*  Mesmerising Victoria Falls...  a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
*  One of the seven natural wonders of the world!
*  The widest curtain of falling water on earth.
*  Over 500 million litres of water plummet over the Batoka Gorge during the rainy season every
   minute.
*  The spray of The Falls creates a column that rises into the sky of almost 400 metres and can be
   seen from up to 50 kilometers away. 
*  A verdant rain forest on the edges of the Batoka Gorge exists due to the blanket of fine spray from
   The Falls that soaks the surrounding wilderness.
*  During the rainy season at full moon, a 'moonbow' can be seen in the spray instead of the usual
   daylight rainbow.
*  The Zambezi is the fourth longest river in Africa beginning in Zambia, the river then flows along the
   borders of Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe before slicing through Mozambique and
   emptying into the Indian Ocean.

Travelling to Victoria Falls, one can choose to stay on the Zambian or Zimbabwean side of The Falls.  Both offer easy access to view the legendary Victoria Falls and there is equal opportunity to enjoy a huge range of adrenaline adventure activities on either side of The Falls.  Both countries also offer a range of accommodation options.  On the Zambian side of The Falls, the town of Livingstone is 10 kms away from The Falls and accommodation is mostly spread out along the Zambezi River.  Due to the negative publicity that Zimbabwe has received in recent years, many tourists have opted to stay on the

Zambian side of The Falls and this has influenced the town of Livingstone positively - business is good, there is renewed investment in the town itself and in new hotels and resorts and there is a vibrant energy that is tangible. The town of Livingstone is named after the missionary and explorer Sir David Livingstone, the first European to set eyes on the majestic Victoria Falls in 1855.  Livingstone's purpose in Africa at the time was to discover the source of the Nile and he wrote in his journal at the time, "...scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight".    Livingstone named The Falls after his Queen Victoria, but the more apt and romantic name sake given to The Falls by the local Batoka is Mosi-oa-Tunya - the smoke that thunders!

In Zimbabwe the town of Victoria Falls is within close walking distance to the Victoria Falls Bridge and The Falls itself, with a great deal of the hotel accommodation centered around the town itself.  The town of Victoria Falls exists because of tourism to The Falls and sprung up in the 1960's.  Although Zimbabwe has received 'bad press' internationally due to the countries political instability, Victoria Falls remains a safe destination for tourists, with visitor numbers continuing to grow year on year. 

The Victoria Falls bridge that separates the two countries can be crossed with relative ease.  So if you have the time and inclination, you can view The Falls from both the Zambian and the Zimbabwean side literally in one day - both countries offer unique vantage points to view The Falls.  On both sides you can wander along pathways, through indigenous bush as you are within a National Park, with heart stopping views of The Falls as you intermittently pop out at various view points.  A walk through the rainforest, where the fine spray from The Falls will certainly cool you down and yes, make you wet is actually a highlight - it's a welcome relief during the summer heat.

On the Zambian side of The Falls during the rainy season, you can cool off in the waters of the Zambezi literally just before it plunges into the yawn of the gorge below.  In the dry season, this same point offers you a rocky ledge to tentatively step across to Livingstone Island where the brave can peek over the chasm and into the gorge below.  During the months of November to January on the Zambian side, The Falls may dry out occasionally during the dry season.  At this time we recommend that you view The Falls from the Zimbabwean side.  The best way to view The Falls is on a guided tour - our Tour Guides in The Falls are noted for their enthusiasm and vast knowledge...

 and if you don't want to get wet in the rain forest our water resistant ponchos will come in handy.    Thompsons Africa offer guided tours of The Falls from both the Zambian and the Zimbabwean side of The Falls.  We also offer a combination tour which will take you to view The Falls in both Zambia and Zimbabwe.