Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin Zimbabwe due to crime and official harassment of U.S. citizens.”
Updated Tue, 27 Jun 2023
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Is Victoria Falls safe? 🇿🇼
Zimbabwe · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Victoria Falls scores 54/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Yes, Victoria Falls is generally safe for visitors who exercise standard precautions, though petty crime and road safety remain concerns. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Victoria Falls 🇿🇼
Zimbabwe · Assessed 20 October 2026
54
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime55/100FairCrime index 61.2 / 100
Sentiment68/100FairMostly positive
Advisories75Good
Stability54Caution
Health52Caution
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:08:38Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for Zimbabwe: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-10-13T15:11:31.3146413-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Urban scale factor
35k residents
92
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
6.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Zimbabwe6.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
58
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging and armed robbery occur occasionally, particularly after dark in isolated areas or near budget accommodations on the outskirts of town.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching are reported in crowded areas such as the Victoria Falls market and near the falls viewpoint during peak hours.
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03 · Environment
Health & Air
Caution
04 · Institutions
Stability
Caution
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
68/100
Reported feel70Mostly positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler reports indicate visitors feel safe during daylight hours when sticking to established tourism routes, citing warm hospitality and low incident rates in tourist zones.
Yes, Victoria Falls is generally safe for visitors who exercise standard precautions, though petty crime and road safety remain concerns.
The town benefits from Tourism Police patrols and a tourism-dependent economy that incentivizes visitor safety, keeping violent crime against tourists rare in established zones. However, pickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in crowded areas like the market and falls viewpoint during peak hours, and mugging is occasionally reported after dark in isolated areas or near budget accommodations on the outskirts. Visitors should also note natural hazards such as slippery rocks and wildlife near the falls, and the need for malaria prophylaxis in the Zambezi Valley.
Recent developments
- Jan 2026Tourist’s body recovered after a fall at Victoria Falls— Getaway Magazine
- Apr 202613-foot-long crocodile wandered into a hotel restaurant seeking food— People.com
- Feb 2026Lion DNA forensics secured a historic conviction in a wildlife poaching case— BBC
Common scams
- Fake police officer
- Unlicensed taxi overcharging
- Street distraction theft
- Fake tour guides
- Accommodation booking fraud
Full briefing
Victoria Falls remains a relatively safe tourist hub within Zimbabwe, largely due to its reliance on tourism and visible Tourism Police presence in yellow vests around the falls and town centre. While violent crime against visitors is uncommon in the main tourist zones, petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag-snatching is a moderate risk in crowded areas like the Victoria Falls market and near the falls viewpoint during peak hours, and mugging has been reported after dark in isolated areas or near budget accommodations on the outskirts. Visitors should avoid walking alone after dark, particularly along the river path to the Victoria Falls Hotel, which is noted as unsafe. Natural hazards also demand caution: slippery rocks and wildlife near the falls require staying on marked paths and heeding safety signs, and a crocodile was recently reported entering a hotel restaurant in April 2026. Malaria risk is significant in the Zambezi Valley, so prophylaxis is essential. Scams targeting tourists include fake police officers, unlicensed taxi drivers overcharging, street distraction thefts, and fraudulent tour guides or accommodation bookings; always agree on taxi prices beforehand and use licensed operators. Overall, most travelers report feeling safe during daylight hours when staying in established tourism areas, but standard precautions are necessary to mitigate petty crime, road safety risks, and environmental hazards.
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06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 7 Victoria Falls districts for visitors: 1 safer, 4 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Victoria Falls safety map.
Southern Industrial Zone near RailwayavoidPoorly lit, minimal tourist presence; higher risk of petty crime and opportunistic theft after dark—avoid unless necessary.
Zambezi River Path to Victoria Falls HotelavoidNot safe to walk after dark due to poor lighting and isolation; use transport or guided groups if travel essential at night.
Victoria Falls Town CentrecautionWell-patrolled by tourist police during day; pickpocketing and bag-snatching reported in crowded market and near falls viewpoint, especially peak hours.
Victoria Falls Airport and Transport HubscautionGenerally secure but unlicensed taxi operators may overcharge; use reputable transfer services and negotiate prices upfront.
Savannah / Northern Suburbs (residential)cautionLocal residential area; mugging and armed robbery occur occasionally after dark in isolated zones or near budget accommodations on outskirts.
Malaria Risk Zones (low-altitude Zambezi Valley)cautionSignificant malaria risk; antimalarials essential, use repellent and nets—especially dawn/dusk.
Victoria Falls Viewpoint / RainforestsaferWell-maintained and monitored; main risks are natural hazards like slippery rocks—stay on marked paths and follow signs.
07 · After Dark
Is Victoria Falls safe at night?
48% of people in Zimbabwe say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2019).
Mugging and armed robbery occur occasionally, particularly after dark in isolated areas or near budget accommodations on the outskirts of town.
After dark, be most careful around Southern Industrial Zone near Railway, Zambezi River Path to Victoria Falls Hotel, Victoria Falls Town Centre, Victoria Falls Airport and Transport Hubs. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Victoria Falls safety FAQ (2026)
Is Victoria Falls safe right now (2026)?
Yes, Victoria Falls is generally safe for visitors who exercise standard precautions, though petty crime and road safety remain concerns. The town benefits from Tourism Police patrols and a tourism-dependent economy that incentivizes visitor safety, keeping violent crime against tourists rare in established zones. However, pickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in crowded areas like the market and falls viewpoint during peak hours, and mugging is occasionally reported after dark in isolated areas or near budget accommodations on the outskirts. Visitors should also note natural hazards such as slippery rocks and wildlife near the falls, and the need for malaria prophylaxis in the Zambezi Valley. (Assessed 20 October 2026.)
Is Victoria Falls safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Victoria Falls report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Victoria Falls should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Southern Industrial Zone near Railway, Zambezi River Path to Victoria Falls Hotel as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Victoria Falls (2026)?
- Fake police officer
- Unlicensed taxi overcharging
- Street distraction theft
- Fake tour guides
How does Victoria Falls compare with other places in Zimbabwe (2026)?
Victoria Falls ranks #1 of 4 Zimbabwe destinations we've assessed, scoring 54/100. See the Zimbabwe safety overview for the full list.
How is this victoria-falls safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 13+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: victoria-falls.json (CC BY 4.0).