Victoria Falls, Zambia

Zambia » Victoria Falls

These immense and awe-inspiring falls are known to the local Kololo people as the 'Mosi-oa-Tunya' or 'the smoke that thunders'. The official name for this breathtaking spectacle is Victoria Falls, named by David Livingstone in 1885 when he discovered them.

The 2km gorge is spanned by the Victoria Falls Bridge, which was commissioned by Cecil John Rhodes. The bridge was completed by 1905, but unfortunately Rhodes never lived to see it complete. It now provides easy access between Zambia and Zimbabwe and normal form filling and leisurely queuing has to be done at the border post to pass from one side to the other. The bridge has an amazing view of the Falls and the black shiny basalt rocks opposite, on which sits a lush green mist-soaked rain forest. One special vantage point is the Knife Edge Bridge, which affords views of the eastern cataract, the main falls, and the Boiling Pot, where the river turns into the Batoka Gorge.

Livingstone is only about 10kms from Victoria Falls and is a delightful old colonial town named of course after the explorer, Dr David Livingstone. As Zambian tourism increases, more people are staying in Livingstone and new enterprises seem to be springing up. There are also many lovely lodges on the banks of the Zambezi River.

Victoria Falls town on the Zimbabwe side is the major adventure travel centre of southern Africa, but many people prefer the quieter Zambian side. Here an elephant might wander through your campsite, rather than a ticket tout. You can still have adventures from the Zambian side such as the terrifying high-adrenaline sport of white water rafting on one of the world's most challenging stretches of river. If you wish to pop over to Zimbabwe, the border post is on the bridge and formalities are fairly quick and getting better.

Lodges in and around Victoria Falls

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