‘The Smoke That Thunders’: A Guide to Zambia’s Victoria Falls

One of nature’s greatest spectacles is the raw power of Victoria Falls. On this walking tour, you’ll approach the falls from the Zambian side, and follow well-maintained paths through a unique rainforest ecosystem to view the Eastern Cataract from various vantage points.

The tour starts at the ticket office of the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site in Livingstone. As you make your way to the falls, I’ll share stories about David Livingstone, how he brought these falls to the world’s attention in 1855, and the adventurers who followed in his footsteps. You’ll cross the famous Knife Edge Bridge where, depending on water levels, you might feel the full force of nature as spray drenches you from head to toe.

From Danger Point, you’ll gaze across Livingstone Island where the explorer first viewed this natural wonder. For the more adventurous, an optional descent to the Boiling Pot offers a close-up encounter with the churning waters where the Eastern and Western Cataracts meet. The steep 100-meter climb back up requires reasonable fitness but will reward you with unparalleled perspectives of the gorge system.

You’ll continue upstream for tranquil views of the Zambezi before its dramatic plunge, and then venture towards the iconic Victoria Falls Bridge where the tour ends. At the bridge, you’ll have a choice to explore the area or head back to the park’s entrance while listening to a bonus track about Livingstone Island.

Along the way, you’ll have a chance to:

• Stand at the edge of the Eastern Cataract, where water plunges 101 meters into the narrow chasm below
• Discover the fascinating history of Victoria Falls Bridge, which brought tourists by rail to this remote wonder in 1904
• Observe unique plant species in the rainforest, including blood lilies, red milkwoods, and jackal berries
• Learn about the geological forces that created this extraordinary formation over 200,000 years ago
• Visit the farthest viewpoint on the Zambian side and understand why local people called it Mosi-oa-Tunya – “the smoke that thunders”
• Enjoy stunning rainbow-tinted views from upstream vantage points, especially in morning and late afternoon light

By the end of this two-hour journey (which is three hours if you descend to the Boiling Pot) you’ll have had an unforgettable experience exploring Victoria Falls, where every viewpoint offers a new perspective on the natural phenomenon that’s captivated travelers for generations.

As Percy Clark, the first photographer at the Falls wrote: “I have seen the Falls a thousand times by day and night, but I never tire of seeing them. The fascination dwells.“