By ‘Niyi David
The majestic Victoria Falls is regarded as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Classified as the world’s largest sheet of falling water based on its width of 1,708 meters and height of 108 meters, Victoria Falls straddles the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Around April, just after the rainy season when tide is high, over 500 million liters of water gush over the edge per minute, down 70 to 108 meters into the gorges.
When tides are low, the fall is separated into five cataracts or ‘falls.’ These are: Devil’s Cataract, Main Falls, Rainbow Falls, and Horseshoe Falls on the Zimbabwean side. While the fifth, the Eastern Cataract is exclusively on the Zambian side, its views from Zimbabwe are quite stunning. It is also the second deepest at a depth of 101 meters.
The whole area around Victoria Falls is a delight for tourists and haven for adrenaline junkies and thrill seekers in particular. The daring can take their pick from activities such as bungee jumping, whitewater rafting, gorge swing, abseiling, Microlight flights (Flight of Angels), jet boating, and swimming in the Devil’s Pool.
The more laidback folks can visit the national parks on either sides of the falls, enjoy river cruises, elephant-back safari, birdwatching, etc. On the Zambian side, it has the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Livingstone. On the Zimbabwean side, the Victoria Falls National Park and the riverine strip of Zambezi National Park fall in Victoria Falls city.
The Scottish missionary Dr. David Livingstone is believed to have been the first European to set his eyes on the falls on November 16, 1855. In trying to describe the breathtaking beauty of the magnificent Falls which he named for Queen Victoria of England, Dr. Livingstone gushed, “Scenes so wonderful must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.”
To the natives, the waterfalls is known as Mosi-oa-Tunya which means “the smoke that thunders.” The name comes from the rising iridescent mist that looks like thick smoke, which can be seen from 20km away, as the rushing waters of the Zambezi River plunge down with a thunderous noise.
In 1989, Victoria Falls was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Well, if you’re looking for a thrill of a lifetime; how about a swim in the Devil’s Pool?