Victoria Falls Marathon
July 5, 2026
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
About the Victoria Falls Marathon
The Victoria Falls Marathon is a World Athletics and AIMS (Association of International Marathon and Distance Races) certified event held annually in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Runners can choose from a full marathon (42.2 km), half marathon (21.1 km), half marathon relay, or a 7 km fun run.
The marathon and half marathon routes begin in Victoria Falls town and cross the iconic Victoria Falls Bridge toward the Zambia border before continuing through the surrounding area. Along the course, runners experience views of the Zambezi River, Victoria Falls, and nearby wildlife areas.
Known for its unique setting and international field of participants, the Victoria Falls Marathon has become one of Africa's most popular destination races, attracting runners from around the world each year.
First Arrival’s Runners Experience
Run one of Africa's largest road races with accommodations, race weekend transportation, shakeout runs, and dedicated support from the First Arrival team.
From arrival to race day, every detail is designed with runners in mind.
The Full Sprint - $4495
-
5 nights at Shongwe Oasis Boutique Lodge & Spa (single occupancy)
All hotel taxes and fees
Daily breakfast
Welcome kit (branded t-shirt and socks)
Victoria Falls experience hosted by First Arrival
Escort to the official race expo
Guided shake-out run pre-race
Pre-race dinner hosted by First Arrival
Race morning breakfast bags
Host escort to the start line for runners
Host escort to cheer zones for spectators
Post-race celebration
Post-race sports massage
First Arrival host and personalized assistance throughout
Not Included Race entry · International airfare · Personal meals and beverages not listed above · Travel insurance · Any service not mentioned above
-
Thursday, July 2 — WELCOME TO VICTORIA FALLS
Arrival at Victoria Falls Airport
First Arrival host meets you at arrivals
Private transfer to Shongwe Oasis Boutique Lodge & Spa
Check-in and welcome kit distribution — branded t-shirt and socks
Welcome dinner hosted by First Arrival
Evening at leisure
Friday, July 3 — REST DAY
Breakfast at the lodge
Day at leisure — rest and recover from travel
Evening at leisure
Saturday, July 4 — VICTORIA FALLS EXPERIENCE + RACE EXPO
Breakfast at the lodge
Victoria Falls Experience — guided tour of one of the seven natural wonders of the world
First Arrival host escort to the official race expo
Race morning briefing — start line logistics, cheer zone locations, meeting points
Pre-race dinner hosted by First Arrival
Early evening — rest and race preparation
Sunday, July 5 — RACE DAY
Race morning breakfast bags distributed by First Arrival host
Private group transfer to the race start line — Victoria Falls town centre
First Arrival host escort to start line for runners
First Arrival host escort to cheer zones for spectators
Post-race celebration
Post-race sports massage
Farewell dinner hosted by First Arrival
Monday, July 6 — RECOVERY DAY
Breakfast at the lodge
Day at leisure
Evening at leisure
Tuesday, July 7 — DEPARTURE DAY
Breakfast at the lodge
Check-out
Private transfer to Victoria Falls Airport
Trip concludes
-
Shongwe Oasis Boutique Lodge & Spa
· ★★★★ Hotel
· Deluxe King Room · Single Occupancy · 6 days / 5 nights
· Daily breakfast included
· Check-in: 3:00 PM · Check-out: 12:00 PM
· Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi throughout
-
Want to make more of your time in Zimbabwe and beyond? Extend your trip by 5 days and experience more of the region.
Add-ons include:
Zambezi Sunset Cruise
Victoria Falls Helicopter Flight
White Water Rafting — Zambezi River
Bungee Jump — Victoria Falls Bridge
Walking with Lions
Elephant Encounter
2-night Chobe National Park extension — Botswana
Extensions are available on request. Enquire below for pricing and availability.
-
Deposit
$500 deposit per person of total at checkout will hold your spot.
Deposit A non-refundable deposit per person is required at the time of booking to hold your spot. The deposit amount will be specified in the package description. Deposits are non-refundable. Non-transferable means your deposit may not be applied to another person or another year, but may be transferred to another First Arrival experience within twelve (12) months of the original departure date, subject to approval and availability. Your guaranteed race entry may not be transferred to another person, another year, or another trip.
Final Payment Deadline
May 6, 2026 Package must be paid in full by 5 PM ET on this date.
Travel Insurance
“Cancel For Any Reason” travel insurance is highly recommended.
Late Fees
A $50 fee applies if the Final Payment is received after the deadline.
Payments not received within five (5) calendar days of the Final Payment Deadline may result in cancellation of the booking at FA’s sole discretion.
Change Fees
For booking changes after the Final Payment Date, a $50 fee per person per change applies. For changes requested less than 30 days before the first day of the Travel Package, the fee is $75 per person per change.
Additional charges from travel or event suppliers which may result from changes to your Booking Order are your responsibility; you agree to reimburse FA for any such charges incurred by FA on your behalf. We will use our best efforts to accommodate the requested changes; however, FA cannot guarantee such changes once the initial booking is confirmed.
Cancellation Penalties
These cancellation penalties apply to any cancelled booking regardless of the reason, including but not limited to race cancellation by the organizer, injury during training, or failure to make full payment by the stated deadline.
All payments are non-refundable regardless of when cancellation is received. Payments are non-transferable to another person or another year. Upon written request, First Arrival may at its sole discretion approve a transfer of your balance to another First Arrival experience within twelve (12) months of the original departure date, subject to availability and applicable pricing differences.
