Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Wonders of the world. Locally, it is called Mosi-ao-Tunya which translates into “Smoke that Thunders.” The Zambezi River meanders through the southern part of central Africa where it creates one of the most spectacular wonders of nature at the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Victoria Falls was established as one of the 7 Wonders of Nature because it represents the largest waterfall in the world. The length and width of the falls makes it the largest single sheet of flowing water. In addition to the statistical significance, Victoria Falls is one of the most beautiful scenes in nature.
Visitors can explore and experience the falls from either the Zambian or Zimbabwean side of the falls, but the best experience requires taking the time to witness the falls from all of the different vantage points.
Victoria Falls is one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World and serves as the Ambassador to the wonders of nature of Africa.
From the Zambian side, visitors can enter into the national park and take trails along the top of the falls. The trails will allow you to look down into the gorge, across the top of the falls and up the Zambezi River. During the dry season, the more adventurous can explore out into and across the top of the falls actually looking down into the gorge from atop the falls.
A secondary trail follows along the falls from across the gorge allowing visitors to come face to face with this magnificent marvel of nature. During the rainy season, there is so much mist and spray from the splashing falls that it almost appears as rain in a rainforest on the other side of the gorge. It is wise to travel with either rain gear, an umbrella or some combination. If you are a photographer, you will want want some way to protect your camera as you seek to capture different images of the falls.
From the Zimbabwean side, visitors can experience a more comprehensive view of Victoria Falls. From this position, you can see the entire falls at one time. Visitors can cross the border fairy easily and experience the falls from the various perspectives.
Probably the most impressive view or experience of the falls comes from the air. Visitors can take to the skies either by helicopter or microlite. The microlite is the more adventurous route and provides the more intimate encounter with the falls. In addition to viewing the falls, it is possible that visitors may capture glimpses of elephant, hippo or some other wildlife found in the area. The falls are worth the experience all on their own, but an encounter with wildlife only enhances the experience.
One of the amazing features of Victoria Falls is the ever present rainbows. With the right water volume and sunlight, there is a spot along the trail where visitors can witness a rainbow that makes almost a complete circle. If you visit Victoria Falls at night under a full moon, you could see a rainbow at night referred to as a “moonbow.”
- Have you been there? What did you think?
- What waterfall do you believe is better?
- What was your favorite activity while visiting Victoria Falls?
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