Victoria Falls Border Post Now Open 24/7, Ushering in New Era for Regional Tourism and Trade
The renowned Victoria Falls Border Post between Zimbabwe and Zambia has officially transitioned to a 24-hour operation, a development that promises to redefine cross-border travel and commerce in Southern Africa. The announcement, made via an Extraordinary Government Gazette on November 13, signals a transformative policy designed to promote seamless mobility, stimulate tourism, and bolster trade in one of Africa’s most iconic regions.
This bold move, outlined under General Notice 2265A of 2025 and confirmed by Ambassador Raphael Faranisi, Secretary for Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, extends border crossing hours indefinitely. The notice, invoking Section 41 of the Immigration Act, grants travelers, traders, and locals unprecedented access to the border at any time of day or night, with immediate effect.
For the tourism sector, this round-the-clock border opening is a game-changer. The majestic Victoria Falls—known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya or “The Smoke That Thunders”—draws visitors from around the world who seek to experience its awe-inspiring beauty from both the Zimbabwean and Zambian sides. Previously, limited operating hours often forced travelers to adjust their itineraries, sometimes missing out on cross-border excursions or enduring long waits. Now, visitors enjoy greater flexibility, enabling them to plan sunrise or sunset visits, participate in night-time activities, and make the most of their stay on either side of the Falls.
This enhanced accessibility is expected to boost tourist arrivals, lengthen average stays, and encourage more immersive exploration of the surrounding area. Local tour operators, hotels, and experience providers stand to benefit as travelers are no longer restricted by border curfews, allowing for seamless connections to regional attractions such as game reserves, adventure sports, and cultural sites. The move supports the vision of positioning Victoria Falls as a truly integrated tourism destination, serving as a gateway for multi-country itineraries across Southern Africa’s World Heritage corridors.
Beyond tourism, the extension of border operating hours heralds a significant win for cross-border trade. Previously, transporters and traders often faced overnight delays, incurring substantial costs while waiting for the border to reopen. The new policy eliminates this bottleneck, ensuring that goods, trucks, and commercial traffic can flow continuously. This change is set to reduce transit times, lower transportation expenses, and enhance supply chain reliability—key factors for exporters, importers, and logistics providers operating within the SADC region.
The ripple effects will be felt by small-scale traders and informal cross-border entrepreneurs as well. Easier and more predictable access to the border encourages business expansion, fosters new partnerships, and opens up opportunities for growth in both local and regional markets. With improved efficiency comes increased competitiveness, potentially spurring investment and innovation along this vital trade corridor.
For the local communities residing in and around Victoria Falls, 24/7 border access also spells greater convenience in daily life. Commuters, students, and families who routinely move between Zimbabwe and Zambia can now do so without the constraints of set opening and closing times. This supports stronger social and economic ties, further knitting together the border communities and supporting shared development goals.
Another major benefit of continuous operations is the expected reduction in border congestion. Previously, the closure of the border at 10pm often led to surges of traffic just before reopening each morning, resulting in long queues and extended waiting periods for travelers and commercial vehicles alike. By spreading movements across a 24-hour window, authorities anticipate smoother processing, shorter lines, and a more pleasant experience for all border users.
This new era at the Victoria Falls Border Post aligns with broader trends across the African continent, where governments and regional blocs are prioritizing infrastructure upgrades and improved regulatory frameworks to support greater mobility of people and goods. The decision positions Zimbabwe and Zambia as forward-thinking players in the regional integration agenda, leveraging one of Africa’s most visited landmarks to anchor sustainable growth and prosperity.
For industry professionals, the implications are far-reaching. Regional airlines, bus operators, and transfer companies now have the flexibility to design schedules that maximize traveler convenience and tap into new demand patterns. Accommodation providers and destination managers can market Victoria Falls as a truly accessible, year-round attraction. Meanwhile, local businesses and artisans benefit from the increased foot traffic and spending that a more fluid border inevitably brings.
As sub-Saharan Africa’s travel and trade landscape evolves, the 24-hour opening of the Victoria Falls Border Post stands as a testament to the power of policy reform in unlocking economic potential. The initiative underscores the need for ongoing collaboration between immigration authorities, customs, tourism boards, and private sector partners to ensure that operational efficiencies are matched by robust security, customer service, and destination marketing efforts.
Looking to the future, the successful implementation of continuous border access at this flagship crossing could serve as a blueprint for other key gateways across Africa—encouraging further investment, fostering regional integration, and enhancing the continent’s appeal as a destination of choice for both leisure and business travelers.
Victoria Falls, already a symbol of African wonder, now stands at the forefront of border management innovation, offering a level of access and opportunity that resonates with the ambitions of the region’s tourism and trade stakeholders. The move is expected not only to increase arrivals and commercial flows but also to inspire a new spirit of connectivity, collaboration, and growth in the years ahead.
