The Victoria Falls – if you haven’t experienced it first-hand, then you’ve definitely heard of it. Situated on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world and arguably one of the most breathtaking.
At this point, it’s essential to note that Ilala Lodge boasts the title of closest hotel to the magnificent Victoria Falls, and, as such, it is the best place from which to explore and appreciate this natural beauty.
Here, we’ve put together a list of interesting facts and statistics about ‘The Smoke That Thunders’:
• The Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, a list that includes Mount Everest, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Grand Canyon.
• It almost forms the exact mid-point along the mighty Zambezi River’s 2700km passage to the Indian Ocean.
• With a width of 1708m and a height of 108m, it is classified as the world’s largest single sheet of falling water.
• The spray from the Falls can be seen from up to 50km away. (Not to mention from your balcony at Ilala Lodge).
• The Victoria Falls was declared a World Heritage Site in 1989. The reasons for this include the fact that it is the ‘world’s greatest sheet of falling water’ and and for its outstanding beauty, exceptional geological and geomorphological features, and its active land formation processes.
• Locally, it is known as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ or ‘The Smoke That Thunders’.
• Due to the spray from the Falls, the Victoria Falls Rain Forest is the only place on earth that receives rainfall 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Each full moon, visitors to Victoria Falls stand the chance to witness a moonbow: a rainbow caused by the refraction and reflection of light from the moon. The nearest upcoming full moons are on April 22 and May 21, 2016, so make sure to plan your trip around then!
• Many consider the medium-to-high water season to be the best time to view the Falls. January, February, June and August comprise this season. During this time, sections of the expansive cliff face are exposed, and often you can see all the way to the bottom of the waterfall and still enjoy a decent amount of spray.
• Fact: it is one of the best places in the world to take a selfie, or the standard ‘jumping shot’!
To fully appreciate and experience each of these incredible facts, make sure to book your next, or first, trip to Victoria Falls. To do so, simply contact Ilala Lodge at reservations@ilalalodge.co.zw or +263 (13) 44737.
Image Credits: Tee La Rosa, Lip Kee, victoriafallsguide, Barrett
