Victoria Falls
The Victoria Falls constitutes one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. The Local people call it “Mosi-oa-Tunya”—the smoke that thunders and the Falls are remarkable. There is a magic about them manifested in the towering column of spray when the river is high, the thunder of the falling water, the terrifying abyss and tranquil lagoons upstream in which hippo and deadly crocodiles lurk.
The Victoria falls is 1 708 meters wide, making it the largest curtain of water in the world. It drops between 90m and 107m into the Zambezi Gorge and an average of 550,000 cubic metres of water plummet over the edge every minute.
Remarkably preserved in its natural state, Victoria falls inspires visitors as much today as it did David Livingstone in the 1860’s. The falls and the surrounding area have been declared National Parks and a World Heritage Site, thus preserving the area from excessive commercialisation. The Falls are spectacular throughout the year, but February onwards, after the rain season, has the heaviest flow and volume of spray.
A number of activities can be undertaken. The ‘Flight of Angels’ provides a fabulous vista of the falls, the upstream river and its many islands and for the more adventurous there is microlighting with stunning views of the Fall.
Rafting the wild rapids below the Falls is a very popular adventure. Visitors can also kayak, canoe, fish, go on guided walking safaris, ride on horseback and lunch on Livingstone’s Island.
Related Travel Information
Sioma Falls
Sioma Falls, located a six-hour drive and 185 miles (300 km) upstream (northwest) of Victoria Falls, is a magnificent series of six horseshoe-shaped falls stretching across the one-and-one-half-mile-wide Zambezi River. The best time to visit is July-January.
Mosi-Oa-Tunya (Victoria Falls) National Park
Called Mosi-oa-Tunya (the smoke that thunders), Victo¬ria Falls should not be missed. Visitors may walk along the Knife Edge Bridge for a good view of the Eastern Cataract and Boiling Pot.
A Sunset Cruise is a very pleasant experience; hippo and crocodiles are often seen. On the Float of Angels guests are taken by raft from the "Boiling Pot" to spend about an hour just below the falls. The hike in and out of the gorge (about a 400 foot/120 meter elevation gain) can be a bit slippery and is not recommended for people in poor condition.
Canoe
Weather and Climate in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is south of the equator, so the seasons are reversed from those in the Northern Hemisphere - winter in New York is summer in Harare. But seasons aren't extreme - overall, the climate is very similar to that of southern California. Because of the elevation (averaging 3,000 ft/915 m), it rarely gets above 90 F/33 C or lower than about 45 F/7 C. The best time to go is a matter of splitting the difference between comfort and optimum game viewing. The weather is most comfortable just after the rainy season, in May and June,
Zimbabwe Travel Destination : Victoria Falls
The town of Victoria Falls (called Vic Falls locally) is a pleasant enough place, created especially for visitors. There are some hiking routes in the area, and bicycles can also be rented. Vic Falls has a number of trinket shops, selling everything from cheap T-shirts to antique African musical instruments. Carvings of wooden masks and animals are a long tradition around the area (as is the intense bargaining required to purchase them for a reasonable price). The Victoria Falls Hotel, a short walk from the falls, still operates in full colonial splendor and should
Zimbabwe: Matusadona National Park
Situated on the southern shore of Lake Kariba and bounded on the east by the Sanyati Gorge and the west by the Umi river, this scenic 600 square mile park has an abundance of elephant, Kudu, impala and buffalo. Game viewing by boat near shore, fishing and walking safaris are available.
A one-hour flight from Harare will take you to one of the most stirring sights in Africa: Victoria Falls, known locally by the Kololo people as Mosi-Oa-Tunyaa (Smoke That Thunders). At Victoria Falls, the mile-wide Zambezi River suddenly plunges 30 stories, at times spilling water at a
