A 2025 Beginner’s Guide to Victoria Falls
A Beginner’s Guide to Victoria Falls: Everything You Need to Know; Victoria Falls – Facts, Worst/Best Time, Getting There, Accommodation, Things to Do, History, Safaris & Tours.
Forming a natural boundary between Zimbabwe and Zambia, the Zambezi River is home to the breathtaking Victoria Falls, an image of breathtaking beauty and magnificence. Because of the tremendous noise and spray produced by the flowing water, the local Kololo people dubbed it “Mosi-oa-Tunya,” meaning “The Smoke that Thunders.”. When its height and width are added together, Victoria Falls is now renowned as the world’s biggest curtain of falling water.
At the height of the rainy season, more than 17 billion cubic feet (or 500 million cubic meters) of water per minute pours over the edge, across a width of nearly two kilometers (or a mile), and into a gorge over one hundred meters (or 300 feet) below, creating spray columns that can be seen from miles away.
As it thunders over the vast basalt cliff, the Zambezi River changes from a serene river into a fierce torrent that carves its way through a sequence of breathtaking gorges.
Another vertical basalt wall, also reaching the same height and topped by a rain forest drenched in mist, faces the Falls. For those who are up for braving the immense spray, a trail along the forest edge offers a succession of vistas of the Falls that are unmatched.
Across the Knife-edge Bridge is a unique vantage point that offers the best view of the Main Falls, the Eastern Cataract, and the Boiling Pot, where the river turns and begins to descend the Batoka Gorge. Various other vantage sites offer breathtaking views of the Main Falls, such as Livingstone Island, the Falls Bridge, Devil’s Pool, and the Lookout Tree.
Interesting Facts About Victoria Falls
Among the most breathtaking natural attractions on Earth, Victoria Falls is without peer. This waterfall serves as a natural boundary between Zambia and Zimbabwe; it is a tributary of the Zambezi River. Although the majority of the falls are visible from Zimbabwe, the majority of visitors choose to visit from Zambia. In fact, there are a number of natural pools where you may swim all the way to the edge, bringing you much closer to the falls. So, in case you are interested in visiting or are simply wanting to learn more, here are some fascinating facts about Victoria Falls, which is located between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
We have found ten things about Victoria Falls that you probably didn’t know. It is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and one of David Livingstone’s most famous and greatest discoveries.
Victoria Falls Facts
Things to Do in Victoria Falls/Activities
As a matter of fact, the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia is formed by the magnificent Victoria Falls and the powerful Zambezi River. A Victoria Falls vacation offers a wide variety of activities, regardless of whether you opt to stay on the Zimbabwean or Zambian side of the falls.
Tours, sights, and activities abound in Zimbabwe, from thrilling white-water rafting, bungee jumping, and ziplining to breathtaking wildlife drives through Hwange National Park and sunset boat rides down the Zambezi River.
Remember that seeing Victoria Falls at different times of year can greatly alter your waterfall experience; planning your trip around certain activities requires careful consideration of the best time of year to go.
For instance, river activities on the Zambezi are best enjoyed when water levels are low since otherwise the current is too powerful, whereas land or air activities offer the most spectacular vistas when water levels are high.
Things To Do At Victoria Falls | The Beauty of Zimbabwe
Getting to Victoria Falls
From Livingstone, you can reach the Falls by taking the Mosi-oa-Tunya Road south for approximately 11km / 6.8mi. A parking space can be accessed via a right turn just before reaching the boundary. This is the starting point for walks that go all the way around the Falls. To get here from Zimbabwe, go over the border at Victoria Falls town. Then, at the Zambian customs post, look for the left turn.
Victoria Falls Tours & Safaris
As one of the world’s official natural wonders, Victoria Falls is an exciting trip in Southern Africa.
The Southern African country of Zimbabwe and Zambia share a common name for the majestic Victoria Falls: Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning “The Smoke that Thunders” in the local language.
With its mighty waterfall, verdant jungles, and a plethora of activities, it provides an amazing experience for all kinds of tourists.
Particularly in the dry season when the Zambezi River flow is reduced, the town of Livingstone in Zambia provides breathtaking views and close-up encounters with the falling waters. Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park offers paths around the fall margins and chances to see the well-known Devil’s Pool.
Particularly in the rainy season when the flow is at its highest, the town of Victoria Falls provides a more complete perspective of the cascade over the border in Zimbabwe. With many vantage spots along a system of well-maintained walkways, the Zimbabwean side—home to Victoria Falls National Park—allows guests to fully appreciate the height and breadth of the falls.
Both sides present special viewpoints and experiences. Come for the adventure and stay for Victoria Falls’ cultural enrichment and lifelong memories made.
VICTORIA FALLS WALKING SAFARI
Formation of the Victoria Falls
It is believed that a 305-meter-thick basalt bed began to form in the location where the upper Zambezi River, which normally flows southeast, was redirected to flow generally eastward during a previous geological epoch, resulting in the formation of a cascade.
As the molten lava cooled, it may have formed very visible joints or fissures in the basalt, which the Zambezi River flows through for 209km / 130mi in the Livingstone area. Zones of porous material inside the basalt are linked to a predominately east-west running pattern of joints.
