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VFAFVFA

Victoria Falls International Airport

Victoria Falls, ZW

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Victoria Falls International Airport

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe · Africa

Small, modern gateway to Victoria Falls, about 18–22 km south-east of town. ACZ counted 463,848 passengers from January to September 2025. Most flights are regional international ones: Johannesburg is served by Airlink, SAA, CemAir and fastjet, and there are direct flights to Cape Town, Nairobi, Addis Ababa and Windhoek. There are three Priority Pass lounges for international departures. Most visitors buy a visa on arrival or the US$50 KAZA UniVisa.

Airportist Score

5.6/ 10

Mixed

Ease of use7.0
Comfort & amenities5.5
Food & retail3.5
Ground access5.0
Reliability6.0
Lounges6.0

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

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Victoria Falls International Airport

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe · Africa

Small, modern gateway to Victoria Falls, about 18–22 km south-east of town. ACZ counted 463,848 passengers from January to September 2025. Most flights are regional international ones: Johannesburg is served by Airlink, SAA, CemAir and fastjet, and there are direct flights to Cape Town, Nairobi, Addis Ababa and Windhoek. There are three Priority Pass lounges for international departures. Most visitors buy a visa on arrival or the US$50 KAZA UniVisa.

Airportist Score

5.6/ 10

Mixed

Ease of use7.0
Comfort & amenities5.5
Food & retail3.5
Ground access5.0
Reliability6.0
Lounges6.0

How the score works

An editorial 0–10 score. The overall is exactly the weighted sum of six traveler categories — not a Google rating and not a poll.

25%Ease of use — Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
20%Comfort & amenities — Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
15%Food & retail — Food and retail quality and variety.
15%Ground access — Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
15%Reliability — Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
10%Lounges — Worth-it density and access quality.

Compare VFA with another airport

Typical security
15 min
editorial average, not live
Fastest to city
About 20–30 min to Victoria Falls town
Private taxi
Cheapest to city
Lodge / hotel transfer
Often included or charged by the lodge (USD) · About 20–30 min to Victoria Falls town
Lounges
3
On time
78%
of departures
Terminals
International and domestic terminals linked by a common concourse

All 3 lounges at VFA
VFA security wait times

5 photos

VFAGuide

Most important tips

Know before you go

A compact traveler cheat sheet for timing, terminals, food, and disruption checks.

Timing

Fill in the arrival declaration before you fly

Do the online declaration before departure; bring small USD notes.

Zimbabwe's arrival declaration is now completed online, on the government eVisa portal, before you travel. Paper forms are no longer handed out. There are iPads at immigration, but filling the form in there slows you down. If you need a visa on arrival, carry US dollars in small notes.

Terminal

Two terminals, one concourse

Departure facilities are upstairs after passport control.

The international and domestic terminals are linked by a common concourse. After passport control, the lounges, Café Espresso and The Victoria Falls Shop are upstairs, reached by stairs or escalator.

Food

Eat in town or in a lounge

One café airside; lounges are the better food option.

Airside food is limited: Café Espresso is on the departures level near the Victoria Falls Shop. If you have Priority Pass or LoungeKey, the lounges serve food and drinks, including alcohol.

Status

Makuwa is the late lounge

Three Priority Pass lounges; Makuwa stays open until the last departure.

Priority Pass covers Pearl, Makuwa and Dzimbahwe Executive, all for international departures only. Pearl closes at 18:00. Makuwa opens at 08:00, stays open until the last departure, also takes LoungeKey and has a 3-hour limit.

Live conditions

Right now at VFA

Security waits and operational status from official feeds, where the airport publishes them.

Honest verdict

Who this airport works for

Best for

Direct access to Victoria Falls and Hwange
Regional hops to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Nairobi, Addis Ababa and Windhoek
Priority Pass holders on daytime international departures

Watch out for

Visa on arrival is paid in US dollars; bring small notes
Few food and shopping options
Taxis have no meters; agree the fare first
Most lounges close in the early evening

Airportist Score

Why this score

Overall is the published weighted sum of six categories. No holistic fudge on top.

Ease of use · 25%

Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.

7.0

Comfort & amenities · 20%

Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.

