Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe side)
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One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls is the largest sheet of falling water on earth: over a mile wide as it plunges 350 feet into the Zambezi Gorge. The thundering cataract straddles the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, churning up a deluge of spray. This is adventure country: see the falls from a helicopter or microlight, raft the rapids, canoe the placid current or enjoy a sunset cruise above the falls.
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The Safari Experience
From above, the six gorges beneath the Victoria Falls zigzag back and forth like switchbacks. These gorges form the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia and play host to adrenaline-pumping activities, such as white water rafting, bungee jumping and scenic helicopter and ultralight flights over the falls. At the height of the season, the spray from the falls can reach 1,300 feet into the air. Meandering along the paths of Victoria Falls National Park gives some of the best views of the curtain of water, especially when the water flow is lower, especially September through December. Markets can be enjoyed in town with a guide, and there are opportunities for sunset and dinner cruises on the Zambezi River, fishing, cultural tours and crossing to the Zambia side for wildlife drives in Mosi-oa-Tunya Zoological Park or a visit to Livingstone Island for lunch and a dip in the Devil’s Pool, where water staggers over the edge into the ravine below.
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Wildlife
Bordered by the Victoria Falls National Park, Zambezi National Park, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park on the Zambia side and the Victoria Falls themselves, this area has remained somewhat buffered from the outside world, affording sustainability of flora and fauna. While the wildlife of Victoria Falls does not quite live up to that of the larger wildlife sanctuaries of Zimbabwe and Southern Africa, there is the opportunity for seeing elephant, Cape buffalo, white rhino, eland, and even predators as you go deeper into the parks, and hippo and crocodile in the Zambezi River itself. Fishing on the river reveals 84 species of fish, with different species found below the falls. The spray of the falls supports a small rainforest at its edge with ebony, mahogany, fig and date palm trees and small antelope and primates that dart in and out of view.
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How to Include Victoria Falls in Your Safari Itinerary
Recommended Number of Nights
Nature Travelers: 1-2 nights
Photographers: 1-2 nights
Families: 2 nights
Active Travelers: 2 nights
Other Regions to Include
Victoria Falls seems to “fasten” Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe together. Within Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park is known for its herds of elephant and buffalo, and white rhino have been reintroduced. In seasonal Mana Pools National Park, downstream from the falls, it’s common to see elephant standing up on their hind legs to reach tree fruit in the dry season. Victoria Falls is often combined with the iconic Cape Town and Sabi Sand regions of South Africa for a well-rounded safari covering key wildlife species, culture, and the natural marvel of the falls. Zimbabwe and Zambia are easily combined, particularly the woodland and floodplains of South Luangwa or the wetlands of Kafue, where lions climb trees and cheetah frequent the open landscape. The Linyanti, with its Savute Channel and myriad water birds, and the lush Okavango Delta and arid Kalahari Desert can either start or end at Victoria Falls.