Victoria Falls, like Mount Kilimanjaro, is an emblem of the entire African continent. Spanning 5600 feet (1700 m) and dropping 420 feet (128 m) into the Zambezi Gorge, the falls create a roar–and a cloud of mist–so great that they are perceptible from a distance of 25 miles (40 km). David Livingstone was the first European to visit the falls, in 1855, and he named them in honor of his queen.
The best time to visit Victoria Falls is between September and November. During March and April, when the water volume is at its peak, the falls create so much mist that they are difficult to see, and from May to September the mist adds to the season’s high humidity.
There are all sorts of activities offered at Victoria Falls, including bungee jumping, small plane flights over the falls, and raft trips to the Boiling Pot at their base. In addition to such thrill ride activities, Victoria Falls is also the center for some of the best safari and adventure opportunities in Africa. Above the falls, outstanding canoe and kayaking safaris are available, offering one of the most exciting and memorable ways to experience both the Zambezi and the abundant game of Zambezi National Park.
Below the falls, the Zambezi becomes a whitewater rafting paradise. The rafting trips that run through the river’s gorges are internationally known as the most exciting, and least dangerous, to be found anywhere.