Bungee Jumping Zambia

Bungee jumping in Zambia takes place from the Victoria Falls Bridge at a height of 111 metres above the Zambezi River gorge, with jumps operated by Shearwater Adventures and Bundu Adventures at a cost of approximately $160 USD per person. The Victoria Falls Bridge spans the second gorge of the Zambezi between Zambia and Zimbabwe, making it one of the world’s highest and most recognisable bungee jump sites. Livingstone, the nearest Zambian town, is 11 kilometres from the bridge and is the main base for accommodation and tour bookings.

The 111-metre drop gives freefall of approximately three seconds before the bungee cord engages, placing this jump among the highest in Africa. Weights are confirmed at the launch platform before each jump, and the cord specification is adjusted per jumper. Tandem jumps for two participants simultaneously are available through some operators.

The Victoria Falls Bridge Bungee Jump

The Victoria Falls Bridge was completed in 1905 and spans the Batoka Gorge directly downstream of the main Victoria Falls curtain. The bungee jump platform is located at the mid-point of the bridge, 111 metres above the Zambezi River. The gorge walls rise steeply on both sides, giving jumpers an unobstructed view down the gorge before and during the fall.

The jump is a straight plunge from the platform rather than a running start. Operators conduct a briefing, weigh all participants, attach the ankle harness, and walk through the jump sequence before each participant goes. The bungee cord stretches to approximately half its extended length on the first bounce, after which jumpers oscillate several times before being lowered to a suspended position and retrieved by a cradle lowered from the bridge deck.

The entire experience from platform arrival to recovery takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes per person. Video and photo packages are available from the operators at the bridge. Certificates confirming completion of the jump are issued on site.

Bungee Jumping Operators at Victoria Falls

Shearwater Adventures is the main bungee jump operator at Victoria Falls and has operated from the bridge for several decades. Bookings can be made directly at their offices in Livingstone or through hotel activity desks. Bundu Adventures is a second operator at the same bridge offering the same jump at similar rates. Both operators use the same platform and the jump specification is identical; the primary difference is in pricing, video package options, and booking convenience.

Bookings can be made on the day of the jump if slots are available, or in advance through hotel desks or operator websites. The jump operates daily, weather permitting, and is suspended during heavy rain or high wind when the gorge conditions make the jump unsafe. The bridge operates as a shared border crossing, so arriving with a valid passport is necessary even if not crossing into Zimbabwe.

What to Expect on the Day

Transport to the Victoria Falls Bridge from Livingstone is included by some operators or arranged separately. The drive from Livingstone town centre takes approximately 15 minutes by taxi or shuttle. At the bridge, participants pass through Zambia border formalities before reaching the jump platform; the day visa fee for entering and immediately returning from Zimbabwe is waived for the purpose of the bungee jump, though carrying a passport is still required.

The bungee jump requires an ankle harness rather than a chest harness, meaning the participant jumps headfirst and hangs inverted during the oscillation phase. This is standard for bridge bungee jumps and is explained during the pre-jump briefing. Participants with long hair are advised to tie it back. Loose items including glasses, caps, and loose jewellery must be secured or removed before the jump.

The Zambezi River at the bottom of the gorge is not visible during the first second of freefall due to the angle of the gorge walls; it comes into view approximately halfway through the drop as the gorge opens slightly. The Victoria Falls spray plume is visible from the bridge deck on most days, providing a dramatic backdrop to the jump.

Cost Breakdown for Bungee Jumping in Zambia

Safety and Age Requirements for Bungee Jumping at Victoria Falls

The minimum age for the Victoria Falls Bridge bungee jump is 14 years, and participants under 18 require parental or guardian consent. The maximum weight is 140 kg, and the minimum weight is 40 kg, as the bungee cord specification requires a minimum load to function within design parameters. Participants are weighed at the platform and the cord is selected accordingly.

People with heart conditions, back or neck injuries, high blood pressure, epilepsy, or who are pregnant are advised not to jump. The inversion during the bounce phase places momentary stress on the spine and cardiovascular system. Operators reserve the right to refuse a jump if a participant discloses a relevant medical condition or shows signs of significant distress before reaching the platform.

Travel insurance covering adventure activities is strongly recommended. Most standard travel policies exclude bungee jumping; check policy terms and arrange an activity top-up if necessary before departure.

Best Time for Bungee Jumping at Victoria Falls

Getting to the Victoria Falls Bridge from Livingstone

Livingstone is the main access point for the bungee jump, served by Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka (685 kilometres north by road) and Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone itself, which receives direct flights from Johannesburg with FlySafair and other regional carriers. The Victoria Falls Bridge is 11 kilometres south of Livingstone town centre on the road to the Zambian border post.

From Livingstone, taxis to the bridge cost ZMW 100 to 200 one way and take 15 minutes. Many visitors to Livingstone combine the bungee jump with other Victoria Falls activities including the white water rafting on the Zambezi, the gorge swing, and the helicopter flight over the falls, making a full activity day from the same bridge-area base practical without returning to town between activities.