Victoria Falls Facts
Victoria Falls is one of the most breath-taking and awe-inspiring spectacles in the natural world. People travel all over the world to view and photograph it, and we can’t blame them. If you’re looking at visiting or just generally curious about the falls here are some of our favourite facts about them:
- Victoria Falls is one of the Natural Seven Wonders of the World. It accompanies the Northern Lights, the Grand Canyon, Paricutin Volcano, Harbour of Rio de Janiero, Mount Everest and the Great Barrier Reef on this prodigious list.
- Victoria Falls is also known as “Mosi oa-Tunya” (“the smoke that thunders”) because of the enormous amount of spray produced and the thunderous sound created from the falling water.
The legendary mist gives rise to the Falls’ other name.
- The water levels of the Zambezi fluctuate seasonally. During months where the water levels are lower (May to November), the adrenaline junkies can visit ‘Devil’s Pool’ which is a naturally formed rock pool which over-looks the falls.
- Photographed by the millions, the rainbows formed at Victoria Falls are simply stunning. Yet there isn’t just a rainbow formed during the day. As the sun sets, the moonlight bounces off the spray giving you a ‘moonlit rainbow’, aka a ‘Moonbow’.
Beautiful rainbows form at certain times of year.
- Victoria Falls can be visited from both Zambia and Zimbabwe. The falls is located on the border of these two Southern Africa countries but can be accessed by both sides. If you are thinking that the grass is greener though, you are able to cross the border for free and with very little hassle.
- Victoria Falls is located exactly half way along the mighty Zambezi River. Further upstream the river meanders through national parks with Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools on one side and Zambia’s Lower Zambezi on the other.
If you are wishing to view the Falls from both countries, jumping across the border is pretty straightforward.
- The depth of the water at the base of the falls is seventy metres!
- The falls were named after Queen Victoria of England by a Scottish missionary called Dr David Livingstone.
- It is classified as the largest waterfall due to its width, not its height.
- About one million people every year visit the Falls. Are you going to be one of them?
Beautiful photographic opportunities await all around the different parts of the Falls.
If you are looking for some recommendations about where to stay when visiting the falls or looking for itinerary suggestions, then please contact us.
