It seemed it would be so close to Victoria Falls from Nairobi that the logical thing to do was to extend our African Safari to include one of the World’s Seven Natural Wonders. Actually though, at 1800 miles, it was not close at all but that didn’t stop us from boarding a plane to Zimbabwe along with Libit and Neill and heading out to see the World’s Largest Waterfall. The falls stretch over a mile wide and plunge some 350 feet forming the largest continuous sheet of falling water on the planet. Victoria Falls was something I had dreamed of seeing most all of my life and I couldn’t wait to begin our adventures in Zimbabwe and Zambia.

Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, or “The Smoke That Thunders,” it was possible to see the spray from the falls from our hotel, the Ilala Lodge.

After a long flight to Zimbabwe we retired to our room to rest where we were still entertained by the African wildlife on the lawn from our balcony.

William loves sunset pictures so he captured this one from our hotel room as our first day in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe came to an end.

We were so excited to actually go to the falls this morning but first we had the most wonderful breakfast at the Ilala Hotel. Even at early morning the weather was wonderful so we decided to enjoy the outdoor seating. I loved the Chickpea and Corn Rosti served with creamy spinach and mushrooms with a red pepper sauce and grilled halloumi. William enjoyed the sweet crepes with a warm caramel sauce.

Even Neill and Libit decided to have their breakfast outdoors too.

We all got a chuckle when our tour guide came to pick us up for our morning tour of Victoria Falls. During our safari in Kenya we had the absolute best tour group in the world, African Horizons. As we boarded the tour van heading to the falls we noticed that this tour group was Wild Horizons. At the entrance to the falls we were greeted by African dancers. Our guide allowed us to watch the energy of the dancers and listen to the drumming before he gave us our overview of the falls.

Since there is so much spray from the falls we all decided to wear the rain coats provided by our tour group. Neill and Libit were rocking the green for sure.

We got our first view of the falls along the trail almost immediately once we entered the park on the Zimbabwe side. The one thing to point out again is that the falls are over a mile wide so our pictures will only show a very small section of the falls at a time.

The next overlook along the rainforest trail was to see the Victoria Falls Bridge which links Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Livingston, Zambia. The bridge was part of the grand and unfulfilled scheme to run a railway from Cape Town to Cario. The bridge was prefabricated in England and then shipped and ultimately transported by rail to Victoria Falls. In 1905 the bridge was completed after only 14 months of construction. Today, if you dare, you can bungee jump off the bridge.

There are 15 viewpoints of the falls along the rainforest trail on the Zimbabwean side. The viewpoints are so close to the falls that you will be drenched from the spray.

In many places you can see the smoke from the falls and the beautiful rainbows that seem to be present all day during your visit to the falls.

No tour is complete without snapping your picture beside the Scottish medical missionary, David Livingston, who in 1855 was the first European to ever see the falls. Livingston named the falls after Queen Victoria of England.

After leaving the falls, our next stop with Wild Horizons was at the Lookout Cafe, a stunning restaurant  with truly awesome views of the river and bridge to Zambia.

As we sipped on awesome cocktails and waited for our lunch we watched the brave people bungee jumping and zipping across the Zambezi River from the Victoria Falls Rainforest.

We thought the food was as good as the views so when you visit Victoria Falls make sure you have lunch at the Lookout Cafe.

One of the things I loved most about the Lookout Cafe was their beautiful art work of African Women.

After lunch we went back to the Ilala Lodge for a short rest before our sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Our day just kept getting better and better. Most all of you know how much William loves the water so this was like putting a cherry on top of an already wonderful day.

William sat back enjoying the river cruise and I did what I do most, started snapping photos to share with you all.

Libit and Neill were with us on our Kenya Safari. We quickly became good friends and were delighted that they too were traveling with us to Victoria Falls. As you can see in our pictures we all were enjoying our cruise on the Zambezi.

We saw crocodiles, hippos, and elephants. And it goes without saying we saw birds and monkeys too.

But this was after all a sunset cruise so here is William’s photo of the sun setting on the Zambezi River between Zimbabwe and Zambia.

After dinner and returning to our hotel I told William that I really wanted to see the falls from the Zambia side. The next morning we got up early, texted Libit and Neill and asked if they wanted to go with us across the bridge to view the falls from Zambia. We got a taxi from the Hotel to the Zimbabwe Border crossing. It was a very short distance and the fare for all of us was only $4.00. At the border we went through customs which was relatively easy. Then we decided to get a taxi across the bridge which also cost us $4.00. Some people decide to walk across the bridge but we had plans for another river cruise at lunch so to save time we elected to have a taxi take us across. At the end of the bridge we went through the Zambia border crossing and customs. It was very easy and didn’t take much time at all. To give you an idea of which part is Zimbabwe and which part is Zambia I borrowed this picture below. You can see the Zambezi river falling over Victoria Falls. Find the rainbow that divides the two countries. Everything to the left of the rainbow is Zimbabwe and everything to the right is Zambia. There are 15 viewpoints of the falls in Zimbabwe and only 4 viewpoints in Zambia.

I am so glad we decided to go to the Zambia side. You are much closer to the water falls on that side. You recall the picture of me showing the rain or spray falling over me during our tour in Zimbabwe. Take a look at how much rain or spray is falling on Libit on the Zambia side.

How exhilarating it was to view the falls from the Zambia side. At one point you have to cross the Knife Edge Bridge to get out to the viewpoints. Notice at the point how close you are to the falls.

At some points on this side you can see double rainbows and the “smoke” rising from the falls.

Before leaving the Falls in Zambia I presume everyone stops to take a picture of Dr. Livingstone!

And to end our time at Victoria Falls, Wild Horizons took us to view the falls with the Zambezi Helicopter Company on the Flight of Angels.

And our friends Libit and Neill went too!

It was so interesting to see just how wide the Zambezi River is and just how many little islands there was.

You could really see the “smoke that thunders” rising from the floor of the river too!

And the water seemed to be moving so fast as it started to fall over the falls.

Victoria Falls has been on my bucket list of places to visit for a lifetime. Now I have a lifetime of memories visiting Zimbabwe and Zambia to see one of the World’s Seven Natural Wonders!