Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls National Park

By Cubie - February 22, 2025


Victoria Falls, named by Scottish explore David Livingstone is located about midway along the Zambezi River, at the border between Zambia to the north and Zimbabwe to the south. The name given by Kololo-Lozi people - Mosi-oa-Tunya, "the smoke that thunders."

The waters of Victoria Falls drop into a chasm formed by precipe of the flass and an opposite rock wall. The outlet of this chasm is a narrow channel. Through this gorge, the water flows the entire volume of Zambezi River. At the gorge's end is the Boiling Pot, a deep pool into which the waters churn and foam at flood time. Just below the Boiling Pot, the gorge is spanned by the Victoria Falls (Zambezi) Bridge which is connects between Zambia and Zimbabwe. 


We were there in September which is the dry season and low water level at the falls. It also falls within the period of time where Devil's Pool is accessible. Spoiler alert: we read and decided not to go. There are no shortage of ways one can view or experience Victoria Falls like helicopter ride, bungee jump, etc.

We did the most conventional - the recommended route to 16 different viewpoints to see the falls. 
 

There is a statue of David Livingstone at Viewpoint #1. At this same viewpoint, one can look down onto Devil's Cataract and towards the Main Falls.



Viewpoint #2 involves going down a few steps to chasm, the steps maybe a little wet and slippery. 


Viewpoints #3 to #5 gives a frontal view of Devil's Cataract.




Viewpoints #6, #7 & #8 give clear views of the Main Falls. We also managed to catch a rainbow in the morning, I think at viewpoint #6. When we returned after we finished all the viewpoints, the rainbow is no longer available. 






Viewpoints #9 to #12 are in the heart of the rainforest and where it is wettest throughout the year, so walking through it did feel like walking in a rainforest. As we were there in September, we were not drenched. In fact, it felt cooling like we were walking in light rain. 



From viewpoints #11 to #13, one can catch a glimpse of Livingstone Island and the Devil's Pool activity. The one we didn't do.


Spot the humans


Viewpoints #13, #14 and #15 are after the walk through the rainforest. These viewpoints cover the Horseshoe Falls, Rainbow Falls, Armchair Falls and Eastern Cataract. From viewpoint #15, one can look down to the Danger Point.



The last viewpoint, at viewpoint #16 one can see views of the Victoria Falls Railway Bridge. 


There were monkeys at the national park but these are less scary, compared to the ones in Zambia. 



Side note: 5525

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