Victoria Falls

About Victoria Falls

Where the Zambezi River reaches the edge of a basalt plateau in south-central Africa, **it drops 108 metres into a narrow chasm** in one of the most spectacular geological accidents on Earth. Victoria Falls — known to the local Kololo people as **Mosi-oa-Tunya, 'the smoke that thunders'** — is **the world's largest waterfall by the combined measure of width and height**. At peak flow in April and May, **over 500 million litres of water per minute plunge over a curtain nearly 1,700 metres wide**, generating a roar audible from 40 kilometres away and a permanent cloud of mist visible from 50. The spray sustains a narrow strip of lush rainforest directly alongside the falls — **an island of green in otherwise dry woodland** — where visitors are soaked through before they even see the water. **David Livingstone, the first European to witness the falls in 1855**, navigated the Zambezi deliberately seeking the source of the 'smoke that thunders.' He wrote that the sight was *'scenes so lovely they must have been gazed upon by angels,'* and named them for Queen Victoria. The falls sit exactly on the **border between Zambia and Zimbabwe**, and crossing between the two countries via the **Victorian-era railway bridge — which spans the gorge 111 metres above the churning water** — is itself one of the more vertiginous experiences in African travel. Both sides offer distinct perspectives and activities. **The Zimbabwean side provides the classic panoramic view along the full width of the falls**, via a well-maintained path through the rainforest opposite the main curtain. **The Zambian side allows visitors to walk to the very edge of the falls** at certain water levels, and in the dry season (September to January), to swim in the famous **Devil's Pool — a natural rock pool at the lip of the falls, separated from the drop by a submerged rock shelf**. The best time to visit depends on what you want to see. **April and May offer the most dramatic full flow**, with massive amounts of spray — so much that the falls themselves are sometimes obscured by mist. **August to January sees lower water levels and clearer views of the rock face and gorge, and is the only time Devil's Pool is accessible**. Livingstone (Zambia) and Victoria Falls town (Zimbabwe) are both well-served by international and regional flights. Beyond the falls, the Zambezi supports excellent wildlife: **white-water rafting through the gorges below, sunset river cruises, elephant-back safaris, and nearby Hwange National Park** are all outstanding additions.

Highlights

• ✦ Largest waterfall by combined width (1,708 m) and height (108 m)
• ✦ Known locally as 'Mosi-oa-Tunya' — The Smoke That Thunders
• ✦ Straddles the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe

Practical info

Frequently asked questions

Should you visit Victoria Falls from the Zambia or Zimbabwe side?

The Zimbabwean side offers more extensive walking trails and views of roughly 75% of the falls' width, while the Zambian side gets you closer to the water with access to spots like the seasonal Devil's Pool, but sees a smaller share of the cascade. Entry fees run roughly €28 to €46 depending on the side and nationality-based pricing, and many visitors cross the border bridge to see both, which requires separate visas or a joint KAZA UniVisa where available. Water volume varies hugely by season, which affects which side offers better views at different times of year.

How do you get to Victoria Falls by air?

Victoria Falls Airport in Zimbabwe and Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone, Zambia both receive regional and some international flights, each a short 10 to 20-minute drive from the falls and town centre. Many visitors fly into Johannesburg or another regional hub and connect onward. There is no meaningful passenger rail option for everyday transport to the falls, though a scenic tourist steam train runs a short evening route nearby.

What is the best time of year to see Victoria Falls at full flow?

March to May, following the rainy season, typically brings the highest water volume, when the spray can rise hundreds of metres and soak viewpoints, though it can also obscure the view itself with mist. September to December sees much lower flow, sometimes reducing parts of the falls to a trickle, but this is when activities like Devil's Pool on the Zambian side are possible since the current is calmer. Photographers often prefer the shoulder months for a balance of strong flow and clearer visibility.

Is it safe to cross the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe to see both sides?

Yes, the Victoria Falls Bridge border crossing is well used by tourists and straightforward, typically taking 30 minutes to an hour depending on queues, and many operators run day trips that include the crossing. Check visa requirements for both countries in advance, since not all nationalities qualify for a visa-on-arrival or the joint KAZA UniVisa covering both. Carrying your passport and any required visa fee in cash (usually US dollars) makes the crossing smoother.

How tall and wide is Victoria Falls?

The falls drop about 108 metres and stretch roughly 1.7 km across the Zambezi River, making it the largest sheet of falling water in the world by combined height and width, though not the tallest or widest individually. Local Kololo people named it Mosi-oa-Tunya, 'the smoke that thunders,' for the spray visible from many kilometres away at peak flow. It straddles the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1989.

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• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

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