The Zambians refer to the Victoria Falls as 'Mosi-oa-Tunya'. This is translated to mean 'the smoke that thunders'. The local tribes’ folklore tried to explain away what the waterfalls of the mighty Zambezi River were all about.
The waterfall is to be found along the Zambia-Zimbabwe border in a location known as Livingstone. David Livingstone is the name of the first European to set eyes on the falls.
Victoria Falls isneither the highest (this tag goes to the Iguacu Falls in Brazil) northe widest. However, it is classified as the largest because it has a width of 1708 meters and a height of 108 meters resulting in the largest sheet of water falling the highest distance. Just so you understand how big the Victoria Falls is, it is twice the size of the Niagara.
The waterfall is made by several streams namely; the Rainbow Falls (it is the highest), the Eastern Cataract, the Main Falls, and the Devil's Cataract. Note that the latter is especially popular among the adrenaline junkies who live on the edge by risking their lives.
Among the attractions that draw people to this waterfall include the moon bow that is formed on the spray of water during full moon as well as the Knife Bridge on the Zambian side where you can observe the waterfalls and capture them on your camera.
The area surrounding the waterfall has several national parks including; Victoria Falls National Park,Zambezi National Park, Hwange National Park and Kazuma Pan National Park. These national parks offer you a chance to see the African wildlife in its natural habitat. Among the vegetation species you will encounter here include; pod mahogany, ebony, creepers, lianas, date palm among others. The wildlife to behold here include; hippos, crocodiles, zebras, lions, leopards, baboons, monkeys, peregrine falcon, black eagle and many more.
If you are planning an African safari, you better as well head to the Victoria Falls. The waterfall is not listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites for nothing.
