From the refreshing sounds of the water fall that thunders to the sprays that inundate the atmosphere around it, Victoria Falls is simply a must visit the area for any tourist. Victoria Falls is the adrenaline city of Africa that is naturally positioned at the main boarder of Zimbabwe and Zambia, as both countries share different sides of the highest waterfall on planet earth. The Victoria Falls are almost twice the height of North America’s Niagara Falls, and the thunderous roar can be heard for miles around. The sheer force of the water drives a column of spray far into the air, drenching the edge of the Falls in a fine mist and giving rise to its traditional name, “Mosi- oa-Tunya” or “The Smoke That Thunders.” Victoria Falls is a truly spectacular attraction throughout the year; the surrounding African wilderness flourishes in Zambia and Zimbabwe’s warm climate, while the constant spray from the falls creates a rainforest type ecosystem. As with all things of nature, the falls and surrounding attractions evolve with the seasons, giving the visitor a varied and different experience depending on the time of visit. The cascading water spans the entire 1,7 km width of the Falls, and at times misty clouds of spray from the Falls can rise to a height of over 400 meters or even higher, and they are quite visible from over 30km away. The noise of the Falls is truly deafening, and it is impossible to see the foot of the Falls and almost any of its rock-face, as the amount of water surging down is so great yet mesmerizing to watch. Immediately following the rainy season, Victoria Falls is at its most powerful. During this period the surrounding wilderness areas are lush and luminous-green, making for exciting game viewing and stunning light and photographic opportunities. The high water-levels of the Zambezi River, which make the falls so powerful at this time, however, limit certain activities such as water rafting and devil’s pool swim. For tourists who enjoy helicopter rides, soaking in the sprays of the Falls, nature tour and snapshots, the rainy season is absolutely perfect. Following research done over the years, it is said that the best time to visit the spectacular Victoria Falls is from February to May, directly after the region’s summer rains, when visitors get to see the world’s largest sheet of falling water flowing at its greatest volume. The green season usually kicks off in about November with the first spring rains but it takes time for the water that has fallen in the Angolan Highlands to wend its way down to a series of massive gorges. It takes a few months for the Falls to almost literally gather steam after a dry winter in mid-year. Visiting Vic Falls can be a sensory overload: the noise, heat and moisture come together in an unforgettable natural show- stopper. Visiting the Victoria Falls at the end of the dry winter period - October through November is not recommended, when the water level is lowest and the weather is very hot and humid. Low water levels guarantee panoramic views with no misty sprays on both sides of the Victoria Falls, but the Zambian side may have dried up completely and all a visitor will see is bare rock face. Water flow on the Zimbabwean side is permanent but ebbs in volume with the seasons. The summer wet season itself, also referred to as the 'Green Season', generally starting with fresh rains in November heralds the arrival of migrant birds and mammals disperse in search of fresh growth, the bush gets thick, insects flourish, birding improves, and game viewing deteriorates. Torrential downpours followed by sunshine during the day generally characterise the summer rains. Deep rains and flood conditions sometimes occur in January and February. The rivers take time to swell and peak in March and April. Victoria Falls enjoys a mild and dry winter from around June to mid-August but it does not discredit the fact the place is an all year round destination. Temperatures during the winter are moderate and generally very comfortable in comparison with other countries’ winters. On the other hand, Victoria Falls experiences extremely high temperatures just before the rains and that is between October and November. Those months are regarded as the 'suicide months' with daytime temperatures exceeding 40 degrees and not dropping below 30 degrees for nights on end. In mid-November, the rains usually start though due to climate change the patterns have been changing drastically. Victoria Falls weather is beautiful!! For anyone getting away from the long winter months of the Northern hemisphere, they will love the tourist destination. Annual rains start in the middle of November but it's only in January that the headwaters hit Victoria Falls, levels climb again and 'high water season' starts. The monthly descriptions December to March • The height of summer