The Ultimate Guide To Visiting Victoria Falls Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls Zimbabwe is one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. I’m sure it is on the bucket list for every person that travels to Africa and with good reason.. This complete guide to Victoria Falls Zimbabwe (and Zambia) will give you all the information you need to plan your trip.

Victoria Falls Zimbabwe is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and is known as one of the most spectacular waterfalls on the planet. It is located on the Zambezi River on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. The waterfall is 1,708 meters wide and 108 meters high. The spray of the falls rises up to 400 meters above the drop and can be seen from up to 30 kilometers away. This mist is the reason that the local people call Victoria Falls the “Smoke that Thunders”. The mist creates a smoke like effect and you can’t believe the thunderous noise the waterfall makes until you hear it.

Vic Falls is a popular tourist destination, attracting over a million visitors each year making it one of the most popular tourist attractions in Southern Africa.

The name of the island means “water divider” and the falls were given its name “Devil's Cataract” by missionaries who arrived in the area and were horrified by the local tribes performing sacrificial ceremonies there. Today, a statue of David Livingstone overlooks the cataract and it serves as the first of 19 viewing points.

The Main Falls

The largest of the falls is 93 meters high and has a peak flow rate of 700,000 cubic meters per minute. The sheer volume of water here is so great that it is turned into mist and appears to be smoke, never reaching the ground.

The Horseshoe Falls

Horseshoe falls is actually a fissure that has been eroded over time into a horseshoe shape. This 95 meter high section of the falls is the first to dry up during the dry season and is a popular nesting site for birds such as swifts, martins, and long-tailed wagtails.

The Rainbow Falls

At 108 meters, this is the highest of the falls and also one of the most dangerous spots to view from. However, as the name suggests, clear days often result in a stunning rainbow being visible. The best time to see this is around 4pm from the Zimbabwean side, when the angle of the sunlight reflects off the rainbow.