The Smoke that Thunders – so says the local name for Victoria Falls, Mosi oa-Tunya. Certainly this description is far more evocative and true to reality than the colonial name which was adopted. The British explorer David Livingstone described ‘scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by Angels in their flight’ and certainly these spectacular scenes continue to draw visitors year after year. It is a superb destination to start or end a safari.

With the Zambezi River forming the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, visitors wishing to see Victoria Falls have the option of staying either in Livingstone (on the Zambian side) or Victoria Falls (on the Zimbabwe side). Both sides offer an excellent range of accommodation and a dizzying list of activities. Accommodation options vary from simple guest houses and colonial style hotels to luxurious safari style lodges set along the river in national parks, offering the chance to continue the safari experience.

As the Zambezi River tumbles down 100 metres from a vertical chasm, the Victoria Falls is formed. Stretching across 1,700 metres and falling at heights between 80-110 metres, Victoria falls is one and a half times wider than Niagara Falls and is twice the height making it the biggest curtain of water in the world. At its peak up to 5 million cubic square metres of water plunges over the rim every minute- a staggering sight.

Across the 1,700 rim there are a number of gorges, or ‘falls’, most of which fall within the Zimbabwe side, rather than the Zambian side. The gorges are known locally as Main Falls, Rainbow Falls, The Devil’s Cataract and Horseshoe Falls in Zimbabwe and the Eastern Cataract in Zambia. The new Uni Visa allows visitors to visit both sides very easily.

Thick vegetation and woodland surrounds the falls, known as The Victoria Falls Rainforest, though not strictly a rain forest it forms a unique and fascinating eco-system.

When to visit Victoria Falls? The experience at the falls will all depend on the amount of rain received in the areas upstream. The Zambezi River is fed by the rains which fall from November-April, with the flood season from February to May, peaking in April. The spray at this time is immense, rising almost 1km into the sky and visible 45 kms away. It is worth noting that at its peak the spray is so strong that visibility is restricted. During the drier months, from September to January, the rocky face of the falls begins to show again. October is traditionally the driest month. The experience varies greatly across the seasons but certainly each month will offer something very different for everyone.

Victoria Falls has become a hub of activities and visitors are spoilt for choice. Certainly the area offers much more than simply a tour of the waterfall, with a huge range of activities now available for every age and interest. Serene activities such as boating along the Zambezi or dining on steam trains offer a chance to take a slower pace while at the falls. For those looking to get their heart beat up there is a long list of adventure sports- from rafting to canoeing and walking safaris. Families will delight in the canopy tours and elephant interactions in Victoria Falls while rhino tracking is available in Mosi oa-Tunya, in Zambia. Cultural activities such as village and school visits are also available.

Plenty to entertain any visitor – or simple a peaceful place to recharge before or after a safari.