Chasing Waterfalls: Why Victoria Falls Should Be Top Of Your Travel Bucket List

I know that TLC said “don’t go chasing waterfalls”, and while I’m sure they had their reasons for such advice, I think that on this occasion you should disregard it.

One of the original Seven Natural Wonders, Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world. Known to locals as ‘The Smoke That Thunders’, it forms the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Zambezi bridge, which runs between the two countries and carries rail, automobile and pedestrian traffic, is also a popular spot for those brave enough to bungee jump off. Would you risk it for a chocolate biscuit? I don’t know if I would… https://www.instagram.com/p/BgE9_rqgdxs/?utm_source=ig_embed About midway along the Zambezi River, the falls are approximately twice as wide and twice as deep as Niagara Falls. In a word: imposing. And yet it only receives a fraction of the tourism that its North American counterpart enjoys. https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Wo3TXIRKe/ So-named by Scottish explorer David Livingstone in honour of Queen Victoria, Livingstone made sure not to forget himself and attributed his own last name to both the largest island and the nearby Zambian town for good measure. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu4QTLfDzyn/?utm_source=ig_embed Experience the falls from above by helicopter, from the side-lines or even from within Devil’s Pool. The latter is described as the ‘ultimate infinity pool’ and offers thrill-seekers the chance to flirt with death and swim on what must feel like the edge of the earth. Zambian and Zimbabwean national parks exist on either side of the Zambezi River. Having been to Livingstone National Park on the Zambian side, I can attest to it being the prime location to see wild, untamed animals in their natural habitat. Elephants aplenty! https://www.instagram.com/p/BrP_QCWDF08/?utm_source=ig_embed There’s a good chance you’ll get wet, depending mainly on what time of year you visit the falls, as the mist is carried by the wind and is thicker than you’d expect. Swimwear recommended especially during the rainy season (November to March each year). https://www.instagram.com/p/B1s_IzBAdLK/?utm_source=ig_embed By far one of the most beautiful places I’ve been lucky enough to visit, photos can hardly do it justice. So I guess you’re going to have to go experience the magic for yourself. READ NEXT: This Is Venice’s Coolest Bookshop