and the rainy season • Often dramatic thunderstorms in the afternoons, especially on hot days • The Zambezi River is low in December, but it steadily swells and becomes more spectacular as the rain water arrives from further upstream • The weather is hot and humid, well over 30 °C in the daytime • White-water rafting season usually closes around February due to high water levels • Livingstone Island and Devil's Pool often close in January/February with high water levels • The volume of water cascading over the Falls is at its greatest. As a result, the spray from Victoria Falls is so thick that it literally rains upwards. While this makes for a magical walk through the iconic Rain Forest, the dense spray often blocks one’s view of the Falls itself almost entirely. • During the High Water Season, hot days and warm nights are often interrupted by brief, yet spectacular, thunderstorms that light up the sky and provide sustenance to the land and pristine wildlife. • In terms of activities, this is not an ideal time to attempt white water rafting as the water levels are often too high to allow for an enjoyable experience. Swimming Devil’s Pool is also not available during this time of year, as the volume of water flowing over the Falls is at a dangerously high level • With the level of the Zambezi River neither too high nor too low between January and February, the Medium to High Water Season is considered to be the best time of year to view the Victoria Falls. Large sections of the wide cliff face are exposed during this season, and often people can see all the way to the bottom of the Victoria Falls, and still enjoy a considerable amount of spray to keep things entertaining. April to June • Zambezi River is in flood and the Falls are at their most magnificent • Visibility from some lookouts can be limited by the abundance of spray and mist • The rafting season is normally closed because of high water levels • Livingstone Island and Devil's Pool on the edge of the falls are closed • Days are warm and pleasant at 25-30 °C • Spectacular views from both the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides • Visitors should expect to get wet and should take note of slippery rocks and pathways • Rainbows are common as well • This is the best time for a helicopter flight over the falls for a breathtaking bird's-eye view of Mosi-oa-Tunya - 'The Smoke That Thunders' July and August • Peak season at Victoria Falls • Lower water levels and less spray gives visitors exceptional visibility of the falls • Livingstone Island and the rafting season open as soon as the water drops to a safe level • Although it is wintertime, visitors can expect warm and sunny days around 20-28 °C • Both sides of the falls are great to visit during this time • There might still be enough spray to create beautiful rainbows • Game viewing in nearby Chobe National Park, Hwange and other game reserves is at its best September to November • The end of the dry season when the falls are at their lowest level • Excellent visibility from the Zimbabwe side • Falls may dry up almost completely on the Zambian side, leaving just a dry rock wall • The Low Water Season is a fantastic time to photograph Victoria Falls, as the cliff face is most exposed and this spectacular geographical formation is revealed for all to see. While the Rain Forest isn’t so rainy, the site itself is a lot less crowded, the skies are always clear, and the sun shines all day. • Low water levels mean that white water rafting experiences are at their best – the rapids are most vicious and challenging. Another way to get your heart pounding during this time is to take a dip in Devil’s Pool, right on the edge of the Falls. Each day, the hot African sun beats down on the savanna, heating everything, including the Zambezi and this, makes various river activities an absolute treat. • One of the biggest draws at this time of the year is the amazing game viewing. With wildlife congregating around waterholes and rivers due to the lack of rain, and vegetation a lot thinner, a wide variety of animals can be easily spotted on one of many game drives. • Peak white-water river rafting season • Livingstone Island and the famed Devil's Pool at the edge of the falls are open (Zambia side) • Very hot weather, averaging 30-35 °C, or even peaking at over 40 °C • In September and October, before the first rains arrive, game viewing is fantastic • The rains arrive in late October/November, transforming the dry, dusty landscape into a lush, green oasis Parting Word Depending on the type of activities that one wants to do, visitors should visit the adrenaline city of Africa at the recommended period. Regardless of the pros and cons of each period mentioned, Victoria Falls is worth visiting at any given time of the year as visitors will always be treated to something special!