As the mighty Zambezi River crashes over a basalt rock ledge and drops 108 metres (354 feet) down into a powerful whirlpool, it forms the largest sheet of falling water on the planet: the Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls is one of the world’s largest waterfalls, located on the Zambezi River at the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. Also known as “Mosi-oa-Tunya” or “the smoke that thunders,” it is a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its immense spray and spectacular views.
Victoria Falls lies on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe in east-central Africa. It is located about midway along the course of the Zambezi River. Victoria Falls is regarded as one of the ten greatest wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site and functions as a natural demarcation between the upper and lower segments of the Zambezi River.
A History Etched in Stone
The falls’ origins trace back two million years, when the Makgadikgadi Pan-one of the largest salt flats on Earth-uplifted, redirecting the Zambezi River over basalt rock. The recent geological history of Victoria Falls can be seen in the overall form of the Batoka Gorge, with its six individual gorges and eight past positions of the falls. It is one of the world's largest waterfalls, with a width of 1,708 m (5,604 ft).
Over time, the river’s erosive force carved the narrow gorges seen today. The gorges are an outstanding example of river capture and the erosive forces of the water still continue to sculpture the hard basalts. These gorges take a zigzag course of a distance of about 150 km along the Zambezi River below the falls.
African tribes inhabited the region for generations prior to Livingstone’s arrival. Archaeologists have unearthed fossils and implements suggesting that early humans, including Homo habilis, inhabited the vicinity of the falls approximately 3 million years ago. The Batoka ultimately supplanted these Stone Age inhabitants, subsequently joined by the Matebele and Makolo tribesmen. Their progeny continue to reside in the region presently. The indigenous tribes harbored a profound terror of the falls, and few ventured to approach them near.
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Archaeology and oral history describe a long record of African knowledge of the site. Livingstone designated the falls as Victoria in honor of the reigning Queen of England at that time. Scottish explorer David Livingstone first recorded Victoria Falls in 1855, writing that he was struck by “scenes so lovely they must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.”
In November 1855, David Livingstone was the first European who saw the falls, when he traveled from the upper Zambezi to the mouth of the river between 1852 and 1856. The falls were well known to local tribes, and Voortrekker hunters may have known of them, as may the Arabs under a name equivalent to "the end of the world".
In 1860, Livingstone returned to the area and made a detailed study of the falls with John Kirk. Other early European visitors included Portuguese explorer Serpa Pinto, Czech explorer Emil Holub, who made the first detailed plan of the falls and its surroundings in 1875, and British artist Thomas Baines, who executed some of the earliest paintings of the falls.
European settlement of the Victoria Falls area started around 1900 in response to the desire of Cecil Rhodes' British South Africa Company for mineral rights and imperial rule north of the Zambezi, and the exploitation of other natural resources such as timber forests north-east of the falls, and ivory and animal skins. From 1905 the railway offered accessible travel from as far as the Cape in the south and from 1909, as far as the Belgian Congo in the north.
Epic First Helicopter Ride Over Victoria Falls!
The Falls Up Close
At the falls, the river plunges to a maximum drop of 355 feet (108 meters). The Zambezi River does not gather speed as it nears the falls. Only the roar of the water indicates the approach to the falls. The waters of the Victoria Falls drop into a chasm that is formed by the precipice, or cliff, of the falls and by an opposite rock wall of equal height.
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The falls are split into several parts by small islands and depressions along its edge. The five falls that make up Victoria Falls are spread out across two countries; four of them are in Zimbabwe. The Devil’s Cataract, Main Falls, Rainbow Falls, and Horseshoe Falls are all part of this group.
By a wide margin of 1,708 meters (5,604 feet), and with a height of 108 meters (354 feet), Victoria Falls is the biggest curtain of falling water on Earth. The depth of the chasm, called the First Gorge, varies from 80 metres (260 ft) at its western end to 108 metres (354 ft) in the centre. The only outlet from the First Gorge is a 110-metre-wide (360 ft) gap about two-thirds of the way across the width of the falls from the western end.
Two islands are situated on the crest of the falls: Boaruka Island (or Cataract Island) near the western bank, and Livingstone Island near the middle. At less than full flood, additional islets divide the curtain of water into separate parallel streams.
The Mighty Zambezi
Victoria Falls is part of the mighty Zambezi River, which forms the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. The Zambezi River delineates the boundary between Zambia and Zimbabwe, however the river itself exists in a state of “no man’s land.”
For a considerable distance upstream from the falls, the Zambezi flows over a level sheet of basalt in a shallow valley, bounded by low and distant sandstone hills. The river's course is dotted with numerous tree-covered islands, which increase in number when the river approaches the falls.
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The entire volume of the Zambezi River pours through the First Gorge's 110 m (360 ft) wide exit for a distance of about 150 m (490 ft), then enters a zigzagging series of gorges designated by the order in which the river reaches them. Water entering the Second Gorge makes a sharp right turn and has carved out a deep pool there called the Boiling Pot.
Seasonal Spectacles
Like almost everything else in Africa, the spectacle at the Falls is entirely dependent on rainfall. When you choose to travel will have a massive impact on your experience of the waterfall. Rain may vary from year to year.
The Zambezi River reaches peak flow between February and March, when more than 150 million gallons per minute surge over the precipice. The Zambezi River, upstream from the falls, experiences a rainy season from late November to early April, and a dry season the rest of the year. The river's annual flood season is February to May with a peak in April.
Between February and July, the mighty Zambezi River is in full flood and the waterfall is at its most thunderous - usually peaking between March and April. Dazzling clouds of mist can float 400 metres (1 312 feet) above the Falls!
