Victoria Falls is one of the most breathtaking beauties in the world. The falls are the largest sheet of falling water on Earth. It is of global significance for its exceptional geological and geomorphological features and active land formation processes, as well as for its exceptional beauty. Beauties from the falls spray, mist, and rainbows.
There are few things more breathtaking than these waterfalls. At this point, the Zambezi River is over 2 kilometers wide, and it thunders down a series of basalt canyons, creating a mist so thick it can be visible from over 20 kilometers away.
In addition, Victoria falls total area of this cross-border property is 6860 hectares. The 3779 hectares belong to Zambia’s Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, 2340 hectares to Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls National Park, and 741 hectares to Zimbabwe’s Zambezi National Park’s riverine strip. As one of the main draws, it is located within the Zambezi National Park, which encompasses a riverine strip 9 km west along the right bank of the Zambezi and islands in the river as far as the Palm and Kandahar Islands.
Victoria Falls Size
The waterfall is 915 meters above mean sea level (a.m.s.l. ), and 1708 meters broad. It has an average depth of 100 meters and reaches a maximum depth of 108 meters. A tourist can catch sight of the spray from this massive waterfall from the Lusaka road in Zambia, 30 kilometers away, and the Bulawayo road in Zimbabwe, 50 kilometers away. Eight breathtaking gorges have been carved out of basalts by a river system, providing habitat for four critically endangered bird species. Unlike the vertical and columnar basalts of the Giants Causeway World Heritage site, those at Victoria Falls are layered.
David Livingstone, a British adventurer, was the first European to view the falls on November 16, 1855. He honored the British monarch Victoria by naming his children after her. Victoria Falls National Park (Zimbabwe) and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (Zambia) are located nearby. Both provide abundant wildlife and recreation opportunities in addition to the falls themselves. This draw visitors from all over the world.
Moreover, the woodlands are home to a variety of tree species including acacia, teak, ivory palm, fig, and ebony. Meanwhile, mopane trees dominate the alluvial flatlands (Colophospermum mopane). Elephants, giraffes, zebras, gnus (wildebeests), lions, and leopards can all be found roaming the forests and grasslands. On the other hand, klipspringers (a type of antelope) and hippopotamuses are frequently spotted close to the falls. Falcons, eagles, and buzzards all make their homes on rocky cliffs. In 1989, the area around Victoria Falls has been in the list of World Heritage sites.
Things you can do in Victoria Falls
Walk around the pathways of Victoria Falls National Park
Both the Zimbabwean and the Zambian sides of the waterfall as national parks. These are Victoria Falls National Park and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Both parks allow visitors to come close to the falls. The experience will be very different depending on which side you’re on.
Furthermore, there are some of the best views of Victoria Falls are in Victoria Falls National Park. It is a beautiful rainforest reserve on the Zimbabwe side of the falls. The park’s walkways lead you through the rainforest to vantage spots where you may see four of the five distinct sections of the falls from this side: the Devil’s Cataract, the Main Falls, the Rainbow Falls, and the Horseshoe Falls.
The Victoria Falls Bridge connects Zimbabwe and Zambia, so if you’re planning any day trips that include traveling over international borders, don’t forget to bring your passport!
Visit Livingstone Island and take a dip in the Devil’s Pool
Located in the middle of the Zambezi River, close to the brink of Victoria Falls, lies Livingstone Island. The place’s name’s taken after the European adventurer David Livingstone of the 19th century. After an exciting short boat journey through the Zambezi channels, visitors can take a guided tour of Livingstone Island.
At the beginning of your tour, your guide will take you to the western part of the island. This is where you can get a good look at Main Falls. If you’ve seen Victoria Falls from the trail through the rainforest on the other side of the gorge, you’ll be amazed by the vistas you’ll receive from this vantage point.
While taking in breathtaking vistas of the Zambezi River and the falls as they thunder into the valley below, you’ll gain insight into the island’s past and the process that led to the creation of Victoria Falls. In addition, your tour guide will take you to the very spot on the island where, in November 1855, David Livingstone took his first steps.
The best time to visit Livingstone Island is from late June to early March. This is when the Zambezi River is at its lowest. Because of the high water in the Zambezi, the island is inaccessible during these times.
Walk along Knife Edge Bridge on the Zambian side
Only the Eastern Cataract, the second-deepest of the sequence at 101 meters, is visible from Zambia. On the other hand, you may get a real feel for the spray from Victoria Falls by walking down the cemented trails right up to the edge of the waterfall.
If you’re in the area between February and July, you can experience the thrill of crossing Knife Edge Bridge. It is perched 100 meters above the canyon floor.
Victoria Falls Activities
Activities like river boarding, zip line, gorge swinging, angling, canoeing, and even elephant-back safaris are in abundance. Government officials in Zimbabwe have controversial plans to construct a new theme park in the town of Victoria Falls. Most of the action is still in Zambia at the moment. Livingstone and the surrounding area provide numerous lodging and excursion options. It can keep one busy for several days near Victoria Falls. White water rafting down Zambezi rapids with names like “Devil’s Toilet Bowl” and “Oblivion” is one possibility. In addition, there is riverside hammock time in a forest lodge and micro lighting in a small private aircraft.