Mana Pools National Park
March 4, 2022Mana Pools National Park
March 4, 2022
There are few sights as enchanting and stunning as the Victoria Falls. One of the original 7 wonders of the world and also a world heritage site, Victoria falls is an absolute must-see add-on to any safari in Southern Africa.
As cheesy and overused as David Livingstone’s famous quote is, it is probably as close as anyone has got to getting across quite how beautiful Victoria Falls actually is. Indeed if Angels did spend their days gazing upon the falls in their flight, one could hardly blame them as there are few sights so enchanting and stunning. One of the original 7 wonders of the world and also a world heritage site, Victoria falls is an absolute must-see add-on to any safari in Southern Africa. Indeed Vic Falls is so well connected now that even getting down from Kenya isn’t too much of a hardship.
The best time of year to see the falls themselves are February and March and then again from Late May to end of July. This is based on the amount of water going over the falls. Too much and the spray is so high and blanket coverage that you can’t actually see them, too little water and you are left with predominantly bare rock. They are at their fullest from late March to early May and at their least full from late August through to mid-January. In October it would be a stretch to call them waterfalls at all!
Importantly Victoria Falls has a lot to offer than just a visit to the waterfall. With several National parks and safari areas in close attendance, a host of adrenalin activities and the glorious Upper Zambezi river it is a destination in its own right and can easily warrant 3 or 4 nights. It combines especially well with Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest and hugely impressive, but the nearby Matetsi Safari Area, Zambezi National Park make for pleasant safari too.
There is a very large range of accommodations in this area to choose from however there are only a handful that are truly any good and have not suffered from becoming tacky and over commercialised. White Water Rafting, Bungee Jumping, Helicopter flight, Microlight and river cruises are the activities mainly on offer and are really very well operated. High Tea on the balcony of Victoria Falls Hotel looking through the gardens to the falls themselves is also pretty cool.
Victoria Falls FAQs
Victoria Falls is located on the Zambezi River and actually straddles two countries, one of which is of course Zimbabwe and can be accessed from the town of Victoria Falls, and the other country is Zambia and the falls can be accessed from the town of Livingstone.
Victoria Falls also known as 'The Smoke That Thunders" is one of the largest waterfalls with a width of 1708 metres (5604 ft) and a height of 108 metres (354 ft). It is approximately twice as wide and twice as deep as Niagara Falls. Most of the viewing decks on the Zimbabwe side are covered in water as a fine water spray rains down from the falls permanently and require a rain jacket to avoid getting drenched.
Devil's Pool is actually on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls unlike many may believe, and is an area of very slow flowing water. So for those seeking a bit of adrenalin, you can lie down in the pool and peer over the edge of the thundering falls from very close up. The pool stands almost midway across the mile-wide waterfall, close to Livingstone Island. It is accessible only on guided boat tours. These leave from a launch on the Zambian bank of the Zambezi upstream of the falls.
This magnificent curtain of water which descends into a narrow abyss between Zambia and Zimbabwe is a UNESCO Heritage Site. It is clear from archaeological sites around the falls that the area has been occupied from around 3 million years ago. Stone artefacts from that time have been found as well as items from the Middle and Late Stone Age.
Members of the Makololo tribe were the ones who actually took the intrepid explorer David Livingstone, in dug out canoes to see the falls. Livingstone, a Scottish missionary, was on a journey to find a route to the East Coast of Africa. Between 1852 and 1856 he explored from the Upper Zambezi through to the river mouth. The falls were well known to local tribes and it was Chief Sekeletu who escorted Livingstone on 17 November 1855 to the viewing site.
Victoria FallsCAMPS
- Zambezi Sands
- Matetsi River Lodge
- The Elephant Camp
- Victoria Falls River Lodge
- Batonka Guest Lodge
- Victoria Falls Hotel
- Tsowa Safari Island
At Zambezi Sands you set the pace. You can even explore the Zambezi River by inflatable canoe or motorised boat. However, relaxing in your private deck splash pool – whilst overlooking the Zambezi – is perhaps just as enjoyable. Elephants can be found loitering on the mainland or in the river, while hippo, waterbuck and bushbuck frequent the reed banks and islands. Lions can be heard calling at night and the birdlife is prolific ... Read more
Matetsi Victoria Falls combines dramatic architectural design and luxurious interiors with the vibrancy of the Zimbabwean people. Just 40 km upstream from the UNESCO World Heritage site of Victoria Falls – while our proximity to the largest waterfall in the world is a coup - it is just one of the many experiences we offer ... Read more
The Elephant Camp is famous for its magnificent views, spacious design and beautiful location in the Victoria Falls National Park. The main deck overlooks the cavernous Batoka Gorge, with the 'Smoke That Thunders' resting lightly on the horizon ... Read more
Victoria Falls River Lodge is ideally located for exploring Victoria Falls and combines the African Safari experience with one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World – the iconic Victoria Falls ... Read more
Batonka Guest Lodge offers 27 well-appointed rooms with elegant, contemporary style décor encompassing Victoria Falls’ colonial past and African flavour. All rooms are air conditioned; have ensuite bathrooms and a private balcony/patio. As well as a few rooms offering an interleading room option; ideal for families ... Read more
The Victoria Falls Hotel, popularly known as “the grand old lady of the Falls”, is situated in the Victoria Falls National Park, a world heritage site, and is a member of the exclusive Leading Hotels of the World group ... Read more
Tsowa Safari Island near Victoria Falls celebrates the comfort and connection we have in observing nature. Carefully curated to establish a sense of peace and place, this bespoke camp is a homage to the joy of life under canvas in Africa. Whether it’s tinkling G ’n T glasses at sunset ... Read more
