Zimbabwe’s foremost attraction, Victoria Falls is a must-see when visiting Southern Africa. “The smoke that thunders” remains one of the most spectacular natural seven wonders in the world. Beside, the town offers agreeable accommodation and pleasant gastronomy, as well as a wide range of activities to distract the safari lovers from game viewing. Victoria Falls is the adventure centre of Southern Africa.

 

Victoria Falls’ situation

 

The Zambezi River and the Victoria Falls form the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, not far from the Eastern Botswana. Victoria Falls was formed where the Zambezi drops dramatically into a narrow gorge. The 1700m wide Falls can be best viewed from the Zimbabwean side, but also from the Zambian side – the closest city across the border is Livingston.

 

Victoria Falls History

 

Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya or “Smoke That Thunders”, Victoria Falls was named in honour of the queen of England by David Livingstone, first European to discover them in 1855. ‘Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by Angels in their flight’ was the note he made when he first saw the waterfall. The Falls have since then fascinated travellers. UNESCO made it a Natural World Heritage Site in 1989

 

Victoria Falls in Figures

 

The 7th wonder of the world is a 1700m wide waterfall, dropping up to 5 millions litre of waters every second, 70 to 108 meters down in to the gorge, and sending giant spray clouds high into the air. Victoria Falls is made of five different “falls”. Four of these are in Zimbabwe: The Devil’s Cataract, Main Falls, Rainbow Falls and Horseshoe Falls – and one, The Eastern Cataract, is in the bordering country of Zambia.

 

Activities at Victoria Falls

 

Besides the fantastic viewing of the Falls, the Victoria Falls Bridge and David Livingtstone’s Statue, the destination offers a wide range of activities:

• For those seeking adrenaline buzz is, bungee jumping from the Zambezi bridge, gorge swing into the gorge, or fly across the gorge on your stomach like a flying fox, and white water rafting trips downstream in the gorge. The Zambezi is a grade 5 river, grade 6 and over are totally commercially unrunnable, so the highest form of adventure.

• A number of operators offer flights over the mighty falls with microlights, light aeroplanes and helicopters.

• Other activities on offer are horse-riding, elephant riding, walking with Lions, canoeing or visiting the crocodile farm.

• More relaxing activities include rain forest walks, sunset cruises which is a must, imagine sipping a gin & tonic whilst the sun is setting over the mighty Zambezi River.

• Game drives are conducted in Zambezi National Park

• African traditional dancing, craft markets and gastronomy complete the cultural picture.

 

Best Seasons at Victoria Falls

 

Whenever you see the Falls: you will be truly amazed – the Zambezi river fills from the rains in Northern Zambia and Angola, (February to May/June) hence causing an enormous volume of water to flow over the actual Falls. When this happens the spray created by the volume of water is incredible, in fact it’s like being in a rain storm (without the lightening) you will get absolutely saturated whilst viewing the Falls, most hotels do provide rains coats or umbrellas.

 

The best time to visit the Falls is June to January. As there will still be a large volume of water coming over the Falls but the spray is less and you actually get to see the waterfall and the rocks and crevices, you will still get wet. This will be pleasant, as it will cool you off especially in the summer months being October to April. The weather is pleasantly fresh and dry during the winter months (June to September), but gets very hot and humid during the summer (November to March). This is a malarial area, especially at summer time.

 

Be our Guest

 

Although we could not set a “bush camp” in Victoria Falls, we understand that most of our guests want to take opportunity of their safari in Zimbabwe or Botswana to view the natural wonder. We thus have partnered with several lodges to offer our guests privileged rates, and thus encourage you to include Victoria Falls in your safari itinerary. Just contact us!