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Zimbabwe🇿🇼 | festivalsVictoria Falls CarnivalNew Year’s Eve countdown, Falls spray, house and sungura, Zambezi cruises | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Victoria Falls Carnival
🏆 Top pickfestival ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Victoria Falls Carnival suits backpackers who like their New Year with a soundtrack, a crowd of Zimbabweans home for the holidays, and a world-class waterfall a short walk away. If you need quiet nights, polished production or a strict itinerary, you may find it less rewarding. Sets run late, schedules slide, and the town stays loud. It happens in Victoria Falls, in the northwest of Zimbabwe, over a few festive days around New Year’s Eve, with Afro-pop, house, sungura and dancehall pulling in locals, overlanders and regional day-trippers. I stepped off the transfer, heard bass rolling down the main road, and looked up to see the Falls’ spray column rising white above the treeline, as if the town had its own smoke signal. Follow the speakers, wander the side streets, and you reach grilled corn and cold drinks beside a stage, with warthogs ambling past the curb.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 festival in ZimbabweThe unique appeal for travelers

Victoria Falls Carnival gives you a festival and one of Africa’s great adventure hubs in the same small town, so the days and nights fill themselves. Spend mornings at Victoria Falls Bridge, where the Zambezi gorge drops away beneath you, then drift back to the music by evening. Nothing else on the regional circuit lets you shake off a hangover with a walk through the Falls’ rainforest.
The crowd is the second reason. Zimbabweans travel here from Harare and Bulawayo for the holidays, and overlanders roll in on southern Africa loops, so a table of strangers turns into a New Year’s Eve crew by midnight. You hear Shona and Ndebele banter, swap route advice, and get invited along to the next party.
It also fits a bigger trip. Victoria Falls sits at the meeting point of Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana, … read more 👉
Victoria Falls Carnival gives you a festival and one of Africa’s great adventure hubs in the same small town, so the days and nights fill themselves. Spend mornings at Victoria Falls Bridge, where the Zambezi gorge drops away beneath you, then drift back to the music by evening. Nothing else on the regional circuit lets you shake off a hangover with a walk through the Falls’ rainforest.
The crowd is the second reason. Zimbabweans travel here from Harare and Bulawayo for the holidays, and overlanders roll in on southern Africa loops, so a table of strangers turns into a New Year’s Eve crew by midnight. You hear Shona and Ndebele banter, swap route advice, and get invited along to the next party.
It also fits a bigger trip. Victoria Falls sits at the meeting point of Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana, with Chobe and Hwange both within reach, so the carnival can anchor a southern Africa loop. Land here for the celebration, then use the same border-hopping energy to roll on into safari country.

💡 HighlightsDon't-miss highlights and experiences

  1. New Year’s Eve Countdown Night: This is the peak of the carnival. Stages run late, DJs and bands push the crowd toward midnight, and the whole town counts down together. Expect Zimbabwean hits, South African house and a lot of singing along, even if you don’t know the words.
  2. Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya) Rainforest Walk: The Falls are why the carnival exists here. A path of viewpoints leads through dripping rainforest facing the 1.7 km curtain of water. Entry is about US$30 for most foreign visitors, and a couple of hours covers the main viewpoints. Bring a poncho or accept a soaking.
  3. Victoria Falls Bridge: Built across the Zambezi gorge in the early 1900s, it links Zimbabwe and Zambia. You can walk to the middle for a view of the Falls and the gorge, and watch bungee jumpers launch from the
… read more 👉
  1. New Year’s Eve Countdown Night: This is the peak of the carnival. Stages run late, DJs and bands push the crowd toward midnight, and the whole town counts down together. Expect Zimbabwean hits, South African house and a lot of singing along, even if you don’t know the words.
  2. Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya) Rainforest Walk: The Falls are why the carnival exists here. A path of viewpoints leads through dripping rainforest facing the 1.7 km curtain of water. Entry is about US$30 for most foreign visitors, and a couple of hours covers the main viewpoints. Bring a poncho or accept a soaking.
  3. Victoria Falls Bridge: Built across the Zambezi gorge in the early 1900s, it links Zimbabwe and Zambia. You can walk to the middle for a view of the Falls and the gorge, and watch bungee jumpers launch from the span. It makes a good, free-feeling reset between festival nights.
  4. Zambezi Sunset Cruise: Boats glide upriver past hippos, crocodiles and grazing elephants on the banks, with drinks in hand. It is a calm contrast to the carnival, and a popular way to spend the evening before heading back to the stages.
  5. Victoria Falls Craft Market: Wood carvings, stone sculptures, beadwork and masks fill stalls where bargaining is expected and friendly. Good for a souvenir, and a quick look at the Zimbabwean craft traditions behind the festival crowd’s outfits and jewelry.
Victoria Falls Carnival main-night tickets and the Zambezi sunset cruise are worth booking ahead, since both sell out during the New Year period.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Victoria Falls Carnival

