Fun Facts and Things to Do in Victoria Falls

There’s no shortage of fun facts and things to do in Victoria Falls. Anybody who’s been there and knows its history can attest. Pleasurable and adventurous activities abound in this magical place. It’s just a matter of figuring out when you’ll go and how you’ll pass the time in Africa’s Adventure Capital.

Victoria Falls, which is situated on the Zambezi River at the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, has become a playground for people looking to push their physical limits. It’s also an idyllic holiday destination that is perfectly suited to families, couples and individuals who want a memorable vacation.

Here are some fun facts about Victoria Falls followed by some good reasons to visit…

Fun, Interesting Facts about Victoria Falls

• At 1,708 metres (5,604 ft) wide and 108 metres (354 ft) high, Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall on planet earth. A UNESCO heritage site that has been listed as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, it is roughly twice the height of Niagara Falls in North America and considerably wider.
• David Livingstone, a Scottish physician, missionary and explorer, was the man who discovered Victoria Falls. At least, he was the first European to set eyes on them. To view the falls, he stood on what is now known as Livingstone Island, a land mass located at the edge of Victoria Falls, in Livingstone, Zambia.
• When was Victoria Falls discovered? David Livingstone saw the falls for the first time in 1855. He named his sighting after Queen Victoria of Britain, to honour her, although Mosi-oa-Tunya, the native Lozi language name for the falls, is still in usage today. In English, it translates to “The Smoke That Thunders”.
• There’s a rich Victoria Falls history that long predates Dr Livingstone’s discovery. In fact, it is evident from archaeological sites around the falls that the area has been occupied for approximately 3 million years. Stone artefacts from the era have been found, as well as articles from the Late/Middle Stone Age.
• Millions of cubic metres of water plummet over the edge of the Victoria Falls every minute. It’s an awesome and rather humbling spectacle. The thundering water cascades into a rocky gorge that is over 100 metres deep. The cliffs that make up the gorge, which are made from basalt, rise to a similar height.
• On the Zimbabwean side of the Victoria Falls lies an enchanting rainforest that is brimming with plant life and animal life – The Victoria Falls Rainforest. This is the only place where it rains all day every day, and the constant rain (from the spray of the falls) is required to sustain the flora and fauna in the forest.
• Among the many fun facts about Victoria falls is that tourists can view stunningly beautiful rainbows at night called moonbows. These lunar rainbows are quite rare and only occur regularly in a few places around the world. They appear when moonlight illuminates falling water drops in the atmosphere.

Fun Things to Do in Victoria Falls

• If you’re a daredevil or thrill seeker, then you are sure to be impressed by the many exciting adventure activities around Victoria Falls. They include abseiling, bungee-jumping, skydiving, bridge-swinging, ziplining, white-water rafting, crocodile cage diving and more. People who are really brave can take a dip in Devil’s Pool.
• For those who are a little less daring but appreciate nature and still enjoy a good dose of adventure, Victoria Falls offers horseback riding, walks with lions (yes, you can actually get to walk alongside and interact with these majestic creatures), authentic wildlife safaris and even elephant back safaris.
• Undoubtedly one of the best ways to view Victoria Falls is in a helicopter or microlight aircraft. Known as “The Flight of Angels”, these activities give visitors a bird’s eye view of the world’s largest sheet of falling water, and the views are spectacular. Helicopter flights can even take you upstream to do game viewing.
• Victoria Falls isn’t all about hair-raising experiences. People who enjoy relaxing, low-key activities have plenty of options, including scenic Victoria Falls walking tours, Segway tours, bicycle tours, sunset boat cruises on the Zambezi River and Livingstone activities like the Royal Livingstone Express Steam Train Tour.
• There are numerous places of interest around Victoria Falls and at the falls. Some of the best include Devil’s Cataract, the David Livingstone statue, The Boiling Pot, Danger Point, Livingstone Island, Victoria Falls Bridge, Knife Edge Bridge, Mosi-oa-Tunya Park, The Victoria Falls Hotel and Royal Livingstone Hotel.
• When you’re hungry in Vic Falls, enjoy tasty outdoor lunches and breakfasts at The Lookout Café overlooking Batoka Gorge and dine on traditional African cuisine at The Boma Restaurant as you are entertained by singers, dancers and drummers. Of course, there are also many other great places to eat.
• Other fun things to do in Victoria Falls… Interact with locals at a traditional Zimbabwean village. Learn about the cultural heritage of Zimbabwe’s native ethnic groups at Jafuta Heritage Centre. Shop for quality African curios at Elephant’s Walk Shopping & Artist Village and other markets. Explore Victoria Falls town!

So, there you have it, a number of fun facts and things to do in Victoria Falls. Only, reading and talking about them can never do the experience justice. Come and see for yourself! Book a Victoria Falls tour here.