Mar 2, 2021 | High Water, Old Drift Lodge, Victoria Falls, Zambezi river
Zambezi River Report
1 March 2021
The Zambezi River is rising at an exponential rate and here on the ground in Victoria Falls, there has been much speculation as to whether we might see a record high water level.
On the 1st of March 2021, the Zambezi River Level reached 1.85 meters at the Big Tree Hydrological Station in Victoria Falls.
There is currently 2 910 cubic meters of water flowing over the Victoria Falls PER SECOND, three times more than on the same date last year when 969 cubic meters cascaded over.
Further along, the Zambezi’s journey past Victoria Falls takes us to Lake Kariba, which has a surface area of 5000 square kilometres.
On the 28th of February, the Lake rose by 200mm in just 24 hours, a truly phenomenal amount considering the vastness of the Lake.
The highest level recorded over the last 20 years was in 2009 when the level was 2.63 on the 31st of March.
The three highest peaks over the last two decades have been:
13 March 2007: 2.34m
31 March 2009: 2.63m
5 May 2010: 2.45m
On the 5th of March, 2020, the river level peaked at 2.34 meters.
Guess The Peak River Level For This Year And Win 1 Night For 2 At Old Drift Lodge!
Our curiosity is rising with the water and the Wild Horizons Team have been debating how high the river levels will get. We have decided to run a competition on our Facebook page, inviting our friends and followers to submit their guess-timate of how high the river might rise this year. The closest answer will win 1 night for 2 at the luxurious Old Drift Lodge, Victoria Falls!
*Terms & Conditions apply
Join the discussion and let us know what level YOU think the Zambezi will reach! The competition starts on Monday the 8th of March 2021 and in order to enter, you need to email your guess to jess@wildhorizons.co.zw before Sunday the 7th of March 2021.
A table of all the answers will be posted on our Facebook and Instagram Pages, as well as in this post. Every week we will post a photo of the Victoria Falls Hydrological Gauge so we can all track who might win.
You can not have the same guess as another entrant so keep an eye on the list to make sure you do not count yourself out!
** The voucher is valid until 1 May 2022 and you can read our terms and conditions on the pinned post on our Facebook Page.
Name
Ridwana Janar: 2.35m
Andrea Brown: 2.47m
Namatai Moyo: 3m
Nadine du Plessis: 2.82m
Charles Chakanya: 3.2m
Shamiso Chikarate: 2.85m
Leanne Murray: 2.54m
Claire Ballantyne: 2.58m
Shannon O’Fee: 2.45m
Tara Maidwell: 2.64m
Lynette Haynes: 3.1m
Ali Steiner: 2.71m
Clara Heddebaut: 2.43m
Rick Brown: 2.66m
Tania Moldenhauer: 2.89m
Luke Dancer: 2.46m
Jenny Holman: 3.3m
Patrick Manyika: 2.68m
Tejal Ranchad: 2.98m
Leanne Rouokunis: 2.5m
Laurel Haley: 2.87m
Philip Zajac: 2.99m
Paul Hely: 2.58m
Nicole Sanderson: 2.69m
Richard Tumner: 2.75m
Irma Hodgson: 2.67
Cecilia Hodgson: 2.79
Hazel Farie: 2.91
Wes Howe: 2.48
Bob Hindle: 2.81
Sarah Whitehead: 2.96
Lindi Hebbel: 2.85
Ernst Hebbel: 2.77
Owen Murphy: 3.3m
Name
Valerie Muyumbo: 2.23m
Jaelle Rowland: 2.73m
Jules Thomas: 2.88m
Michael deBeer: 2.63m
Mette Knerr: 2.57m
Caroline Huntley-Walker: 2.83m
Gerald Van Rensberg: 2.83m
Fiona Mason: 3.4m
Mags Varley: 2.93m
Masola Bonani: 2.71m
Amanda Ncube: 1.98m
Liz Paterson: 2.15m
Thubalethu Ndlovu: 2.7m
Dumo Moyo: 2.82m
Daniel Jones: 2.56m
Allison Dwyer: 2.91m
Vince Manning: 2.88m
Melissa Gaza: 2.18m
Amanda Beverley: 2.72m
Fenny Chitengu: 2.28m
Angie Dimitis: 2.56m
The Happiness Reset: The Power of Negative Ions
The pandemic has highlighted the importance of emotional, physical and mental wellness during times of crisis. We crave places that will rejuvenate our hearts and minds, giving us the chance to rediscover the restorative healing power of nature. The Victoria Falls inspires a deep and natural sense of being. The empowering energy that charges through the rainforest can be explained by the presence of negative ions. These powerful molecules are the hydraulic equivalent of fireworks, explaining why we feel uplifted by thunderstorms and inspired by waterfalls. Visit our blog to discover more about The Positive Impact Of Negative Ions and how Victoria Falls can rejuvenate and inspire.
Jan 5, 2017 | Author : Jess White, Things to do in Victoria Falls, Vic Falls Carnival, Victoria Falls, Victoria Falls Activity, white water rafting, Wild Horizons Activites, Zambezi river
Victoria Falls, a quaint town home to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, was transformed into festival central over the New Year period. The atmosphere hummed with excitement, music from multiple genres filled the air and the streets teamed with brightly dressed party goers. Land Rovers wound across the busy roads, packed with adrenaline seekers as they made their way between the rafting excursions, gorge swings, helicopter rides, and various pool parties dotted around the town.
