Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is a town located in the province of Matabeleland North in the western portion of Zimbabwe. Found across the border from Livingstone, Zambia, the town is home to the fantastic waterfalls that share its name, and no Zimbabwe tour is complete without a visit.

Artefacts discovered in the area provide proof that Victoria Falls has been inhabited for over three million years. Despite this, the area was not discovered by Europeans until 1885 when David Livingstone was taken to the very edge of the Falls by local Makalolo people. European settlement began around 1900 under Cecil John Rhodes who wished to develop the area’s natural resources. The town became an increasingly popular tourist destination during British colonial rule and remains one today.

Named for the Queen of England, but known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, “The Smoke Which Thunders,” Victoria Falls is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Twice the size of Niagara Falls, they are the largest sheet of water of any falls in the world. Victoria Falls also offers many hotels, restaurants and bars that welcome tourists and is well known for its abundance of adrenaline activities. While many initially come to see the magnificent waterfalls, more and more people who travel to Zimbabwe are choosing to stay to enjoy what this famous town has to offer.