Mother Nature’s : Victoria Falls is located along the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, at one mile wide and 360ft tall. A Scottish explorer- David Livingstone named the falls after his reigning queen in 1855. Locally, it is called Mosi-oa-Tunya, “the smoke that thunders,” a name given to it by the people of Kalolo-Lozi. You immediately know why after seeing the plumes of mist that hover around the largest waterfall in the world as it roars over the edge.
This is an Aerial view which shows Zambezi River cascading into the Victoria Falls gorge.
(Photograph by Marcus & Kate Westberg)
This Mother Nature’s : Victoria Falls generate mists that can be spotted from more than a dozen miles (20 kilometers) away. The mists also sustain a rain forest-like ecosystem adjacent to the falls and on the opposite cliff that faces them like a dried-up mirror image, thick with mahogany, fig, palm, and other species of vegetation.
Stone artifacts from the hominin Homo habilis have been identified near the falls and show that early humans may have lived here two million years ago. More “modern” tools also evidence far more recent—50,000 years ago—Middle Stone Age settlements.
Today several hundred thousand visitors from around the world trek to the falls each year; several hotels, restaurants, campgrounds, and other tourist businesses cater to them.
The beauty of the falls lies in their natural state, but the area is at some risk of runaway tourism-based development—more resorts, hotels, and even a possible dam below the falls that could flood several park gorges. Operators in the area offer everything from helicopter overflights to bungee jumping, and the management of these activities while preserving a quality visitor experience for all is an ongoing challenge.
Island on the Edge
How to Get There
Most visitors visit from either Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) or Maramba (Zambia), where complete tourist facilities exist. Each town is accessible by road, rail, and air.
When to Visit
The river is typically in full flood during February and March, when as much as 540 million cubic meters of water fall over the edge every single minute. During the rainy season, however, the spray plume can obscure the view of the falls themselves. By November, when the water is at low ebb, visitors may see the curtain split into many smaller channels of falling water.
How to Visit
The falls are massive and invite contemplation from many different viewpoints. Trails invite you to walk around the area and enjoy vistas. Unique views are also to be had from the Knife Edge Bridge and Victoria Falls Bridge. River-level views from below the falls are a good way to experience their power up-close. At certain times of the year the daring may even swim in pools on the very crest of the cataract.
Retreats on the River
People of the Zambezi
The thundering smoke was home to the Tonga and Makalolo peoples long before Livingstone first saw the falls. On the outskirts of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, villagers live in mud-and-thatch huts and tend maize fields.
The River Club supports an Elephant Chili Pepper Project, where farmers from Simonga plant chili to protect their crops. With its constant roar and spray rising high into the sky, Victoria Falls is a sight to behold at any time of year and from any angle.
Culled from: http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/world-heritage/victoria-falls/
Vacations are like a break from school, work, or the stress of everyday life but whenever we think of vacation spots, we usually think Paris, Greece, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, etc but we never really talk about vacation spots in Africa.
Africa is actually one of the best travel destinations and vacation spots in the world regardless of how it is viewed by outsiders. From her wildlife to exotic cultures, delicious cuisines, crystal clear beaches, history and artifacts, Africa is one of the best places to be.
Are you planning a vacation but you cannot think of the best vacation spots in Africa to explore and unwind? I have come up with a few top vacation spots in Africa for you to visit, explore and have a wonderful time. Keep reading to find out these magnificent places.
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe/Zambia.
Victoria Falls, shared by Zimbabweon the south and Zambia on the north is the largest sheet of falling water, the largest waterfall and one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world!
Everything about this place already sounds so amazing as it is actually one of the most beautiful places in Africa! Known as “the smoke that thunders”, it is one of Africa’s greatest wonders as it can be seen over 40 kilometers away; a perfect place for an extraordinary, safari vacation.
Spending your vacation here, you can go swimming in the Devil’s Pool which is naturally formed pool just on the edge of the fall, witness the lunar rainbow that appears under the light of the full moon; one of Africa’s most distinctive sight.
