Victoria Falls is also known as Mosi-oa-Tunya which in the local language means the smoke that thunders. It is one of the largest waterfalls in the world. The majestic falls are situated in the reserves of the Zambia and the Zimbabwe National parks. At a height of 360 feet and a stunning mile long width, the sight of the falls will surely make your jaw drop to the floor. On an average about 550,000 cubic meters of cool water freefalls over the top every passing minute.
The source of the beautiful Victoria Falls is the river Zambezi. The collective impact of the height and the width make the falls the largest sheet of dropping water in the whole world. The amazing falls was given its name by Dr. David Livingstone who was a Scottish explorer. There is a magical manifestation in the huge column of the spray when the level of the river is high, the thundering of the splashing water, the deadly abyss and the many tranquil lagoons in the upstream region playing host to crocodiles and hippos.
Even today the Victoria Falls continues to amaze and inspire the tourists who flock here in the same way as it in enchanted David Livingstone in 1860s. The falls has been remarkably preserved to this date. The area has been conserved from increased commercialism due to the designation of the falls and the neighboring region as a world heritage site and National park status.
Best time to visit:
The river floods during the months of February until May with the peak season being in the month of April. The majestic falls gives rise to the spray which by itself soars to an extraordinary height of a thousand three hundred feet.
The column of spray from the water fall can be seen from as far away as fifty kilometers. The spray sometimes can be twice as tall. During the time of the flood season it is not possible to view the foot of the Victoria Falls. Most of the falls and the cliff opposite it were one can walk is shrouded in showers and mist from the majestic water falls.
At the cliff’s edge it has been observed that the spray soars into the air in the form of inverted rain. This phenomenon can be seen the bridge of Knife edge at Zambia. During the dry season experienced here the islets situated on the crests are more in number and are wider.
From the months of September until January the rocky face of the falls partially becomes dry. One can also sight the gorge’s bottom at most of its span. During the months of November the flow of the river is very less and is one tenth of the flow seen during peak flood season of April.
Getting here:
The Victoria Falls is located to the south bank of the River Zambezi. The Airport of Victoria Falls is situated about eighteen kilometers from the southern part of the town. The international flights here service to Namibia and Johannesburg.
The city of Livingstone in Zambia is situated ten kilometers to the south of the river Zambezi. It is a colonial city of historical importance. It is also the center for Victoria Falls tourism.