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Victoria Falls
Over the many centuries the vast amount of water thrown over the precipice has eroded and shifted the location of the falls seven times. The original Victoria falls was 8km (4 miles) downstream from its present location. Over the last two million years, the erosive force of the river cut seven subsequent gorges, each further upstream. More recently, in November 1855, David Livingstone, a missionary and explorer from Scotland, and one of the most respected individuals of the Victorian age, arrived at the falls in a canoe with members of the Makalolo tribe. It was Livingstone who named the falls after his and Englands queen, Queen Victoria.
Today, Victoria Falls still constitutes one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. Called Mosi-oa-Tunya, the smoke that thunders by the locals, an almost constant column of spray saturates the area during high water, and the constant thunder of the water gives the local name much cadence. Looking over the terrifying abyss and observing the river up steam, the tranquil lagoons are deceptive, in which lurk aggressive hippo and deadly crocodiles.
Victoria Falls is the largest curtain of water in the world at 1708 meters, with a drop of 100 meters into the Zambezi Gorge. More than 550,000 cubic metres of water plummet over the edge each minute. Victoria Falls and the surrounding area are now part of a National Park and a World Heritage Site. Although spectacular all year, after the rain season from February on, the river and falls are at their most spectacular, with the heaviest flow and volume of spray.
Visitors can fly above the falls, or microlight, raft the wild rapids below the falls or kayak, canoe, fish, take guided walking safaris, ride on horseback and lunch on Livingstone's Island.
