Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls
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The Victoria Falls, on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. Both its scale and scenic setting are outstanding.

The Falls are 1708m wide and drop 99m at its highest point, making it the largest sheet of falling water in the world when the Zambezi river is at its fullest.

Their visual and scenic impact and their natural setting is also impressive, only to be matched with Iguacu/Iguazu in Brazil/Argentina. The Falls end in a series of narrow gorges.


Year Decision Comments
1989 Inscribed Reasons for inscription

Reviews

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Victoria falls i'm sure is breathtaking any time of year. however, the spring time with the higher water levels is the ultimate. make sure you bring plastic bags to cover your camera equipment though.

even on a cloudless day, you will have a large "cloud" of mist over top of the falls from the thunderous collision of water on the rocks below. the local name of the falls: mosi au tunya is literally translated: the smoke that thunders. if you camp in the campground just a couple miles away, you will learn the meaning first hand.

in a nutshell, my girlfriend (now wife) were traveling through africa and was so impressed with victoria falls that we vowed to return to the victoria falls hotel for our ten year anniversary. that will happen next july. how time flies. but the memories never fade.

go see it. it's worth it!!
 
Julia Chandler (UK):
We visited the Falls at the end of a holiday in Botswana. Having spent a couple of nights on a houseboat up river on the Zambezi, it was a shock to the senses to end up in bustling Livingstone. We visited the falls around midday - not a good time as the sun was beating down, but still an incredible site. In November, there is not that much water to see when you meander around the paths on the Zambia side, but the best view was from right at the end of the gorge, looking down towards the Zimbabwe end, where there is always more water. The following day we took a helicopter trip over the falls. Just 15 minutes, but worth every penny to get spectacular views of the falls and the zigzag gorge at the river carves its way through the landscape..
 
Paul Tanner (UK):
It is a bit surprising to discover that, as of May 2005, Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls have still not been reviewed – so I will “put that right”!

One reason possibly is that the site is self evidently “world class” and needs no introduction or explanation. I still debate with myself whether or not it surpasses Iguassu and generally conclude that the latter offers a fuller “visiting experience” with generally more to see over a longer time with more “surprises” and with more associated interest of flora and fauna. But as a “waterfall” per se Victoria Falls is “right up there” as a full-on experience however much the Zimbawean government makes life difficult for tourists.

Both of our visits took place before the recent collapse of the Zimbabwian economy, currency and socio-political framework and some of our experiences may not now be achievable or relevant. We travelled around Zimbabwe “self drive” with petrol easy to obtain. We stopped off in Hwange park on the way from Bulawayo (excellent road at that time) and already found that to be a disappointment in comparison with other African wildlife parks. Time and poaching are not likely to have improved matters!

The town of Victoria Falls was totally atypical of others in Zimbabwe – a tourist ghetto offering all sorts of “non African” thrills and experiences – bungee jumping, white water rafting etc etc. It is what I term a “blow-out” town - the sort of place one needs to visit occasionally to unwind and relax after periods of tough travelling.

The main point I would make about Vic Falls is to recommend visiting them from all 3 sides – ie the Zimbabwean, the Zambian AND from the air (see photo). No doubt some would add a 4th – from river level white water rafting but, since this takes place quite a way downstream of the falls I wonder how much you actually feel to be “under the falls”. By the time of our second visit Zimbabwe had introduced “single visit tickets” which meant that you could not enter on the same ticket both morning and afternoon. This is unfortunate since the sun provides very different views at different times of day but the price of a ticket militates against paying twice!

We booked our helicopter ride early in the morning on arrival from Hwange, saw the falls am, flew around lunchtime (the helipad is a few miles outside town and really needs a car to get to), crossed over to Zambia for early afternoon, returned for “English Tea” at the Vic Falls hotel at 4 pm (an essential part of a “blow-out day”) and then drove back to Bulawayo in the dark (not entirely to be recommended because of unlit cattle and elephants on the road!) .

All in all memorable day. We just hope that 1 day the people of Zimbabwe will get a government capable of ruling with justice and efficiency and that we may return.
 


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