Waterfalls in Africa on which rivers. The largest and most famous waterfalls in Africa. Victoria Falls is the only place on Earth where you can see a rare natural phenomenon - a lunar rainbow.

Victoria Falls is located on the Zambezi River, the fourth largest in Africa, on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. It is the world's largest, most spectacular waterfall and one of the world's seven natural wonders. Named "Mosi-oa-Tunya" - "The Smoke That Thunders" by the Kololo people who lived here in the 1800s - Victoria Falls is a breathtaking spectacle of awesome beauty and magnificence.
Victoria Falls stretches 1708 meters wide. It falls from a height of 120 meters into a gorge 30 meters wide. The waterfall was formed by the sharp fall of the Zambezi into a narrow chasm carved by its waters at the fracture zone earth's crust. Numerous islands on the ridge of the waterfall divide the water flow into several branches. The dense fog and thunderous roar produced by the waterfall can be perceived from a distance of approximately 40 km. A boiling cauldron at the beginning of a winding gorge 80 km long, through which streams from the waterfall rush, is crossed by a bridge 198 meters long and 94 meters high. During a flood, the water flow rate is approximately 546 million liters of water per minute.
Victoria Falls
I think Victoria
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls
the highest is Victoria (900m), the widest is also Victoria (1800m)
Victoria

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Victoria Falls is ranked among World Heritage UNESCO and is the widest waterfall with a continuous flow. Its height is 120 meters (which is twice as high Niagara Falls), and the width is approximately 1800 m.

Where is Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is located on the border of the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe, on the Zambezi River in South Africa. The indigenous people of Zambia call it Mosi-oa-Tunya, which means "thundering smoke". Also from local population you can hear the name Chongue (“place of the rainbow”).

Who discovered Victoria Falls in Africa

The waterfall first received widespread publicity in 1855. While traveling along the mouth of the Zambezi River, Scottish explorer David Livingstone saw "a beauty that cannot be compared with anything seen in England." The Scot named the waterfall in honor of Queen Victoria and dubbed it the most wonderful sight in Africa.

For exactly 50 years, Victoria Falls was heard only from travelers who described it in notes. In 1905, a bridge was built across the Zambezi River Railway towards Bulawayo city. Since then, the flow of tourists has only increased, and Zimbabwe has tourist town Livingston.

By the mid-19th century the days of British colonial empire were resolved and South Africa regained its independence. The wave of tourists to Victoria Falls resumed in the 1980s - by which time the annual number of tourists had increased to approximately 300 thousand people.

Description of the area

Above the Victoria Falls, along the Zambezi River, there are islands of different sizes; as you approach the abyss, their number increases. These islands divide the falls into four parts. The right bank of the river is known for “jumping water” - this is the name of the 35-meter wide stream. Behind the island of Boaruca, the width of the waterfall is approximately 460 meters. This is followed by the second main stream behind Livingston Island (530 m). And on the left bank of the Zambezi River there is an eastern waterfall.

The entire flow of Victoria Falls water falls into a narrow crevice and passes through it for about 120 meters, then flows into a zigzag gorge.

Devil's Font

On the Zimbabwe side, at the very precipice of Victoria Falls, there is a section where the water flow is relatively weak, and a narrow rocky ridge creates a so-called pool. This area is known to tourists as the "Devil's Font" and becomes popular from September to December when the water level is low. Desperate extreme sportsmen swim a couple of meters from the cliff. There have also been accidents where swimmers have been carried over the edge, so you should carefully weigh your decision before venturing into the “devil’s pool.”

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park

In the Thundering Smoke Park in Zambia you can see such wild animals as elephants, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, two white rhinoceroses, and hippos splash peacefully in the river. There are no predators here, so the animals are not shy and are accustomed to humans.

Tourist Information

Entertainment and excursions on the territory of Victoria Falls

Explore the rapids of the Zambezi River behind the waterfall - for fans of kayaking and rafting. For less extreme tourists, boat trips are offered.
Experience an adrenaline rush by jumping from a bridge right above the gorge - bungee jumping to the sound of a thundering waterfall.
See all the beauty of Victoria Falls from a bird's eye view - helicopter and paragliding excursions.
Book a jeep safari in the national park.
Fly over the canyon on a zip line - Zip-line attraction.
Visit the Victoria Falls Museum to learn about how it has changed over its thousand-year history.

When is the best time to go?

