Victoria Falls Cruise Port

Victoria Falls is a resort town in Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe, on the southern bank of the Zambezi River beside one of Africa's best known natural landmarks. For cruise visitors, the town is closely associated with small luxury river ships operating on the Zambezi, including Zambezi Queen and African Dream. The cruise setting is very different from a conventional seaport, with the river and surrounding wildlife forming much of the appeal.

Victoria Falls is one of the world's largest waterfalls, stretching for 1,708 metres across the Zambezi. Its local Lozi name, Mosi-oa-Tunya, means "the smoke that thunders", a fitting description of the vast spray that rises above the gorge. Around the falls, the spray supports a rainforest filled with ferns, palms, liana vines and mahogany trees. The vegetation is unusually lush for the surrounding landscape and makes a walk through the national park part of the visit.

The modern settlement began in 1901 as interest grew in the potential of the falls for hydroelectric power. Its development accelerated when the railway from Bulawayo arrived, followed by the opening of Victoria Falls Bridge in April 1905. The Victoria Falls Hotel, which opened in 1904, was built to accommodate railway passengers and remains an important part of the town's history. The railway was intended to form part of the ambitious Cape to Cairo route.

Scottish missionary David Livingstone is recorded as the first European to view the falls, in November 1855. He named them after Queen Victoria, although Mosi-oa-Tunya remains an important local name. The falls have since become the center of the town's tourism industry, drawing visitors for scenery, wildlife and outdoor activities.

There is plenty to do beyond viewing the waterfall. Walking trails provide different perspectives of the falls, while the wider area is known for activities including helicopter flights, jet boating, whitewater rafting, mountain biking and fishing. Adventure activities also include bungee jumping, paragliding and skydiving.