Honestly, it’s a bit of a geographical fluke that the only two countries that start with the letter Z happen to be neighbors. Most people couldn't point to them on a map without a few guesses, yet they share one of the most violent, beautiful, and deafening natural wonders on the planet.
I'm talking about Zambia and Zimbabwe.
If you’re looking for a "vibe," these two are worlds apart despite sharing a border. You’ve got Zambia, which feels like the rugged, slightly more "wild" sibling where you’re likely to find yourself on a walking safari with nothing but a ranger and a prayer. Then there's Zimbabwe—resilient, surprisingly sophisticated, and home to some of the best-trained guides in Africa.
The Victoria Falls Tug-of-War
You can't talk about Zambia and Zimbabwe without mentioning the "Smoke that Thunders," or Mosi-oa-Tunya. This is the big one. The Zambezi River literally splits the two nations here, and which side you choose to stand on matters way more than you think.
People always ask: "Which side is better?"
Well, it depends on what time of year you’re showing up. If you arrive in October or November, the Zambian side can actually dry up to a rocky wall. It’s kinda depressing if you paid for a "waterfall" and got a cliff. Zimbabwe, however, keeps the water flowing year-round. About 75% of the falls are viewed from the Zimbabwean side, offering those classic, head-on "Instagram" shots.
But here’s the kicker. Zambia has the Devil’s Pool.
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Between August and January, when the water is low, you can literally swim to the very lip of the falls on the Zambian side. You’re sitting in a natural rock pool while thousands of tons of water plummet 100 meters just inches from your feet. It's terrifying. It’s also something you simply cannot do in Zimbabwe.
Getting Between the Two
Luckily, you don't actually have to choose. The KAZA UniVisa is basically a golden ticket. For $50, it lets you bounce back and forth between Zambia and Zimbabwe for 30 days. It also covers day trips into Botswana.
I’ve seen people try to do this with separate visas and end up in a bureaucratic nightmare at the Victoria Falls Bridge. Don’t be that person. Just get the UniVisa at the airport when you land in Livingstone or Vic Falls town.
Beyond the Mist: Safari Realities
Most travelers treat these countries as a quick two-day stop to see the falls. That is a massive mistake.
Zambia is essentially the birthplace of the walking safari. In places like South Luangwa National Park, they don't just put you in a Land Cruiser and call it a day. You get out. You walk. You realize very quickly that a blade of grass feels very thin when there’s a biological tank (an elephant) thirty yards away. It’s raw. It’s a bit dusty. And because Zambia has focused on low-impact, high-value tourism, you won't see twenty other jeeps crowding around a single leopard.
Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park is different but equally "wow." It’s famous for its sheer volume of elephants. We’re talking herds that look like a moving grey forest.
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The guides in Zimbabwe are also legendary. The certification process there is famously grueling—it takes years of apprentice work before you’re allowed to lead people into the bush. If you want someone who can identify a bird by its flight pattern or tell you exactly which way a lion turned based on a bent twig, Zimbabwe is your place.
The Money and Safety "Elephant in the Room"
Let’s be real: Zimbabwe has had a rough ride. Hyperinflation, political shifts, and currency swaps (the latest being the ZiG or Zimbabwe Gold) have made the news for years.
But here is the weird thing—tourism in Zimbabwe is remarkably stable. The "safari economy" often operates in US Dollars, and the lodges are world-class. You've got places like the Victoria Falls Hotel that make you feel like you stepped into a 1920s movie set.
Zambia is generally considered the "more stable" one politically, and it’s seen a huge surge in visitors recently—hitting over 2 million arrivals last year. It feels a bit more "up and coming." Livingstone (the Zambian hub) is a sprawling, busy town, while Victoria Falls (the Zimbabwean hub) is a tiny, walkable tourist village where warthogs literally trot down the main street.
What about safety?
Both are actually quite safe for tourists. You’ll find more "hustlers" in Vic Falls town trying to sell you old trillion-dollar bills as souvenirs, but it’s mostly harmless. The biggest danger in either country? Honestly, it's the hippos. Stay away from the river banks at night. They look cute; they are not.
Which Z-Country is Right for You?
If you want the best views of the falls and a "town" vibe where you can walk to dinner, stay in Zimbabwe.
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If you want the adrenaline of the Devil's Pool and a more "off-the-beaten-path" safari experience where you’re more likely to see a wild dog than another tourist, go to Zambia.
Real talk: The smartest move is a 50/50 split.
- Land in Livingstone, Zambia.
- Do the Devil's Pool and a sunset cruise on the Zambezi.
- Cross the bridge (walk it for the view!) into Zimbabwe.
- Spend two days in Vic Falls town for the panoramas.
- Head to Hwange for the elephants.
The infrastructure is getting better every year, and with the 2026 focus on "regenerative tourism," both countries are leaning hard into conservation. Your tourist dollars actually help stop poaching in places like Mana Pools or Kafue.
It’s not just a vacation; it’s basically keeping the ecosystem alive.
To make this actually happen, check your passport first. Most Western travelers can get into Zambia visa-free now (as of the 2025/2026 updates), but you still need that UniVisa if you plan on crossing the bridge. Don't book your flights until you've confirmed if it's the high-water (March–May) or low-water (September–December) season, because the "Two Z Countries" look completely different depending on the rain.