Victoria Falls cannot claim to be the highest nor the widest waterfall in the world but it can reasonably claim to be the largest. As the immense Zambezi plunges 108 metres off a precipice (over twice the height of Niagara Falls) the resulting curtain of water is the largest to be found anywhere and it’s not hard to see why it is called ‘the smoke that thunders’ by local people.

It was, of course, the explorer David Livingstone who was the first European to set eyes on the falls – and he named them after Queen Victoria.  It is a fracture in the earth’s basalt crust that has caused such a precipitous drop and one can only imagine the wonder Livingstone must have felt upon ‘discovering’ them. Yet it is not just a single waterfall – in fact the area is characterised by islands, rivers, pools and falls, and everywhere there is the thunderous roar of falling water and the misty spray that it throws up.

Today the Victoria Falls, which are a World Heritage Site, are located at the juncture of three countries – Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana – with most travellers opting to stay in Livingstone, on the Zambia side (the town on the Zimbabwe side is called, confusingly, Victoria Falls). A tour of the falls will be unforgettable and to experience the sheer power of nature so close-up is one of the must-see sights of any trip to southern Africa.   

The Zambezi is at its highest following the rainy season from March to May, but the falls are impressive at any time during the year. Many visitors opt to combine seeing the falls with a trip up the Zambezi on an old fashioned paddle steamer, such as the Zambezi Queen. It is also not too far from the incredible wildlife-rich Chobe National Park in Botswana, if you are thinking of going on safari. Below you can see our Victoria Falls packages but please enquire if nothing matches your requirements as we are able to tailor trips and tours to meet your needs.