🎒Backpackers

Where to Stay in Victoria Falls

Cheapest areas, hostel districts, and budget tips

⚠️ Caution💰 Budget: USD 80/day🚶 Very Walkable☀️ Best: May, Jun, Jul

✓

Quick Answer

Stay in Imbizo

Provides the most affordable accommodation and dining options, with a more local feel.

See full Victoria Falls neighbourhood guide

Top 3 Areas to Stay in Victoria Falls

Most affordable areas with the best value accommodation

🏨

Imbizo

A more local residential area, offering a glimpse into everyday life away from the tourist hubs.

Our top picks in Imbizo

🏨

Gale's Guesthouse$

A simple, friendly guesthouse offering basic but clean accommodation and local hospitality.

Book Now

🏠

Victoria Falls Backpackers Lodge$

A popular choice for budget travelers, offering dorms and private rooms in a social atmosphere.

Book Now

🛡️ Exercise caution, especially a...Budgetbudgetsolo travelers

View Hotels in Imbizo

🏨

Arundel

A quieter, more residential area offering a peaceful retreat away from the main tourist crowds.

Our top picks in Arundel

🏢

Lokuthula Lodges$$

Self-catering lodges set in beautiful gardens, ideal for families or longer stays.

Book Now

🏖️

Elephant Hills Resort$$

A large resort with a golf course, swimming pool, and various activities, though it can feel a bit dated.

Book Now

🏨

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge$$$

Offers stunning views over the Zambezi National Park from its elevated position, with a popular waterhole.

Book Now

🛡️ Generally safe, but street lig...Budgetcouplesfamilies

View Hotels in Arundel

🏨

Victoria Falls Town Centre

The bustling heart of tourism, offering convenient access to attractions and amenities.

Our top picks in Victoria Falls Town Centre

🏨

The Victoria Falls Hotel$$$

An iconic colonial-era hotel offering timeless elegance and stunning views.

Book Now

🏨

Ilala Lodge Hotel$$$

A luxurious lodge set in lush gardens, close to the falls, with excellent dining.

Book Now

🏨

Bayete Guest Lodge$$

A charming lodge offering a more intimate and personalized experience with a focus on wildlife.

Book Now

🛡️ Generally safe during the day ...Mid-rangefirst-timerscouples

View Hotels in Victoria Falls Town Centre

View all hotels in Victoria Falls

We earn a small commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Neighbourhood Comparison for Backpackers

Neighbourhood	Budget	Vibe	Best For
#1Imbizo	Budget	A more local residential area, offering a glimpse into everyday life away from the tourist hubs.	budgetsolo travelers
Arundel	Budget	A quieter, more residential area offering a peaceful retreat away from the main tourist crowds.	couplesfamilies
Victoria Falls Town Centre	Mid-range	The bustling heart of tourism, offering convenient access to attractions and amenities.	first-timerscouples

🏨

Find budget-friendly hostels in Victoria Falls

Affordable stays in the best backpacker areas

Search on Expedia

We earn a small commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.

Tips for Backpackers in Victoria Falls

🛏️

Book Hostels with Kitchens

Self-catering saves significant money in Victoria Falls. A hostel with a good kitchen can cut your food budget by half.

🚶

Walk Where Possible

Many city centres are walkable. Save transport money for longer journeys and use your feet for neighbourhood exploring.

🆓

Find Free Activities

Free walking tours, museum free days, parks, and markets are everywhere. Ask hostel staff for the best free experiences.

💧

Carry a Water Bottle

A refillable bottle saves money and plastic. Many cities have free water fountains; check the local tap water safety first.

🗺️

Find free walking tours in Victoria Falls

Budget-friendly ways to explore

Browse on GetYourGuide

Best Neighborhoods for Backpackers

Ranked by relevance for backpackers visiting Victoria Falls

Imbizo

Budget

A more local residential area, offering a glimpse into everyday life away from the tourist hubs.

budgetsolo travelers

+Significantly more affordable accommodation and food options.
+More authentic local experience.
+Quieter and less crowded.

-Limited tourist amenities and services.
-Requires taxis or longer walks to reach the falls and main attractions.
-Infrastructure is more basic.

🏨 Gale's Guesthouse 🏨 Victoria Falls Backpackers Lodge

Arundel

Budget

A quieter, more residential area offering a peaceful retreat away from the main tourist crowds.

couplesfamiliesdigital nomads

+More tranquil and relaxing atmosphere.
+Often offers better value for money.
+Slightly more local feel.

-Requires more walking or short taxi rides to main attractions.
-Fewer immediate dining and entertainment options.

