EL’s LARA SAGE highlights two very different – and equally stunning – water features along the mighty Zambezi River. Read on for her tips on accommodation and things to do in and around Victoria Falls, including on the Zambia side, and at Mana Pools on the Zimbabwe side.
Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe
While it may not be the world’s tallest waterfall, Victoria Falls that runs between Zambia and Zimbabwe, is classified as the largest. Its combined width of 1,708 metres and height of 108 metres together result in the largest sheet of falling water on the planet.
This natural world wonder forms where the full width of the Zambezi River plummets down a single vertical drop into a transverse chasm – a fracture zone in the basalt plateau. David Livingstone, thought to be the first European to view the falls, in 1855, named them in honour of Queen Victoria. The indigenous name is Mosi-oa-Tunya – “The Smoke That Thunders”. This derives from the illusion of smoke created by the sheer volume of river that pours into the gorge through a narrow cleft. Rainbows abound as a result of the constant spray.
A famous crossing
The bridge across the falls is iconic. It was the vision of Cecil Rhodes, who wanted a railway line built to link Cape Town and Cairo. Elements of the bridge were prefabricated in England and transported to Africa, where construction took place from the two sides of the river in neighbouring Zimbabwe and Zambia, with the intention of meeting in the middle. On the eve of completion in 1905, the metalwork fell three centimetres short of connecting. However, the next morning’s heat caused the metal to expand enough for the two sides to be clipped together. Legend has it that the first creature to cross the new bridge was a leopard in the quiet of night!
This engineering feat can be enjoyed from countless aspects, including the Lookout Café and the expansive lawns of The Victoria Falls Hotel. The latter is a long-standing Edwardian-style establishment.
A stay at the recently refurbished Toka Leya camp in Zambia, by luxury safari operator Wilderness, offers an array of activities in the twin towns that adjoin the falls (Livingston and Victoria Falls). The company’s meet-and-greet services are reassuring and efficient, connecting you from airport to lodges.
From here you can enjoy sunset boat cruises, zip lining, white water rafting, helicopter rides, rhino tracking on foot, and cultural tours.
Mana Pools, Zimbabwe
In contrast to the adrenaline and adventure you’ll find at Victoria Falls, Mana Pools is a quiet wilderness area and UNESCO World Heritage Site situated along the Lower Zambezi River. The fragile ecosystem has evolved in a supremely remote and wild location. It offers spellbinding vistas from the seasonal camps of Ruckomechi and Chikwenya that open from April to November beneath the riverine forest on the embankment on the Zimbabwean side.
In that period, abundant wildlife is attracted to the area – it’s not unusual to have elephants meander through camps daily! Known for its cathedral-like trees, this is a spellbinding location where you can enjoy the tranquillity from the water’s edge, or bravely canoe the pools to view the highest concentration of hippos and crocodiles in the country. It’s also a birder’s delight, with dazzling crimson-coloured carmine beeeaters along the banks.
This landscape has much to tell. At places you’ll see molten rock exposed, ancient evidence of the escarpment that split. After rain, the water table rises and feeds the pools from the main river. On the periphery, you can see the sedimentation and rich alluvial soil of this forested ecosystem, brimming with pioneer plants and new trees.
Meanwhile, a visit to the region’s ancient baobab trees is a must, to marvel at their incredible girth and height. The impact of each creature is also noteworthy. Elephants play a crucial role, for example, by creating indented footprints in the soil for seeds to fall into and germinate.
Final word
Throughout Zambia and Zimbabwe you’ll find warm, friendly people with a positive outlook after years of challenges. It’s a destination where you can travel confidently and enjoy the adventure spirit of Africa.
Find out more at curated-africa.com and wildernessdestinations.com.
This article on Victoria Falls and Mana Pools first appeared in the August 2025 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe so you never miss a copy!
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