- GENERAL INFORMATION -

What’s in a name?

The Victoria Falls is owned by both Zambia and Zimbabwe. The names can be confusing so
clarify to all misconception here goes with the terminology:

• The name of the actual Falls is the Victoria Falls known also as the Mosi oa Tunya
  (meaning the smoke that thunders).
• Victoria Falls is also the name of the town on the Zimbabwe side of the Falls
• The town on the Zambian side of the Falls is Livingstone named after the explorer who
  ‘discovered’ the Falls, Dr David Livingstone.
• Livingstone named the Falls after his queen of his time, Victoria, who incidentally never
  visited the Falls named after her.

Best time to visit:

• The Falls have a “high water” season and a “low water” season. These terms refer to the
  volume of water going over the Falls. Contrary to popular misconception high water is
  not during the rainy season but afterwards. This is because the catchment area of the
  Zambezi is many miles away from the Falls in Angola and Western Zambia and takes a
  couple of months to filter down to the Falls.
• The time of peak flow is April - May. If the rainfall has been particularly good it is
  sometimes not even possible to see the rock formations of the Falls during these months
  because of the sheer volume of water coming over the Falls.
• Low water season is generally from August to January with December and January
  being the lowest months. The lower the water, the better the rafting. So if you are
  coming to Victoria Falls to do the best rafting in Africa, plan it for low water season.

Climate:

• Summers at the Falls are hot and rainy. It very rarely rains day in day out for days at a
  time – the rain usually comes in the late afternoon and then its over with. Temperatures
  in summer can range from 26 Deg C to late 30 Deg C. It is generally much hotter before
  the rains come which makes October and sometimes even November pretty steamy.
• May to early August is cool and dry. Days are rain free and warm whilst the evenings can
  be chilly and may require a jacket and long pants.

Why visit Victoria Falls?

• Quite simply, the Falls are breath taking. In peak flow months a million litres of water
  per minute are flowing over the edge creating a mist and rainbow that will take your
  breath away. Both Zambia and Zimbabwe have been mindful of preserving the natural
  integrity of the gift they keep for future generations. Unlike Niagara Falls the Victoria
  Falls is not littered with high rise man made structures that deface the natural beauty of
  the area. The rainforest on both sides has been kept simple and natural.
• The area is a mecca for the adventurous. If you enjoy adrenalin pumping through your
  veins the adventure activities on offer won’t disappoint. Choose from white water rafting,
  bungy jumps, gorge swings, abseiling, flying fox, jet boating and microlight flights.
  Less adventurous guests should consider elephant back safaris, helicopter flights, river
  cruises & lion encounters.

Which side of the Falls is best?

• Entrance to the Zambian side of the Falls is US$10 pp and US$20pp on the Zimbabwe
  side. Regional visitors pay less. No credit cards are accepted, you need cash.