Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

A Hidden Natural Wonder on Africa's Zambezi River

Aug 25, 2009
Ethel Matshiya

Rainbow Over Victoria Falls - Kirk Pflaum

Victoria Falls, located on the Zambezi River along the Zambia and Zimbabwe border, is one of seven natural wonders of the world.

Locals often refer to the Victoria Falls as Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning the Smoke that Thunders. The “smoke” refers to the mist that is caused by the waterfall as it plunges onto gorges, falling almost 330 feet below sea level. The mist is visible almost 20 miles away and the waterfall, due to the depth of its fall and massive volume, causes loud thunder-like noises. Victoria Falls is commonly cited as the largest waterfall in the world at 5,600 feet wide and 360 feet high.

Tourists on the Zimbabwean side can see the eastern end of Victoria Falls while in the town of Victoria Falls which is south of the Zambezi River. Tourists can also view the waterfall from Livingstone City on the Zambian side.

The Zambezi River pours all of its volume onto the first of the Victoria Falls’ six gorges, which stretches for about 500 feet, before meandering into the remaining gorges over a distance of almost 57 miles. The basalt gorges are roughly 400 feet high, with almost vertically aligned walls.

The Victoria Falls were discovered between 1855 and 1858 by European explorer David Livingstone while he travelled from Botswana to the upper middle basin of the river and following it down to its mouth.

The Zambezi River stretches across Zambia, Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe for 2,200 miles and drains into the Indian Ocean.

Surrounding Attractions Near Victoria Falls

National Parks and Game Viewing: Zebras, elephants, buffalos, and giraffes can be seen at the Victoria Falls National Park in northwestern Zimbabwe and the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia. The Victoria Falls National Park has a rainforest whose plants include palms, mahogany and ferns grown by the spray of the falls. Tourists can see the wildlife by either driving through the park or via boat.
The 'Flight of Angels': Victoria Falls offers 15 or 30 minute flights in a Cessna 206 from Livingstone over the Victoria Falls onto the Zimbabwean side of the falls. This service not only gives tourists an aerial view of the falls, but it also is ideal for game viewing.

Tourists, can also do the following: Rafting, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, guided safari walks, horse riding or visit Livingstone's Island.

The Victoria Falls Airport provides international flight services to Johannesburg and Namibia and tourists can take trains to connect between Livingstone Zambia and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.