Victoria Falls
Mosi-oa-Tunya, "the smoke that thunders": long before you see Victoria Falls, you see its spray rising above the bush. Here the Zambezi plunges into a chasm 1,708 metres wide and up to 108 metres deep, forming the largest single curtain of falling water on Earth. Shared with Zambia and listed by UNESCO, it is the undisputed highlight of Zimbabwe tourist attractions.
The Scottish missionary David Livingstone became the first European to see the falls in 1855 and named them after Queen Victoria, but the local Kololo name, Mosi-oa-Tunya, is still widely used. Below the falls, the Zambezi zig-zags through a series of narrow basalt gorges carved over hundreds of thousands of years as the falls gradually retreated upstream – a process that continues today.
Why visit Victoria Falls?
In full flood more than 500 million litres pour over the edge every minute. Rainbows hang in the mist by day and, around full moon, rare lunar rainbows appear at night.
The spray can rise more than 400 metres and is visible from up to 50 kilometres away, feeding a permanent strip of rainforest along the edge of the gorge – an unexpected splash of green in the dry bush. Beyond sightseeing, the falls are the centre of one of Africa's great adventure hubs, with rafting, bungee jumping, gorge swings, helicopter flights and river cruises all within a few kilometres.
Getting there and around
The Falls are a walk from Victoria Falls town. On the Zimbabwean side, a rainforest path in Victoria Falls National Park links 16 viewpoints; a guided tour of Victoria Falls explains the geology and history as you go. The Zambian side is a day trip across the bridge.
Victoria Falls Airport, about 20 minutes from town, has direct flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Nairobi and other regional hubs. From the Zambian town of Livingstone, the falls are a short drive away, and crossing the Victoria Falls Bridge on foot between the two countries is an experience in itself.
Highlights not to miss
- Rainforest walk: The Main Falls from the edge of the gorge – quietest on a sunrise guided tour.
- Flight of Angels: A 15-minute helicopter flight over the Falls and gorges – the only way to see the full zig-zag of the gorges.
- White-water rafting: World-class rapids below the Falls, usually run from August to December.
- Devil's Pool: Swim at the lip on the Zambian side in low water, roughly from August to January.
Practical tips
A KAZA UNIVISA covers both countries. Waterproof everything at high water, and avoid riverside paths alone at dusk.
Entry fees for the rainforest are paid at the gate and are separate from activity costs. Raincoats can be hired at the entrance, but your phone and camera will need a waterproof bag in the high-water months. Baboons near the entrance are bold, so keep food out of sight.
Best time to visit
Fullest from February to May; June to August balances flow and visibility; September to December suits rafting and Devil's Pool.
At peak flow, usually in April, the spray can be so thick that the falls are barely visible from the rainforest path, though the roar is unforgettable. In November and December the Zimbabwean side still has water while parts of the Zambian side may run almost dry.
Accommodation and food
High tea on the terrace of the Victoria Falls Hotel, with the bridge framed by spray, is a timeless ritual.
Accommodation ranges from the grand colonial hotel and luxury lodges overlooking waterholes to riverside camps upstream and budget backpackers in town. Many restaurants serve local game meat and Zambezi bream, and the town has a lively choice of cafés and bars.
How does it compare to other Zimbabwe tourist attractions?
The country's icon combines easily with safaris in Hwange, Zambezi National Park or Botswana's Chobe National Park.
No other site in southern Africa offers such a combination of natural spectacle, adventure activities and easy access to top safari areas, which is why most itineraries in the region pass through here.
In summary
One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World – give it at least two nights to see it in changing light, or let the 3-day Victoria Falls safari handle the planning.
