Victoria Falls – The Smoke That Thunders
Victoria Falls, one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders on the planet, stands as a testament to the raw, unbridled power and beauty of the natural world. Straddling the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia in Southern Africa, this colossal waterfall is renowned for its sheer scale, breathtaking beauty, and the profound impact it has on both the environment and the people who visit it. Named after Queen Victoria by the explorer David Livingstone in 1855, Victoria Falls has since become a symbol of nature’s grandeur and a vital part of the region’s ecological and cultural landscape.
Victoria Falls is not the tallest or the widest waterfall in the world, but it is one of the largest in terms of its combined width and height. The waterfall stretches over 1,700 meters (5,600 feet) in width and plunges 108 meters (354 feet) into the Zambezi River Gorge. The volume of water that cascades over the falls during the rainy season can reach up to 12,800 cubic meters per second, creating a misty curtain that can be seen from miles away. This immense flow generates a constant spray that nurtures a lush rainforest ecosystem in the surrounding area, despite the generally arid climate of the region.
The spray from Victoria Falls creates a unique microclimate around the waterfall, fostering a diverse array of plant and animal life. The surrounding rainforest is home to a variety of species, including several types of trees, shrubs, and vines that thrive in the moist environment. This lush vegetation supports numerous animals, such as baboons, monkeys, and a variety of bird species. The mist also contributes to the development of a number of endemic plants that are specially adapted to the high humidity and the frequent misting.
The hydrological dynamics of Victoria Falls are particularly fascinating. The Zambezi River, which feeds the falls, undergoes significant seasonal variations. During the wet season, the river swells with rainwater from the highlands of Zambia, leading to an impressive display of water cascading over the precipice. In contrast, during the dry season, the river’s flow diminishes, revealing the rocky grandeur of the falls and exposing the geological layers that tell the story of the river’s long journey.
The roar is deafening. Then one might not expect 3 million litres a second of water plunging over a precipice twice the height of Niagara Falls to be silent. Victoria Falls, known by locals as Mosi-oa-Tunya (the smoke that thunders) leaves visitors speechless.
Yes even chatterboxes such as myself.
Our first glimpse comes with noses pressing against the airplane window as we fly from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls. The smoke that thunders plays show off for arriving visitors. With columns of mist shooting upward 400m (1312 ft.), this World Heritage site can be seen 40km. (25 mi.) away.
Shall we say Victoria Falls would not be good at playing hide and seek.
Livingstone First Glimpses Victoria Falls
In 1855 when David Livingstone was shown the falls by local tribesmen he wrote, ” Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.”
My guess is Livingstone had a few non-suitable-for-print utterances before he penned the famous line. Who could blame him? Gazing at the natural extravaganza now separating the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe for the first time is gob smacking.
Standing at the falls under bright blue sky the smoke that thunders pours upon us as if we have meandered into an impromptu rainstorm. As the water crashes 108m ( 354 ft.) below the mist blasts like a rocket upward. Gravity is working in fine form and proving that what goes up definitely comes back down, blue sky or not.
Stunned and open-mouthed we can see why this largest sheet of water for any waterfall on the planet, is one of the natural wonders of the world. Hanging out with the likes of Mt. Everest, the Grand Canyon and the Great Barrier Reef, Victoria Falls tops her pals in noise production.
Finally we concede that the smoke that thunders can do the talking. We quietly stand in awe.
Victoria Falls, one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders on the planet, stands as a testament to the raw, unbridled power and beauty of the natural world. Straddling the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia in Southern Africa, this colossal waterfall is renowned for its sheer scale, breathtaking beauty, and the profound impact it has on…
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