Straddling the banks of a charming small safari town, the Zambezi River pummels its way over a jagged, mile-wide basalt ledge to form one of the grandest vistas in all of Africa – Victoria Falls, the largest sheet of falling water on the planet. Purportedly first discovered by Portuguese explorers, it was Dr David Livingstone’s well-documented discovery that made Victoria Falls famous in 1855. (Though this official Wonder of the Natural World has been revered as a sacred site by local tribes for centuries.)
Both Zimbabwe and Zambia will tell you these Falls are theirs; a tale of two cities, or towns, rather, whose names are merely variations on a theme. Livingstone and Victoria Falls both offer equally magnificent views, sumptuous five-star retreats, spectacular game viewing, and epic Zambezi “booze cruises”. And each has their own international airport, giving neither a particular leg up on the other. The Zimbabwean side boasts remarkable elephant encounters (up close and personal) and Zimbabwe’s Devil’s Cataract delivers jaw-dropping power.
When it comes to Vic Falls (as she goes by in these parts), timing is everything. The waters rise and fall throughout the year, fed by summer rains that surge down the Zambezi’s tributaries. Levels typically peak between February and May, when the full force of the Falls reverberates through your bones and its thunderous mists light up with rainbows, even by the full moon’s illumination. You’ll want to pack a couple of Zip-Locs for your camera gear! Come the dry season, the spectacle subsides, but the view is no less impressive. It’s also a great time of year for rafting in the white waters of the gorge below.
