Victoria falls-Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls is approximately 1700m wide, and varies in height from 80-108 meters. It’s one and a half times wider than Niagara Falls and is twice the height making it the biggest curtain of water in the world. Around mid-April is when peak flood waters occur.
Victoria Falls is a town in western Zimbabwe and a gateway to the massive waterfall of the same name. Here, the Zambezi River plummets over a cliff and into the Boiling Pot before flowing through a series of gorges. The Devil’s Pool, a natural infinity pool, is on the edge of a sheer drop. Spanning the river is 1905 Victoria Falls Bridge. The surrounding Zambezi National Park is home to white rhinos and elephants.
The Mosi-oa-Tunya/Victoria Falls is the world’s greatest sheet of falling water and significant worldwide for its exceptional geological and geomorphological features and active land formation processes with outstanding beauty attributed to the falls i.e. the spray, mist and rainbows. The Zimbabwe side is considered by many to offer the best vantage point for viewing the falls, particularly in the low water season.
Access to the Victoria Falls is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Devil’s Pool is adjacent to the famous Livingstone Island situated on the edge of the Victoria Falls. Guests can choose to enjoy an exhilarating swim to the edge of the falls during their Livingstone Island visits is via the entrance to the rainforest, where visitors first have to pay their park fees.
“From white water rafting, hiking, helicopter scenic flight to swimming, in Devil’s Pool, at Victoria Falls”
Victoria falls activities
1.The incredible hiking
There are national parks on both sides of the waterfall: Victoria Falls National Park in Zimbabwe and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia. Both parks offer the opportunity to get up close to the thundering falls, however the experience is quite different from one side to another.
Victoria Falls National Park, located on the Zimbabwe side, is a lush rainforest reserve and offers some of the best views of Victoria Falls. You can walk along the footpaths of the park, which meander through the rainforest and out onto viewpoints where you can see four of the five different sections of the falls on this side: The Devil’s Cataract, Main Falls, Rainbow Falls and Horseshoe Falls.
You can easily cross the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia via the Victoria Falls Bridge – just don’t forget your passport when heading out on excursions, as you’ll need it if you’re crossing the border from one country into another.
2. Hike Knife Edge Bridge on the Zambian side
From Zambia, you can only see the Eastern Cataract, the second deepest falls of the series, at 101 metres deep.
However, this side also offers an incredible opportunity to get exceptionally close to the cascades of water, as you can walk along the paved paths on the edge of Victoria Falls and feel the spray on your face.
During the high water season, from February to July, you can cross Knife Edge Bridge, which is an exhilarating walk along the edge of the precipice, 100 metres above the gorge.
3. Visit Livingstone Island and take a dip in the Devil’s Pool
Livingstone Island, named after 19th century European explorer David Livingstone, is located in the middle of the Zambezi River, right on the edge of Victoria Falls. A trip to Livingstone Island begins with a thrilling short boat ride through the channels of the Zambezi, then you can enjoy a guided tour of the island.
Your tour guide will initially lead you to the west of the island overlooking Main Falls. This is a magnificent viewpoint and offers a completely different perspective to the views of Victoria Falls that you get from the path through the rainforest on the other side of the gorge.
During the tour, you can learn about the history of the island and the formation of Victoria Falls, surrounded by spectacular views of the Zambezi River and the falls thundering into the gorge below. Your guide will also take you to the edge of the island, where David Livingstone stood for the first time in November 1855.
The Livingstone Island tour is seasonal and can only be done when the water level of the Zambezi River is low enough to allow safe access, usually from late June to early March. When the water level of the Zambezi is too high, the island is completely closed.
Swim to the edge of Devil’s Pool
After the island tour, you’ll have the opportunity to take a dip in the Devil’s Pool. To reach the pool, you must first swim a short distance upstream (you don’t have to be a strong swimmer, as there’s a safety rope in place as an added precaution), then you’ll climb out on a rocky outcrop close to the edge of the falls and the Devil’s Pool.
The Devil’s Pool is a deep, natural pool created by thousands of years of erosion. What is unique about it is that there’s a rock ledge on the lip of the falls, where the water is only a few centimeters deep, and this natural barrier allows you to jump into the deep pool without getting swept over the edge. However, taking a dip in the Devil’s Pool is only possible when the Zambezi water levels are low, usually between mid-August and mid-January.
4. Sunset boat cruise on the Zambezi river
A late afternoon boat cruise is a wonderful way to enjoy the tranquility of the upper Zambezi and see a spectacular African sunset. During your two-hour cruise you can expect to see elephants, hippos, crocodiles, vervet monkeys, baboons and a variety of birdlife.
5. Helicopter scenic flight over victoria falls
A fantastic way to appreciate the sheer size of Victoria Falls is with a helicopter ride. The 12-13 flight will take you over the cascades, soaring above the towering wall of mist that gives the site it’s local name, Mosi-oa-Tunya or “The Smoke That Thunders.”
You’ll enjoy scenic views of Batoka Gorge and look out for hippos or elephants as you fly over the Zambezi River. Once you’ve flown over Kalunda Island, your pilot will take a left turn and prepare for your landing.
A longer 25-minute flight offers the opportunity to see more of the Batoka Gorge and also takes you over Zambezi National Park.
6.White water rafting
A white-water rafting adventure on the rapids of the Zambezi River is one of the best things to do at Victoria Falls and an adventure of a lifetime. The Zambezi River below Victoria Falls boasts one of the most spectacular white-water sections in the world, including class 4 and class 5 rapids.
The views of the gorge are spectacular from the viewpoint of your raft and you’ll have plenty of time to take in your surroundings during the calm stretches. Plus, you’ll feel the full force of the water on the more challenging stretches.
However, like many activities at Victoria Falls, white-water rafting is a seasonal activity and depends on the water levels.
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