The name Victoria Falls by no means describes what one can expect from the mystical appearance of these gigantic waterfalls. The Makolo people on the other hand made a better effort by naming the falls: Mosi-o-Tunya, which literally translated means “The Smoke That Thunders”.
When reaching the Victoria Falls, one will descry a truly impressive image. The Zambezi quietly winds its way over the flat Savannah, peppered with small tree-covered islands and a unique biodiversity.
Nothing in this peaceful environment would indicate such a massive emergence that is Mosi-o-Tunya. No mountains, no escarpments, no valleys, and yet there it is: “The Smoke That Thunders”. The Zambezi seems to magically disappear in a gigantic chasm, known as the Victoria Falls.
[photo by Ryan McFarland]
Although there are not many indicators for such a wonder of nature, fact is that it is there.
The reason for Victoria Falls' existance is due to the fact that the Zambezi River flows over soft sandstone, which eventually caves in to form the massive waterfall and the gorges that make up the Victoria Falls.
The range of the falls is quite impressive , with a width of 1.708 metres and a height of 108 metres. Granted, these specs do not showcase the highest nor the widest of falls in the world, but Victoria Falls is considered one of the largest waterfalls in the world, because it boasts one of the highest maximum water flows.
An important fact about Victoria Falls is its locality, nestled right at the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The first European ever to have visited the Victoria Falls was the Scottish explorer and missionary David Livingstone. He is not only the first European to have ever visited the Victoria Falls; he also had the honour of naming the falls, after the namesake of Englands' Queen Victoria.
Today the World Heritage List recognizes both names: Victoria Falls or Mosi-o-Tunya.
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[photo by Gary Bembridge]
Once David Livingstone had named the falls, the island on which he stood to see them for the first time, got named after him as well, namely: Livingstone Island. This island is located in the middle of the curtain on the Zambian side. The other option which allows you to see the Victoria Falls in its full beauty is Boaruka Island, located at the western part of the curtain, also on the Zambian side.
One of these islands should definitely be on your list of things to do when you go to check out Victoria Falls. However, do be aware that there are optimal seasons for travel in Africa; meaning that some months sees the Zambezi carry more water than others. Between the months of February to May more water slops over than the rest of the year, making this the opportune time to visit the falls.
The only outlet for all this water is the First Gorge, which boasts a width of 110 metres, it is here where every single drop that falls down the massive falls will have to pass. During the dry season it becomes quite possible, however not necessarily safe, to walk along to the bottom of the First Gorge.
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[photo by Obliot]
No matter which season you plan on visiting or on which side of the falls you plan on standing, the Victoria Falls will always present itself as a true wonder of nature.
Once you have discovered this wonder, you can then move on and start exploring the Victoria Falls National Park and view the vast game or attend one of the other countless activities offered at Victoria Falls.
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