Victoria Falls: The Smoke That Thunders

Named after Queen Victoria by David Livingstone, the Scottish missionary who ”discovered” the falls in 1855 after being ferried there by locals, Victoria Falls is still known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya which means "smoke that thunders".

“No one can imagine the beauty of the view from anything witnessed in England. It had never been seen before by European eyes, but scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight” (Livingstone 1857).

It is of the big three waterfalls in the world and the cash cow of Zimbabwe tourism. The falls can be viewed from both Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Livingstone in Zambia, with the iconic Victoria Falls bridge connecting both towns. There are a lot of activities to do in Victoria Falls centred around the Falls and National Park.

I thought I was coming down with malaria and took coartem to treat it. I didn't read the side effects properly and so suffered severe drowsiness and nausea. At some point it got so bad I couldn't tell if I was awake or dreaming and that meant I couldn't bungee jump or explore as much as I wanted. I still had fun partying with Chris, Nkosi and Preston, with Big Daddy Simba watching over us. The tour officially ended here and we spent our last night together drinking at the Backpackers Bar. Some of us stayed an extra night and hung out at the National Park but I must say, it felt a bit difficult saying goodbye after 20 days crammed into "Jimi".

Here are a few things to if you visit Victoria Falls

Dinner on Zambezi

Have breakfast at the Lookout café

The only way to get there is through the historic Victoria Falls hotel into the National Park. Take some time to wander around the hotel.

Visit the National Park

It cost 30USD and took me just under 2 hours to walk to all the lookout points.

Walk across the Vic Falls Bridge to Zambia (maybe bungee jump)

See the falls on a microflight (from Livingstone)

Check out Shearwater for safaris and adrenaline-fuelled activities around the area.

With a recently renovated airport in Victoria Falls airport in the town served by British Airways and another one in Livingstone town, it is now easier than ever to get to Victoria Falls. There’s a unifying visa scheme called KAZA which costs $50 and allows tourists visit both Zambia, Zimbabwe and Bostwana (Chobe area through the Kazungula Borders).

I let my hair down and had the absolute best time in Vic Falls, it was LIT!!!

Lest I forget, you won't find more stunning sunsets anywhere else in the world.