Victoria Falls in warm light, seen from the Zimbabwean side

Flying from Victoria Falls Town, Zimbabwe

Most helicopter flights over the falls take off on the Zimbabwean side, minutes from the town of Victoria Falls. Three operators are documented here, hotel pickup is standard, and every seller charges the same kind of government fee at check-in. This page collects what we verified — and every flight that departs here.

from $172 per person

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The operators and their helipads

Three operators are documented on this side. The Zambezi Helicopter Company flies the Shearwater-sold flights — the classic “Flight of Angels” and the 22-minute “Explore the Zambezi” — from the Zambezi Helipad; a traveller describes the base as a clean building with a café, a lounge and several groups being processed in sequence. MJair flies from the Kazungula Airstrip on Kazungula Road and sends its own drivers for hotel pickups. Chikopokopo Helicopters operates the two most-reviewed flights of the whole region (over 4,000 reviews combined), with pickup starting 15 minutes before the flight.

Pickup, weighing, cash

Every seller here includes hotel pickup from accommodation in and around Victoria Falls Town — the drive to the helipad takes 5–10 minutes depending on the operator. Pickups outside the town cost extra. At the base you are weighed, briefed and assigned a seat; travellers report that seats are allocated by weight, with four to five passengers per helicopter.

Bring cash: the government fee of US$37 (short flights) or US$50 (longer flights) per person is collected at check-in and is not part of the online price. The optional photo/video package, offered after landing, costs another US$25–50 according to traveller reviews.

Staying in Zambia, flying in Zimbabwe

You do not have to stay on this side to fly from it. Chikopokopo meets guests who stay in Livingstone at the Zimbabwean side of the border at no charge, or picks them up at their Livingstone hotel for US$30 per person. Shearwater’s transfers cover hotels and lodges around Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) only, and Dream Africa charges a surcharge for return transfers to Zambia or Botswana — worth checking before you choose a seller.

All flights departing from Victoria Falls Town

12–15 min flights

Bestseller Lowest total price

Helicopter Scenic Flight

12–13 minutes · Chikopokopo Helicopters

Lift off minutes from town and circle the full curtain several times, so both sides of the helicopter get the view — through bubble windows, with the Batoka Gorge and the Zambezi below. The return leg crosses the Zambezi National Park, with a chance of elephants, hippos and buffalo from the air.

★ 4.9 (3,877) ✓ Free cancellation up to 24 h + US$37 p.p. paid locally

$172 ≈ $209 total incl. local fee Book on Viator

Good to know

Guests staying in Livingstone (Zambia) can be met at the Zimbabwean side of the border at no charge; hotel pickup in Livingstone costs US$30 per person extra.

MJair with hotel pickup

12 minutes · MJair Helicopters · Kazungula Airstrip, Kazungula Road, Victoria Falls

After hotel pickup, the flight follows the upper Zambezi and then circles the falls until every angle has come past your window. On the way back it crosses the Zambezi National Park — travellers regularly report elephants, giraffes and hippos from above.

★ 4.7 (637) ✓ Free cancellation up to 24 h + US$37 p.p. paid locally

$180 ≈ $217 total incl. local fee Book on GetYourGuide

Dream Africa small-group flight

13–15 minutes

A 13–15 minute circuit taking in the falls, the Batoka gorges, the Victoria Falls Bridge and the town of Livingstone across the river — flown in a small group of five. Hotel pickup and the short drive to the Zambezi National Park helipad are included.

★ 4.6 (111) ✓ Free cancellation up to 24 h + US$35 p.p. paid locally

$190 ≈ $225 total incl. local fee Book on GetYourGuide

Good to know

Return transfers for guests staying in Zambia or Botswana cost extra.

“Flight of Angels” (Shearwater)

12 minutes

The classic that takes its name from David Livingstone's famous line: twelve minutes directly over the falls, every seat a window seat, with curved glass for a near-360° view. Hotel pickup about 30 minutes before the flight is included.

★ 4.6 (69) ✓ Free cancellation up to 24 h + US$37 p.p. paid locally

$173 ≈ $210 total incl. local fee Book on GetYourGuide

Good to know

Every seat is a window seat; photo/video packages are sold on site for US$25–50.
Transfers cover hotels and lodges around Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) only; pickups further out cost extra.

MJair small-group flight

15 minutes · MJair Helicopters · Kazungula Airstrip, Kazungula Road, Victoria Falls

A 15-minute loop over the falls in a small group, flown from MJair's own base at the Kazungula Airstrip. An MJair driver collects you at your hotel, or you drive out to the helipad yourself.

★ 4.7 (46) ✓ Free cancellation up to 24 h + US$37 p.p. paid locally

$180 ≈ $217 total incl. local fee Book on Viator

22–30 min flights

Top rated

Game Flight with wildlife spotting

24–25 minutes · Chikopokopo Helicopters

The falls first, from every angle — then the flight continues over the parks along the upper Zambezi to look for elephants, hippos and buffalo from the air. Double the airtime of the short circuit, sold as a dedicated wildlife flight.

★ 4.9 (786) ✓ Free cancellation up to 24 h + US$50 p.p. paid locally

$340 ≈ $390 total incl. local fee Book on Viator

Good to know

Hotel pickup in Livingstone (Zambia) available for US$30 per person; meeting at the border is free.

MJair long flight with hotel pickup

25 minutes · MJair Helicopters · Kazungula Airstrip, Kazungula Road, Victoria Falls

The long MJair version: the falls from all sides, then up the Zambezi and over the National Park for wildlife spotting — travellers report elephant herds on the return leg. Hotel pickup included.

★ 4.7 (637) ✓ Free cancellation up to 24 h + US$50 p.p. paid locally

$365 ≈ $415 total incl. local fee Book on GetYourGuide

“Explore the Zambezi” (Zambezi Helicopter Company)

22 minutes · Zambezi Helicopter Company

Flown by the Zambezi Helicopter Company, this route enters the Batoka Gorge at rapid no. 8 — \"Midnight Diner\" to rafters — and follows the river between narrowing canyon walls before climbing out over the falls and continuing upstream past Long Island. The return crosses the town of Victoria Falls.

22 minutes ★ 4.4 (9) ✓ Free cancellation up to 24 h + US$50 p.p. paid locally

$271 ≈ $321 total incl. local fee Book on GetYourGuide
22 minutes with Premier Lounge ★ 4.4 (9) ✓ Free cancellation up to 24 h + US$50 p.p. paid locally

$329 ≈ $379 total incl. local fee Book on GetYourGuide

Good to know

Flown by the Zambezi Helicopter Company from the Zambezi Helipad; route follows Batoka Gorge from rapid no. 8.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly do the flights take off?

MJair flies from the Kazungula Airstrip on Kazungula Road; the Zambezi Helicopter Company from the Zambezi Helipad. Both are minutes from town, and hotel pickup is included with every seller, so you do not need to find the helipad yourself.

How much cash should I bring?

The government fee — US$37 for short flights, US$50 for the longer ones, per person — is paid in cash at check-in. If you want the photo/video package offered after the flight, travellers report prices of US$25–50. Everything else is paid online when you book.

When am I picked up?

Shearwater states pickup roughly 30 minutes before the flight; Chikopokopo starts pickup 15 minutes before. The exact time is confirmed by the operator after booking.