Experience the beauty called Victoria Falls

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By far the most spectacular sight in the world, the majestic Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe tops the bucket list of every traveler to Africa. It was on mine too, so there I was staring at the waters of Zambezi flowing over the rocky edges in a thunderous roar, sending jets of milky sprays my way. I can’t believe I am here looking at it, I kept telling myself, drunk on the beauty of the sight before me. When someone pushed me aside for a selfie, I realized I had been standing far too long getting very wet and running out of adjectives to describe the beauty of it.

However, until the year 1905, it was hardly visited, but the railway changed it all. Cecil Rhodes who took a personal interest in these falls commissioned the building of the railway line (ultimately aiming to connect Cape Town to Cairo) and the first train Jack Tar that crossed the bridge can be now seen in the Railway Museum in Bulawayo.

Did you know?

• It’s the largest waterfall in the world
• UNESCO World Heritage Site
• One of the 7 wonders of the natural world
• Was discovered by David Livingstone (Scottish Explorer) in 1855
• Local tribes call Victoria Falls “The Smoke That Thunders”

  

  

A little history

Victoria Falls (named of the reigning Queen at the time) remained popular until the end of British rule, after which it retreated into anonymity due to political unrest. When Zimbabwe and Zambia gained independence, borders were sealed and tourist inflow dropped. Fortunately, in the 1980s normalcy was restored, borders opened and Victoria Falls was reinstated on the top position of travel bucket lists. In 1989 it was also awarded the UNESCO World Heritage Site status, owing to its size and beauty.

Victoria Falls is easily the world’s most beautiful waterfalls. The noise of its gushing waters can be heard from a distance of 40 kilometers, while the spray and mist rises to a height of over 400 meters and can be seen from fifty kilometers away. The locals fondly call it Mosi Oa Tunya, meaning “the smoke that thunders” (referring to the crashing noise and the towering mist rising above it). It is believed that the place has been inhabited since the Stone Age.

“No one can imagine the beauty of the view from anything witnessed in England. It had never been seen before by European eyes; but scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight,” goes the famous words of David Livingstone, following his discovery of the falls.  It holds true till date.

Cecil Rhodes contribution

Five decades later, Victoria Falls (located in the town by the same name) became the central focus of Cecil Rhodes, the father of Rhodesia (which formerly comprised Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi), who aimed to connect Rhodesia to Cairo in the north and Cape Town in the south. Victoria Falls Bridge was commissioned to be built as part of this plan with the specific instructions that it was in a location where passing trains would be sprayed by the mist to add a thrilling experience to the passenger’s journey.

Unfortunately Cecil Rhodes died before he could experience the romantic misty-ride himself but the railway and the bridge gave access to travelers from (then) Belgian Congo and Cape Town. The train to ever cross the bridge, Jack Tar, can be now seen in the Railway Museum in Bulawayo.

Today, the Victoria Falls Bridge is a hub of extreme sports like bungee jumping or bridge swinging. But if you choose history or adrenaline, you can take the tour of the bridge strapped in safety harness and walk and explore the structural intricacies with a guide dressed like an engineer from the early 1900s.

How to experience Vic Falls

Walking safari

By far the most popular way to experience the falls is to walk, end to end. With so many vantage points, you can stop, gaze, admire…and of course, get your perfect shot of the falls at leisure. Walking alongside the falls gives you different perspectives as well. Plus, you get to walk through a “rainforest” – which is essentially the sprays from the falls that creates the effect of rain (mind your camera here). Paths are clearly marked and so are the names of the falls, so there is no way you will get lost. If you do, simply follow the crowd.

Bungee jumping

I am terrified of bungee jumping, but if you are more adventurous than I am, give this a shot. At the Vic Falls, bungee jumping is an exhilarating (and intimidating) way of experience the falls. As you stand at the edge before you plunge 111m into the Zambezi as the waterfall thunders behind you. It is said to be the ultimate adrenaline rush.

Rappelling is another option, if you are up to it.

River rafting

Ready to flex your muscles? Then rafting on the Zambezi is definitely for you. Imagine what it is like to row beneath the falls! The region is known for its challenging white-water rafting – and the grandeur of the falls add to the beauty of it all. Sail beneath the falls through the Batoka Gorge – it is a bit of hard work alright but it’s the closest you can get to the water and the falls that will make your effort worth the while.

Fly over Victoria Falls

If you are not content with seeing the Falls eye to eye, get yourself up in the sky (helicopter or microflight) and see the Falls from high above. This of course gives you the complete picture of the Falls and the area surrounding it. This experience (the microflight) is referred to as the Angel’s Kiss because you actually get to fly through the sprays.

Sunset cruise

If you are the sort that likes the end your day relaxing on the waters, then a sunset cruise is definitely for you. The boat glides lazily over the Zambezi above the falls and evening falls hundreds of birds take to the skies before settling down for the night. You will even spot hippos in the water and if you are lucky, Nile crocodiles! Sip your wine and slice your steaks in relative calm of the evening and watch the sun go down.

Best Time to Visit

You can visit the falls anytime of the year. In fact it is recommended that you see the Vic Falls in three seasons. Assuredly, if that is not possible, anytime you are seeing it is a good time to it.

In the dry season (between September and December) the water level in the Zambezi River drops sharply and you can even walk through some parts of the waterfall. This is the time when you can swim in the Devils Pool overlooking the edge of the Falls. During the rest of the year Victoria Falls is a roaring machine but still breathtaking beautiful.

How to reach Victoria Falls

The three ways you can reach Victoria Falls are quite obviously Air, Rail and Road.

By Air: Arrive at Vic Falls International Airport which is about 20 kms from the town. Ethiopian Airways, Air Zimbabwe, British Airways and South African airways fly into the city.

Rail: A luxury train service (Luxury Rovos Rail) runs between Victoria Falls and Cape Town. Takes 6 days and is a holiday in itself.  Botswana Rail services links Gaborone (Botswana) with Victoria Falls via Bulawayo. If you are in Bulawayo, take the overnight train.

Road: If you are in Harare or Bulawayo, there are plenty of buses connecting the two towns – although not a very luxurious way of arriving here, but it’s an option. Or you can drive.

 

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