Victoria Falls

The Amazing Victoria Falls

The Victoria Falls is one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. The Local people call it "Mosi-oa-Tunya", the smoke that thunders.

An aerial view of Victoria Falls taken while enjoying “The Flight of Angles”

Victoria Falls ,the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Statistically speaking, it is the largest waterfall in the world. This recognition comes from combining the height and width together to create the largest single sheet of flowing water.The Victoria falls is 1 708 meters (5,604 feet) wide, making it the largest curtain of water in the world. It drops between 90m and 107m (360 feet) into the Zambezi Gorge and an average of 550,000 cubic metres of water plummet over the edge every minute and when in full flow the mist cloud formed by the falls can be seen 50km away.

The first European to visit the falls was David Livingstone in 1855 who names the waterfall after the Monarch of Britain, Queen Victoria.Remarkably preserved in its natural state, Victoria Falls inspires visitors as much today as it did David Livingstone in the 1860's. The falls and the surrounding area have been declared National Parks and a World Heritage Site, thus preserving the area from excessive commercialization.

Seasons

The river's annual flood season is February to May with a peak in April. The spray from the falls typically rises to a height of over 400 metres (1,300 ft), and sometimes even twice as high, and is visible from up to 50 km (30 miles) away.

During the flood season, however, it is impossible to see the foot of the falls and most of its face, and the walks along the cliff opposite it are in a constant shower and shrouded in mist. Close to the edge of the cliff, spray shoots upward like inverted rain, especially at Zambia's Knife-Edge Bridge.

As the dry season takes effect, the islets on the crest become wider and more numerous, and in September to January up to half of the rocky face of the falls may become dry and the bottom of the First Gorge can be seen along most of itslength.The minimum flow, which occurs in November, is around a tenth of the April figure. It is during this season that you cat get to Livingstone Island (where David Livingstone first veiwed the falls from) and also swim in Angel or Devil's Pools on the very edge of the waterfall, a must for any thrill seeker.

Guests enjoying the excitment of swimming in Devils Pool on the edge of Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls Activities

Commonly know as the adventure capital of Africa.

A number of activities can be undertaken. The 'Flight of Angels' helicopter flight provides a fabulous vista of the falls, the upstream river and its many islands and for the more adventurous there is micro lighting with stunning views of the Fall.

The best one day White River Rafting (rates a 5 which means it is the most challenging river for rafting) in the world through the wild rapids below the Falls is a very popular adventure. Visitors can also kayak, canoe, fish, go on guided walking safaris, ride on horseback and for the really adventurous go gorge swinging or bungi jumping and swim in Devils Pool.

Game viewing via boat or open vehicles is a popular activity above the falls or a day trip to Chobe in Botswana.

The Zambezi River flows over Victoria Falls is 2,200 miles (3,540 km) long and flows through Zambia, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. In 1498 Vasco da Gama became the first European to see the Zambezi River. He called the Zambezi the "River of Good Omens" (Rio dos Bons Sinais).Locals believe that water spirit, Nyami-Nyami, protects the river.

Please click here to viev a map of Victoria Falls and take virtual guided tour of the Falls

Please contact us to plan your dream safari to South Africa and Victoria Falls!