Victoria Falls

Mosi-oa-Tunya

One of the most iconic natural Wonders of the world is the Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya translating into ‘The Smoke That Thunders’. Whilst exploring this unique land back in 1852 and 1856, Dr. David Livingstone named the falls after the reigning British monarch at the time; Queen Victoria.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site has the largest curtain of falling water in the world, it’s over 1708 m wide and up to 500 million liters of water cascades over the basalt rocks per minute at certain times of the year. There are 8 spectacular gorges that the water flows over and there are several islands in the core zone that serve as breeding sites for endangered and migratory bird species.

The Falls is spread across two countries, Zambia and Zimbabwe and there are a variety of activities that revolve around the falls from helicopter rides to white water rafting. We’ve included a list of popular activities below and the best times of the year to go.

Activities

Victoria Falls Tour (Zambia & Zimbabwe)
Livingstone Tour
Sunset River Cruises
Canoeing Safaris
River Boat Safari
The Elephant Café
The Floating Restaurant
Helicopter Flight
Micro Light Flight
White Water Rafting
Jet Boat Ride
Tandem Skydiving at Victoria Falls
Abseiling & Gorge Swing
Vic Falls Bungee jump
High-Tea on Livingstone Island
Livingstone Express
Tram Bridge Tour

When to go

December - March

Better known as the ‘Emerald Season’ these are the rainy months and also the height of summer. The mighty Zambezi River will slowly start rising from January and the falls itself will begin to pick up in power. Dramatic thunderstorms are present some afternoons. The weather is hot and humid, with temperatures reaching well over 30 °C in the daytime. The white-water rafting season usually closes around February in due to high water levels and the famous Livingstone Island and Devil's Pool in Zambia often closes in January/February due to the dangerously high water levels.

April – June

The Falls is at its fullest at this time of the year. This is also the only time of year that the Lunar Rainbow can be viewed at its best. The spectacle lasts from sunset to sunrise and is one of Africa's best kept secrets. During these months the Zambezi is in flood and the Falls are at their most magnificent in both Zambia and Zimbabwe, however visibility on foot from some of the lookouts can be limited by the abundance of spray and mist. Temperatures during the day are warm at 25-30 °C. This is also the best time for a helicopter flight over the falls.

July – August

These months bring the peak season at the falls, with lower water levels and less spray allowing for excellent visibility of the mighty falls. Activities such as Livingstone Island, rafting and devil’s pools open again as soon as the water drops. Although this is peak wintertime, you can expect warm and sunny days 20-28 °C, but it’s best to bring warm layers for the cool evening temperatures.

September – November

These months mark the end of the dry season and this is when the falls are at their lowest, drying up to reveal the intricate rock formations, however, there is still excellent visibility from the Zimbabwe side. This time of year is perfect for white-water river rafting and the Livingstone Island. The weather is very hot, averaging at around 35-40 °C.