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Why do people like Victoria Falls?

It is the largest waterfall in the world based on width and height. It measures one mile wide (1.7 km) and 360 feet high (108 meters). The Victoria Falls became a World Heritage Site in 1989 – This means it belongs to all the people of the word, irrespective of the territory on which the World Heritage site is.



Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya ("The Smoke That Thunders"), is beloved because it is the largest curtain of falling water in the world, stretching over 1.7 kilometers wide. Unlike other famous falls, visitors can walk along a path directly opposite the massive cascade, experiencing the "rain" created by the rising spray which can be seen from 50 kilometers away. People are drawn to the dual-country perspective; Zimbabwe offers the classic "frontal" view of the Main Falls, while Zambia provides an intimate look at the Eastern Cataract and access to the famous Devil's Pool, where brave swimmers can sit on the very lip of the abyss during the low-water season. Beyond the geology, the area is a hub for high-adrenaline adventure, including white-water rafting on the Zambezi, bungee jumping from the Victoria Falls Bridge, and helicopter "Flights of Angels." The surrounding national parks also offer world-class wildlife viewing, allowing tourists to combine a natural wonder with a traditional African safari, often seeing elephants and hippos just a short distance from the thundering water.

People Also Ask

Victoria Falls is neither the widest nor highest waterfall in the world, but it's the world's largest sheet of falling water, which solidifies this classification. It is twice the height of North America's Niagara Falls, and is only rivalled by Iguazu Falls in South America.

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One of the most famous sections of the falls is the “Devil's Pool” – located at the edge and where the water begins to drop. Countless tourists take the risk of swimming in this particular section despite the risk of falling over the edge.

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The Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls is the world's greatest sheet of falling water and significant worldwide for its exceptional geological and geomorphological features and active land formation processes with outstanding beauty attributed to the falls i.e. the spray, mist and rainbows.

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As well as being a natural wonder, Victoria Falls is a hub of activity. There is something for everyone. For the adrenaline junkies, there is white rafting, kayaking, the 111-metre high bungee jump, river surfing, gorge swings and zip wires.

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Both sides have their advantages. In general, the views of the falls are better from the Zimbabwe side, especially during the low water season. But low water season is also the best time to visit Livingstone Island and Devil's Pool or Angel's Pool, which you can only do on the Zambian side.

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David Livingstone, the Scottish missionary and explorer, is the first European recorded to have viewed the falls on 16 November 1855, from what is now known as Livingstone Island, one of two land masses in the middle of the river, immediately upstream from the falls near the Zambian shore.

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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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Mosi-oa-Tunya This is the local name for the Victoria Falls in the Tonga language – it is translated as “the smoke that thunders”.

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The falls are nicknamed Mosi-oa-Tunya; which means 'The smoke that thunders', by the locals, due to the billowing clouds of mist that rise up and drench everything and everyone in its reach when the river is in flood.

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Famous Visitors to Victoria Falls over the years What do a Spice Girl, a billionaire football club owner, Michael Jackson and a Baywatch star all have in common with the queen of England? They have all at some point, made the trip to gaze upon the beauty of Victoria Falls.

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General Facts About Victoria
  • The Oldest Civilisation on Earth. ...
  • The Smallest Mainland State. ...
  • Named After a Queen. ...
  • Vs the United Kingdom. ...
  • A Former Capital? ...
  • One Huge City. ...
  • Second Generation. ...
  • The World's Longest Tram Network.


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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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Only one photo-loving tourist is known to have fallen at the Victoria Falls and survived. Wang Shunxue, a Chinese tourist was lucky to be pulled alive from a horrific fall in November 2013.

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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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Originally known as the Old Drift, Livingstone owes its existence primarily to the Victoria Falls and was established as a staging point across the Zambezi River. The town is named after Dr. David Livingstone, the first European to see, name and publicise the Falls.

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Victoria Falls is generally a safe place to visit and is separate from Zimbabwe in a political sense, due to the country relying on it for its tourism. Social and political unrest is therefore kept at bay, roads are maintained, cash is usually accessible (check with us first), and the town is kept clean.

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In recent years, Zambia has entrenched itself as one of the safest and most stable countries in sub-Saharan Africa, whereas Zimbabwe has become synonymous with tyrannical rule and economic mismanagement. Despite this, both sides of Victoria Falls are popular with tourists and as safe to visit as anywhere in the region.

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