Victoria Falls

Also known as Mosi-oa-Tunya—"The Smoke That Thunders"—and over a mile wide, Victoria Falls forms the largest curtain of water in the world. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is truly a sight to behold!

Where: Victoria Falls is located on the Zambezi River, straddling the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. You can visit the falls from either side (Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia or Victoria Falls National Park in Zimbabwe). When: The high-water season is between March and June, and this is when the most water is plunging over the falls. During this time, there is lots of spray coming off the falling water that can cover the various vantage points around the falls. The falls are at their lowest from October to December. Typically, the falls are less photogenic at this time.

Photography: Spray coming up from the falls might be your biggest challenge, so make sure to carry plenty of lens cloths to keep your lenses and camera as dry as possible. Time your shots for when the wind shifts and you are clear of the spray. Sunrise and sunset are great times for photography (just be aware that some times of the year, sunrise or sunset might occur outside of the official park open hours). The Zimbabwe side is best for sunrise, while the Zambia side is best for sunset. You can shoot the falls with a variety of lenses ranging from wide-angle to short telephoto. To capture a spray rainbow below the falls, the sun must be high enough to shine down on the mist. Use a polarizer to make the rainbow pop (a polarizer can also make the rainbow disappear, so keep spinning the filter until the rainbow looks its most colorful).

For a thrilling experience, consider a microlight or helicopter excursion, allowing you to photograph Victoria Falls from above. Learn more: Visit this site for Victoria Falls National Park to learn more about exploring the Zimbabwe side. For Zambia, check out information for Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.