Victoria Falls, Zambia is one of the severn natural wonders of the world and one of the most stunning places on earth. Just a few miles from the tourism capitol of Livingstone and a boundary between Zambia and Zimbabwe, this breathtaking spectacle occurs. Standing 108 meters high at the height of the floods the Victoria Falls form the largest sheet of falling water in the world. Over 545 million cubic metres a minute (9 million meters per second) cascade over the edge. It has a span of 1,708 meters of which 1,200 is in Zambia, reputed to have the most spectacular views from this side of the Zambezi.
Victoria Falls – Zambia
For most visitors to Southern Africa it is a must, staying in hotels, such as Sun International’s Royal Livingstone and Zambezi Sun on the edge of the mighty Zambezi River, flowing some 2,200 miles from it’s source in Northern Zambia, finally reaching its destination in the Indian Ocean. In 1855 David Livingstone was the first European to discover the Victoria Falls, formerly know as the Mosi-oa-Tunya meaning the Smoke that Thunders, the name is still used by the local Leya people.
Zambezi River – the ‘Smoke that Thunders’ in the background
The Holy ground of the Victoria Falls region has been a place of worship to the Leya people for centuries. Bene Mukuni Kingdom is the permanent traditional headquarters of the Leya people. It is one of the largest of its kind in Africa and is unique in having two palaces, Lumpasa for the male ruler and Nanjina for the female co-ruler. Every year the Lwiindi Ceremony takes place over the New Year period, this is The Cultural Feast of The Spray Ceremony of the Victoria Falls.
If you are visiting the Victoria Falls, please take time to visit Mukuni Village, where the The Butterfly Tree runs its organisation in Zambia. We fund a number of projects to support these gentle people who have suffered so much from the HIV/AIDS in Zambia pandemic, leaving thousands of children orphaned. If you would like to take a private tour around the school and the village please contact jane@thebutterflytree.org.uk
