So where’s Victoria Falls? This majestic waterfall is on the Zambezi River which forms the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Where’s Victoria Falls On The World Map?
In the Tonga Language Zambezi means “Great River” which is a very apt description for this majestic river that either crosses or forms the boundaries of six countries:
- Angola
- Zambia
- Namibia
- Botswana
- Zimbabwe
- Mozambique
Is Victoria Falls In Zambia or Zimbabwe?
Both actually!
So where’s Victoria Falls exactly?
Where’s Victoria Falls On The Zambezi River
The waterfall flows over the two countries’ borders as the boundary runs down the length of the Zambezi river cutting it almost in half – but not quite.
Most of the waterfall is within the Zimbabwe border with a small section flowing over the Zambian side of the border.
This distinction allows for the waterfall itself to be viewed properly, and in all its splendor, face on from across the gorge on the Zimbabwean side.
The Falls is situated in the northwest of Zimbabwe with the town a few kilometers from the waterfall. As the area has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this distinction controls the development of the area to keep the surroundings as natural as possible.
This gives the visitor the same untarnished, unparalleled view and feeling of awe as David Livingstone would have felt when he first experienced “Mosi-oa-Tunya“.
The waterfall is surrounded by National Parks, both in Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. This fact serves to surround the waterfall with the natural bush that is untouched by development.
The Hwange National Park is the largest game reserve in Zimbabwe and lies in the west, on the main road between Bulawayo and the Falls. She is called the “Old Lady” as this park is one of the oldest and grandest in the country too.
Along the Zambezi River is the small Victoria Falls National Park which protects the south and east bank of the Zambezi River as well as being the home of the Victoria Falls rainforest. The park extends from the larger Zambezi National Park (which is located upstream), about 6 km above the precipice to about 12 km below the waterfall.
So now you know the answer to where’s Victoria Falls – plan your holiday and make this destination your trip of a lifetime!
The Home Of Victoria Falls – The Zambezi
The Zambezi River has its source in Zambia, close to the confluence of the Congo, Angola, and Zambian borders, from where it flows to the Indian Ocean over a total distance of 2 574 km.
This gives it the distinction of being the fourth-longest river in Africa – and it is known as one of the most beautiful rivers on the continent too.
On its journey to the Indian Ocean, the Zambezi River flows through changing landscapes that make the river’s journey through the savannah plains, deep gorges, rapids, and cataracts an eye-catching and ever-changing force of nature.
The river has the reputation of being one of the finest and least spoilt rivers in the world as well as one of Africa’s last remaining wild rivers.
Elephants are common over much of the river’s course, as well as crocodiles which abound in the Zambezi River’s slower flowing stretches of water. Hippopotamuses are also found, and abound, in the upper and lower stretches of the Zambezi.
Game animals including buffalo, eland, sable, roan, kudu, waterbuck, impala, duiker, bushbuck, reedbuck, bush pig, and warthog are regular sightings in the Parks and on the riverbank.
Of the big cats, lions can be found in the National Parks both in Zimbabwe and Zambia along the river’s course, with rare sightings of cheetahs.
Leopards, rarely seen during the day, are common, both in the plains and the river gorges.
Baboons and monkeys are also common throughout the region.
It is a spectacularly beautiful waterway with its main attraction being the mighty waterfall, which is designated as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
By the time the river cascades over the precipice and into the narrow gorges below, it is more than 2km wide.
Quite a wonder of nature to behold.