Victoria-Falls Travel Guide
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Straddling the western border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, at the point where the Zambezi River drops into the Batoka Gorge, Victoria Falls is justifiably called one of the Wonders of the Natural World. Famously described in 1855 by the explorer David Livingstone as exuding such power that they must have been "gazed upon by angels in their flight," and named by him for his Queen, the falls are the world's largest, spanning almost 2km (just more than 1 mile) and dropping some 100m (328 ft.; twice the height of Niagara). The sight of more than 9 million liters of water crashing down into the Batoka Gorge is one not easily forgotten; on a clear day the veil of roaring spray can even be seen from up to 80km (50 miles) away. It is this phenomenon that gave the falls its local name: Mosi-Oa-Tunya -- literally, "the smoke that thunders." Protected by the Victoria Falls National Park, the rain forest on the cliff opposite the falls is nourished by this perennial spray and is one of the few places on the Zimbabwean side in which you will find no commercial distractions. Unlike its namesake, the Victoria Falls Village has little to commend it, and in recent years more and more visitors have in fact chosen to base themselves in lodges that offer bush surrounds, awesome views of the gorge, or the more tranquil stretch of the Upper Zambezi. Most of the latter are on the Zambian side, where visitors can utilize the facilities at Livingstone, a far less touristy destination -- at least for now.
To experience the falls and view some wildlife, 2 to 3 days should suffice (one if all you want to do is see the falls), unless, of course, you're an adventure-sports junkie. People come here not only to immerse themselves in the spectacle of the falls, but also to partake in the varied adventure activities, from surfing the most commercially challenging rapids in the world to tracking game on elephant-back -- not for nothing has this area been dubbed the adrenaline capital of southern Africa.
If, however, your idea of the ideal holiday in Africa is kicking back with a gin and tonic, admiring tropical gardens or bushveld savanna, or watching elephant ambling over to a water hole or crocodiles patrolling the great Zambezi, rest easy: A trip to the falls will provide this -- and more.
