwe and Zambia that costs USD $50 and is valid for 30 days. It allows unlimited crossings between the two countries during that period, making it the best option if you plan to visit both sides of Victoria Falls or take a day trip to Chobe National Park in Botswana via the Kazungula border post.
Where Can I Get the KAZA UniVisa?
The KAZA UniVisa is available on arrival at the following designated ports of entry:
- Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls Airport, Victoria Falls Bridge border post, Kazungula border post, Harare International Airport
- Zambia: Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (Livingstone), Victoria Falls border post, Kazungula border post, Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (Lusaka)
Which Nationalities Are Eligible?
Citizens of the following 40 countries are eligible for the KAZA UniVisa:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Burundi, Canada, Cook Islands, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russia, Rwanda, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay.
Citizens of the following 40 countries are eligible for the KAZA UniVisa:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Burundi, Canada, Cook Islands, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Russia, Rwanda, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay.
Important: If your nationality is not listed above, standard separate visa requirements for Zimbabwe and Zambia apply. The KAZA UniVisa is for holiday purposes only and is not valid for business travel. Visa regimes are subject to change.
Passport Requirements
- Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry.
- You must have sufficient blank pages for entry stamps and visa stickers (at least three blank pages recommended).
- Carry proof of onward travel (return flight ticket) and proof of accommodation.
If you are travelling with children under 18, additional documentation is required at all border crossings in the region (Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, and Namibia). Border officials are strict about these requirements, and missing documents may result in being denied entry.
Required Documents for Minors
- Valid passport for each child.
- Valid visa (if required for the child’s nationality).
- Botswana & Namibia Specific - Unabridged birth certificate for each child. This must include the full details of both parents. A standard (abridged) birth certificate is not accepted.
- Affidavit(s): If only one parent is travelling with the child, a consent affidavit from the absent parent is required, authorising travel. If neither parent is travelling with the child, affidavits from both parents plus a letter of guardianship may be required.
Warning: Standard (abridged) birth certificates are not accepted at any border post in the region. All documents must be in English. If your documents are in another language, you will need certified English translations.
Note: Namibian immigration follows the same documentation rules as Botswana for minors.
Important Visa Disclaimer Guests are responsible for ensuring that they have the correct visas and travel documentation in place for their journey. We strongly advise guests to ensure they have obtained the correct visa before leaving the arrivals hall, as changes cannot be made once you have exited the immigration area.
Visa requirements may change from time to time, and while every effort is made to keep the information on this page up to date, Wild Horizons cannot be held responsible for any changes that may not yet be reflected on this website. Always verify the latest requirements with the relevant embassy or the official Zimbabwe eVisa portal (evisa.gov.zw) before travelling.
Note: Namibian immigration follows the same documentation rules as Botswana for minors.
Important Visa Disclaimer Guests are responsible for ensuring that they have the correct visas and travel documentation in place for their journey. We strongly advise guests to ensure they have obtained the correct visa before leaving the arrivals hall, as changes cannot be made once you have exited the immigration area.
Visa requirements may change from time to time, and while every effort is made to keep the information on this page up to date, Wild Horizons cannot be held responsible for any changes that may not yet be reflected on this website. Always verify the latest requirements with the relevant embassy or the official Zimbabwe eVisa portal (evisa.gov.zw) before travelling.