The enormous east-west gorges were formed by the erosion of these softer rocks due to the fact that the Zambezi is flowing directly south in the Livingstone area. An additional significant north-south chain of joints is responsible for the Falls’ upstream retreat. The wide fall line was left behind as the river was forced to condense into a narrow fissure due to the gradual erosion of minor joints that run north-south. The subsequent narrowing of the gorges into yet another transverse fracture zone of softer material was inevitable once this had occurred. Once more, a wide fall was set in motion by this gouge out of the soft zone. The zigzag gorges stand for seven distinct waterfall lines that have come before this one, a process that has occurred multiple times over many years.
The Devil’s Cataract, located on the Zimbabwean side of the Falls and lower than the remainder of the current Falls, demonstrates how the water’s force is beginning to recede along this fault line. A future line of the waterfall will likely be constructed when it erodes its way back to another east-west joint.
History About Victoria Falls
Although Dr. David Livingstone became aware of the enormous waterfall in 1851, he did not go see it until 1855. After making his way downstream on foot, he camped down on Kalai Island, which is upstream from the Falls. The next morning, he embarked on a brief canoe journey to get closer to the rumbling thundercloud. He got his first glimpse of the Falls after landing on Livingstone Island, the largest island on the Falls’ lip.
Peering down into a large rent that had been made from bank to bank of the broad Zambezi, I was astounded to see a stream that was a thousand yards broad leap a hundred feet before being abruptly compressed into a space of fifteen to twenty yards. It was the most breathtaking sight I had ever seen in Africa.
No one can comprehend the grandeur of the panorama from anything seen in England, he said in 1857 about the environs. Angels in flight must have gazed upon such beautiful vistas, for they had never been seen by European eyes before.
A History Of The Victoria Falls Bridge
Worst/Best Time to Visit Victoria Falls
To witness the world’s largest sheet of cascading water flowing at its highest volume, Victoria Falls is at its most spectacular between the months of February and May, just after the summer rains have ended. An issue with going to Victoria Falls is that the best time to see the spray isn’t during the height of safari season in neighboring Chobe National Park in Botswana or Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. When the water is at its swiftest and tallest, it’s also not a good idea to swim in Devil’s Pool or run particular parts of white-water rapids.
When the dry winter season ends in October and November, the water level is at its lowest and the weather is hot and humid, therefore it’s not a good time to visit the Falls. During the low water season, you can be sure to see the entire Falls without any mist, but on the Zambian side, which is roughly a fourth of the breadth, the water can have dried up and all that’s left is the exposed rock. On the Zimbabwean side, the water flow is constant, albeit the volume fluctuates according to the wet season.
Victoria Falls Hotels/Lodges/Accommodation
Though Victoria Falls is split between Zimbabwe and Zambia, both have lodging ranging from big family-friendly hotels near all the activity to private honeymoon-perfect lodges nestled on the banks of the picturesque Zambezi River. Although many are within Victoria Falls’ easy walking distance, wherever you are located you will have access to this world-class cascade as well as the various activities the area offers.
While accommodation on the Zimbabwean side includes grand colonial-style hotels and a golf resort as well as comfortable riverside lodges offering good value for money, accommodation on the Zambian side is distributed out on the banks of the Zambezi upstream from Victoria Falls and is best for romantic river chalets and luxurious suites.
Although our choice of top hotels in Victoria Falls is extensive and varied, if you cannot find what you are searching for let our knowledgeable Africa Safari Experts recommend the ideal hotel, lodge or private villa to fit your travel requirements.
Recommended Hotels in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Devil’s Pool, Victoria Falls
One of the several rock pools that have developed close to the magnificent Victoria Falls as a result of erosion over millions of years is perched precariously on the brink of the falls! With its tremendous plummet from the edge of the Falls and its high precipice, Devil’s Pool is the pinnacle of infinity pools.
Getting to the pool, which requires a steep hike and a swim in the Zambezi, is an exhilarating experience in and of itself. As the rushing waters of the Zambezi smash over the nearby cliffs, those brave enough to jump into the pool are pushed to the brink by the river’s ferocity, where the rock lip stops them.
Feel the power of the Zambezi River rushing past you and smashing down the 100-meter / 320-foot drop! The view from the brink is very thrilling!
Victoria Falls Day Tours & Small Group Trips
Sharing its borders with Zambia, Zimbabwe is home to the breathtaking Victoria Falls, one of the most popular tourist spots in all of Africa. There are a plethora of activities and excursions that take you past Victoria Falls and into the surrounding area, but the Falls themselves are situated in the center of some intriguing territory. Even though you just have one day, there is still a plethora of activities to do, such as abseiling, bungee jumping, rafting, canoeing, hiking, and many more. Visiting Zimbabwe’s Zambezi National Park is yet another thrilling option.
A Day Trip To Victoria Falls! || A Trip Through ZIMBABWE
Victoria Falls Travel Guide, Safety, Forum
Please read this page carefully as it contains all the important information you will need, whether you are planning a vacation to Victoria Falls or are simply interested in learning more about the area.
Our extensive familiarity with the area will serve as a guide, and we’ll even throw in some helpful hints to ensure that your vacation goes off without a hitch.
Because of how rapidly Zimbabwe’s economy and political climate are evolving, you should check that the information you’re using is current. Your vacation could be ruined by misleading information.
Our goal is to provide you with the most updated information available on our site. All day, every day, we update and add new content to our site.