About Victoria Falls

Learn about Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe – one of the most impressive, awe-inspiring sights in the world and one of the most famous tourist destinations in Sub-Saharan Africa.

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About Victoria Falls - The Waterfall

Otherwise known as “mosi-oa-tunya’ – The Smoke that Thunders, the waterfall is a heritage site and natural wonder famous the world over.

The waterfall is 1,708 metres wide at the precipice, falling between 70 and 108 metres at its deepest point. It is a vertical fall of water into a gorge of thunderous noise and raging water.

This natural wonder is not the widest or the highest waterfall in the world. But calculating the dimensions, by the incredible flow rate of the water, it as the largest curtain of falling water on Earth.

The story of how was Victoria Falls formed is a fascinating one. It is not a story of high mountains and valleys but of a giant crack in an African savanna.

What is spectacular about this landmark is the surrounding African landscape. The area is flat, with the waterfall not visible. The water does not fall from a mountain or cliff from a plateau down to a valley like a traditional waterfall. The river plummets off a knife-edge into the earth.

The only way to view this immense sight is to stand on the edge of a chasm of raging water and rising mists, and look down into an eroded gash in the earth.

A truly incredible sight.

The Waterfall Sections

The span of nearly 2 kilometres is made up of five different sections.

At its peak flow during the rainy season of February and March, the sections are not easily differentiated from each other. This is because the high volume of flowing water over the edge every minute creates a solid wall of water. This flow can reach a remarkable volume of up to 540 million cubic metres of water per minute.

In the drier months between April and October when the flow is reduced, these “falls” can be identified.

Four of these sections are in Zimbabwe with The Eastern Cataract in Zambian Territory.

At its lowest flow in October, the water can be just a trickle, making the view of the basalt rocks a feature in itself.

Being one of the natural wonders of the world has put the waterfall onto the world heritage list. This distinction means it joins an illustrious group of spectacular destinations to visit.

Find out about Victoria Falls sections below:

The Five Waterfalls

The Devil's Cataract

Missionaries who came to this area described the ceremonies that took place on the nearby island in the river by the local tribe, as “devilish”.

Hence, the name given to this cataract at the edge of the chasm, which is 70 metres high.

The Main Falls

This part of the waterfall is the largest section and makes up the main central view of the waterfall.

The rising winds created from the force of the water hitting the rocks at the base of the gorge, pushes mist up the 93 metre high chasm creating a mist plume over 400 metres high in the African sky – visible up to 50 kilometres away.

The Horseshoe Falls

The name is derived from the shape at this section of the waterfall.

This part of the waterfall has the least volume of water with a height of 95 metres. It is the first section of the waterfall that will dry up in the drier seasons of October and November, revealing the distinctive shape of its namesake.

The Rainbow Falls

At 108 metres, this is the highest section.

A rainbow is a common sight at this point of the waterfall, with the sun shining through the mist droplets creating one of nature’s wonders. Similarly, a lunar rainbow is visible during a full moon at night, a moving sight to behold.

The Eastern Cataract

This is the second highest fall of water at 101 metres high.

Although they are in Zambia, there is a stunning view point from the Zimbabwe side of the gorge of this part of the waterfall.

Describing the waterfall can not in any small way convey the immensity about Victoria Falls, the noise or the sheer power emanating from the spectacle.

Standing in front of this huge volume of falling water on the Zambezi River evokes emotions in your soul. Experience how small nature makes you feel and the awe that overcomes your senses.

A remarkable and unforgettable experience that has to be seen first-hand to comprehend it!

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Victoria Falls Traveller