5.5

Food & retail · 15%

Food and retail quality and variety.

3.5

Ground access · 15%

Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.

5.0

Reliability · 15%

Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.

6.0

Lounges · 10%

Worth-it density and access quality.

6.0

Key stats

Editorial reference figures, not live readings.

Annual passengers

463,848 (Jan–Sep 2025, +13.6% year on year; ACZ)

Terminals

International and domestic terminals linked by a common concourse

On-time departures

78%

Typical security

15 min

Guide quick facts

From the editorial guide for VFA.

Updated Oct 29, 2026

Victoria Falls International Airport (IATA VFA, ICAO FVFA) is about 18–22 km south-east of Victoria Falls town in western Zimbabwe. The Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) runs it.
ACZ counted 463,848 passengers from January to September 2025, 13.6% more than in the same months of 2024. Most flights are international.
Airlink, South African Airways, CemAir and fastjet fly to Johannesburg. Airlink and Kenya Airways fly to Cape Town, Kenya Airways to Nairobi, Ethiopian to Addis Ababa and FlyNamibia to Windhoek. fastjet also flies to Harare.
The international and domestic terminals are joined by a common concourse. The runway is 4 km long and was built with a 2013 Exim Bank of China loan.
There are three Priority Pass lounges for international departures: Pearl, Makuwa and Dzimbahwe Executive. Makuwa also takes LoungeKey and stays open until the last departure.
Most visitors buy a visa on arrival. The KAZA UniVisa (US$50, 30 days) is sold here and covers Zimbabwe and Zambia, plus day trips into Botswana via Kazungula.

22 official sources

https://www.acz.co.zw/airports/tour/victoria-falls-international-airport
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Falls_Airport
https://vicfallslive.co.zw/victoria-falls-airport-handles-over-460-000-passengers-in-2025/
https://www.fastjet.com/destination/flights-to-victoria-falls/
https://www.flyairlink.com/destinations/victoria-falls
https://atta.travel/resource/flynamibia-to-double-victoria-falls-flights-from-april-2026.html
https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200058968/fastjet-airbus-a320-200-makes-first-landing-in-victoria-falls-boosting-regional-air-connectivity
https://www.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm/kaza-univisa/
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zimbabwe/entry-requirements
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/zimbabwe/safety-and-security
https://www.evisa.gov.zw/
https://www.prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/zimbabwe/victoria-falls
https://www.prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/zimbabwe/victoria-falls/vfa3-pearl-lounge
https://www.prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/zimbabwe/victoria-falls/vfa1-makuwa-lounge
https://www.prioritypass.com/en-GB/lounges/zimbabwe/victoria-falls/vfa-dzimbahwe-executive-lounge
https://airport.mastercard.com/en/lounge-finder/lounge?loungecode=VFA1
https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/travel/lounges/the-platinum-card/VFA/
https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/travel/lounges/the-platinum-card/VFA/Makuwa-Lounge-International-Terminal-Y5wwhDPKJR/
https://www.loungedeal.com/airport-lounges/victoria-falls/pearl-lounge
https://www.thezimbabweguide.com/practical/victoria-falls-airport-transfer/
https://www.thezimbabweguide.com/city/victoria-falls/getting-around/
https://www.acz.co.zw/services/Dining/?airport=Victoria+Falls+International+Airport

Full guide

Explore the VFA guide

Each section answers one trip question in depth.

Map
Victoria Falls International Airport and the Victoria Falls city center
City center
View Map
Getting There
3 ways into the city, compared on time, cost, and luggage.
Fastest: Private taxiCheapest: Lodge / hotel transfer
View Getting There
Lounges
3 lounges with access rules, hours, and verdicts.
Dzimbahwe Executive LoungeMakuwa LoungePearl Lounge
View Lounges
Traveler Tips
Do the online arrival declaration at home; it is the easiest way to save time at immigration.
10 tips & hacks
View Traveler Tips
Amenities
6 rated amenities — food, Wi-Fi, quiet spots, family, and sleep.
Makuwa Lounge
View Amenities
Reviews
Editorial and traveler reviews — what people actually complain about.
View Reviews

Victoria Falls International Airport and the Victoria Falls city center

This airport VFA
City center Victoria Falls

Terminal navigation guide

Terminal-change and gate-area notes pulled from the markdown guide.

