Victoria Falls

The Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
The Falls span the entire width of the river, a distance of 1708 meters and plunge 108 meters down sheer rock face, creating an awesome spectacle that can be seen more than 20 kilometers away. Vic Falls, as they are affectionately called locally, are quite simply one of our planet's must-see destinations. For very good reason the Victoria Falls themselves have, since their introduction to an astonished outside world, carved out and kept their rightful reputation as an outstanding natural attraction, rightfully recognized as one of the true "seven natural wonders of the world". The falls mark the beginning of the middle course of the Zambezi River where it forms the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The approach is marked only by the deafening roar of the tumbling water and towering veil of mist which leaps over 300 meters into the air and which can be seen more than 60km away. The sunlight creates countless rainbows which arc across the mist, but one of the most striking sights is the lunar rainbow created by the full moon. The Victoria Falls are at their most spectacular during both April and May but often the spray is so dense, it is difficult to see the full width of the falls themselves. When in full flood, chiefly February and March it is actually see the falls themselves. During these months, maximum flow of water over the falls is 270 000 cusecs. In November and December there is very little spray and visitors are able to fully appreciate the geological formation of the falls and full length and breadth of them as well as walk along the lip of the falls on the Zambian side, almost to Livingstone Island. This is also a great time to view the falls from below by foot or by jet boat and white water rafting is at its wildest. The lip of the falls is split into a narrow chasm which is about 64 meters wide and some 120 meters long and ends in a deep pool called the Boiling Pot. Below the Boiling Pot, and almost at right angles of the falls, is the rail, car and pedestrian bridge which was completed in 1905 as part of the projected Cape to Cairo railway line envisaged by Cecil Rhodes. One of the best viewing points is from the Knife Edge footbridge which was built in 1969 and overlooks both the Eastern Cataract and Rainbow Falls. The mighty Zambezi, fat, green and fast flowing, barreled its way through the surrounding lush green Mopani scrub. It's a home to fat pods of hippopotamus and deceptively lazy looking gigantic crocodiles. David Livingstone, as the first European to set eyes on this awesome natural phenomenon, traveled down Zambezi river exactly 150 years ago this year. Livingstone was Scotsman and gentle one at that. Without doubt one of the greatest explorers of his time. Lets imagine what really must have taken place that remarkable day on September 11, 1855. Paddling downriver into the unknown, Livingstone's crew knew exactly what lay ahead, yet the man himself had no idea, save for mystery and intrigue of the spray he could see and knew came from a giant waterfall ahead. Mosi-oa-Tunya, as it was called. The smoke that thunders. Whilst Zimbabweans do have their own troubles and issues, everyone at the Falls will tell you that they need and want tourism more than ever. The Victoria Falls Safari Lodge alone employs over 1 000 Zimbabweans, who are very friendly, courteous and respectful people. They know value of their jobs, and need them badly.

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Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls was named after Queen Victoria by British explorer David Livingstone in 1855

Victoria Falls