If you’ve never been to southern Africa you’ve clearly missed the largest curtain of falling water in the world. The Victoria Water Falls straddles both Zimbabwe and Zambia. But be prepared for your visit, the spray from the fall,s which created the River Zambezi Rain Forest, receives rainfall 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
If you are really brave you can swim in the Devil's Swimming Pool, between September to December, at the very edge of where it is estimated that 600 million cubic litres of water hit the ground every minute off the Falls. Or, if you are like me, you could illegally canoe (against the current) out to hippo island for an impromptu braai on a sunny afternoon. It was a terrifying experience when the person in front of you stops rowing and you quickly drift backwards – towards the falls. However without the Zambezi River, the Falls would not exist. The Zambezi criss-crosses six countries: Zambia; Angola; Namibia; Botswana; Zimbabwe and Mozambique on its way to the Indian Ocean.
Another memorable moment whilst living the Falls was filming the lunar rainbow from inside the Zambezi Rain Forest on a full moon. No, you are not supposed to be in the Forest at night when the gates are locked, but you can climb over the fence, if you are like me. Get really close to where the moon rises, without being seen by the Zambia border post. The rainbow is formed by the reflection of moonlight on the water.
Before Livingstone saw the Falls Locals had called it Mosi-oa-Tunya which means ‘The Smoke That Thunders’. Livingstone re-named the Falls in honour of Queen Victoria. The Falls are one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, along with the Great Barrier Reef, the Grand Canyon, the Aurora Borealis, the Paricutin volcano, the Harbour of Rio de Janeiro and Mount Everest.
The Falls can also be a perfect destination for those looking for an adrenalin junkies. There are so many ways to discover the Victoria Falls including helicopter ride over the top, bungee jumping off Victoria Falls Bridge, a canopy swing, jet boating and white water rafting.
Alternatively, a more sedate way to discover the Falls is on a sun downer cruise, where you can see it basking in the falling African sun. However you choose to enjoy Vic Falls it will be a holiday with stories to dine-out-on for many years.