By November, during low water, the flow diminishes to about 2.6 million gallons per minute, and the river splits into braided channels that tumble in multiple distinct cascades. Low-water season runs from about September or October to about January when levels drop over the dry winter. Excellent visibility of Victoria Falls from Zimbabwe and Zambia sides - lower water levels mean less spray and mist.
In 2019 unusually low rain dramatically reduced the fall to the lowest flow in a century. While the region still sees roughly the same annual rainfall, those rains are compressed into a smaller period of time. Temperatures, too, are rising.
The table below shows the variation in flow rate of the Zambezi River at Victoria Falls:
| Month | Flow Rate |
|---|---|
| February-May | Peak flow |
| November | Minimum flow (around a tenth of April figure) |
Wildlife and Nature
The common natural wonder of Victoria Falls is protected in two different national parks in Zambia and Zimbabwe, respectively: Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia and Victoria Falls National Park in Zimbabwe. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1989, Victoria Falls is also celebrated as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
With an area of under 9 square miles (23.4 sq km), Victoria Falls National Park is even more compact than its adjacent Mosi-oa-Tunya. The park offers short game drives where visitors can encounter elephants, buffalo, white rhinos, elands, hippos, and other antelopes. Seeing animals isn’t the main draw, but it does enhance a trip to the park.
You can observe trumpeter hornbills darting across the gorge from one of the many small roads that wind around the basalt clifftop next to the falls. Walking amid the dripping fig, palm, and mahogany trees, you may appreciate close-up views of the tumbling water as you stroll through the rainforest-like ecosystem produced by the mist coming from the abyss. Even when the water levels are low, a visit to the falls is rewarding because you can see the sheer face of the cliff and gaze all the way to the gorge floor.
The surrounding Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park-named for the clouds of spray visible from more than 12 miles away-is a haven for wildlife. It’s one of the best places to encounter white rhinos, and with no large predators present, Nat Hab guests can trek on foot with experienced guides and park rangers.
Adventures Await
There's a good reason why Vic Falls is known as the ‘Adventure Capital of Africa'. During the dry season, visitors can swim in Devil’s Pool, a natural rock pool right at the edge of the falls. This daring experience is just one of many adventures available-others include bungee jumping from the Victoria Falls Bridge, scenic helicopter flights, and world-class white-water rafting.
Devil's Pool is probably the most extreme infinity pool in the world. This natural rock pool sits at the very edge of Victoria Falls, only accessible when water levels are at their lowest, from about August to December. Given that a slippery rock barrier and your guide are the only things stopping you from going over the Falls, taking a dip here can turn into quite an adrenalin-filled experience.
During low-water season, rafting is best between August and September. Rafting during high-water season usually runs from January to July, but the river will be closed if the levels are too high and dangerous. The Falls' lunar rainbows or ‘moonbows' are rare atmospheric phenomena that occur when the bright glow of a perfect full moon reflects and refracts off the mist created by the waterfall.
Want to get really close to the cascades of water? Then head to the Zambia side of Victoria Falls. During the low-water season, head down the footpath that leads to the Boiling Pot: a massive whirlpool at the base of the waterfall.
Full day-trips to Chobe, Botswana's elephant kingdom, are available from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Zambia. You will have to go through border control, so don't forget your passport. Once again, your Africa Safari Expert can make all the arrangements.
Known as the ‘Flight of Angels', this thrilling flip over the waterfall is a definite bucket-list activity. Desire something a little more exhilarating than a helicopter? Known as the wildest white-water in the world, a rafting adventure on the Zambezi River is an adrenaline rush not to be missed.
Planning Your Visit
Since 1998, we’ve been planning trips to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Zambia for thousands of travellers from across the globe. Whether you’re looking for a lodge beside the Zambezi River amidst trees in Zimbabwe or a grand hotel where white-gloved waiters serve G&Ts on manicured lawns, Vic Falls caters to every style and budget. But knowing when to go and what to expect is important for planning your trip.
The good news is, no matter which side you stay on, you can easily cross the border to explore the other or to undertake activities like white-water rafting, gorge swinging, bungee jumping, visiting Livingstone Island or having dinner on an old-fashioned train. If you want the best of both worlds, you can easily get across the border via Victoria Falls Bridge. All you'll need is your passport and a double / multiple entry visa, which you can purchase at the border control (your guide or transfer agent generally expedites this for you).
As about three quarters of Victoria Falls lie in Zimbabwe, the country has the lion's share of vantage points. If you're looking to stay within easy walking distance of the waterfall, then Zim is a good option. If you're looking to stay a little further away from the hustle and bustle, then head for the Victoria Falls Zambia side. Whichever side you choose (why not both?), it's virtually impossible not to have fun in Vic Falls.
Safari's high or peak season is from about June to October - a good time to combine a safari with a visit to Victoria Falls. Bear in mind that the later you visit, the drier the waterfall will be. The ‘sweet spot' for a good safari and great views is generally about July and August, which is also a very popular time to visit.
Expect dramatic and short afternoon thunderstorms, hot and humid weather conditions, and spectacular sunsets. Expert tip: October is the hottest month of the year in Vic Falls (around 34°C / 93°F), and one of the very best months for safari. The animals don't stray far from the little remaining water, but the Falls' water levels are at their very lowest and the Zambian side will the completely dry.
Absolutely! There are daily flights from South Africa's international airports to Livingstone Airport (LVI) in Zambia and Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) in Zimbabwe. A road transfer from VFA to Vic Falls Town will take you about 20 minutes.
US dollars are universally accepted but South African rands, euros and pounds sterling are also welcome. Some street traders are happy to swap items of value - like razor blades, clean clothes, pens, shoes and toiletries - for their wares. If you're flying directly home, consider getting a bag of items together, even if it's just to donate to a trader.
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