Awesome Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Zambia :: Majesty of Mosi-Oa-Tunya Falls, ZA & ZIM
The mighty Zambezi River plunges over a basalt rock ledge and drops 108 metres down into chasm. It is recognized as the largest sheet of falling water in the world. Traditionally it is known as Mosi-oa-Tunya (meaning 'Smoke that Thunders'). During high-water season, which runs from about February to July depending on the rain, a dynamic cloud of mist rises high above the Falls.
The falls straddle the international Zimbabwe-Zambia border. Nearby are the towns of Victoria Falls Town in Zimbabwe and Livingstone in Zambia. In the dry season, there may be little or no water flowing over the falls!
During our visit in June, it certainly was thundering. It makes your heart beat faster, your spirit lift and your mind marvel. With passports checked at the border, we walked back from the Zambian side towards our hotel in Victoi ria Falls town along a wide pedestrian walkway unaware that there was an herd of elephants moving through the area. Suddenly we were confronted by a big bull elephant crossing the path 50m ahead! I stood still and asked Marg to quickly and quietly drop down into the nearby railway cutting, and as she did, a group of 8 female elephants that was following the bull appeared. Standing utterly still and watching agape, I realised that should he decide to charge there was no way I could outrun him, so I ensured I froze, hopefully to cause less challenge. He kept going and the females followed.
We lived to tell the tale, but many locals were sheltering on the road overpass over the railway line and they held their breath as they watched two unaware tourists walking into the path of the herd. It created lots of relieved conversation later in town and at the hotel!
Awesome Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Zambia :: Majesty of Mosi-Oa-Tunya Falls, ZA & ZIM
The mighty Zambezi River plunges over a basalt rock ledge and drops 108 metres down into chasm. It is recognized as the largest sheet of falling water in the world. Traditionally it is known as Mosi-oa-Tunya (meaning 'Smoke that Thunders'). During high-water season, which runs from about February to July depending on the rain, a dynamic cloud of mist rises high above the Falls.
The falls straddle the international Zimbabwe-Zambia border. Nearby are the towns of Victoria Falls Town in Zimbabwe and Livingstone in Zambia. In the dry season, there may be little or no water flowing over the falls!
During our visit in June, it certainly was thundering. It makes your heart beat faster, your spirit lift and your mind marvel. With passports checked at the border, we walked back from the Zambian side towards our hotel in Victoi ria Falls town along a wide pedestrian walkway unaware that there was an herd of elephants moving through the area. Suddenly we were confronted by a big bull elephant crossing the path 50m ahead! I stood still and asked Marg to quickly and quietly drop down into the nearby railway cutting, and as she did, a group of 8 female elephants that was following the bull appeared. Standing utterly still and watching agape, I realised that should he decide to charge there was no way I could outrun him, so I ensured I froze, hopefully to cause less challenge. He kept going and the females followed.
We lived to tell the tale, but many locals were sheltering on the road overpass over the railway line and they held their breath as they watched two unaware tourists walking into the path of the herd. It created lots of relieved conversation later in town and at the hotel!