Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls presents a spectacular sight of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur on the Zambezi River, forming the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It was described by the Kololo tribe living in the area in the 1800’s as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ – ‘The Smoke that Thunders’. In more modern terms Victoria Falls is known as the greatest curtain of falling water in the world.
Victoria Falls presents a spectacular sight of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur on the Zambezi River, forming the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It was described by the Kololo tribe living in the area in the 1800’s as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ – ‘The Smoke that Thunders’. In more modern terms Victoria Falls is known as the greatest curtain of falling water in the world.
Columns of spray can be seen from miles away as, at the height of the rainy season, more than five hundred million cubic meters of water per minute plummet over the edge, over a width of nearly two kilometers, into a gorge over one hundred meters below.
The wide, basalt cliff over which the falls thunder, transforms the Zambezi from a placid river into a ferocious torrent cutting through a series of dramatic gorges.
The wide, basalt cliff over which the falls thunder, transforms the Zambezi from a placid river into a ferocious torrent cutting through a series of dramatic gorges.
Facing the Falls is another sheer wall of basalt, rising to the same height, and capped by mist-soaked rain forest. A path along the edge of the forest provides the visitor prepared to brave the tremendous spray, with an unparalleled series of views of the Falls.One special vantage point is across the Knife-edge Bridge, where visitors can have the finest view of the Eastern Cataract and the Main Falls as well as the Boiling Pot, where the river turns and heads down the Batoka Gorge. Other vantage points include the Falls Bridge, Devils Pool and the Lookout Tree, both of which command panoramic views across the bridge.
Interesting facts about Victoria Falls
If you are among those visitors seeking facts about Victoria Falls, here are 5 most interesting things you should know about Victoria Falls that make it one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
1. Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world. It is situated at the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, viewed better from the Zimbabwean side. David Livingstone is credited for naming this wonder Victoria Falls in honor of Queen Victoria. Originally, locals called Victoria Falls Mosi-oa-tunya, which means ‘The Smoke That Thunders’.
2. Rapids from River Zambezi, which is the fourth largest river in Africa, forms the falls. Victoria Falls location, halfway from its source to the sea, seems to dissect this river. River Zambezi rain forest receive rainfall 24 hours a day, 7 days a week because of the continuous spray from Victoria Falls. Approximately 600 million cubic litres of water hit the ground per minute. Amazing, right?
3. During sunset on a full moon, Victoria Falls forms a strange, breathtaking sight as the moonlight bounces off its spray to bring forth a moonbow; a nighttime rainbow. This wonder is one of Africa’s best kept secrets.
4. Victoria Falls naturally formed a pool called Devil’s Swimming Pool. It is located on the edge of the falls. The best time to swim at the pool is between September and December when Zambezi River’s flow is at safe levels.
5. The first European to see the falls was David Livingstone, who stood on a small outcrop named Livingstone Island to get better views. Livingstone had heard interesting tales about Vic Falls and sought to see this spectacle. Cecil John Rhodes also developed interest in the falls and birthed the idea of The Victoria Falls Bridge
VISITING VICTORIA FALLS
Different times of the year will provide completely different experiences of the Falls region. Peak flood season is around March and April when the full power of the Falls can be experienced in all its glory.Due to the masses of spray rising from the fallen water, the full width of the Falls cannot be seen on foot. The aerial view at this time is spectacular, with clouds of spray rising high into the sky.As the floods abate the view of the Falls gets better and better through the year, but at it’s lowest, around November and December the Falls become little rivulets running over the edge and in some places along the 1,7km width, no water falls at all. The delight of visiting the Falls in this season is the view of the impressive cliffs that form the Falls wall, and the magnitude of the abyss can be fully appreciated.
Different times of the year will provide completely different experiences of the Falls region. Peak flood season is around March and April when the full power of the Falls can be experienced in all its glory.Due to the masses of spray rising from the fallen water, the full width of the Falls cannot be seen on foot. The aerial view at this time is spectacular, with clouds of spray rising high into the sky.As the floods abate the view of the Falls gets better and better through the year, but at it’s lowest, around November and December the Falls become little rivulets running over the edge and in some places along the 1,7km width, no water falls at all. The delight of visiting the Falls in this season is the view of the impressive cliffs that form the Falls wall, and the magnitude of the abyss can be fully appreciated.
Top Ten Things to do in Victoria Falls
Bungee Jumping
Elephant Back Trails
Flights over Victoria Falls
Kayaking
Lion Walks
Swimming below Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls Devils Pool
Victoria Falls Bridge
White Water Rafting
Guided Safaris
Bungee Jumping
Elephant Back Trails
Flights over Victoria Falls
Kayaking
Lion Walks
Swimming below Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls Devils Pool
Victoria Falls Bridge
White Water Rafting
Guided Safaris