Victoria Falls: Is It Worth the Hype?

Victoria Falls are the most spectacular waterfalls in the world... Or so the locals say, with a touch of hometown pride! After visiting them myself, I have to admit they are undoubtedly among the most beautiful in the world, if not the absolute best. Let me explain why.

Victoria Falls by the numbers

Victoria Falls is impressive for its sheer scale. 108 meters high, a stunning series of gorges stretching over 80km long, and a natural park covering 8780 hectares. Then there’s the flow rate, which is mesmerizing, especially during the rainy season when more than 9000m³ of water rushes through. Finally, add in the exceptional setting within a nature reserve along the Zambezi River, a deep, rumbling roar, and a thick mist, and you’ve got the recipe for a truly fascinating waterfall.

Things to do

When it comes to activities, these falls stand out as the most spectacular in the world, as the experience can be as thrilling or as varied as you like depending on what you choose to do. The area has been aptly dubbed the "Adventure Capital of Africa," and that’s no exaggeration when you look at the list of "extreme" and high-adrenaline activities available in the region…

Bungee jumping

If you're chasing a rush, you can't miss bungee jumping from the top of the Victoria Falls bridge, perched at an altitude of 111 meters. I get goosebumps just thinking about it... Once you reach the bottom, you’ll enjoy the cascades, dangling upside down over the water with the constant roar of the falls as your soundtrack.

Relaxing in the Devil's Pool

Devil’s Pool is a small, naturally formed rock basin right at the edge of the abyss. The most adventurous will try a quick dip, while others might just be terrified at the thought of their loved ones toppling over the edge... Don't worry, though, taking a swim here is about as dangerous as relaxing in your own bathtub without electricity! And I really do mean without electricity!

Helicopter flight over the falls...

It’s definitely not the most budget-friendly activity... But if you have the chance, a helicopter flight over the falls is arguably the best way to grasp the sheer scale of this masterpiece Mother Nature has gifted us…

...or by microlight!

And if you’re feeling a bit more eco-conscious, try a microlight excursion (a light, motorized aircraft). There’s room for two, making for a incredibly romantic memory to share with your significant other.

White-water rafting in the Zambezi gorges

Whether you're a beginner or an expert, there's something for everyone! Don't miss the most popular activity at the falls, which is accessible to anyone brave enough to take the plunge: white-water rafting in the Zambezi rapids…

Treetop canopy tours and ziplining

Take a walk through the canopy with a zipline course through the thick foliage of the African forest. Channel your favorite childhood stories and zip from tree to tree like a brave Tarzan... or maybe not! You’ll get to see the falls from a completely different, and equally surprising, perspective.

Zambezi River cruise

Drift along the water and observe the wildlife and flora surrounding you, both along the riverbanks and beneath the surface.

Safaris

Wildlife in this region is incredibly abundant thanks to the wetlands and fertile lands irrigated by the Zambezi. Go out and encounter the elephants, impalas, and lions that roam the wild expanses of the Zambezi National Park in Zimbabwe, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia, or Victoria Falls National Park, which straddles the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

6 things to know about the Falls

1. In the Tonga language, spoken by the indigenous Tokaleyale people living near the falls, the name given to Victoria Falls is "Mosi-oa-Tunya," meaning "the smoke that thunders."
2. They were renamed "Victoria Falls" by the Scottish explorer David Livingstone, the first European to discover them in 1855, who named them in honor of his queen, Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
3. David Livingstone also gave his name to the Zambian town closest to the falls: Livingstone.
4. They are one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and are a UNESCO World Heritage site.
5. The Zambezi River forms the natural border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The falls therefore belong to both countries.
6. The falls are made up of 5 different sections, each with a different flow and atmosphere: Devil’s Cataract, Main Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Rainbow Falls, and Eastern Cataract.