Hi all! My name is Jesse Neuhas. Welcome to my article on the majestic Victoria Falls located on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia. I’m 21 years old and originally from Switzerland. I love travelling to “unusual” countries, especially the African continent which has a special place in my heart.
Reading books, watching documentaries and growing up in the Swiss Alps inspired me to explore the outdoors with my camera and discover more of our beautiful world. Indeed, I have been attracted to Africa since I was a boy. The untouched landscapes, incredible amounts of wildlife and different cultures scattered across the continent are all so unique.
Recently I had the pleasure of travelling to Africa to fulfill a lifelong dream. I decided to begin my journey in the southern part of the continent. So I went from South Africa to Botswana, then to Zimbabwe and back to South Africa. I travelled through Zimbabwe for about six to seven days and had the opportunity to visit Victoria Falls, Bulawayo and Matobo National Park.
Zimbabwe has a struggling economy. The currency is basically worth nothing due to excessive inflation and the government is terrible. Despite all these problems, the people of Zimbabwe are very kind. In Bulawayo, I felt like I was an attraction in myself being a “White European”. Locals were lovely and I never felt insecure or in danger throughout my entire visit.
Visiting Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe
After making my decision to travel to Zimbabwe, it was evident to me that I would definitely visit Victoria Falls. These waterfalls are one of the must-see attractions in Africa. Of course, they were on my bucket list for some time!
I arrived at Victoria Falls from the border of Botswana and had to wait there patiently for many hours before I could cross over into Zimbabwe. The drive to the falls was quick and easy, though. I arrived in the afternoon, visited the falls on the same day and left the following day. Two days was enough time to see it once but I would recommend staying longer if you have the time.
Visiting in June meant that there was enough water flowing. For me, it was the perfect time to witness the waterfall. However, the conditions change depending on the season. So the best time to visit is totally up to you.
David Livingstone (a Scottish physician, pioneer and African explorer) once said: “Victoria Falls was the most wonderful sight I had witnessed in Africa”. And he was absolutely right to make that statement! The falls are located in a national park with many trees around which gives off this jungle feel.
There are many viewpoints to look out over the falls. When millions of liters of water tumble down from such a height you will stay there for hours and come to the realisation that we humans are so small. It’s such an enjoyable experience. You will be speechless and won’t be able to leave!
Best Things To Do at Victoria Falls
My favorite moment of my journey was definitely when I saw the falls for the first time. I will never forget this experience. It felt like a dream. I said to myself: “Wow this is the place you knew from all those books and documentaries and now you are here”. I had to pinch myself a few times!
Another fantastic experience was seeing a rainbow appear over the falls. In fact, my favourite photo from Victoria Falls is the one where you see the falls from the beginning to end with a rainbow hovering over the image. I often look at this photo and smile. It brings me back to this beautiful place.
Ultimately, the best thing to do here is just visit and take in the views. You have to pay a small entry fee to visit the park. When you are inside, you make your way through a little jungle before finding the best lookouts. If you want some real adventure you can do bungee-jumping, river-rafting or book a flight over the falls. I didn’t do any of these but they look awesome!
Need to Know Before you Go
The closest town to the falls is called Victoria Falls and the town has plenty of hotels, campsites and restaurants. I stayed overnight in a tent at a campsite but the name of the place eludes me. You can base yourself here for a couple of days and visit the falls a few times for the best experience.
When visiting Zimbabwe you need to keep in mind that this country might seem unusual if you are European or American. For example, when I tried to buy souvenirs for my family some of the locals wanted to trade my shoes or shirts for something they had. The poverty sometimes shocked me but the thing that inspired me was the fact that locals were all so positive.
Another thing to remember is that Zimbabwe is home to some of the most amazing wildlife in the world. Many of these animals don’t just stick to the national parks and game reserves! I saw many baboons on the side of the road chilling with the locals. This was a strange and unique experience.
All in all, this country and its crowning jewel – Victoria Falls – should be on every travellers bucket list. The beauty of the falls will take your breath away. Thanks for reading everyone! If you have any questions or would like more information feel free to get in touch with me on Instagram.