Standard Sunset Cruise

Standard Sunset Cruise

5.0(46) 2h
From €65
per personViator
Victoria Falls Guided Experience

Victoria Falls Guided Experience

5.0(41) 2h
From €27
per personViator
Off the Beaten Path: Unique Safaris in Zambezi NP *GB-D-F-ES

Off the Beaten Path: Unique Safaris in Zambezi NP *GB-D-F-ES

5.0(40) 3h
From €113
per personViator
Livingstone Island Devils Pool

Livingstone Island Devils Pool

5.0(31) 3h
From €226
per personViator
Guided Tour of Victoria Falls Zimbabwe and Zambia Experience

Guided Tour of Victoria Falls Zimbabwe and Zambia Experience

5.0(28) 6h
From €71
per personViator
Livingstone Victoria Falls Tour Zambia And Zimbabwe Combo

Livingstone Victoria Falls Tour Zambia And Zimbabwe Combo

5.0(25) 7h
From €82
per personViator
Guided Tour of the Falls Rainforest

Guided Tour of the Falls Rainforest

5.0(24)
From €63
per personViator
Rural Community Horse Rides – A Journey into Village Life

Rural Community Horse Rides – A Journey into Village Life

5.0(23) 1h 30m
From €136
per personViator
Victoria Falls Guided Walking Tour with a Local Expert

Victoria Falls Guided Walking Tour with a Local Expert

5.0(20)
From €36
per personViator
2-Day Camping Safari in Chobe National Park from Victoria Falls

2-Day Camping Safari in Chobe National Park from Victoria Falls

5.0(19) 48h
From €475
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Victoria Falls Carnival?

Victoria Falls Carnival is held over about four days in the last week of December, running into the New Year, in the town of Victoria Falls, with the main events at the town’s open-air grounds and the Elephant Walk and Kingdom Hotel area as the social hubs.
  • Best day: The big closing nights, including New Year’s Eve, have the largest crowds and the loudest sets. Earlier days are calmer and better for meeting people.
  • Weather: It is rainy-season heat, around 28 to 32°C (82 to 90°F), with afternoon thunderstorms and humid nights near 19 to 21°C (66 to 70°F). Bring a light rain jacket, sunscreen, a hat, and shoes you can get muddy.
  • Booking: Reserve beds at least two to three months ahead. Rates for the week typically climb 30 to 60 percent over normal.
  • Crowds and roads: Arrive by December 22 or 23.
… read more 👉
Victoria Falls Carnival is held over about four days in the last week of December, running into the New Year, in the town of Victoria Falls, with the main events at the town’s open-air grounds and the Elephant Walk and Kingdom Hotel area as the social hubs.
  • Best day: The big closing nights, including New Year’s Eve, have the largest crowds and the loudest sets. Earlier days are calmer and better for meeting people.
  • Weather: It is rainy-season heat, around 28 to 32°C (82 to 90°F), with afternoon thunderstorms and humid nights near 19 to 21°C (66 to 70°F). Bring a light rain jacket, sunscreen, a hat, and shoes you can get muddy.
  • Booking: Reserve beds at least two to three months ahead. Rates for the week typically climb 30 to 60 percent over normal.
  • Crowds and roads: Arrive by December 22 or 23. Leave on January 2 or later, since buses and shuttles toward Bulawayo, Livingstone and Kasane fill fast right after New Year.
Buy your onward transport at the same time as your bed.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: excellent for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

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🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

The town center of Victoria Falls is where you want to be, because the town is small and compact, and the carnival, bars, restaurants and activity booking offices sit within a short walk of each other. Staying here means you can walk back after dark along the main streets, which are lit and busy during the festival, and skip paying for taxis.

The streets around the main shopping strip and the Elephant Walk area are the social heart for backpackers. Budget travelers and solo visitors gather here, so you meet people easily at communal areas and over shared tables. Expect plenty of overlanding groups, … read more 👉
The town center of Victoria Falls is where you want to be, because the town is small and compact, and the carnival, bars, restaurants and activity booking offices sit within a short walk of each other. Staying here means you can walk back after dark along the main streets, which are lit and busy during the festival, and skip paying for taxis.

The streets around the main shopping strip and the Elephant Walk area are the social heart for backpackers. Budget travelers and solo visitors gather here, so you meet people easily at communal areas and over shared tables. Expect plenty of overlanding groups, so it is lively and easy to join a group heading to the evening events.

The quieter residential neighborhoods a little back from the center, such as Aerodrome and Chinotimba, offer cheaper guesthouses and private rooms. They suit travelers who want sleep, but the walk back at night is longer and taxis are the safer option. Chinotimba is the local township with its own markets and bars and is better visited with a local companion.

