Victoria Falls (Zambia)

Victoria Falls, or Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning “The smoke that thunders”, is one of the most spectacular wonders of nature. It is one of the most significant geographical features of the Zambezi River and one of the most famous waterfalls on Earth.

From a tiny, bubbling spring rising in the north of Zambia, the Zambezi River starts a staggering 2,574 km journey from the heart of Southern Africa to the Indian Ocean. Travelling south from Zambia, it becomes wide and cumbersome, forming extensive marshes where the width of the river in flood is known to exceed an astonishing 25 kilometres. It continues flowing through the Caprivi Swamps and joins up with the Chobe River in Botswana before journeying east. The Zambezi at this point is nearly 2 kilometres wide and flows placidly through its broad channel giving little indication of what lies ahead. A distant roar grows louder and a column of cloud can be seen escaping 400 meters into the sky. The river then cascades 100 meters over the edge into a chasm which dissects its path, forming a truly dramatic spectacle.

In 1855, famous explorer and missionary David Livingstone discovered the Falls during an expedition and was not best pleased with his find as it seriously impeded his journey south. He named the falls after Queen Victoria. Despite the inconvenience, he found the waterfall fascinating and famously wrote that the angels flying nearby were probably admiring the beauty of the scene. 

Today, the Victoria Falls is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a magnificent and mighty landmark on the African continent and one which is well worth a visit.

The traveller sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.
G. K. Chesterton