Tag: season in victoria falls

Here are five reasons to visit Victoria Falls by guest blogger, Roxanne Reid. Victoria Falls, on the boundary between Zimbabwe and Zambia, has long conjured an element of old-world Out of Africa romance. To visit the falls is a bucket-list expedition into the heart of Africa to see one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, and here are 5 great reasons to visit:

1. UNESCO World Heritage Site

Victoria Falls and the ‘rainforest’ that surrounds it are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That means that they have been recognized to have outstanding universal value. One reason for this is that the main falls form the highest, widest sheet of continually falling water in the world – twice as high as Niagara Falls and around 500m/1,640ft wider. The volume of water is impressive too: it is said that the whole annual consumption of New York City goes over the falls in just three-and-a-half days during peak flood season in March and April. The force of the water as it thunders into the gorge drives spray into the air and covers everything in mist. For this reason, the locals call Victoria Falls ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’, meaning the smoke that thunders. You can see this ‘smoke’ up to 50km/31mi away.

If you visit during March to May, when there’s enough spray, you may see a lunar rainbow during the full moon. Just like a normal rainbow, the moonbow appears when water particles in the air refract light. Victoria Falls opens at full moon for three nights. For the best effect, try to be there in the first hour or so after the moon appears.

2. Zambezi River

The Zambezi is one of Africa’s major rivers. It forms the boundary between Zimbabwe on one side of Victoria Falls and Zambia on the other and is the lifeblood of the area. Blood-red sunrises and sunsets along the river are dazzling in their beauty. Don’t miss a Ra-Ikane sunset boat cruise on the river to see hippos, elephants, crocs and birds, as well as to toast the setting sun.

3. Adrenaline Activities

If spiking your adrenaline is something that turns you on, you’ll be spoilt for choice at Victoria Falls. Most famous of the many adrenaline activities is probably the 111m/364ft bungee jump from the bridge above the falls into the gorge. White-water rafting is also popular. If you want to do this, make sure you visit at the right time of year. White-water rafting is only available from around the end of August to December when water levels are lower and therefore safer.

Another thrilling activity during the low-water months is to cross the old iron bridge to the Zambian side of the Falls for a swim in Devil’s Pool. You might call this the world’s most spectacular infinity pool. The experience will have you floating right to the very edge of the pool where the water plummets into the gorge below. A guide will come with you to keep you safe.

With a gorge swing, flying fox and zipline over Batoka Gorge as well, it’s no wonder this is known as Zimbabwe’s adrenaline capital.

4. Wildlife

Victoria Falls National Park and Zambezi National Park, both in Zimbabwe, and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia are all in easy reach of the falls. They provide a wealth of wildlife-watching opportunities, from elephant, buffalo, lion and leopard to a host of antelope species like sable, eland, kudu and impala.

If you’re really keen on wildlife and safari experiences, ask about a day trip to Hwange National Park. Zimbabwe’s biggest national park, it’s only an hour’s drive away from the Falls. Chobe National Park in neighboring Botswana, is 80 minutes away, and is known for its huge elephant and buffalo herds. Each park delivers some of the best wildlife viewing in southern Africa.

5. A Different Perspective

Once you’ve seen Victoria Falls from close up on the ground, take to the air in a helicopter or a microlight. You’ll get aerial views that will have you marveling at the sheer scale of the Falls. If you choose the heli-flip, the chopper will make a few passes over the falls so everyone gets to photograph them, no matter where you’re sitting. If you choose the microlight, hang onto your camera or phone. Even better, attach it to your body with a cable so you don’t lose it if you drop it.

 

 

The Zambezi River flows through six countries to make its notable descent over the mighty Victoria Falls – one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and a World Heritage site.

This impressive body of water is the fourth largest river in Africa, has a catchment covering 1,390,000 km², a length of approximately 2700km and flows from its source in north-western Zambia right through to the Indian Ocean.

With those impressive dimensions, it no surprise that the water levels vary year-round and have knock-on effects on the area.

It must be said that at any time of the year Victoria Falls has so much to offer and is a year-round destination thanks to its mild winters, hot summers, and enviable location between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Victoria Falls themselves, needless to say, are always an incredible sight, no matter the season or the reason. There is so much to learn and discover and here are some interesting facts about the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls water levels we bet you didn’t know.

