Have you ever been to The Victoria Falls? If so we would love to hear all about your experiences (perhaps with a photo or two). You can contact us via our contact page.

Essential Reading

Southern Africa Guide
Lonely Planet
Price: £18.99
Southern Africa is as much about howling hyenas in Zimbabwe's Mana Pools National Park as it is about Cape Town's coffee culture. Backpackers and top-enders alike should take time just to wind down and fall into the rhythm of this majestic region. This guide covers Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. more

The Victoria Falls are situated in on the Zambezi River between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe in southern Africa. Although not as high as the Angel Falls in Venezuela or as wide as the Khone Falls in Laos, the combination of its height and width mean that the Victoria Falls can claim to have the largest sheet of falling water in the world.

What makes the Victoria Falls so breathtakingly beautiful to the human eye is that you can see virtually the whole width of the falls face-on, at the same level as the top, from as close as 60m (200 feet).

The best views of the Victoria Falls are undoubtedly from the Zimbabwe side of the border, but the current political situation means that most visitors to the region stay on the Zambian side of the border in the town of Livingstone, a five mile bus or taxi ride from the Falls. You can buy a visa at the Falls that allows you to cross the border into Zimbabwe so you won't miss out.

During the rainy season (November to March), the spray from the Falls typically rises to a height of over 400m (1,300 ft) or more and can be seen from up to 50km (30 miles) away. It is impossible to see the foot of the falls and the walks along the cliff opposite it are in a constant shower and shrouded in mist.

What's more the sheer volume of water cascading down the falls creates an incredible noise - no wonder it is known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya which means "the smoke that thunders".

During the dry season (typically April to October), the water volume is not surprisingly less and the Falls can be much less dramatic. Towards the end of the dry season though - September to November - it is possible to swim literally within a few feet of the top of the Victoria Falls in what is known as the Devil's Swimming Pool! A natural rock wall just below the water and at the very edge of the falls prevents you from falling over despite the current.

The Devil's Swimming Pool is accessed via Livingstone Island which is situated on the Zambezi river at the top of the Victoria Falls on the Zambian side.

The Victoria Falls have become increasingly popular as a home of extreme sports. You can bungee jump from the bridge that joins Zambia and Zimbabwe or go white water rafting over some of the world's most challenging rapids.

Tandem skydiving, microglider flights and helicopter flights allow you to view both the Falls and the Zambezi - and it does make for an incredible sight from the air. A cruise along the river is another excellent opportunity to see African wildlife and for those who like to get up close and personal with their animals, why not try an elephant back safari?