Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-tunya), World Heritage Site in Zambia and Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya) is a large waterfall that flows from the Zambezi River, which straddles the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe and is over 2 km wide. Cascading through a gorge formed by the erosion of basalt, it is one of the largest waterfalls in the world, with a maximum drop of 108 meters.

Here, a World Heritage enthusiast explains why Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa Tunya) is a World Heritage Site in an easy-to-understand manner. Read this and you will definitely learn more about Victoria Falls!

What is Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya)? Where in Africa?

Although the common name for this waterfall is “Victoria Falls,” it was named by explorer Livingstone when he discovered it in the 19th century. Locally, they were originally called Mosi-oa-Tunya (Thundering Smoke). In Zimbabwe, the name is “Victoria Falls,” but in neighboring Zambia, it is called “Mosi-oa-Tunya”, and the World Heritage site lists both names.

The registered area consists of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park on the Zambian side and Victoria Falls and Zambezi National Parks on the Zimbabwean side.

The waterfall was formed about 2.5 million years ago.It is believed that the Zambezi River changed its course due to the uplift of the land, which caused the basalt earth to be cut away, making it unable to bear the weight of the water, thus creating this geological formation.The waterfall is approximately 1.7 km wide, with an average depth of 100 m and a maximum drop of 108 m. The rainy season in this area runs from November to late March, and during the rainy season, the water flows at a rate of 500 million liters per minute, creating a plume of water from the giant waterfall into the sky. The water spray can be seen from as far as 50 kilometers away.

The falls flow through eight gorges, the first of which is Victoria Falls and is called “First Gorge”. Each of the gorges has a name, and all are vertically sheer, averaging 120 m. The surrounding area is also home to endangered bird species such as the taita falcon and the crested serpent eagle.

In fact, many stone tools and other artifacts from the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods have been found around the falls.Originally, various ethnic groups visited the area, with the Botswana and Makololo calling it “the thundering waterspout,” and in the mid-19th century, the explorer Livingstone discovered the area and named it “Victoria Falls”.

In the early 20th century, the town of Victoria Falls was built on the present-day Zimbabwean side of the island, and a railroad line was opened from Cape Town, South Africa.It became known in Europe as a tourist destination.

Have there actually been fatal accidents?

The edge of the falls is very dangerous and you are not allowed to go near it, but on the Zambian side, near Livingstone Island, there is a pool called “Devil’s Pool” where you can swim right next to the edge of the falls. During periods of low water levels, it is possible to swim here, and it is a popular attraction for tourists…but some people take pictures right at the edge, and in the past there have been fatal accidents. The edge of the falls is very dangerous and you are not allowed to go near it, but on the Zambian side, near Livingstone Island, there is a pool called “Devil’s Pool” where you can swim right next to the edge of the falls. During periods of low water levels, it is possible to swim here, and it is a popular attraction for tourists…but some people take pictures right at the edge, and in the past there have been fatal accidents.

For what reason is Victoria Falls (Mosi-o Tunya) on the World Heritage List?

Victoria Falls was recognized for

Registration Criteria (vii)
The fact that it is highly regarded not only for the scenery created by one of the world’s largest waterfalls, but also as a breeding ground for endangered bird species.

Registration Criteria (viii)
It means that the waterfalls, formed by erosion, are still gradually moving upstream, making the terrain unique in the world.

Conclusions and Thoughts of a World Heritage Site Enthusiast

Victoria Falls is one of the largest waterfalls in the world, but it is also recognized not only for its scenery but also for its unique geography, which is home to endangered bird species and where erosion has moved the falls upstream even today.

Although the scenery is breathtaking, Victoria Falls is not the “world’s largest,” losing out to Iguazu Falls (2,700m) in width and Angel Falls (978m) in height.

The information here is based on the research conducted by a World Heritage enthusiast.As for the data, interpretation differs depending on the media.