Victoria Falls is located close to three African countries - Zambia, Zimbabwe & Botswana. The two main tourist zones are found in Livingstone, Zambia and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe - with Livingstone having the more developed tourist infrastructure.

The first European to explore the falls was David Livingstone a Scottish missionary & explorer - in 1855. He named the falls Victoria Falls in honour of Queen Victoria. Recently in 2013, the government of Zambia renamed the falls Mosi-oa-Tunya - the name the natives had always called the falls. This translates to “the smoke that thunders” making reference to the rising mist and thunderous sounds of the falls.

Victoria Falls is twice the height of Niagara Falls and is dramatically affected by the wet & dry season. The falls are spectacular during the wet season (late November to early April) but more subdued during the dry season - the rest of the year. At the height of the wet season the full width of the falls is about one mile wide - an amazing spectacle. We went during late September - at the end of the dry season.

Because we were at the falls towards the end of the dry season, the flow of water down the Zambezi River and over the falls was not spectacular. Besides that we were on the Zambia side of the falls and didn't get the best view of the falls itself. There was one very good reason to visit the falls during the dry season - and that was an option to swim in Devil's Pool.

OUR VIEW OF THE FALLS AT THE END OF THE DRY SEASON - LATE SEPTEMBER

Devil's Pool

On our second day in Africa we signed up for an opportunity to swim at the very edge of Victoria Falls - in a pool called Devil's Pool. This turned out to be real adrenaline rush as you were literally only inches away from sudden death. The staff of this crazy activity knew what they were doing, as even getting you out there in a fairly strong current took precision. Once at the pool they orchestrated your movements to keep everyone safe. Still they were standing upright within inches of going over - totally nuts. Once back on the safety of land you kept thinking, did I just do that. This activity only happens during the dry season, as the pool is completely consumed by the rushing water during the wet season.