Victoria Falls: A Spectacular Sight

Victoria Falls is one of the seven wonders of the world seen here on Zimbabwe side

Victoria Falls: “Smoke That Thunders”

By Tab Hauser

If you are in Africa doing the safari lodge hop, consider a two-night stay at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

We arrived here from South Africa after spending eight days at two game lodges and before moving on to two more places in Botswana. Visiting the falls was a break needed after sitting in 4X4’s much of the previous week.

Two nights here meant sleeping past sunrise, doing some walking, and having dinner without a group of people. All this while seeing one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Victoria Hotel mural announcing weekly seaplane service from England

World’s Largest Waterfalls

Victoria Falls is considered the world’s largest waterfall due to its size. It is actually five different falls spanning 1.05 miles between Zambia and Zimbabwe with a 354-foot drop.

When compared to Niagara Falls, it is twice as high and twice as wide as its main section. The locals call Victoria Falls “the smoke that thunders” in their native language because it is loud and you can see the spray rise up from 30 miles away.

Seventy-five percent of the falls are viewable from Zimbabwe and twenty-five percent from Zambia. The water that dumps into the gorge is a spectacular sight.

Viewing the Falls

My recommendation is to visit either at the beginning of the rainy season as the water starts to ramp up or towards the end when the river level starts to lower.

We met Zimbabwean farmers out for the day that have visited the falls at different times. They said, with too much water,

Aerial view of Victoria Falls — Helicopter view of Victoria Falls

you get soaked and the gorge fills with mist so it is hard to see. In the dry season, the falls can be a trickle leaving not much to view. Our mid-December visit had the river running a little drier than usual. We found the view on the Zimbabwean side awesome with the Zambia side nearly dried up.

15 Minute Walk

To get to the falls we were happy to walk 15 minutes to the park entrance. (Taxis are $4.) The ticket fee is $30 which is good for one entrance. There you get a trail map with numbers that explains everything from the Livingston statue to each of the falls and gorge.

We visited the park twice in the two days because of the change in lighting and to just take it all in again. The walk at the park is easy and well-marked. Take your time at the different viewing points. Bring a waterproof bag to keep the camera and phone dry.

A hat is important to keep the hot sun off you and hides a bad hair day as it is misty and humid here. Allow 90 minutes for a leisurely stroll. Click here for a 25-second video

Victoria — High up on the rim you can wade in Devil’s Pool

Other activities at the falls include a hike to Devils Pool that must be booked in advance.

Here, when the river conditions are good, you will be guided to the scary edge of the falls to a natural small pool.

At the pool, you will have thebest Instagram photo of poking your head and shoulders over the edge with the top of falls next to you. This is not for anyone remotely afraid of heights.

Zambia Zimbabwe Border

During your visit go to the Victoria Falls Bridge. The bridge is neutral space between Zambia and Zimbabwe so bring your passport in case someone wants to see it when you go by the border post on the way back. (We did not see anyone that visited the bridge get stopped.)

In the middle of the bridge, you can see the Zambia side of the falls looking straight down the gorge.

Two Country Kiss at Victoria Falls — A Two Country Kiss at borderline at Victoria Falls

Here the daredevil in you can bungee jump 365 feet in four seconds over the Zambezi River.

Kiss at the Border

For something easier, try a “two country kiss” at the borderline. On the bridge, you may be approached by souvenirs sellers.

If you are not interested in anything just tell them you left your money in your hotel or they will follow you halfway back to the border post.

Sundowners and Wildlife on the River

For the evening in Victoria Falls relax on a Wild Horizon Zambezi River sundowner wildlife cruise. (Sundowner is British for sunset cocktails that are included) During our pleasant boat ride we

Growling Hippo on Zambezi River — Growling Hippo on the Zambezi River. We saw a river crossing of 18 elephants. This included a few babies that were nudged into the water because it was too deep for them to walk. With their trunks acting like long snorkels, they made their way to the shore guided by the older elephants.

