Victoria Falls between Zambia and Zimbabwe
When David Livingstone first encountered the world’s largest waterfall in 1855, he was guided by local people who had long known it as mosi-oa-tunya, meaning “the smoke that thunders” in the ancient Kololo language. Livingstone chose instead to name the falls after Queen Victoria, and this is the name by which they are internationally recognised today.
Yet the traditional name remains the most evocative description of this extraordinary natural spectacle. The roar of the Zambezi river can be heard from miles away, while the immense cloud of spray rising from the gorge can reach heights of more than 500 metres and is visible from up to 30 kilometres away. Stretching for over 1,700 metres across the Zambezi river, Victoria Falls plunges approximately 108 metres into a dramatic gorge carved by ancient geological fault lines, the Great Rift Valley. During the peak water season, typically from February to July, the volume of water cascading over the edge reaches astonishing levels, creating one of the most powerful and awe-inspiring displays of nature anywhere in the world.
Victoria Falls lies on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. On the Zambian side, the falls are protected within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, while on the Zimbabwean side they form part of Victoria Falls National Park. Together with the surrounding gorges, canyons and stretches of the Zambezi River, the area has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The surrounding landscape supports a rich variety of wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, zebras and warthogs. Bird enthusiasts can also spot numerous raptors, such as black storks, jackal buzzards, peregrine falcons and Verreaux’s eagles.The constant mist generated by the falls has created a unique rainforest ecosystem, where ferns, palms, fig trees and other moisture-loving plants thrive throughout the year.
Victoria Falls is also one of premier adventure destinations. Visitors can enjoy white-water rafting on the Zambezi, bungee jumping, helicopter and microlight flights, scenic river cruises and a range of other outdoor activities. During full moon nights, the falls reveal one of their most magical phenomena: the lunar rainbow, or moonbow, a rare and unforgettable sight visible within the spray after dark.