In the local language, the Victoria Falls are known as Mosi-oa-tunya, "the Smoke that thunders". The world-famous spectacular Victoria Falls is a waterfall situated in Southern Africa on the Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The falls are, by some measures, the largest waterfall in the world, as well as being among the most unusual in form, and having arguably the most diverse and easily seen wildlife of any major waterfall site. Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls are one of Africa's major tourist attractions and both Zambia and Zimbabwe have their own national parks to protect the fall and its wildlife and an accompanying town in each country to serve as a tourism centre. Zambia has Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and Livingstone Town while Zimbabwe the Victoria Falls National Park and the town of Victoria Falls.

The whole volume of the Zambezi River pours through the First Gorge's 110-metre-wide (360 ft) exit for a distance of about 150 metres (500 ft), then enters a zigzagging series of gorges designated by the order in which the river reaches them. Water entering the Second Gorge makes a sharp right turn and has carved out a deep pool there called the Boiling Pot. Reached via a steep footpath from the Zambian side, it is about 150 metres (500 ft) across.

The spray from the falls typically rises to a height of over 400 metres (1,300 ft), and sometimes even twice as high, and is visible from up to 50 km (30 miles) away. At full moon, a "moonbow" can be seen in the spray instead of the usual daylight rainbow.

During the flood season, however, it is impossible to see the foot of the falls and most of its face, and the walks along the cliff opposite it are in a constant shower and shrouded in mist. Close to the edge of the cliff, spray shoots upward like inverted rain, especially at Zambia's Knife-Edge Bridge

Wildlife

Many of Africa's wildlife and birds can be seen in the immediate vicinity of Victoria Falls, and the continent's range of river fish is also well represented in the Zambezi, enabling wildlife viewing and sport fishing to be combined with sightseeing. The national parks contain abundant wildlife including sizable populations of elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, and a variety of antelope. Lion and leopard are only occasionally seen. Vervet monkeys and baboons are common.

Victoria Falls

The river above the falls contains large populations of hippopotamus and crocodile. Elephants cross the river in the dry season at particular crossing points.

Klipspringers and clawless otters can be glimpsed in the gorges, but they are mainly known for 35 species of raptors. The Taita Falcon, Black Eagle, Peregrine Falcon and Augur Buzzard breed there. Above the falls, herons, Fish Eagles and numerous kinds of waterfowl are common.

The sight of millions of gallons of turbulent water cascading over a sheer precipice into a narrow gorge a hundred metres below is something nobody can ever forget.

In April and May, the peak of the flood season, the six falls - Devil’s Cataract, Main Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Rainbow Falls, Armchair Falls and the Eastern Cataract - form the largest curtain of falling water in the world. But in the dry season, between September and November, almost no water falls over some sections. The Falls have a continual mist above the surrounding area, creating a rainforest ecosystem for 2 kms. This unique nature sanctuary is rich in fauna and flora.