Described by the Kololo tribe living in the area in the 1800’s as Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning ‘The smoke that thunders’, the Victoria Falls is a spectacular awe-inspiring beauty on the Zambezi River forming the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. River Zambezi is the fourth largest river in Africa, at 2,574 kilometers long, it rises in Zambia and flows through Angola along the border of Namibia, Botswana then along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe up to Mozambique where it makes its way to empty into the Indian Ocean.
The noise of this powerful Victoria Falls can be heard from as far as 40 kilometers and the spray and mist of the falling water can be seen from as far as 50 kilometers. This is probably why it was called ‘The smoke that Thunders’.
David Livingstone, a Scottish missionary and an explorer is believed to be the first European to have discovered the falls and named it in the honor of the Queen of Britain; Victoria in 1855.
The water levels vary throughout the year with the peak in April and the lows in October and November. Walks through parts of the waterfall can be done during the dry season when the water levels are low. Other adventure activities such as Bungee jumping, river surfing, kayaking, Rafting, River cruises, fishing, elephant rides can also be done here.
Best time to visit:
February – June – Peak flood Season – Best time for viewing the falls
October – November – No waterfalls at all in some places