From Terminals & Navigation

The international and domestic terminals are joined by a common concourse.
Departures: after passport control, take the stairs or escalator up to the departures level. Café Espresso and The Victoria Falls Shop are there, and the lounges are signposted.
Pearl Lounge is on the second floor near Gate 6. Makuwa Lounge is on the second floor, past Café Espresso and The Victoria Falls Shop.
Most scheduled flights operate during the day. Plan evening departures around which lounges are open.
Makuwa Lounge lists Wi-Fi. Terminal-wide Wi-Fi could not be verified.

Ground transport guide

City-transfer, rideshare, train, and parking guidance from the markdown guide.

From Ground Transport & Parking

Distance: about 18–22 km to Victoria Falls town, roughly 20–30 minutes by road.
Lodge or hotel transfer: most lodges and hotels offer or include an airport transfer. Confirm when you book.
Pre-booked private transfer: a fixed US dollar fare, with a driver meeting you in arrivals.
Taxi: private taxis wait outside arrivals. They have no meters, so agree the fare per vehicle in US dollars before you leave.
Parking: tariffs could not be verified.

Ride to Victoria Falls

Pickup at VFA. Where the app supports it, dropoff is set to Victoria Falls city center for a live price.

To city center

Victoria Falls

~0.3 km

Typical fare

See app

Live quotes open in the ride app

Fixed-price transfers

GetTransfer quotes Kiwitaxi quotes

Compare prepaid private transfers to Victoria Falls — useful overnight, with luggage, or when you want a locked-in fare before you land.

CheapestBest for luggage

Lodge / hotel transfer

Most lodges and hotels in Victoria Falls offer airport transfers with a driver waiting in arrivals.

Time to city

About 20–30 min to Victoria Falls town

Cost

Often included or charged by the lodge (USD)

Tip: Ask when booking whether the transfer is included in your rate.

Fastest

Private taxi

Private taxis wait outside the arrivals hall; there are no meters.

Time to city

About 20–30 min to Victoria Falls town

Cost

Negotiated per vehicle in USD

Tip: Agree the fare before you get in and carry small US dollar notes.

Pre-booked private transfer

A named driver meets you in arrivals at a fixed US dollar fare agreed in advance.

Time to city

About 20–30 min to Victoria Falls town

Cost

Fixed USD fare agreed when booking

Tip: Confirm the fare and meeting point when you book.

Check your lounge access at VFA

Sign in, save your cards, airline status, and lounge programs once, and we'll check them against every lounge.

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Depends

Dzimbahwe Executive Lounge

International terminalAirside

Priority Pass lounge for international departures; hours and conditions not confirmed by a second source.

Access: Priority Pass

Best for: Priority Pass holders on international departures

Full access guide

Depends

International terminalAirside, second floor

Priority Pass and LoungeKey lounge open from 08:00 until the last departure; international flights only, 3-hour limit.

Access: Priority Pass · LoungeKey

Hours: 08:00 until the last scheduled departure

Amenities: Wi-Fi · TV · Air conditioning · Alcoholic drinks · Separate smoking area outside

Best for: Evening international departures · LoungeKey holders

Full access guide

Depends

International terminalAirside, second floor near Gate 6

Priority Pass lounge near Gate 6 for international departures; closes at 18:00, 3-hour limit.

Access: Priority Pass

Hours: Closes at 18:00

Best for: Daytime international departures

Full access guide

Lounge & amenity notes

Lounge, food, and quiet-spot picks pulled from the markdown guide.