Elephants crossing Zambezi River at sunset

We also viewed crocodiles and hippo’s growling at us near the shore. The cruise ended with a glowing sunset. After disembarking have the driver drop you off at the River Brewery whose humorous claim to fame is being the closest brewery to a natural wonder. We found the atmosphere fun, the beer good and the food to be what you would expect from a pub.

A Nile crocodile up river from the falls

Good Beer and new friends at River Brewery

Hotel:

For our two nights, we loved the old world charm of the Victoria Falls Hotel (www.victoria-falls-hotel.com).

This “leading hotels of the world” property is an elegant Edwardian style five-star place filled with old furniture, photos, art and posters from the old empire days.

The staff here is excellent. Our room was spacious, well air-conditioned and decorated with old travel trunks that worked as dressers and a mini-bar.

I highly recommend the pool as a wonderful escape from the mid-day heat. Here we watched the warthogs mowing the lawn while floating with a cocktail.

The cultural dance show at the Victoria Falls Hotel

During the week they have a cultural dance buffet dinner show worth watching.

Information links:

Victoria Falls tourism: https://victoriafallstourism.org/

Park details: https://zimparks.org/parks/national-parks/victoria-falls

River cruise and area attractions: www.wildhorizons.co.za

Read my related Gonomad safari story visiting four lodges

Author
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Tab Hauser

After 30 years Tab Hauser left the business world and reinvented himself as a journalist and professional photographer. His travels have taken him to seven continents and 100 countries or unique locations. He is a member of the Explorers Club, the New York Press Association, a diver and U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Captain. This native New Yorker now calls Boulder County Colorado home.

13 Comments

Nancy Chen Baldwin
March 4, 2024 @ 2:40 am

What a fall! Majestic! I hope I get to see it when I go to the safari next year. Thank you, Tab. The pictures are fabulous.

Nancy Chen Baldwin
June 17, 2020 @ 11:06 pm

Wow, what a wonderful article, Tab. It has such detail description of the Victoria Fall and the surrounding communities. It makes me want to get on the plane and get there. Of course not now, but in the future soon, I hope. Thank you for taking us there virtually and sharing your experiences.

David C.
June 11, 2020 @ 12:43 pm

I love following your adventures. Your stories and advice makes me rethink future travel plans.

Kathy Cadenhead
June 8, 2020 @ 12:19 pm

Cannot wait to start travelling again after COVID settles. Thank you for the insights. Africa is definitely on the bucket list and we will keep this in the file folder for planning!

Stefan Senft
June 6, 2020 @ 3:35 am

Always great Story Tab

Best regards Stefan

Gary Lehman
June 5, 2020 @ 11:01 pm

I would have loved to have taken that seaplane service from England to Victoria Falls as advertised on the mural! Would be fascinated to visit the Livingstone Museum in the vicinity to celebrate that intrepid explorer and see the statue of Livingstone. i wonder which is LOUDER – Iguazu or Victoria ! while i dont think devil’s pool is in the cards, i would love to take a boat tour near the top of the falls, and get close (but not too close!). too bad that a Victoria Falls catwalk cannot be constructed as at Iguazu , which allows visitors to really (and literally) feel the trembling and power and violence of the surging water. thanks for the internet links to aid further research.

Cathie
June 5, 2020 @ 10:54 pm

Thanks for sharing. I always look forward to seeing your wonderful photos.

Linda Lehman
June 5, 2020 @ 6:09 pm

Seeing Victoria Falls must be an awesome experience. Hope to make it there someday.

Tom Bunger
June 5, 2020 @ 1:43 pm

Great pictures and story.

howie zodicoff
June 5, 2020 @ 1:06 pm

Great piece. thank you

harvey manes
June 5, 2020 @ 12:48 pm

Great article. Lovely pictures

Danny
June 5, 2020 @ 11:41 am

Great story and images! As a result of your story, I’ve put Victoria Falls on my bucket list!

- Veena
  June 5, 2020 @ 5:04 pm
  
  We will add this experience to our trip to South Africa inspired by your review. & recommendations. So grateful for your advice of something so special we would otherwise have overlooked.
  Thanks!