Depending on the season, Victoria Falls can be seen in different states. From January to July, the water level in the Zambezi rises, the river flow becomes faster and more powerful (during this period extreme species sports at the waterfall are limited). From August to December, the river dries out significantly, its flow becomes less rapid and strong - this is the peak season for extreme travelers.

How to get to Victoria Falls

Most The best way- fly by plane to the capital of Zambia - Lusaka. Next, you can use local airlines to get to the city of Livingston. The cheaper way is by bus, but the travel time is 7 hours.

It’s better to book a hotel in Livingston in advance to take a break from the road, and in the morning visit Victoria Falls, half an hour’s drive from the city.

Where is Victoria Falls on the map of Africa:

Geographical coordinates: 17°55′28″ south latitude and 25°51′24″ east longitude.

In addition to the powerful Victoria and the highest Tugela and Mtazari, Africa has such a miracle as the Lofoi Falls in Zaire, in the Kundelungu National Park, in the province of Shaba, in the very southeast of the country. The Lofoi River falls like a water ram from a height of 340 meters.

Kalambo Waterfall

At the southern tip of Lake Tanganyika, on the Kalambo River, which forms the border between Tanzania and Zambia, lies the 221-meter-high Kalambo Falls. Like a water sword, it cuts through a sheer rock wall, rushing into the abyss in a powerful stream. Kalambo Falls has become widely known since 1953, when archaeologists discovered one of the oldest African cities of the Paleolithic era in its area. The oldest iron objects on the continent made by Africans were also found there.

African Augrabies Falls.

Augrabies Falls

In South Africa, in the Kalahari desert, on the Orange River, the Augrabis Falls, 146 meters high, is located. Augrabis is found in wild, rocky terrain. In this place, the Orange River spreads between a jumble of lifeless rocks and islands, forming a delta up to 7 km wide. The waters of the river along the main channel break through a narrow crevice and fly down into a deep gorge. In a gigantic cauldron, the depth of which is about 45 meters, the river rushes furiously, swirls, raising waves six meters high. A cloud of water dust rises a hundred meters, almost to the crest of the waterfall, and gives birth to a light rainbow. The roar of the waterfall echoes loudly in the surrounding area. Water flow during floods is hundreds of cubic meters per second. During the rainy season, it is generally impossible to approach Augrabis on foot; it can only be viewed from a helicopter. If Victoria Falls is surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, then the surroundings of Augrabis, especially in the dry season, look harsh and gloomy. The waterfall was discovered in 1778.

African Kabarega Falls in Uganda.

Kabarega Waterfall

Kabarega Falls on the Victoria Nile River in Uganda is considered one of the wonders of the world. At one time, it was named in honor of the outstanding English geographer, geologist and traveler of the century before last, R. Murchison. The waterfall is unique in that the waters of the Nile break through a tiny chasm, only 6 meters wide, with enormous force, and roll down in giant waves at an angle of 50° through a series of ledges into a gorge 120 meters deep. This sight exudes primeval power and leaves an indelible impression. The rainbow constantly shines over the waterfall. The rays of the sun dissolve in a sparkling cascade with the roar of rushing foam, and the waterfall appears as a sparkling stream of precious stones. The waterfall was discovered by the Englishman S. Baker in 1864, and named in honor of R. Murchison, who at that time held the post of chairman of the British Royal Geographical Society.

Calandula waterfall in Angola.

Kalandula Waterfall

Kalandula Falls is the second widest after Victoria. It is located on the Lucala River, in Angola. It's a stunning sight. The river rushes down with a roar. The width of its launch site is about a kilometer. One hundred and five meters she is in free flight, having lost her earthly support. During this time, its greenish waters turn into a boiling white mass. Myriads of tiny splashes are born when Lukala meets the stone bed of Kalandula. The polyphonic organ roar of falling water creates a fabulous, festive mood. Kalandula Waterfall gives tourists the unusual beauty of light music.

Waterfalls in Africa are small.

Calais waterfalls on the Samu River in Guinea look like an avalanche of water at least 600-700 meters wide, falling from a height of 50-60 meters.

Located in Ethiopia on the Ganale Doria River Barattieri waterfall 140 meters high. In the same country, the Blue Nile River forms the fourth widest africa waterfall(after Victoria, Kalandula, Calais) - Thiess Abbay. With a span of 300 meters, it has a height of 50 meters, and appearance reminiscent of the American part of Niagara. A hydroelectric power station was built at the Tiss Abbay waterfall.