1. Some parts of The Victoria Falls dry up each year

Water levels of the Zambezi rise and drop so dramatically throughout the year that at its lowest water level in October, November and early December, some sections of the Falls dry up and the spray is at its least, if any. Contrary to some speculation, the Falls will never dry up, so you are guaranteed to always witness this world wonder, no matter the time of year.

The lowest recorded water flows recorded until today were during the 1995/96 season which clocked an annual mean flow of 390 cubic metres per second. In contrast, the Victoria Falls are currently flowing at 4,700 cubic meters per second!

2. Depending on the water levels, you can swim on the edge of the Falls

From the months of September to December, when the Zambezi River is at a safe level, adrenalin daredevils can swim in a naturally formed pool at the edge of the Falls, appropriately named the “Devil’s Swimming Pool”. This pool is accessed from Livingstone Island – the island that David Livingston first saw the Falls from, hundreds of years ago.

From February to August when the water levels are beginning to rise, and the current is too strong, the Devil’s Pool closes as it would be dangerous to attempt to swim. However, the more invitingly named “Angels Pool” opens which offers a similar exhilarating experience. You can read more about an Angels Pool experience here – https://goo.gl/8P4ejN

3. The highest recorded flow was in 1958

If we think this year the water levels have been high, where our peak reached 4,700 cubic meters of water per second, try to imagine the levels nearly three times higher and more powerful. Truly incredible, right? The highest recorded water level in Victoria Falls was back in 1958 where it reached more than 11,600 cubic meters of water per second!

At Ilala Lodge Hotel, we can currently feel the power of the thunderous falls with their constant vibrations at the hotel, and the doors shake and rattle throughout the day. At the   Ra-Ikane jetty site, we record and track of the water levels each year and it is amazing to see the change that can happen overnight.

In recent times, the highest water levels were recorded in Victoria Falls in 2006 where even the local Boat Club was flooded and forced to close. The second highest levels were recorded in 2009 where the water in the gorge rose over 12 meters above its normal recorded level that year.

4. Animals do go over the Falls

Did you know that the power of the Zambezi River is strong enough to wash away even the largest land mammal in the world? In April 2013, during the high-water level, it was reported that four elephants who were swimming across the river channel, were sadly swept away by the ferocious currents and over the Falls.

4. The Zambezi River and Falls are enshrined in local Folklore

Being such a prominent part of the lives of those who inhabit the area, the Zambezi River has a great deal of magic and mystery attached to it. The local inhabitants believe the Zambezi River has a “River-God “spirit, the famous Nyami-Nyami, who watches over the river. In the rainy season when the plain is in full flood, a ceremony known as the Ku-omboka Ceremony, takes place where the local people move onto higher ground to escape the Zambezi flood waters.

5. The best time to view Victoria Falls

Peak Water: March to May
Come the end of the rainy season in Southern Africa, the sheer volume of water cascading over the Falls is at its peak. This results in the spray from the Falls being so thick and dense that it literally “rains” down on you so be prepared to get drenched! This is an excellent time to view the Falls from above on a helicopter flight.

Medium to High Water: January to February & June to August
This happy medium is one of the best time of year to view Victoria Falls. With an enjoyable amount of spray falling down on you and cooling you off, you can also view the falls in their enormity and peer down cliff faces, down into the gorge below.

Low Water: September to December
The low water season is a fantastic time to photograph Victoria Falls with the cliff face exposed and this spectacular geographical formation is in plain sight. The spray is less, the skies are sunny and blue and there are less visitors to the area too. If you are feeling daring, why not take a hike down the Gorge and view the Falls from a different perspective?

Current Water Levels:

The Zambezi River flow has been increasing steadily as is expected, and at the end of this week, it was at 4,604 cubic meters per second in comparison to 2,647m cubic meters per second on the same day last year. The river water levels will begin to drop from June until December.

Each season and water level offer tourists a new and exciting opportunity to view the majestic Victoria Falls and a variety of activities for any taste, interest or adventure-seeking level.

We would love to hear which season your favourite is and why?

Sources:
http://www.zaraho.org.zm/hydrology/river-flows
https://www.victoriafalls-guide.net/victoria-falls-weather.html
https://www.victoriafalls-guide.net/zambezi-water-levels-closures.html
https://www.victoriafalls-guide.net/victoria-falls-weather.html
http://www.zaraho.org.zm/hydrology/river-flows