From Lounges, Food & Amenities

Pearl Lounge: airside after immigration on the second floor, near Gate 6. Priority Pass; international flights only; closes at 18:00; maximum stay 3 hours.
Makuwa Lounge: airside on the second floor, past Café Espresso and The Victoria Falls Shop. Priority Pass and LoungeKey; opens at 08:00 and closes after the last scheduled departure; international flights only; maximum stay 3 hours; children under 6 free. Wi-Fi, TV, drinks including alcohol and a separate smoking area outside.
Dzimbahwe Executive Lounge: airside, Priority Pass, international flights only. Its hours and conditions could not be confirmed from two sources.
Food: Café Espresso airside. Shopping: The Victoria Falls Shop.
Money: US dollars in cash are widely preferred in Zimbabwe; bring small notes.

good

Makuwa Lounge

Has Lounge

Second floor after passport control; Priority Pass and LoungeKey; 08:00 until the last departure; international flights only, 3-hour limit.

good

Pearl Lounge

Has Lounge

Second floor near Gate 6; Priority Pass; closes at 18:00; international flights only, 3-hour limit.

basic

Dzimbahwe Executive Lounge

Has Lounge

Priority Pass lounge for international departures; hours not confirmed.

basic

Café Espresso

Food

Café on the departures level after passport control.

basic

The Victoria Falls Shop

Shopping

Shop on the departures level next to Café Espresso.

basic

Lounge Wi-Fi

Fast WiFi

Wi-Fi is listed in Makuwa Lounge; terminal-wide Wi-Fi is unverified.

Editorial guide tricks

The markdown guide's highest-signal tactics before the data-backed tips below.

From Best Airport Tricks & Hacks

Do the online arrival declaration at home; it is the easiest way to save time at immigration.
Carry small US dollar notes. Change is often unavailable, and card withdrawals cannot be relied on in Zimbabwe.
Book your transfer before you land, or ask your lodge; many include or arrange it.
Taxis do not use meters, so agree the US dollar fare per vehicle before you set off.
Visiting the Zambian side or Livingstone too? If your nationality is eligible, the US$50 KAZA UniVisa covers both countries with one visa.
For an evening departure, use Makuwa Lounge; Pearl closes at 18:00.

01

SecurityTraveler Tips & Hacks

Do the arrival declaration online

Zimbabwe's arrival form is completed online before you fly.

Paper forms are no longer used. Complete the declaration on the government eVisa portal before departure. There are iPads at immigration, but filling the form in there causes delays.

Pro

Faster immigration

Watch-out

Needs internet access before you fly

02

SecurityTraveler Tips & Hacks

KAZA UniVisa for Zimbabwe and Zambia

US$50, 30 days, sold at Victoria Falls airport.

The KAZA UniVisa covers Zimbabwe and Zambia, with multiple crossings, for up to 30 days, plus day trips to Botswana via Kazungula. It is sold at Victoria Falls airport, and only some nationalities are eligible.

Pro

One visa for both sides of the falls

Watch-out

Not every nationality is eligible

03

LoungeTraveler Tips & Hacks

Pick the lounge by departure time

Pearl closes at 18:00; Makuwa stays open until the last departure.

All three lounges are for international departures only. Priority Pass covers Pearl, Makuwa and Dzimbahwe Executive, and LoungeKey covers Makuwa. Makuwa has a 3-hour limit and lets children under 6 in free.

Pro

Several options for a small airport

Watch-out

No lounge for domestic flights

04

TransportTraveler Tips & Hacks

Pre-book the ride into town

Lodge transfers or a fixed-price private transfer avoid haggling.

Most lodges and hotels offer or include airport transfers. Taxis outside arrivals have no meters, so agree a US dollar fare per vehicle first.

Pro

Driver waits even if your flight is late

Watch-out

Taxis need negotiating

Entry requirements

Zimbabwe (ZW)

Sign in and add a passport to see the entry requirement for Zimbabwe.

Passports are saved in profile settings. Check the official site before you travel.

Published alerts

Editorial profile notes — not a live alert feed. Live operations are on Overview and in the panel below.

Published alerts

Typical operations snapshot — editorial, not live news. File dated Oct 29, 2026.

Normal

Most scheduled flights operate during the day; lounges mostly close by 18:00.On-time share, delays, cancellations and security wait are HonestAirport estimates; ACZ publishes no punctuality figures.

Typical delay mix from the same editorial snapshot — not a live feed. Current operations are on Overview.

Typical departure delays15 min · 20%

Typical arrival delays15 min · 20%

Typical cancellations0 min · 1%

Live operations

Live operational signals from Flighty or FAA, plus checkpoint waits where airports publish them.

Traveler reviews

What travelers say

Write a review

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