🏨 Lokuthula Lodges 🏨 Elephant Hills Resort 🏨 Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

Victoria Falls Town Centre

Mid-range

The bustling heart of tourism, offering convenient access to attractions and amenities.

first-timerscouplesfoodies

+Extremely convenient for accessing the falls and tours.
+Wide range of dining and shopping options.
+Good infrastructure for tourists.

-Can feel very tourist-oriented and lack local authenticity.
-Can be noisy and crowded.

🏨 The Victoria Falls Hotel 🏨 Ilala Lodge Hotel 🏨 Bayete Guest Lodge

Daily Budget (Budget)

USD 80/day

Shoestrings Backpackers, dorm bedUSD 15

Local market food stall for Sadza and stewUSD 8

Walking to attractionsUSD 0

Visit Victoria Falls National Park entrance feeUSD 30

Walk across the Victoria Falls BridgeUSD 0

Dinner at The WaybUSD 20

Taxi to town centerUSD 7

See all budget tiers

Hidden Gems in Victoria Falls

Lesser-known spots the locals love

🍜

The Elephant Cafe

Enjoy a meal with a unique view overlooking the Zambezi River, where you can often see elephants coming to drink. The cuisine is modern and delicious, offering a tranquil dining experience.

foodVictoria Falls

🍜

Kahami Bush Camp

This local establishment offers a more authentic and less touristy dining experience, often serving traditional Zimbabwean dishes. It's a great place to sample local flavors and interact with residents.

foodVictoria Falls

Our Top 5 Favourite Tours in Victoria Falls

Hand-picked guided experiences you can book in advance on GetYourGuide.

Guided walking tour through a European city

Victoria Falls Walking Tour: Highlights & Hidden Gems

Discover Victoria Falls on foot with a local guide who knows every backstreet and story. You will cover the must-see landmarks and stumble upon places most visitors never find.

View Tour Details

Victoria Falls Food Tour: Street Food & Local Favourites

Eat your way through Victoria Falls with a local foodie as your guide. From bustling markets to tucked-away restaurants, taste the dishes the city is truly known for.

View Tour Details

Best of Victoria Falls: Skip-the-Line Top Attractions

Skip the queues and get straight into Victoria Falls's top attractions with pre-booked access. An expert guide brings each site to life with stories and context you would not get on your own.

View Tour Details

Day Trip from Victoria Falls: Scenic Excursion

Escape Victoria Falls for the day and explore the stunning surroundings. Transport, guide, and itinerary are all sorted so you can relax and enjoy the scenery.

View Tour Details

Local cultural experience and traditions

Victoria Falls Cultural Experience: History & Traditions

Go beyond sightseeing and connect with Victoria Falls's living culture. From hands-on workshops to historic neighbourhood walks, this is the side of the city most travellers miss.

View Tour Details

View all tours in Victoria Falls

We earn a small commission if you book through these links, at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep FindYourStay free.

⚠️

1 area to be cautious about

Read our full safety guide for Victoria Falls

Backpackers in Victoria Falls: FAQ

What is the best area in Victoria Falls for backpackers?

Imbizo is our top pick for backpackers in Victoria Falls. A more local residential area, offering a glimpse into everyday life away from the tourist hubs. It is a budget-friendly area known for budget, solo travelers.

Is Victoria Falls safe for backpackers?

Victoria Falls is rated "Safe" overall. Stick to well-lit main streets and busy areas. Avoid walking alone, particularly in areas away from hotels and restaurants. Taxis are recommended after dark. Our neighbourhood guides include area-specific safety advice.

How much does it cost per day in Victoria Falls for backpackers?

Expect to spend around USD 80 per day in Victoria Falls as a backpacker. This covers accommodation, food, transport, and activities at the budget level.

When is the best time for backpackers to visit Victoria Falls?

The ideal time depends on your priorities. Shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) typically offer the best balance of pleasant weather, lower prices, and fewer crowds. Budget travellers often find the best deals in winter or early spring.

Where are the cheapest hostels in Victoria Falls?

The most affordable hostels in Victoria Falls are typically found in Imbizo, Arundel. Budget accommodation options are highlighted in each neighbourhood breakdown above.

Found your hotel in Victoria Falls?

We search 30+ sites including members-only platforms like Secret Escapes and Voyage Privé. Most people save 14-23%.

Find cheapest price

Booking.comExpediaSecret EscapesVoyage Privé+25 more including members-only

More Victoria Falls Guides

Full Victoria Falls guide Areas to avoid Best time to visit More cities in Zimbabwe 👩 Solo Female Travellers 💑 Couples 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families 💻 Digital Nomads ✨ Luxury Travellers 🎉 Nightlife Seekers

Plan Your Perfect Victoria Falls Trip

Tell us what you love and we'll build a personalised day-by-day itinerary with the best spots, tours, and hotels. Completely free.

Day-by-day planHotel picksTour recommendationsBudget breakdown