When discussing safaris to Zimbabwe or Botswana, a question I get asked a lot is: When is the best time to visit Victoria Falls? My answer is simple and always the same – any time is a good time to see the mighty Falls!
A unique habitat for several species of flora and fauna, Victoria Falls is a spectacular waterfall on the Zambezi River. It spans 1700 m (5500 ft) at its widest and falls down 108 m (355 ft) into a narrow (25-75 m wide) gorge. At the end of the gorge, the river flows under the Victoria Falls Bridge connecting both countries. The edge of the waterfall is split into several parts by small islands, which continues into an awe-inspiring water drop down the chasm.
The name was given by David Livingstone, the first European to have visited the natural wonder in 1855, in honour of Queen Victoria. In addition to the falls themselves, the surroundings are protected by the Victoria Falls National Park (Zimbabwe) and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (Zambia). Lush forests are home to klipspringers, bushback and warthogs. Elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions and leopards roam the forests and grasslands, while hippos are often seen near the falls. Victoria Falls with its surroundings were designated a World Heritage site in 1989.
The water level in the Zambezi River and the corresponding might of the falls depends on two main interconnected factors – the time of the year and intensity of rains.
- In a nutshell, for anyone who would like to experience Victoria Falls at its ‘peak’ with hundreds of meters high sprays should plan to visit any time between February and June.
- Keep in mind though, the Zambezi River levels as well as intensity of the falls will vary depending on the rains in November to March.
- Between September to November, the eastern portions of the falls (Zambian side) are mostly dry during times of low river flow. The surrounding vegetation will also be dry and temperatures can reach 40C.
There are many attractions around Victoria Falls, depending on your adventure level. Those interested in taking in the sights by walking can enjoy a walk along the gorge on the Zimbabwe side with a visit to the Angel and Devils Pools from the Zambian side. If you wish to experience by boat, there are river cruises available on the Zambezi. For the thrill seekers among us, we recommend a variety of scenic flights or bungee jumping from the Victoria Falls Bridge.
