The rain never stops in the magical forest beside the Victoria Falls.
It pours through the canopy all day and night. Even when the sky is clear and the clouds are long gone, the thunder and rain never stops.
But this downpour is not caused by weather or precipitation. It does not come from the sky as usual, it comes from way below the ground.
At its peak, the mighty Victoria Falls sees over 500 million litres per minute of water plunge over the lip and into the deep Batoka Gorge. The power of the Falls crashing into the abyss sends spray skywards, swirling and rising before it drifts down over the green forests on the periphery of the gorge.
A walk along the Falls on the Zimbabwean side is like arriving in a tropical wonderland. It is a sensory explosion in a unique ecosystem so different from anything else in the area.
From the relatively dry bush that makes up much of the landscape along the Zambezi, you disappear into a thick rainforest covered by tall trees, colourful flowers and birds floating and flitting through the grey mist.
As you walk along the paved paths, the roar of the water rings your ears, and the beauty of the rainbows strain your eyes. Parts of the forest receive a light spray from the Falls, while the open areas at the end of the walkway render you completely drenched from head to toe.
The story of the Zambezi is the story of a continent. This river flows for thousands of kilometres through Africa, over five countries, providing water, food and transport for millions of people and animals.
When you finally leave the Victoria Falls forest, you feel part of this African story, and you will never be the same again.
More information about Victoria Falls forest walks and other outdoor activities.
Written by Paul Steyn.
