Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls sits on the Zambezi River where Zambia meets Zimbabwe in southern Africa. The Lozi name Mosi-oa-Tunya means “the smoke that thunders,” because spray rises like smoke while the falling water roars. The falls stretch about 1.7 kilometers wide and tumble down 108 meters at the Main Falls. During the rainy season, more than five hundred million cubic meters of water can plunge over the edge every minute, creating a curtain of mist that can be seen from kilometers away.

The falls formed as the Zambezi River carved through layers of basalt, opening deep gorges downstream. Over thousands of years the river moved from one crack to another, leaving sharp cliffs and zigzag canyons. Today the water rushes through narrow gaps that have names such as Devil’s Cataract, Main Falls, Rainbow Falls, and Eastern Cataract. Rainbows often form where sunlight hits drifting droplets, and lunar rainbows appear during bright full-moon nights.

Large national parks protect the scenery and wildlife on both sides of the river. Zambia’s Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls National Park shelter mopane woodland, ebony trees, baboons, antelope, and elephants. The Zambezi also supports crocodiles, hippos, and colorful birds like bee-eaters and fish eagles. Rangers manage burn cycles to keep grasslands healthy and run anti-poaching patrols to protect endangered species such as white rhinos.

Tourism provides jobs for nearby towns such as Livingstone and Victoria Falls. Visitors stand at viewpoints, cross Knife-Edge Bridge, or hike into the gorge. During the dry season, adventurous swimmers enter the naturally formed Devil’s Pool right next to the cliff, while guides hold safety ropes. Other activities include sunset cruises, helicopter rides, cultural shows, and the heritage museum that tells stories of the Kololo and other local peoples.

Engineers balance tourism with hydropower production by coordinating releases from upstream dams so that rafting companies, wildlife managers, and power plants get the water they need. Climate change could alter rainfall patterns in the Zambezi Basin, so scientists collect long-term data on river flow, temperature, and ecological health. School groups learn why water conservation, pollution control, and responsible travel are essential to protect Victoria Falls for future generations.