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 View of the Victoria Falls | ||
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The Victoria Falls are a waterfall near the cities Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Livingstone in Zambia, right on the border between the two countries.
background
David Livingstone, who as a missionary and explorer forged into the interior of Africa in the early 1850s, discovered the Victoria Falls in 1855 and named them after the English Queen Victoria. The waterfall is used by the local Kololo people Mosi-oa-Tunya called, which means something like "The smoke that thunders". In view of the rising spray, some of which can still be seen 30 km away, this is not surprising. As a result, a tropical rainforest has developed around the falls
In 1989 the Victoria Falls became the UNESCO World Natural Heritage explained, but the 68.6 km² has existed since 1934 Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, which has been designated as a zoological park since 1972 and belongs to Zambia. It is located above the Victoria Falls, which it encompasses, is easily accessible by good driveways and offers many large animals. In Zimbabwe the 23 km² closes Victoria Falls Natural Park at.
| Height of fall | width | Amount of water | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Niagara Falls | 51 m | 1,203 m | 2.407 m³ / s |
| Iguaçu Falls | 82 m | 2,700 m | 1,746 m³ / s |
| Victoria Falls | 107 m | 1,737 m | 1,100 m³ / s |
The falling edge is interrupted by two islands, Cataract Island and Livingstone Island. The water flow is subject to strong fluctuations, with floods in May it can be 5,000 m³ / s, in November there is usually low water, then often less than 500 m³ / s fall. The edge of the fall is not horizontal, it lies a little deeper on the western side (Zimbabwe), so that when the water is low on the eastern side only a few sparse rivulets fall into the depths and you can get almost dry feet from Zambia Livingstone Island in the middle of the falls can go.
The depth of fall is also not the same everywhere. At Devil's Cataract in the west it is 70 m, the Main case between Cataract Island and Livingstone Island varies between 72 m and 93 m Horseshoe Falls at 95 m, at the Rainbow Falls if the height of fall is 107 m, then they finally follow Armchair Falls with 101 m and the Eastern Cataract with 85 m.
In bright sunshine, rainbows can often be seen in the strong spray, but there is also a phenomenon that is almost unique in the world: on the night when the moon is full, as well as the night before and after, when the sky is clear, there is one Lunar rainbow . Zimbabwe can pay for this phenomenon quite dearly with an entrance fee of 50 US- $.
Over time, the Victoria Falls will continue to migrate northwards through erosion, such as Devil's Cataract can already be seen through a deep incision. This has been the case several times in the past, as shown by seven consecutive gorges.
getting there
From Zimbabwe
22 km south of the city Victoria Falls is the airport of the same name "Victoria Falls Airport" (VFA). However, there are no direct connections to Germany. From Germany you have to go over Johannesburg or Windhoek (Air Namibia). KLM and Emirates have been flying to the airport in the capital Harare since 2012. From here it is approximately 920 km to Victoria Falls. A day trip by bus. The local airline Air Zimbabwe is still very unreliable and very expensive when it flies.
Price for taxi from Vic airport. If at most hotels in the area - 25-35 USD.
Flight times:
- Frankfurt am Main - Johannesburg (non-stop scheduled flight): approx. 11 hours
- Connecting flight Johannesburg - Victoria Falls Airport: around 2 - 3 hours including transfer time in Johannesburg
From Zambia
Also the Zambian city Livingstone has an airport Livingstone Airport
(IATA: LVI).
mobility
Tourist Attractions
Lookouts in Zimbabwe
The viewpoints in Zimbabwe are accessible for an admission fee. From the park-like facility you have numerous beautiful views of the falls.
- Opening times as posted
- - in summer: 6 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- - in winter: 6:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Entry: 25 euros or 30 US $ (as of 5/2012).
There are level, fairly good footpaths in the park, but the spray from the falls can make them slippery. In any case, a raincoat and / or an umbrella is recommended, with high water levels and strong winds you will still get quite wet -> watch out for your camera!
The sightseeing routes start in the west at Devil's Cataract, near it is a monument to the naturalist Livingstone. Then they lead along the upper edge of the gorge to a dozen well-described lookout points, the last lookout point is opposite the railway bridge. On the way, some stairs lead several meters down into the gorge, but they are not recommended in the rain and for people with limited mobility.
Lookouts in Zambia
- Entry fee (June / 2012): $ 20
If you go to the Zambia side from Zimbabwe to see Victoria Falls from there (it's no less impressive! Best around noon, because you can also get down to the river and back) you pay an additional $ 20 for a visa for 6 hours, or 30-35 normal. After that you need a visa to Zimbabwe AGAIN. Therefore, multi-visa makes sense.
activities
- An absolute must is one Boat trip on the Zambezi Above the falls including animal observation (birds, hippos), costs US $ 60 including transfers, national park fee, transfers and drinks on board.
- Golf
- Bungee jumping from the railroad bridge; For the less daring, we recommend the Historical Bridge Tour (ride in a nostalgic car over the bridge, historical presentation and walk back over the 'catwalk' under the bridge).
- White water rafting in the Zambezi gorges below the falls, US $ 130 plus $ 10 national park fee,
- A helicopter flight over the falls costs US $ 130 plus US $ 8 national park fee, approx. 12 - 15 minutes, for a flight over the national park approx. 30 min, 260 $ 8 national park fee.
shop
Just outside the falls is the Miramba Market, which sells souvenirs and local art. You should still bargain hard here, as the prices are extremely overpriced.
Best to buy in shops in downtown Victoria Falls or in "The Kingdom Hotel". The prices are usually much cheaper there than with sellers on the street and you can also trade. However, the goods of the street vendors are often "B-goods", which can therefore contain defects, such as cannot be on the table, hangs crooked on the wall, etc.
The prices in Victoria Falls are extremely high. In the center, however, there are two supermarkets where you can shop relatively cheaply. There is also a fast food restaurant, where you can eat well and cheaply.
kitchen
nightlife
accommodation
You cannot stay overnight directly in the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park and therefore have to stay in the City of Victoria Falls or Livingstone put up with.
Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)
Cheap
medium
- Amadeus Garden. E-mail: [email protected]. A guest house under German management since 1999. Eleven en-suite rooms, beautiful garden with pool only 2.5 kilometers from the falls.Price: Room prices from 50 euros per person / night including breakfast.
- Sprayview Hotel. The Sprayview Hotel is just two kilometers from the falls and offers motel-like accommodation for under US $ 100 / night.
- Drifter Inn Victoria Falls. A 20-minute walk from the falls, offers quiet and simple rooms from around US $ 50 per night per person in a double room.
Upscale
- Victoria Falls Safari Lodge. On the outskirts, about 5 km to the falls (guests can use the shuttle bus). The ideal place for a sundowner at the bar with a view of the waterhole (which is illuminated in the evening). Dinner in the Makuwakuwa Restaurant (a la carte).Price: Room from US $ 170 per night per person.
Livingstone (Zambia)
Cheap
medium
- Waterberry Lodge. About 15 km from the Falls and 28 km from Livingstone, on the banks of the Zambezi. Accommodation in chalets with garden views.Price: from approx. US $ 80 per person per night.
Upscale
- The Zambezi Sun, located between the Falls and Livingstone. Offers multiple restaurants and types of accommodation. Special feature: has its own access to the Vic-Falls which is for hotel guests without additional fees.
- Stanley Safari Lodge. One of the top addresses on the falls, with a view of the Zambezi, the falls and the elephant waterhole.
trips
- The Chobe National Park can be reached quickly.
literature
Web links
- Victoria Falls on the pages of Zambia Tourism - English
- Zimparks, official information on nature parks in Zimbabwe
