Mosi-oa-Tunya, Horseshoe waterfall on the Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls is a horseshoe waterfall on the Zambezi River at the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, where the river drops 108 meters (354 feet) into a narrow chasm. The curtain of water extends 1,708 meters (5,604 feet) across and flows into several basalt gorges below, while spray creates a permanent mist that rises especially high during peak flow months.

David Livingstone reached the falls on 16 November 1855, the first European recorded to see them, and named them after Queen Victoria; the Lozi name Mosi-oa-Tunya remained in use and both names appear on the World Heritage List. The Zambian national park is called Mosi-oa-Tunya, while the Zimbabwean park and town are both named Victoria Falls. A railway reached the area in 1905, opening the site to many more visitors.

People along the Zambezi call the site Mosi-oa-Tunya, a name still in use today that reflects centuries of connection to the place. Visitors experience the waterfall from two countries, each side offering its own viewpoints and local communities working in tourism, selling crafts and guiding travelers through the area.

Visiting between May and September offers moderate water levels and clear visibility for the best experience. Access is through Livingstone in Zambia or Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, both served by international airports, and rain jackets help since spray can be heavy even during dry months.

The gorge system runs 80 kilometers (50 miles) downstream, with the Zambezi flowing through eight successive canyons formed by geological fault lines in the basalt. Formation began roughly two million years ago when tectonic activity created weaknesses in the rock that water gradually eroded, causing the falls to migrate upstream over time.