40 Fascinating Facts About Victoria Falls in Africa
Below, we have compiled some of the most fascinating facts about Victoria Falls, an awe-inspiring cascade.
Victoria Falls in southern Africa is one of the world’s most magnificent waterfalls. Victoria Falls is a natural wonder to behold, from its sheer size and walls of mist to its unique environment and opportunities for daredevil activities.
1. Victoria Falls, located on the Zambezi River, straddles the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe in southern Africa. Zambia is on the east side of the Falls, and Zimbabwe is on the west, with the border running through the middle of the river and falls.
2. The Zambezi River is the fourth largest in Africa, the largest east-flowing river, and the largest river from Africa flowing into the Indian Ocean. Victoria Falls is located about two-fifths of the way from the river’s start.
3. Scottish explorer David Livingstone named the falls in honor of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. Dozens of other places in the world are named after the same queen, including Victoria State in Australia, Victoria Peak in Belize, Victoria City in British Columbia of Canada, Victoria Island in Nigeria, Mount Victoria in Papua New Guinea, and Lake Victoria in Africa.
4. Livingstone visited the falls in 1885. While he may not have been the first European to see them, he was the one who brought the falls to the world’s attention.
5. Victoria Falls appears on the Zimbabwe 100 trillion-dollar banknote (that’s one plus 14 zeros!). It is depicted along with a cape buffalo.
6. With a width of about 1.7 km (1.1 mi) and a height of approximately 108 m (354 ft), Victoria Falls is considered the largest waterfall in the world based on its combined width and height. In other words, it is the world’s largest sheet of falling water.
7. It has the 12th largest flow rate globally, with around 1000 cubic meters, or 1 million liters of water, per second. It reaches this amount in April, at the height of the rainy season. Waterfalls like Iguazú Falls in Brazil and Niagara Falls in Canada/USA have higher flow rates.
8. The continuous spray and mist created by the powerful waterfalls can be seen and felt from miles away, giving Victoria Falls its local name, “Mosi-oa-Tunya,” which means “The Smoke That Thunders” in the indigenous Lozi language.
9. The fall spray can be so intense that it has created a weather system. The mist can rise to 400 m (1300 ft) in the air, forming rain clouds that shower the surrounding area and even cause rainbows to appear in clear skies.
10. The lunar rainbow, also known as the “moonbow,” is a mesmerizing natural phenomenon seen at Victoria Falls during the full moon. The spray from the falls combined with moonlight creates a colorful rainbow at night.
11. Due to the force of the waterfall and the constant spray, a microclimate is created near Victoria Falls. This unique environment has created a “rainforest in the sky,” with lush vegetation and vibrant plant life thriving in the mist. This lush environment supports various plant and animal species, including rare orchids and colorful butterflies.
12. The mist also nourishes unique “moonflowers.” These night-blooming flowers open their large, fragrant blooms only after dark, attracting pollinators in the moonlit rainforest setting.
13. The Zambezi River upstream from Victoria Falls is home to a unique species of fish called the “African Tiger Fish.” Known for its sharp teeth and aggressive nature, you wouldn’t want to swim with one of these!
Suggested Read: 25 Fun Facts About Sierra Leone: A Diamond-Rich African Hub
14. Victoria Falls is also known for its beautiful sunsets. The golden hues of the setting sun reflecting on the spray and mist of the falls create a magical and romantic ambiance for visitors.
15. There is a local legend that the waters of Victoria Falls have a petrifying effect on objects. According to the tale, throwing an object into the falls will turn into stone.
16. Near the falls, Zambezi National Park in Zimbabwe and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park In Zambia offer opportunities to spot elephants, lions, zebras, giraffes, and over 400 bird species.
17. Two major islands on the falls are large enough to split the falls, even at their highest flow. They are Boaruka Island (or Cataract Island) near the western bank and Livingstone Island near the middle.
