Victoria Falls Bridge Facts

You cannot visit this magnificent natural wonder and not be fascinated by the Victoria Falls Bridge facts about the construction of the Victoria Falls Bridge.

Apart from the waterfall itself, this famous bridge is the second most visited landmark.

The Famous Victoria Falls Bridge Facts

This bridge may not be one of the longest or tallest constructions over a gorge or canyon – but it certainly is positioned in one of the most beautiful settings you will find anywhere.

While on the bridge you can hear the distant incessant roar of the waterfall crashing onto the rocks below and, depending on the direction of the wind, get a waft of the spray created by the waterfall on the breeze.

One of the more picturesque views of the Bridge is from the grounds of the famous Victoria Falls Hotel, with an unparalleled view up the gorge towards the falls. The waterfall as a backdrop sets the scene with the ever-present mist rising up the cliff faces and falling as a spray or light rain onto the passing trains.

Who Built The Victoria Falls Bridge

The historic railway construction was the inspiration of Cecil John Rhodes as part of his unfulfilled Cape to Cairo railway.

He was reported to have said to “build the bridge across the Zambezi where the trains, as they pass, will catch the spray of the Falls.” An incredible idea, especially as Cecil Rhodes never visited the landmark and had no visual perception on which to base this statement.

It was up to a close personal friend of his, Sir Charles Metcalfe, to find a location to achieve this dream and be involved in designing the now-famous bridge at Victoria Falls.

Recognition must also go to the hundreds of native African laborers earning between 10 shillings and £3 a month, and the group of roughly 30 highly qualified European engineers who constructed the steelwork.

Although the average number during construction was roughly 200, there had been as many as 400 hired at one point.

Victoria Falls Bridge Location

The famous landmark was positioned across the gorge below the falls, close enough to experience the spray, just as Cecil Rhodes had envisioned.

The bridge’s chosen position sits across the second gorge near the boiling pot. The natural shape of the gorge’s rock walls ultimately determined the location, taking into account the shortest distance to be covered and the strongest foundations available.

Where was Victoria Falls Bridge Made?

Sir Ralph Freeman, the engineer who would go on to design the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge in 1932 (and the Birchenough Bridge across the Save River in 1935), George Andrew Hobson of London-based consultants Sir Douglas Fox and Partners must be given the primary credit for designing the Victoria Falls Bridge. Freeman was still an assistant at the firm when the Victoria Falls Bridge was being designed.

Only two companies, Dorman, Long & Co. and the Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Company of Darlington, were ultimately in the race for the bridge’s construction after other prestigious firms submitted bids, but the majority were intimidated by the challenge. The Cleveland Bridge Company was given both portions of the contract in May 1903 to build and erect the Victoria Falls Bridge for a total cost of £72,000.

To assure precision, the bridge was constructed in the steelworks in Darlington, England, and then transported in disassembled pieces to Beira on the S.S. Cromwell. From there, it was transported to Bulawayo via the Beira and Mashonaland Railway and then to the Victoria Falls via the new rail line.

Victoria Falls Bridge Construction

When it was built, the Victoria Falls railway bridge was renowned for being the highest structure of its kind and had the widest span of any arch in the world.

An incredible feat of engineering, as the building of the span over the gorge and the subsequent construction of the railway was a dangerous and complicated undertaking in a fairly unpopulated area of Africa.

When Was The Victoria Falls Bridge Built?

The Victoria Falls Bridge was built between 1904 and 1905. In May 1904, work started, and by October of the same year, the concrete foundations were finished. April 11, 1905, saw the completion of the bridge.

Bridge Construction Timeline

• May 1904: The foundations are laid to start construction.
• December 1904: The two side spans are finished.
• April 11, 1905: The bridge is finished, and the main arch is connected.
• September 12, 1905: Professor Sir George Darwin formally opens the bridge.

Sadly, Cecil Rhodes died before the completion of this incredible structure over the gorge and was never able to follow the construction of the Victoria Falls Bridge, experience the Victorian marvel of engineering, and see his dream come to fruition.

Victoria Falls Bridge Activities

The Victoria Falls Bridge was the inspiration of Cecil John Rhodes – but never did he envision what would be taking place on and from his dream today.

Several high adrenaline activities take off into and over the gorge from this landmark. The bridge is still a fascinating landmark with various activities for the adventure junkies taking place on and from the structure.

The main attraction for the adventurous is the bungee jump which drops a heart-wrenching 111 metres into the gorge below.

This is not one of the highest bungee jumps in the world – but the view afforded you of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World must be one of the finest. This bungee jump is regularly voted as one of the top five adrenaline experiences on the planet and is well worth a try!

For the mildly less adventurous there are the bungee swing and the zip-line that start or end from the steel construction across the gorge.

Victoria Falls Bridge Tour

For the history buffs there is the historic Victoria Falls Bridge Tour which takes you beneath the structure on the catwalks that were used in the construction in 1904.

The Bridge Cafe is open for light lunches and refreshments where you can enjoy the views and watch the activities going on around you.

Unfortunately, there is no longer a regular rail passenger service operating, with the old steam trains stopping at the station in town. The transport of goods by a few freight trains is the only activity on a regular basis between Zimbabwe and Zambia, of which the Victoria Falls railway bridge spans the border.

Conclusion To Victoria Falls Bridge Facts

The bridge at Victoria Falls was and is still a marvel of engineering that links the 2 countries of Zimbabwe and Zambia.

The setting is remarkable and even today evokes awe and pleasure with the views that can be experienced along its length.

There are several high wire activities that take place from the bridge that Cecil John Rhodes and its construction workers would appreciate for their thrills we are sure.

The Victoria Falls Bridge is definitely worth a visit and should be added to your list of excursions at this natural wonder of the world.

We hope that reading these Victoria Falls Bridge facts will inspire you to experience the bridge and its activities.

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