You can also witness the Victorian Falls Rainforest on the Zimbabwean side which is actually the only rainforest in the world where it rains every single day (I never knew this was actually possible).
During the day, you can go for a walk with rhinos (sounds interesting), go bungee jumping between Zimbabwe and Zambia, or go on micro-light flights above the fall.
Also home to elephants, lions, Buffalos, zebras, kudu, the rare rhino, cheetahs, hyenas, Eland and so many others, you get to witness exotic wildlife in Chobe National Park, Victoria Falls National Park or the Zambezi National Park.
There are just so many extraordinary things to do here and you would leave with so much memories, stories to tell and let’s not forget, amazing pictures! Now I’m eager to take a trip to Victoria Falls!
Luxor, Egypt.
Egypt is actually on the list of Africa tourist attractions, and it is also one of my favorite countries of all time. If you are a lover of culture like myself, then this is for you. There is so much history, artifacts, deep rooted culture and captivating stories all in one place! Not to mention that it is a perfect travel destination for a vacation due to the adventure and wonders of this ancient world that awaits you.
Located on east bank of the Nile River, the city of Luxor, also known as “City of the Sun” is packed with history, temples, pyramids, tombs and let us not forget, the longest river in the world, River Nile, which is a must-see.
To start your vacation tour in this “outdoor museum”, you can enjoy a bicycle ride through the villages; along the bank of the Nile, go camel riding (take some sunscreen with you), or enjoy a leisure cruise by the Nile. You can visit the Karnak Temple which has many gigantic monuments, reducing you to the size of an ant when you go to witness the gigantic colossal statuary.
The Valley of the Kings is also another beautiful place to visit not just because it was a resting place for the Kings but, also because of its main attraction; wall paintings (there is a story behind it so you will just have to find out when you get there).
Other notable places to visit are Luxor Temple, Tomb of Nerfertari, Medinet Habu, Luxor Temple, Tombs of the Nobles, Ramesseum, Colossi of Memnon, Temple of Abydos, and so on. The list goes on because Egypt has it all! You can spend your vacation touring through this city and you would never get tired because there are so many things to see!
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
I doubt Tanzania came to your mind as a vacation spot but, Serengeti National Park, also knows an “The Land that Moves on Forever” is an extravagant place to visit; and one of the safest cities in Africa.
Due to natural abundance of wildlife, it is home to the worlds’ greatest wildlife like wildebeests, giraffes, elephants, lions, and buffaloes.
Consisting of sunrises and sunsets, plains, sausage trees, swaying grasses, hills, crocodile and hippo-filled rivers, acacia trees and a significant amount of wildlife roaming around, this is the perfect safari destination to unwind and Anjou an “out of Africa” experience.
During the day, you can enjoy some safari game drives, bird watching, balloon rides to get a birds eye view of Serengeti, tour the Maasai tribe village to learn about their rich history and culture, walking safarisor nature walk to see the wildlife on foot, wildlife drive to feast your eyes on so many wildlife and you can spend the night in a camp that allows you feel at one with nature as you listen to the sounds of the wildlife whilst you sleep.
You can also visit the Moru Kopjes, Retina Hippo Pool, and Seronera River Valley.
There you have it! Some of the best vacation spots in Africa to visit for your next vacation and enjoy a memorable time. Have you visited any of these countries, or any other African country in particular? Do you plan on visiting any of these countries for your next vacation? What is your best vacation spot in Africa? Share your thoughts with me in the comment section below!
Africa is a beautiful continent, so great in culture and heritage. Little wonder foreigners had to come carry her people to their countries to try replicate some of the beauty which they found in her land. Thanks to the politically aired media programs or views, some part of Africa has been put in the news continuously as war zones, poverty stricken or terrorist filled places. I was going through a thread on twitter recently where I saw that even the black Americans and co, still believe that Africans live in caves, with no means of electricity or modern communication. sigh! Continue reading
Tourism is a rich part of Africa and helps us showcase our culture while highlighting our hospitality. The beauty in focus today, is Zimbabwe. Particularly in the news was its past president Robert Mugabe, who made headlines frequently based on his amusing speeches and behavior. Continue reading
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