When I was planning my trip to Africa, seeing one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World, Victoria Falls, was at the top of my list. The top of my lists must be quite crowded since I always say this! But there is so much to see!
I only knew one person who had been to Victoria Falls before and their single recommendation was to fly over the falls for an aerial view–I couldn’t agree more.
This is definitely a splurge worthy excursion, but since I have now experienced the falls from both above and on the ground I couldn’t recommend this enough. Victoria Falls is not the highest or the widest waterfall, but it is the largest sheet of falling water on planet earth (!!!) due to its combined height and length (1,708 x 108 meters).
It is so vast and overwhelming from the ground that you can’t begin to fully comprehend the sheer size of what you’re looking at. Seeing the falls from above amplifies everything you felt or will feel while standing right in front of the falling water. The aerial views simply intensify Victoria Falls’s immeasurable force and size in its entirety–a beautiful example of mother nature’s power!
I purchased our helicopter flights via Shearwater Victoria Falls, an excursion company with activities in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana and I was really happy with their service. I will say the helicopter flight was rather quick. I finagled a window seat–I don’t know how because they could fit up to 6 people in the chopper so I don’t know how I lucked out. Overall it was an enjoyable experience. I even accidentally left the elephant footprint I had bought earlier that morning and they had held onto it for me when I doubled back hours later!
There are several other excursions you can do to experience the falls including the Devil’s Pool which entails swimming near the edge of the waterfall–something I wish I could have done! Many activities on the Zambezi river or near the falls will depend on whether you are visiting during the high or low (end of August to December) water season so be sure to consider this when planning your trip! I ended up visiting when the gorge was at it’s highest water level, making it a very wet experience. During the low water months you can see more of the gorge and the falls because the force and spray of the water is much calmer–something to keep in mind!
How about you, have you ever been to one of the 7 Wonders of the World, or one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World? I’d love to see all 14 one day!
Beautiful! And your description made it to my bucket list!
Yay!!