Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls, situated on the Zambezi River bordering Zambia and Zimbabwe offers a spectacular sight of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur. It is also known as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ or ‘the Smoke that Thunders’.

The falls are 1690m wide with a maximum drop of 103m (the average drop is 92m). The immense curtain of water is broken up by small islands which stand on the lip of the falls, one of which is called Livingstone Island from whence the explorer Dr. David Livingston first viewed the falls. These islands effectively break the falls into smaller falls which, from east to west, or from the Zambian side to the Zimbabwe side, are known as the Eastern Cataract, the Rainbow Falls, the Horseshoe Falls, the Main Falls and the Devil's Cataract. Around the Falls, on both sides of the river are the rainforests which are sustained by the spray from the Falls. These columns of spray can be seen from miles away as 546 million cubic meters of water per minute plummet over the edge (at the height of the flood season). The wide basalt cliff, over which the falls thunder, transforms the Zambezi from a wide placid river to a ferocious torrent cutting through a series of dramatic gorges.

Facing the Falls is another sheer wall of basalt, rising to the same height and capped by mist-soaked rain forest. A path along the edge of the forest provides the visitor who is prepared to brave the tremendous spray with an unparalleled series of views of the Falls.

Follow the paved path whichleads to a special vantage point on the knife Edge bridge, where visitors can have the finest view of the Eastern Cataract and the Main Falls as well as the Boiling Pot where the river turns and heads down the Batoka Gorge. It’s quite a steep climb to the Boiling Pot but well-worn steps make it a fairly easy descent. Coming up is of course a little more strenuous, but the view from below of the wide Zambezi thundering over the cliff is quite spectacular. From this vantage point one can also see up to the impressive Victoria Falls Bridge, spanning the gorge over 100 meters above.

The Victoria Falls Bridge, commissioned by Cecil John Rhodes in 1900  affords a magnificent view both down the gorge on the one side and through to the falls on the other. The 360 degree view from the bridge is breathtaking.

Although less can be seen of the width of the Falls during the wet season, the intense spray provides welcome relief from the heat, but don’t carry anything you don’t want to get wet!

During the dry season, be sure to take a walk along the lip of the Falls. Sometimes the water is low enough to walk all the way across to Livingstone Island, the place where David Livingstone had his first glimpse of the Falls. This is surely one of the most magnificent views in the area.

The Victoria Falls area is rapidly becoming known as the ‘Adventure Centre’ of Southern Africa, with various adrenaline sports, unmatched scenery, and many other leisure options for outdoor lovers.

The following pursuits can be organised for your pleasure:

• Leisure Cruise - Drift down the Zambezi on a morning, lunch or afternoon cruise on the spectacular African Queen
• Whitewater Rafting through Batoka Gorge
• Helicopter Flights - over the falls and the Zambezi River
• Bungi Jumping off the 111m high Victoria Falls Bridge
• Gorge Swing - Step off the face of the Batoka Gorge and accelerate to a speed of 160kph in a free fall descent before being swung seamlessly across the basin via a cable pivot
• Canoeing on the upper Zambezi
• Horseback Trails along the Zambezi and surrounding Teak forests
• River Boarding - mega thrills on the Zambezi rapids
• Abseiling off the sheer cliffs of Victoria Falls Gorge
• Tandem Kayaking - An experienced kayaker will take you through the raging rapids of the Zambezi
• Micro lighting over the falls
• River Safaris - Quiet propeller-free safari boats will take you into remote parts of the upper Zambezi
• Elephant Back Safaris - Tame elephants give the best view for game viewing in the Reserve
• Jet Boating - High speed jet propelled boats take you down the rapids on a ride of your life!

The town of Livingstone is situated only a short drive away and is a natural starting point for a holiday in Zambia. Craft and curio shops offer a range of locally produced crafts made from Zambezi Teak, the local timber or from wirework, a traditional Zambian craft. International flights from Johannesburg arrive regularly in Livingstone. Livingstone's proximity to the Victoria Falls and Zambezi River has ensured it as a base for travellers from all over the world!