If you keep a travel bucket list, Victoria Falls deserves a prominent place on it. Few places earn their status as both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World so convincingly. Here, the mighty Zambezi River plunges 108 metres over a basalt rock ledge into a narrow gorge, creating the largest curtain of falling water on earth. Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya (the smoke that thunders), the roar of the falls can be heard up to 40 kilometres away, while vast clouds of mist rise high above the chasm. At peak flow, around 500 million cubic metres of water thunder over the edge every minute; that’s the equivalent of some 200 Olympic swimming pools!
When the river runs through it…
The Victoria Falls straddle the Zambezi River, forming the natural border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and both sides offer spectacular views. However, with roughly three-quarters of the falls located in Zimbabwe, this side has the most vantage points. Stroll along rainforest pathways in Victoria Falls National Park, pause at mist-drenched lookouts, or cross the iconic Victoria Falls Bridge for a dramatic shift in angle. And with your passport and a visa upon arrival (of around USD 50), it’s easy to experience both sides of the Falls in a single day. The so-called KAZA Univisa allows seamless crossings between Zimbabwe and Zambia and even covers your same-day return to Botswana.
Safaris with a splash
Visiting Victoria Falls without adding a safari would be a missed opportunity. Here, game viewing goes far beyond the classic 4×4: explore by boat, canoe or even on foot. The Victoria Falls Rainforest shelters unique plant and animal life and is the only rainforest on earth where it rains all day, every day – nourished by the perpetual spray rising from the falls. Beyond the mist, expect rewarding Big Five encounters and unforgettable river safaris, where hippos surface beside your canoe and elephants, zebra, impala, buffalo, kudu and crocodiles line the riverbanks.
Adrenaline on the Zambezi
If action and adrenaline are your thing, then don’t skip the Zambezi River. Here, a myriad of unusual outdoor activities are possible – think bridge swinging, bungee jumping and white-water rafting. Just keep in mind that some activities are not possible during the peak flood season (March to April), when the full power of the Vic Falls can be seen at its full glory. Low-water season runs from June to October, making it the perfect time for all water-based thrills.
Information and facts
Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Here, the Zambezi River plunges 108 metres into the gorge, creating the largest curtain of falling water on earth; a spectacle known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya (the smoke that thunders). Straddling Zambia and Zimbabwe, the Vic Falls offer superb viewpoints, lush rainforest walks, unforgettable safaris and adrenaline-filled adventures on the Zambezi.
Most common animals
- Baboon
- Vervet monkey
- Warthog
- Elephant
- Buffalo
- Hippo
- Crocodile
- Bushbuck
- Impala
- Kudu
- Zebra
- Giraffe
- Lion
- Leopard
- Hyenas
- African wild dog
- And many bird species: hornbill, drongo, paradise flycatcher, peregrine falcon, black eagle…
Facts about Victoria Falls
- The world’s largest waterfall (1708 metres wide and 108 metres high)
- One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Originally called Mosi-oa-Tunya: the smoke that thunders
- On the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe
