From above, the Zambezi looks broad and calm until it reaches the edge. Then it drops into a narrow gorge, where spray can rise high enough to hide the waterfall. The photographs here follow Victoria Falls from that wide aerial view to a rainbow in the mist.
Which side should you start on?
Zimbabwe: Start here for a series of views across the gorge toward the main curtain of water. Walk between the viewpoints before deciding where to spend the most time. Mist can hide one section while the next viewpoint stays clear.
Zambia: Start near Livingstone for a closer perspective on the eastern end of the falls. Bring a waterproof layer and keep your phone covered when the spray reaches the path. If you plan to cross the border, check entry rules for your passport before committing to both sides.
What to look for in the mist
The waterfall spans about 1.7 kilometres. Instead of trying to fit it all into one photo, look for a break in the spray and frame a section of the curtain with the opposite cliff. When sunlight catches the mist, look down into the gorge for a rainbow.
Read about the shared World Heritage site at UNESCO. For another waterfall trip, see our Skógafoss guide.
Photo credits
Aerial photo by lumoplank, Wikimedia Commons, CC0 1.0. Rainbow photo by Ilovemyafrica, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Web copies resized.
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