Packing List for a Victoria Falls Getaway

You’ve successfully secured your dates at The Palm River Hotel and are excitedly anticipating your vacation to Victoria Falls, Africa’s adventure capital and home to one of the Seven Natural Wonderful of the World!

As the date of your departure draws closer, you’ve probably been scribbling down notes to remind yourself of what to pack. Not to worry – we’re here to help.

Below you’ll find a few helpful lists of things to remember for your Victoria Falls holiday. Once your packing list is drawn up, all that’s left to do is happily tick off the days on your calendar until you join us!

The first thing to consider before packing your suitcase is, of course, the weather. While Victoria Falls is temperate all year round, we do make a distinction between the dry season and the wet season.

The dry season falls between mid-May and mid-August, which is winter in the Southern Hemisphere. However, unlike winters in the Northern Hemisphere, our winters are not quite the chilly, snow-laden affairs you may be picturing. The days are rather pleasant and sunny, with temperatures hovering between 20°C and 25°C. The nights, however, can and do approach the zero mark, warranting your warmest sleeping socks and cosiest pajamas. (Consider this your fair warning.)

The wet season falls over our summer months from mid-November to April. During this time the days are hot (± 30°C) and humid, punctuated by frequent afternoon thundershowers. These clear up quickly, however, leaving a steamy, lush landscape for adventurers to explore to their hearts’ content.

Read our blog post on The Best Time To Visit Victoria Falls for more information on the weather and corresponding water levels of the Falls.

Now that you know what to expect, here are your packing lists!

It’s best to think of your day divided into morning, noon and night, as Victoria Falls has been known to experience multiple seasons in one day!

• Smart casual clothes for the evening
• Lightweight garments and shorts for summer
• Jeans and warm jerseys for winter – though you’ll likely be happy in a t-shirt for most of the day
• Pack one extra warm jacket in winter – in case
• A cosy fleece for winter
• Beanie
• Buff – good for keeping the sun off your neck
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Closed shoes
• Sandals
• Flip flops for around the pool
• Rain poncho
• Light windbreaker
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Swimming costume(s)
• Sarong
• Pajamas
• Activewear – for activities
• Socks & personals

Note: We advise those who are going on game drives to make sure that they have light, neutral-coloured clothing for this activity. The sun can be harsh on hot days, so long sleeves are best.

• Sunscreen
• Mozzie repellant
• Toothbrush & toothpaste
• Shampoo & conditioner
• Hairbrush
• Face & body products
• Grooming items
• Essential medication

Note: Victoria Falls is considered a malaria area. Consult your GP on what precautions to take before your departure. Our rooms are kitted with mosquito nets and temperatures can be controlled via AC, guaranteeing a peaceful night’s sleep.

• PASSPORT
• Universal adapter
• Camera & charger
• Cellphone & charger
• Laptop & charger
• Power bank
• Binoculars
• Journal & pens
• Reading book/ Kindle/ tablet
• Ziplock bags (You never know!)
• Day bag or backpack
• Certified copies of all important documents

Note: Many of the above items are optional. If you have any queries about our available in-house amenities, feel free to browse our website or contact our reservations desk at onlinereservations@palmriverhotel.com.

While it’s important to be prepared, don’t worry too much if you forget the odd item. There are banks, exchange bureaus and many stores in Victoria Falls where you can buy or replace almost anything.

From clothes to electricals and toiletries, our friendly team would be more than happy to point you in the right direction or plan a purchase on your behalf.

At the end of the day, the most important item to remember is… You guessed it – your passport.

We hope you found the above lists useful and that packing your bag is the first step to getting well and truly excited for your Victoria Falls holiday!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. As we mentioned above, as long as you have your passport, the rest can be arranged.

The Palm River Hotel is fitted with every 5-star amenity to ensure your stay will be nothing short of magical, from our dreamy views over the mighty Zambezi River to our luxurious lodgings, where you will feel at home and content in no time.

If you’ve been deliberating on a Victoria Falls holiday, feel free to browse our accommodation options and contact our team at onlinereservations@palmriverhotel.com. They will be able to provide you with all necessary information.

If you like what you see and require no further encouragement, we also have a user-friendly online booking platform where you can secure your own dates.

We hope to see you at The Palm River Hotel soon!