KAZA UniVisa and the Zimbabwe Visa: Which One You Need

US citizens need a visa for Zimbabwe. A single-entry tourist visa is widely reported at US$30; confirm the fee and whether you need to apply in advance on Zimbabwe's official e-visa portal.
If you will see both sides of Victoria Falls, the KAZA UniVisa (US$50) covers Zimbabwe and Zambia for up to 30 days, plus day trips into Botswana through Kazungula.
The KAZA UniVisa is sold at main entry points such as Victoria Falls airport and the border posts, for eligible nationalities, including US and UK passport holders.
Carry US dollars in cash, in good condition, for visa fees on arrival.
Rules change. Check the official sources below before you travel.

The falls sit on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, Botswana's Chobe National Park is next door, and many visitors want to see all three. Think of the KAZA UniVisa as a passport to two countries, with a Botswana day trip thrown in (the safari is extra).

US passport holders need a visa to enter Zimbabwe. A single-entry tourist visa is widely reported at US$30, with double- and multiple-entry visas costing more. Zimbabwe runs an official online application; sources disagree on whether US citizens can still buy a visa on arrival or must apply online first, so check the portal or the US State Department's Zimbabwe page before you fly. Your passport should have at least six months' validity and two or more blank pages.

Zimbabwe e-visa portal
https://www.evisa.gov.zw/

US State Department: Zimbabwe
https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/zimbabwe.html

The KAZA UniVisa is a joint tourist visa for Zimbabwe and Zambia, named after the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area. It costs US$50 and lets eligible visitors move between the two countries as often as they like for up to 30 days, as long as they stay within those two countries. It also covers day trips into Botswana through the Kazungula border, which is how most visitors reach Chobe National Park. If you stay overnight in Botswana, the KAZA UniVisa does not cover you and you need to meet Botswana's own entry rules.

Zimbabwe side only, no border crossings: a Zimbabwe single-entry visa. Cheapest if you never leave Zimbabwe.
Both sides of the falls: the KAZA UniVisa. It covers repeat crossings for up to 30 days.
Victoria Falls plus a Chobe day trip: the KAZA UniVisa. It includes day trips to Botswana via Kazungula.
Overnight safari in Botswana: check Botswana's rules, then decide. KAZA does not cover overnight stays there.

Victoria Falls: Zimbabwe vs Zambia
https://focustravelandtours.com/articles/read/victoria-falls-zimbabwe-vs-zambia/

It is issued at the main entry points around Victoria Falls, including Victoria Falls International Airport, the Victoria Falls border post and the Kazungula border, and at Lusaka and Livingstone airports in Zambia. Ask for it specifically at immigration and pay in US dollars cash. It is not available to every nationality, and supplies have occasionally run out or the scheme has been paused, so it is worth having a plan B (a single-entry visa plus a Zambian visa if you need it). Zimbabwe Tourism posts the latest notices.

Arriving by air? An airport pickup to your hotel costs from $18, so someone is waiting once you clear immigration.

Victoria Falls Airport Pickup to Hotels
https://focustravelandtours.com/what-to-do/experience/victoria-falls-airport-pickup/

Zimbabwe Tourism
https://www.zimbabwetourism.net/

Passport with six months' validity and blank pages.
US dollars in cash, in clean, undamaged notes.
Return or onward travel details and your accommodation address.
Travel insurance documents.
Your tour confirmation if you are on a day trip.

How much is the KAZA UniVisa?
US$50, valid for up to 30 days in Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Can I get a visa on arrival in Zimbabwe as an American?
Sources disagree on whether visa on arrival is still available to US citizens. Check the official e-visa portal and apply online in advance if in doubt.

Does the KAZA UniVisa cover Botswana?
Only day trips through the Kazungula border. Overnight stays in Botswana are not covered.

Do I need a visa to see the Zambian side of Victoria Falls?
Yes, unless your passport is visa-exempt for Zambia. The KAZA UniVisa covers both sides.

Can I buy the KAZA UniVisa online?
It is normally issued at the airport or border. Check the latest arrangements before you travel.

We run cross-border trips from Victoria Falls every day and can tell you which visa makes sense for your itinerary. Tell us your dates and what you want to see, and our team in Victoria Falls will put it together. Call us on +263 713 199 088 or send an enquiry.

Contact Focus Travel
https://focustravelandtours.com/contact