Victoria Falls

On the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, this extraordinary natural wonder is formed by the mighty Zambezi River. The rivers waters plummet more than 100m over an escarpment and down into a rocky gorge, sending huge clouds of spray up into the air. The sight of it awed European explorer Dr Livingstone so much that he named the waterfall in honour of his queen. Its official name is much more fitting – Mosi-oa-Tunya meaning “the smoke that thunders”.

Aside from touring this incredible wonder, following the many wooden platforms to various viewpoints, there are a tremendous number of activities that visitors can enjoy. These range from relaxing – such as a sunset cruise along the Zambezi River or a private lunch on historic Livingstone Island – to adrenalin-pumping – such as white water rafting and a helicopter flight over the falls.

The falls can be viewed from both Zambia and Zimbabwe and it is well worth getting a view from both sides for completely different perspectives. Most Zambian lodges are located on the serene banks of the Zambezi River, just upstream of the falls while Zimbabwean lodges offer views of the thick, white mist that sometimes obscures the wide curtain of falling water.

Victoria Falls is a not-to-be-missed destination for first-time visitors to Africa and it is the perfect place to begin or end a wildlife safari. If you haven’t much time, there are a number of great wildlife reserves in the vicinity of the falls, including Botswana’s elephant-rich Chobe National Park and the small but excellent Lower Zambezi National Park. Of course, if you have the benefit of time, we highly recommend exciting walking safaris in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park or a life-changing canoeing experience in Zimbabwe’s World Heritage-listed Mana Pools National Park.