VICTORIA FALLS & CHOBE

Smoke That Thunders

The name Victoria Falls (“Vic Falls”) was originally coined by explorer and missionary, David Livingstone.

Explore

But the local people, both in Zimbabwe and Zambia, refer to them as Mosi-oa-Tunya which means Smoke That Thunders. Due to the constant mist above the Falls which is created by the down-plummet of millions of litres of water, also causing a small rainforest to develop. Batoka Gorge, below the Victoria Falls, is a haven for a variety of raptors including the rare Taita Falcons.

The Victoria Falls are not the highest falls, but they are certainly the largest and most beautiful in the world! Besides the awesome sight that these Falls offer, the Zambezi river is sought-after by serious anglers in hunt for Tiger Fish (up to 6 kg). The town on the Zimbabwe side is called Victoria Falls and the little settlement on the Zambia side Livingstone. As the Falls are better seen from the Zimbabwe side and all the activities depart from this side, we recommend staying there.

A walk and/or guided half day tour to Livingstone (get your Zambia stamp in your passport too!) can be added – the Livingstone Museum is a gem for those interested in the early explorers. Although the country Zimbabwe is going through problematic times, Victoria Falls is relatively untouched and a safe destination.

High tea after the bungi jump!

A tour to the falls is of course a must when in Vic Falls. Other things to do are dinner and/or sundowner cruise on the Zambezi river, helicopter flights over the Falls, there are trails for hiking, birding, mountain biking or horse riding, rafting, river boarding, canoeing or the exhilarating bungi jump off the Victoria Falls Bridge, one of the highest jumps in the world. An adventurer’s paradise! The old fashioned English High Tea at the colonial hotel The Victoria Falls Hotel will take you back a century and a special treat.