Waterfalls in Africa numerous and very picturesque. Naturally, there are also lesser known ones. In the south of the continent, in the state of Lesotho there are many mountain rivers. The country is located on a plateau up to 3 thousand meters high. This country is perhaps the only one on the continent where Africans wear fur coats. In Lesotho, on one of the tributaries of the Orange River, there is Maletsunyane waterfall 192 meters high.

A very interesting waterfall in the upper reaches of the Comoe River, in the south West Africa- a wide type, with subsequent cascades spread out on stone slabs. Curious boilers Felu waterfall in Upper Senegal. The multi-stage cascade of Boyali near the capital of the Central African Republic is impressive. Waterfalls of 100 meters in height are located on one of the left tributaries of the Rbia River in Southern Morocco and southern Africa. Popular in South Africa Albert Falls on the Karkloof River - “a waterfall flowing into a bowl.”

Rainbows shine over the waterfalls of Africa, whose people are still fighting colonialism and neo-colonialism. In the struggle for their daily bread, they naturally cannot always admire the wonders of nature. It should be noted that in most developing countries, areas of natural interest have been declared nature reserves. Large waterfall is always an element of the national wealth of any country. It is in Africa that at the entrance to one of the reserves there is an inscription: “Remember, we are not the owners of natural resources, but only trustees of our descendants!”

Victoria Falls

In Africa there are many beautiful places. One of them is Victoria Falls, named after the Queen of England. In 1855, this miracle was discovered by traveler David Levingston. The sight of many tons of water flying into the abyss amazed him.

Most huge waterfall in Africa it is about a kilometer long and 100 meters high. It is known that the Zambezi River flows through almost flat terrain, but its path is blocked by a deep canyon into which the water falls. Along the width of the river, at the very edge of the abyss, there are four islands dividing the river into streams. Each of them has its own name. These are Devil's Falls, Rainbow, Horseshoe, Main and East. This is a grand spectacle natural miracle in March and April. In this area, these months are the rainy season.

During the rainy season, it is difficult to see what is happening in the canyon; the water rushes down with such force that while still in the air, before reaching the bottom, it turns into water dust. The clouds rise up to a height of more than three hundred meters. At a distance of 40 kilometers from the waterfall, you can see fog and hear the thunder of water falling into the abyss. When the rains stop, the power of the river weakens, and when dry times come, only a few small streams remain from the powerful flow. At this time, you can get a wonderful view of the river bed and the bottom of the canyon.

Facts about Victoria Falls

The largest waterfall in Africa serves as the border between two countries - Zimbabwe and Zambia; national parks of the hot continent are also located in this place. Only here, on the banks of the Zambezi, large populations of rare animals such as hippopotamuses and giraffes live. Due to the constant presence of water dust during the rainy season, tall, evergreen trees grow along the banks of the waterfall, reaching enormous sizes. Thanks to water, these plants survive during the dry season, when water is scarce throughout the area.

For a very long time, Victoria Falls has been visited by many tourists. Some come here specifically to see this miracle. In 1905, a railway was built, along which you can get to the desired location. Previously, only a few enthusiasts got here. This waterfall is the only one in the whole world where you can admire a rare phenomenon - a lunar rainbow. This sight is very rare, it appears only once every 15 years, during the full moon. An indispensable condition is the rainy season, when a natural phenomenon manifests itself in full force.

Local residents equipped observation deck on top of a huge baobab tree. You can climb it using a special ladder. Such a device does not disturb the harmony of nature and at the same time makes it possible to see all the beauties of the area. Above Victoria, as the largest waterfall in Africa is called, there is a wonderful nature, forests with many species of animals grow here. Directly along the banks of the Zambezi there are national parks where, in addition to giraffes and hippos, animals such as elephants, antelopes and crocodiles are observed.

Waterfall can be dangerous

The best way, of course, is to look at all this splendor from a helicopter, which can hover at a fairly high altitude. This is the only way to view the waterfall as a whole. Some especially brave people try to get closer to the stream and photograph the river falling down from as close as possible. This behavior is dangerous and many have already paid for frivolity with their lives, but there are new daredevils who are taking risks again.

The most big waterfall Africa is considered the Victoria Falls, which is located on the Zambezi River. Many people come here and have unforgettable experience. Upstream, in national parks rare animals live.