Single Occupancy - Race entry is NOT included
Double Pace - $4295
-
5 nights at Shongwe Oasis Boutique Lodge & Spa (double occupancy)
All hotel taxes and fees
Daily breakfast
Welcome kit (branded t-shirt and socks)
Victoria Falls experience hosted by First Arrival
Escort to the official race expo
Guided shake-out run pre-race
Pre-race dinner hosted by First Arrival
Race morning breakfast bags
Host escort to the start line for runners
Host escort to cheer zones for spectators
Post-race celebration
Post-race sports massage
First Arrival host and personalized assistance throughout
Not Included Race entry · International airfare · Personal meals and beverages not listed above · Travel insurance · Any service not mentioned above
-
Thursday, July 2 — WELCOME TO VICTORIA FALLS
Arrival at Victoria Falls Airport
First Arrival host meets you at arrivals
Private transfer to Shongwe Oasis Boutique Lodge & Spa
Check-in and welcome kit distribution — branded t-shirt and socks
Welcome dinner hosted by First Arrival
Evening at leisure
Friday, July 3 — REST DAY
Breakfast at the lodge
Day at leisure — rest and recover from travel
Evening at leisure
Saturday, July 4 — VICTORIA FALLS EXPERIENCE + RACE EXPO
Breakfast at the lodge
Victoria Falls Experience — guided tour of one of the seven natural wonders of the world
First Arrival host escort to the official race expo
Race morning briefing — start line logistics, cheer zone locations, meeting points
Pre-race dinner hosted by First Arrival
Early evening — rest and race preparation
Sunday, July 5 — RACE DAY
Race morning breakfast bags distributed by First Arrival host
Private group transfer to the race start line — Victoria Falls town centre
First Arrival host escort to start line for runners
First Arrival host escort to cheer zones for spectators
Post-race celebration
Post-race sports massage
Farewell dinner hosted by First Arrival
Monday, July 6 — RECOVERY DAY
Breakfast at the lodge
Day at leisure
Evening at leisure
Tuesday, July 7 — DEPARTURE DAY
Breakfast at the lodge
Check-out
Private transfer to Victoria Falls Airport
Trip concludes
-
Shongwe Oasis Boutique Lodge & Spa
· ★★★★ Hotel
· Deluxe Double Room · Double Occupancy · 6 days / 5 nights
· Daily breakfast included
· Check-in: 3:00 PM · Check-out: 12:00 PM
· Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi throughout
-
Want to make more of your time in Zimbabwe and beyond? Extend your trip by 5 days and experience more of the region.
Add-ons include:
Zambezi Sunset Cruise
Victoria Falls Helicopter Flight
White Water Rafting — Zambezi River
Bungee Jump — Victoria Falls Bridge
Walking with Lions
Elephant Encounter
2-night Chobe National Park extension — Botswana
Extensions are available on request. Enquire below for pricing and availability.
-
Deposit
$500 deposit per person of total at checkout will hold your spot.
Deposit A non-refundable deposit per person is required at the time of booking to hold your spot. The deposit amount will be specified in the package description. Deposits are non-refundable. Non-transferable means your deposit may not be applied to another person or another year, but may be transferred to another First Arrival experience within twelve (12) months of the original departure date, subject to approval and availability. Your guaranteed race entry may not be transferred to another person, another year, or another trip.
Final Payment Deadline
May 6, 2026 Package must be paid in full by 5 PM ET on this date.
Travel Insurance
“Cancel For Any Reason” travel insurance is highly recommended.
Late Fees
A $50 fee applies if the Final Payment is received after the deadline.
Payments not received within five (5) calendar days of the Final Payment Deadline may result in cancellation of the booking at FA’s sole discretion.
Change Fees
For booking changes after the Final Payment Date, a $50 fee per person per change applies. For changes requested less than 30 days before the first day of the Travel Package, the fee is $75 per person per change.
Additional charges from travel or event suppliers which may result from changes to your Booking Order are your responsibility; you agree to reimburse FA for any such charges incurred by FA on your behalf. We will use our best efforts to accommodate the requested changes; however, FA cannot guarantee such changes once the initial booking is confirmed.
Cancellation Penalties
These cancellation penalties apply to any cancelled booking regardless of the reason, including but not limited to race cancellation by the organizer, injury during training, or failure to make full payment by the stated deadline.
All payments are non-refundable regardless of when cancellation is received. Payments are non-transferable to another person or another year. Upon written request, First Arrival may at its sole discretion approve a transfer of your balance to another First Arrival experience within twelve (12) months of the original departure date, subject to availability and applicable pricing differences.
Double Occupancy - Race entry is NOT included
Cross the Victoria Falls Bridge into Zambia mid-race, with the full majesty of one of the seven natural wonders of the world visible from the bridge. With accommodations at Shongwe Oasis Boutique Lodge & Spa, race weekend transportation, shakeout runs, and everything handled so you can focus on the run.
Shongwe Oasis Hotel
Deluxe King Room or Deluxe Double Room · 6 days / 5 nights
Located two kilometres from Victoria Falls town centre and approximately five minutes from the marathon start line, Shongwe Oasis is an intimate adults-only boutique lodge set within lush tropical gardens. With just 19 rooms, the property offers a quiet and unhurried base — full-service spa, sit-in infinity pool, jacuzzi, and a private restaurant and bar. Next door, the Shongwe Lookout tower offers panoramic views of the Zambezi River and the mist rising from the Falls.
Option of King bed or Double beds
Private outdoor bathroom · His and hers double vanities
Separate sitting area · In-room safe · Air conditioning
Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi
Sit-in infinity pool · Poolside sun loungers · Jacuzzi
Full-service spa — massages, aromatherapy, body treatments
Private restaurant and bar
Shongwe Lookout tower access — Zambezi River and Victoria Falls views
Free daily cooked-to-order breakfast included
Free private parking · Airport shuttle service available