Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls
Zambia / Zimbabwe ·
Description
Victoria Falls is Earth's most impressive water curtain. 1,708 meters wide, 108-meter drop, and the roar can be heard 40 kilometers away. The Bosoma call it Mosi-oa-Tunya, 'the smoke that thunders,' for the spray cloud visible from afar. At full moon, the lunar rainbow appears. It's Africa at its finest.
Why It's a World Heritage Site
Victoria Falls forms the world's largest water curtain. The surrounding ecosystem harbors unique flora and fauna adapted to the microclimate created by the spray. It's a transboundary site between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
UNESCO Criteria
Frequently Asked Questions
For being the world's largest water curtain with a unique ecosystem created by its microclimate.
It was inscribed in 1989 under criteria (vii) and (viii).
Zimbabwe has better frontal views; Zambia allows closer approach and has Devil's Pool.
Natural pool at the falls' edge; only accessible September-December when water is low.
February-May: peak flow; August-December: less water but better visibility.