18. Livingstone viewed the falls from what is now called Livingstone Island. He was taken to the island in a canoe.
19. In the dry season, more islands appear, taking up nearly half of the waterfall’s crest.
20. After plunging over Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River goes through six zigzagging gorges.
21. Victoria Falls Bridge spans the first gorge. It was built in 1905 to connect Zambia and Zimbabwe. This iconic steel bridge provides stunning panoramic views of the falls and is a popular spot for bungee jumping and bridge swinging activities.
22. The Victoria Falls Bungee Jump was once the highest bridge bungee jump in the world, at 111 m (364 ft). Today, it is surpassed by the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge Bungee in China, which is more than double its height.
23. In late 2011, the cord snapped when a 22-year-old Australian tourist named Erin Langworthy was bungee jumping from the bridge. A government inquiry later found the jump to still be safe. With 50,000 people making the jump yearly, they called it a “one-in-500,000 jumps incident.”
24. There is also a 425 m (1394 ft) zipline across the Zambezi River below the falls and bridge, one of the longest in the world. Riders zip along 120 m (293 ft) above the river.
25. In 1999, a German tourist named Franz Stein took an unconventional approach to experiencing Victoria Falls. He attached homemade wings to his back and attempted to fly off the falls’ edge. Thankfully, he was equipped with a parachute and could deploy it, allowing him to land safely in the Zambezi River below.
26. The Devil’s Pool, a natural infinity pool formed near the edge of Victoria Falls, is a popular attraction for daring visitors. During the dry season, when the water levels are low, swimmers can experience the thrill of looking over the edge while being safely protected by rocks.
27. No one has ever died from Devil’s Pool, either from falling over the falls or the hungry crocodiles and hippos swimming upstream (mostly, they avoid coming too close to the falls). However, many people have died in a pool of the same name in Australia!
28. Unfortunately, one tour guide died in 2009 after plunging over the falls. He got swept away while trying to save a tourist near the pool.
29. During periods of low water flow, walking across the lip of the falls from the Zambian side to Livingstone Island is possible. However, this daring activity, known as the “Angel’s Armchair,” requires extreme caution as the water rushing by is just a few meters away.
30. At the bottom of the falls is a natural rock formation called the “Boiling Pot.” This swirling whirlpool is created by the powerful currents of water after plunging over the falls, giving it an appearance reminiscent of a boiling cauldron.
31. The Victoria Power Station, a hydroelectric station, is located in the third gorge down from the falls. Zesco, the state power company of Zambia, operates it.
32. Batoka Gorge, located downstream from Victoria Falls, is one of the world’s most exciting white-water rafting destinations. It offers thrilling rapids and breathtaking views of the surrounding natural beauty.
33. Further downstream on the Zambezi is the mighty Kariba Dam. Queen Elizabeth officially opened the dam, the great-great-granddaughter of Queen Victoria.
34. In 2019, during the worst drought in 100 years, Victoria Falls was reduced to a trickle. The incident, said to be caused by global warming, had a major economic impact on the region.
35. Millions of years ago, long before the waterfall was formed, the Zambezi River flowed south to Botswana, where it joined the Limpopo River. Uplift in the land caused this drainage route to close, forming a huge lake. This lake eventually began draining to the east, cutting out the gorge where Victoria Falls now is.
36. Victoria Falls is moving upstream as the land continues to shift. In the past, the falls plunged from eight different places in the six gorges that are now downstream from it. Geologists believe the falls are now beginning to cut a new future location at the western end of the falls near Boaruka (Cataract) Island.
37. Victoria Falls has served as a backdrop for various movies and documentaries, including the 1966 film The Boy Who Turned Yellow, Ewan McGregor’s motorcycle documentary Long Way Down, and the BBC series Africa. There is also a Sherlock Holmes film called Incident at Victoria Falls.
38. Famous visitors to Victoria Falls have included Arnold Schwarzenegger, David Hasselhoff, and Mel C of the Spice Girls.
39. Michael Jackson was so impressed by Victoria Falls that he suggested creating a replica of the falls at the back of his stage.
40. Victoria Falls has become a popular destination for weddings in recent years. Couples can exchange vows amidst the thundering cascades and picturesque surroundings.
