VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE
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Victoria Falls, affectionately abbreviated to Vic Falls, is one of the world's greatest natural spectacles. Declared a World Heritage Site, the Falls - and much of the town of the same name - fall within a national park, which neighbours onto the Zambezi National Park.
The Falls are the stuff of legends, romance and myth. Long before the Scottish missionary and explorer, Dr David Livingstone 'discovered' the falls on November 16, 1855, the local Batonga people had named them Mosi-Oa-Tunya, 'the smoke that thunders'.
Today, the town of Victoria Falls can rightly claim the title of 'Adventure Capital of Africa'. Still essentially a village carved out of the African bush, Vic Falls is home to a seemingly endless variety of adventure sports.
But perhaps best of all is the constant lure of the falls. A network of trails leads through the rainforest surrounding the smoke that thunders. When the river is at its lowest, as little as 20 000 cubic metres per minute flow over the lip of the falls, but when the mighty Zambezi is raging in April and May, as much as 500 000 cubic metres a minute smashes down into the Devil's Cataract below, and then powers its way through the Batoka Gorge.
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ACCOMMODATION IN VICTORIA FALLS
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Victoria Falls Hotel
The Victoria Falls Hotel was built in 1904 when the Cape to Cairo railway reached the Victoria Falls. Ever since, guests have been charmed by the old world atmosphere of one of the few remaining hotels of its kind in the world. |
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Ilala Lodge
Ilala Lodge is a privately owned hotel and is built on the closest site to the majestic Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Ilala Lodge offers distinguished yet affordable accommodation in a gracious and secluded ambiance with the decor evoking a bygone era of adventure. |
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Matetsi Water Lodge
Matetsi Water Lodge is situated on the lush banks of the Zambezi River, about 40 kilometres upstream from the magnificent Victoria Falls. Matetsi Water Lodge offers an unrivalled river experience in addition to spectacular game viewing and birdwatching. |
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Victoria Falls Safari Lodge
Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is situated four kilometres from Victoria Falls. This 72-roomed safari lodge merges with its natural surroundings and gives excellent access to African wildlife and fauna whilst ensuring a maximum degree of comfort and security. |
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