THE Victoria Falls Border Post, one of southern Africa’s most important border crossings, recently moved to full 24-hour operations and as of November 13, 2025, is able to provide uninterrupted access to one of Africa’s most visited attractions, Victoria Falls.
With this landmark change, there will be a transformation of the travel operations to and from the Falls, to accommodate the demands of tourists and business travellers, and to diversify opportunities in the cross-border business and regional tourism trade.
There is now an expected increase in the movement of people, goods and services, from Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Every year, millions of travellers arrive at one of the world’s most famous natural attractions, Victoria Falls, located on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Under the new policy, Falls border crossings will be less congested and take less time, and will facilitate increased access for travellers to the culturally enriched and naturally beautiful offerings of the region.
Enhancing travel integration between Zimbabwe and Zambia
The Victoria Falls Border Post is the main access point between Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Administrative changes to make the border post operational 24 hours a day will ease the crossing of the border, and facilitate movement within the region.
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With limited operational hours, tourists crossing the border frequently had to adjust travel schedules to accommodate the hours of border operation; this is particularly the case when tourists from one side of the border plan a trip to Victoria Falls and its attractions.
All the attractions around the falls will be more accessible, especially the Zimbabwean and Zambian viewpoints, the Zambezi River and activities, including bungee jumping, white-water rafting and helicopter rides.
The new hours will offer tourists the opportunity to more seamlessly experience and navigate both the Zimbabwean and Zambian sides of the falls.
Travel to and within the area will be more accessible and the lack of defined opening and closing times to border crossing will facilitate spontaneous travel.
Border crossing will be more efficient and easier to integrated activities across the two countries.
Enhancing regional tourism with smoother border crossings
The impact to both countries’ tourism industries with the decision to keep the border post open 24/7 should be remarkable.
Streamlined entry processes with reduced wait times will be advantageous to both regional and international travellers.
Tourists on leisure trips, business trips, or family reunifications will find it much easier to cross Zambia and Zimbabwe as the border hours will be extended.
The convenience of going to Victoria Falls will further place the destination as the first place to visit to seamlessly explore the other country.
Tourists on multi-destination itineraries will find it easier to integrate the cultural, wildlife and natural wonders of both Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Increased visitor access will benefit the travel agencies, tour operators, and accommodation providers in the area.
Impact of border post operations
The expansion of operations at the Victoria Falls Border Post is expected to have a significant positive impact on the regional movement of trade and commerce.
Closure of the border during night hours resulted in delays, expensive overnight halts, and prolonged transit delays for transporters and traders.
With the ability to transport goods and services 24 hours, traders in Zimbabwe and Zambia are able to reduce costs and improve the efficiency of their supply chains.
Businesses in the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) region can now improve their supply chain efficiency.
Improved access to the border closure will significantly reduce border delays for small scale traders and cross-border entrepreneurs, enabling them to develop new trading partnerships, consolidate existing relationships, and increase Zimbabwe and Zambia’s trade in goods and services.
Advancing regional integration and cross-border connections
The extension of service hours at Victoria Falls Border Post is in line with the ongoing efforts within the African region to advance border post integration and connectivity across the continent.
The initiative to facilitate and improve the movement of people across international borders in the region supports tourism and trade, fostering economic growth in southern African economies.
The easy cross-border movements reinforce economic and social integration of Zimbabwe, Zambia, and other southern African economies.
The initiative also responds to and complements the African Union’s /Agenda 2063 goal of deepening the trade and people flows across the African continent.
Potential economic and social opportunities to border communities and border travellers will result from and efficient mobility from and to Africa’s tourist destinations.
Future prospects — Trade and tourism at Victoria Falls
The extension of service at Victoria Falls Border Post is likely to anticipate a rapid growth of the tourism sector at Victoria Falls.
The falls, which attract a large number of tourists and visitors each year, will be more accessible for tourists and will encourage visitors to the other tourist attractions in the vicinity.
A 24/7 service will positively serve the tourist and trade hub for the southern Africa region.
Being able to travel will allow tourism to grow in places besides Victoria Falls as new travellers will be able to visit places in Zimbabwe and Zambia easier.
Locations like Kafue National Park, Hwange National Park and the Zambezi River will attract more tourists.
This open border will allow tourists to travel throughout Southern Africa easier than ever and will help bolster the economies of the many countries in the region.
With the first ever 24 border operations, the Victoria Falls Border Post will set a new standard for collaboration and integration for the region that will improve the travel experience for tourist and promote commerce in the southern part of Africa.
— Travel & Tour World
