The history of Victoria Falls reflects the history of European colonialism in Africa. Even its name, honoring Queen Victoria of England, signals a shift in control from Africans, who called it Mosi-oa-Tunya, or ?The Smoke that Thunders.?

Victoria Falls holds immense historical significance as both a sacred site for indigenous peoples and a landmark of 19th-century European exploration. For centuries before European arrival, the Kololo and Lozi peoples lived in the area, calling the falls "Mosi-oa-Tunya" (The Smoke That Thunders), and used the site for spiritual rituals. Historically, it gained global attention in November 1855 when Scottish explorer David Livingstone became the first European to see the falls, naming them after Queen Victoria. This event was a catalyst for further European interest in the "Dark Continent" and the subsequent "Scramble for Africa." In 1905, the construction of the Victoria Falls Bridge—a dream of Cecil Rhodes—connected the Cape to Cairo railway, revolutionizing colonial transport and trade. The falls also played a role in the political history of the region; the bridge served as a neutral site for peace talks during the Rhodesian Bush War in 1975. Today, as a UNESCO World Heritage site, it stands as a testament to the geological history of the Earth, showcasing the power of the Zambezi River over millions of years.