Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is one of the biggest and most beautiful waterfalls in the world. It is on the Zambezi River in Africa. The falls are between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe. People come from everywhere to see and hear them.

A Huge Wall of Water

The falls are more than a mile wide and over 350 feet tall. Tons of water crash down every second. A thick mist rises high into the sky. You can see the mist from miles away.

Victoria Falls thunders down between two African countries.
Victoria Falls thunders down between two African countries. (Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons)

The Smoke That Thunders

Local people called the falls 'Mosi-oa-Tunya'. That name means 'the smoke that thunders'. The name fits because the mist looks like smoke. The crashing water sounds like rolling thunder.

Fun Facts

  • Victoria Falls is a World Heritage Site.
  • A rainbow can often be seen in the mist of the falls.
  • Brave swimmers can sit in a pool at the edge called Devil's Pool.

Did You Know?

Victoria Falls was named by explorer David Livingstone in 1855 after Queen Victoria.