One of the world's largest waterfalls, Victoria Falls is one of the greatest natural wonders of this world. It is one of the largest waterfalls on earth and is even home to some unique species of plants and animals. They are named after Queen Victoria of the British Empire, Victoria Falls is also known in the local Lozi language as "Mosi-oa-Tunya" meaning "The Smoke That Thunders" and in the local Tonga language as "Shungu Namuititima" meaning "Boiling Water". They are twice as high as the Niagra Falls of North America.
About The Waterfalls
Like Niagra Falls in North America, it forms an international border. Whereas Niagra Falls is the border between the United States and its northern Canadian neighbor, Victoria Falls is the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Consequently, it can be visited from both Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The Victoria Falls are a sight for sore eyes. This awe-inspiring beauty sends columns of spray skyward and can be seen from miles away. The size of the falls also depends on the season, with the torrent being the greatest in the height of the rainy season.
- Width Of The Falls: 5,604 Feet Or 1,708 Meters
- Volume: Over 500 Million Cubic Meters Of Water Per Minute At The Height Of The Rainy Season
- Height: 108 Meters or 354 Feet: Nearly Twice As High As Niagra Falls
Victoria Falls are UNESCO World Heritage Listed and represent one of the great sheets of falling water.
The falls are not the highest, nor are they the widest of earth's waterfalls. But they are sometimes classified as the largest based on their combined width of 1,708 meters 0r 5,604 feet and their height measuring in at 108 meters or 354 feet. That results in the falls having the largest sheet of falling water.
Getting To The Falls
On the Zambian side of the falls, they can be approached from the nearby town of Livingstone some 11 kilometers or 7 miles out.
From Zimbabwe, the gateway town is the town of Victoria Falls.
- Visa Policy Of Zimbabwe: Visa On Arrival or Evisa
- Visa Policy Of Zambia: Visa On Arrival or Evisa
Today Victoria Falls is one of the two adjacent countries' greatest tourist attractions. The falls are also comparatively inexpensive to reach compared to many African destinations.
- Admission Fee: $30 Zimbabwe For International Visitors
- Admission Fee: $20 Zambia For International Visitors
Historically Zimbabwe has attracted more international visitors to the falls due to their greater level of visitor facilities at the falls. That changed after Zimbabwe's crisis of the 2000s under then-President Robert Mugabe.
It's also worthwhile to note that the falls are 25% viewable in Zambia and around 75% viewable in Zimbabwe. That being said it is easy enough to cross the bridge by the falls and view them from the neighboring country. It's also worthwhile to keep in mind that in the depth of the dry season - late September, October, and November the Zambian side of the Falls is completely dry and one will be left marveling at the impressive dry rock face baking in the African sun.
- Best Time To Visit: Rainy Season - February, March, April, And May
There is also the option to view the falls via a helicopter or even a microlight.
- Tip: Consider White Water Rafting In The Zambezi River (White Water Rafting Is Also Epic On The Nile In Uganda)
The best times of the day to visit on the Zimbabwe side is firstly at sunrise, so have an early night the night before. At this time, the daylight is just magical and it is peaceful and quiet (except for the monstrous roar of the falls). On the Zambian side, it is not possible to see the sunrise.
For rainbows, good times are in the mid-morning and in the mid-afternoons (midday is a bad time for rainbows).
Wildlife Around The Falls
The adjacent national parks contain a number of iconic African wildlife so the fortunate travelers ought to keep their eyes peeled! These include sizable populations of elephants, giraffes, Grant's zebra, and Cape buffalo.
Additionally, there are lions, African leopards, antelope, cheetahs, baboons, eagles, buzzards, clawless otters, honey badgers, and Vervet monkeys. Upstream one can find large populations of hippopotamus and crocodiles (so tourists ought to watch out swimming there if it's not in their planned itinerary to be trampled or munched upon). See here for tips on how to go on a safari in Africa.
For any travelers planning to visit Southern Africa, they should consider visiting these stunning falls. They are one of the continent's most iconic natural features.