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How old is Victoria Falls 2023?

The basalt plateau of Victoria Falls, over which the Zambezi River flows, was formed during the Jurassic period, around 200 million years ago.



In 2023, Victoria Falls reached a geological age of approximately 150 to 200 million years in terms of the underlying basalt rock, though the current "falls" formation is much younger. The Zambezi River has been eroding the rock to create a series of eight different gorges over the last 100,000 years. From a "discovery" perspective, 2023 marked the 168th anniversary of the first recorded sighting by a European, David Livingstone, who arrived in November 1855 and named them after Queen Victoria. To the local Lozi people, the falls have been known for millennia as Mosi-oa-Tunya ("The Smoke That Thunders"). In 2023, the falls continued to be a dynamic natural wonder, with the geological process of "retreating upstream" still active, albeit at a rate invisible to the human eye. This milestone year saw the falls maintaining their status as one of the world's most ancient and powerful aquatic displays, bridging prehistoric volcanic history with modern global tourism.

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The Big Spill The Victoria Falls was created by a shift in river systems that began by geological upheavals in southern central Africa some 15 million years ago. Evidence suggests that prior to this, a very different river system existed, and that the upper and lower Zambezi Rivers were not linked at all.

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With scale, drama, power and beauty it is easy to see why The Victoria Falls has been accredited as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world. Such an awe-inspiring experience, a once in a lifetime opportunity to observe one of our world's most precious areas of natural magnificence.

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Geologists know that the formation of Victoria Falls is the result of the gradual erosion of the land by water. The geological process that erodes the rock at a waterfall produces a gorge. In this case, the gorge forms at the base of the waterfall.

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The basalt plateau of Victoria Falls, over which the Zambezi River flows, was formed during the Jurassic period, around 200 million years ago.

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It is possible to swim in the rock pools right underneath the waterfalls at certain times of the year ('low water'). This is an unforgettable adventure right in the heart of one of the most beautiful places on earth!

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In comparison, Victoria Falls is the world's largest sheet of falling water and is almost double the height of Niagara Falls and half a kilometer wider. In the wet season, the spray from Victoria Falls can rise 400m above the falls and can be seen from up to 48km away.

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The Zambezi River forms the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. This is why Zambia and Zimbabwe share Victoria Falls, with roughly two-thirds of the Falls lying on the Zimbabwe side.

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According to the 2022 Population Census, the town had a population of 35,199.

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Here are some fascinating facts which may surprise you, or simply encourage you to see the area for yourself.
  • IT IS THE LARGEST WATERFALL IN THE WORLD. ...
  • VICTORIA FALLS IS PART OF THE ZAMBEZI RIVER. ...
  • IT IS FOUND IN TWO NATIONAL PARKS. ...
  • ITS ENGLISH NAME WAS CHOSEN BY DAVID LIVINGSTONE. ...
  • YOU CAN SEE THE FALLS FROM TWO COUNTRIES.


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Visiting Victoria Falls requires vaccinations against Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A and B, and Tetanus. You will also need to take anti-Malaria medication, especially important when you are travelling to the falls during wet season as mosquitoes are at their highest levels.

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The sheer size of Victoria also makes it a more grandiose site than Niagara, with the surface area twice as big than that of its rival – so there's much more to see as you travel around the falls' perimeter.

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David Livingstone 'discovered' the Falls in 1855, the local Batonga people had named them Mosi-oa-Tunya, 'the smoke that thunders'. Livingstone named them for his queen.

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Can I drink the water in Victoria Falls? Yes. Most, if not all locals, drink happily from municipal supplies. However, if you suspect you may have a sensitive stomach, then bottled water is recommended and is readily available.

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