victoria falls by peadar

victoria falls

From Sikumi Tree Lodge we drive two and a half hours north to Victoria Falls. We're staying at the Victoria Falls Hotel - step into the lobby and you step back 100 years - amazing.

Discovered for Europeans by David Livingstone, the Scottish missionary and explorer, he gave the falls the name 'Victoria Falls' in honour of his Queen, but the indigenous name of 'Mosi-oa-Tunya' — literally meaning the 'Cloud that Thunders' — is also well known.

There seems to be some controversy about which is the largest waterfall in the world, based on how the different measures are taken, but Vic Falls is claimed to be the largest. This claim is based on the fact that it's uninterrupted drop (rather than a series of separate mini-falls) forms the largest sheet of falling water in the world.

Although the rainy season was already over, it takes a month or so for the rain to seep through to the Zambesi. So we were lucky that when we visited, the Falls were in full flood. When you visit, you need to hire waterproofs, as the spray results in sporadic downpours that soak you to the skin in seconds.

Best viewed large if you have the time!
Beautiful shot! :)
May 26th, 2012  
Unbelievable!
May 26th, 2012  
Just shown Beth this picture, she can't wait!
May 26th, 2012  
This really captures the atmosphere: somehow, you can almost feel the heat and spray, and hear the roar.
May 26th, 2012  
great shot, can feel the noise and spray!
May 26th, 2012  
wow, amazing!
May 26th, 2012  
It must have been something to stand by it. Love the energy in your shot.
May 27th, 2012  
@paintdipper Thanks, Junan.
@nyusha Thank you, Anna!
@positivemoments Tracy - I bet she can't. I hope she has a good trip.
@carmel Wow, thank you, Ariel.
@jackie8 Thanks, Jackie, it was really very wet even the other side of the gorge!
@anoeska Thank you, Anoeska.
@bardejov Yes, it was, Bardejov, a fantastic experience. Thank you!
May 27th, 2012  
Wow awesome shot Peter!
May 27th, 2012  
Wow!
May 28th, 2012  
wow misty :)
May 28th, 2012  
Stunning. I'm not jealous at all.....!!!
May 28th, 2012  
@lizzy_lu123 Thanks, Lisa.
@cmc1200 Indeed!
@cps Corinne, it was really wet!
@kirstyalexandra Thanks, Kirsty.
May 28th, 2012  
Beautiful! This is on my list of places I would like to visit sometime. Thanks for sharing your amazing photos with us!
May 28th, 2012  
Oh! Memories, memories! Been there 3 times and seen it full flood to something far more gentle. Never got such a good photo as this with my Kodak Brownie!
May 29th, 2012  
awesome!!
May 29th, 2012  
@jenniferruge Thank you, Jennifer, for taking a look at them!
@yrhenwr Ah, all the more reason for you to go back, then! Thanks, David,
@paulien Thank you, Paulien.
May 29th, 2012  
That's on my list of places to visit. In fact, your entire trip is on my list...
May 29th, 2012  
@peadar Don't think I could return as a tourist. I lived in Zambia for a few years
June 1st, 2012  
@damianpowell Damian - thanks, please go, you won't regret it.
@yrhenwr OK. That's got my imagination going...
June 1st, 2012  
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