Livingstone in Zambia is an alternative with a big backpacker scene, but crossing the border each day adds queues and visa fees, so staying on the Zimbabwe side is simpler for the carnival.
Best hostels in Zimbabwe


Best quality hotels in Zimbabwe

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

A day at Victoria Falls Carnival costs roughly US$10 to 30 for a backpacker, with the total daily budget landing around US$130 in high season, and most of that goes to beds and entry.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$10 to 30Daily or event entry varies by night, with the New Year’s Eve events at the top end. Some outdoor stages are cheaper.
AccommodationUS$15 to 25 dorm (low season); US$30 to 50 dorm or basic room (high season)Carnival week pushes prices up and beds sell out, so private rooms in guesthouses run higher.
Local transportUS$3 to 10The center is walkable, and short taxi rides cost a few dollars, with night fares higher.
Food & drinksUS$20 to 35Stall plates of sadza and meat cost US$3 to 6, beers about US$2 to 4, and restaurant meals more.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$10
… read more 👉
A day at Victoria Falls Carnival costs roughly US$10 to 30 for a backpacker, with the total daily budget landing around US$130 in high season, and most of that goes to beds and entry.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$10 to 30Daily or event entry varies by night, with the New Year’s Eve events at the top end. Some outdoor stages are cheaper.
AccommodationUS$15 to 25 dorm (low season); US$30 to 50 dorm or basic room (high season)Carnival week pushes prices up and beds sell out, so private rooms in guesthouses run higher.
Local transportUS$3 to 10The center is walkable, and short taxi rides cost a few dollars, with night fares higher.
Food & drinksUS$20 to 35Stall plates of sadza and meat cost US$3 to 6, beers about US$2 to 4, and restaurant meals more.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$10 to 20Covers water, sunscreen, rain gear, tips and the odd souvenir. Cash in US dollars is widely used.
Total Daily BudgetUS$73 to 145About US$130 for a typical day.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodWhat to Eat & Drink

Expect a mix of street-style grills and food stalls scattered around the carnival grounds, with braai (barbecue) smoke hanging over the crowd well into the night. The staple to chase is sadza, a thick maize porridge, served with beef stew, grilled boerewors sausage or nyama (grilled meat). Vendors also sell roasted maize cobs, chicken pieces and chips, and plates are filling enough to share.

For something more adventurous, look for stalls selling mopane worms, dried and salted, crunchy and surprisingly savory. Locals eat them like snacks, and vendors are happy to hand over a taste.

Drinks lean toward Zambezi lager and Castle beer, along with ciders, soft drinks and bottled water. Traditional opaque beer shows up in some corners, and it is thick and sour. Drink plenty of water in the humid … read more 👉
Expect a mix of street-style grills and food stalls scattered around the carnival grounds, with braai (barbecue) smoke hanging over the crowd well into the night. The staple to chase is sadza, a thick maize porridge, served with beef stew, grilled boerewors sausage or nyama (grilled meat). Vendors also sell roasted maize cobs, chicken pieces and chips, and plates are filling enough to share.

For something more adventurous, look for stalls selling mopane worms, dried and salted, crunchy and surprisingly savory. Locals eat them like snacks, and vendors are happy to hand over a taste.

Drinks lean toward Zambezi lager and Castle beer, along with ciders, soft drinks and bottled water. Traditional opaque beer shows up in some corners, and it is thick and sour. Drink plenty of water in the humid December heat.

A few quirks help. Carry small US dollar notes, as many stalls prefer cash and struggle with change for large bills. Card payments are less reliable at stalls. Lines form at popular grill stands in the evenings, so eat early or late. Eating from a shared plate with new friends is normal and friendly.

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Victoria Falls Carnival takes place over roughly four days in the last week of December, running through New Year’s Eve into early January. The main events are held in the town of Victoria Falls, with the party centered on the town’s open-air grounds. Dates shift slightly each year, so check the line-up in November.
Attending Victoria Falls Carnival typically costs US$10 to 30 per day for tickets, with New Year’s Eve events at the top end. Add US$30 to 50 a night for a dorm bed in high season and US$20 to 35 a day for food and drinks. A realistic backpacker budget is about US$130 a day.
Yes, buy tickets for Victoria Falls Carnival in advance for the big nights, especially New Year’s Eve, which can sell out. Some smaller events sell at the gate, but prices are often higher on the day. Book your bed two to three months ahead, since Victoria Falls town is small and fills quickly in late December.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Zimbabwean festivals near Victoria Falls Carnival

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We 💚 feedbackParting advice and final tips

Victoria Falls Carnival works best as the opening act of a bigger loop. I would pair it with Chobe in Botswana for a river safari, then cross to Livingstone in Zambia for more waterfall views, or head to Hwange for a wildlife-focused finish. Skip cramming too much into one day. Book your bed early, pack earplugs, and keep one morning free.

✈️ When did I visit Zimbabwe?
I have backpacked Zimbabwe all the way back in 2001.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Zimbabwe, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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