Welcome to the great Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world and a place where wilderness, adventure and culture unite around one stunning spectacle.
Incredible natural beauty, and remarkable wildlife viewing combine to awe visitors to this UNESCO World Heritage Site on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, where the Zambezi River drops more than 100m into the Batoka Gorge to form Victoria Falls. At 1.7km wide, it is the largest curtain of falling water in the world, and is often referred to as “Mosi-oa-Tunya” or the Smoke that Thunders.
Victoria Falls, is a year round destination. However, the water levels vary throughout the year, being at their highest between April and June, and their lowest from October to December. Viewing the Victoria Falls at different times of the year offers different experiences – in high flow its entire length is a thundering wall of falling water, whereas in low flow the underlying structure can be seen and visibility is clearer.
The international airport at Victoria Falls will is making the destination increasingly accessible from around the globe, and a natural jump-off point to explore the KAZA (Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area) region, which is the richest wildlife real estate on the planet.
Airlines flying into Victoria Falls are:
- Air Zimbabwe
- British Airways Comair
- South African Airways
- Airlink
- Fastjet
- Air Namibia
- Kenyan Airways
- Ethiopian Airlines
History
The Victoria Falls were formed more than 70 000 years ago after the gushing water of the Zambezi River, which flowed over hard basalt with large cracks filled with weaker sandstone, eroded the softer rock to create a deep chasm which became a waterfall.
Victoria Falls has a rich history, with evidence of dinosaurs in the region as far back as 200 million years ago, followed by now extinct mammals such as buffalo with 3m horns, a short-necked giraffe with antlers and the African mammoth elephant.
A large collection of late stone age tools has also been found around Victoria Falls, showing evidence of early man.The early Homo Sapiens in the area were San Bushmen and after the Bantu Migration down from west and east Africa,they were joined by the Tonga, Lozi and latterly the Nambya people, before the Ndebele came up from the south.
In 1855 Scottish explorer and missionary David Livingstone became the first European to see Victoria Falls and named them after his Queen, bringing them to the attention of the world, after which the falls became a major tourist attraction.
Activities
Activities on offer at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge estate consist of the Siduli hide sits, guided walks and nature trails, and the Vulture Culture Experience which occurs daily below the Buffalo Bar viewing deck. You can find out more about the activities and prices on our Things To Do page
Additional activities may be booked at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge estate’s activities desk. Guests staying at Victoria Falls Safari Club may book activities with their butlers. Below are a few of the many activities on offer:
- whitewater rafting
- canoeing
- helicopter flights over the Victoria Falls
- game drives
- sunset cruises
- gorge swings
- canopy tours
- art sessions
Guests may use the estate’s courtesy shuttle bus to visit the Victoria Falls Rainforest, town centre and craft markets.
You can also download the activities price list here:
Wildlife
There are several wildlife viewing opportunities in Victoria Falls. A favorite for locals and visitors alike is the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge waterhole, where a sundowner may be enjoyed on the viewing deck or at the Buffalo Bar as elephant, buffalo, kudu and other wildlife also quench their thirst.
Victoria Falls town is uniquely located within Victoria Falls National Park, and it is not uncommon to share the footpath with a vervet monkey with a baby on its back, or a family of warthogs!
Game drives in the nearby Zambezi National Park offer the opportunity to see lion, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and several species of antelope.
Game viewing is best during the dry season between July and October, when there is less water around and animals congregate at waterholes. Wildlife is also easier to spot during this time as the bush is not so thick and lush.
Victoria Falls is part of the richest wildlife estate on the planet, with other excellent wildlife viewing opportunities in the region including Hwange National Park, Chobe National Park, while slightly further afield is the Okavango Delta and Kafue National Park.
In order to conserve our wildlife heritage and leave a legacy for generations to come Victoria Falls Safari Lodge established, in 1999, the Victoria Falls Anti-Poaching Unit together with local safari operator and conservationist Charles Brightman.
Victoria Falls Safari Lodge
The sunset-facing Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is renowned for its views to the horizon over the Zambezi National Park which includes a waterhole frequented by elephants, buffalo and other wildlife.