The 3-day event came to life on the edge of the mighty Zambezi River. Beneath the surface of the glistening ripples live countless fish, crocodile and hippo. Birds dip and dive among the indigenous green trees that proudly overlook this impressive body of water. It is the ideal location to mark the start of the three-day extravaganza. There is no better way to spend an afternoon than lazing by the banks of a slow flowing river, listening to the gentle background music of talented DJ’s, with a refreshing drink at hand. The moon eventually took its place in the sky, and in small groups, people returned to town and pay a visit to the vibey Shoestrings Backpackers Lodge and Mvu bar, where the festivities continued into the early hours of the following morning.
On day two the Jameson Vic Falls Carnival raced on at full steam ahead with the popular party train, which took off on the 30th. Hundreds of people made their way to what can only be described as Grand Celebration Station. Waving their luminous purple wrist bands in the air above their heads, people leapt aboard the ride of a lifetime. Hogwarts Express pales in comparison to the party train, which was equipped with bars, music and hundreds of enthusiastic passengers. The train made its way to Jafuta, where a stage and strobe lights awaited the train. The high-pitched whistle of the train could barely drown the sound of the powerful music pouring from the speakers at the front. The smell of frying burger wafted across the eastern end of the party, while the sound of ice clattering into cooler boxes sounded at the west, where people were served their drinks in the light of the setting sun. Local DJ’s transported the crowd on a musical journey that only ended once the final train was ready to make its final departure home at 1 o’clock in the morning.
It is hard to believe that this was just the warm-up so the main event.
Like children to the Pied Pipers tune, so the carnival troopers danced their way onto the field where the NYE party unfolded. Feet pounded the earth from dusk until dawn as music from Locnville, Sketchy Bongo, GoodLuck and many more artists engulfed the crowd. The various food stalls also got a fair amount of attention as the night wore on and the munchies kicked in. People were lured off the dance floor by the delicious aroma of frying burger patties, and returned revitalised and ready to party on. The lights emanating from the stage gave the carnival an almost surreal feel. The vibrant colours washed over the dancefloor and swirled across the stage, reaching high into the navy blue sky towards the millions of stars that watched the carnival below. During the countdown into the new year, a soft mist drifted down, refreshing the party so that they could carry on dancing into the eagerly anticipated new year.
The Jameson Vic Falls Carnival is as unique and special as the town in which it takes place. The earth’s natural beauty flourishes here and can be seen everywhere, whether you are strolling through the rainforest, hurtling through the rapids or plunging into African air at the edge of a bungee cord. There is a marriage between cultural diversity and musical talent that leaves listeners with new found musical taste. Everyone you meet at the carnival is excited, friendly and ready for an adventure. The elation doesn’t end from the moment you step into Victoria Falls, to the moment you say your wistful goodbyes to her. Wild Horizons are proud to be Co-sponsors of the Jameson Vic Falls Carnival.
Nov 21, 2016 | Author : Libby White, Low Water, Victoria Falls, Wild Horizons Activites, zambezi rafting, Zambezi river
So once again the brutal heat of November is upon us! As happens every year; we gasp in shock as the heat presses relentlessly down on us day after day from a painfully blue, cloudless sky. To those of us sweltering here, in Victoria Falls, it will probably not come as any surprise to hear that the Zambezi River water levels are at their lowest levels in 7 years. The river was last recorded at this level at this time of the year in 1997 and in 2000. As we gaze fruitlessly into the cloudless sky, it gives us time to ponder how this actually affects us here on the ground in Victoria Falls.
Sticking with tradition let’s start with the bad news first… it means the middle of the day is probably not a good time to be out and about sightseeing, or doing anything particularly strenuous. It means blowing a fair amount of one’s budget on sunscreen, a very large hat and as many bottles of the coldest water that you can buy. It also means a longer walk out of the gorge at the end of your raft trip!
However, let’s look at the good news that comes with these lower than usual water levels. With the river being 5 centimetres lower than the average over the past 7 years on the same day, it means that the rapids on the white water rafting trip are slightly bigger and the adrenaline rush just that much more intense! It also means that the sandbanks on the edge of the Zambezi are more prominent and therefore more likely to be host to crocodiles basking (or is that baking) in the sunshine. Over the past week, the river has been dropping an average of ½ a centimeter a day which is also an indicator that there is less surface water lying around in the bush adjacent to the river. This forces wildlife, often in large herds, to come down to the river to drink therefore affording guests on cruise boats and on game drives excellent game viewing opportunities. Large herds of animals moving through the dry bush on their way to the river and ‘dust devils’ stirred up by the hot wind cause an extra layer of dust in the atmosphere, thereby creating the most spectacular sunsets! Once the intense heat of the day has abated it is a perfect opportunity to slake your thirst with an ice cold drink and watch the African bush settle down for the night.
So while we wait in eager anticipation for the annual rains to reach us and change these almost unprecedented low water levels, let’s make the most of the opportunities afforded to us now and get out there while it lasts! Written by Libby White
Mar 30, 2016 | The Flying Fox, The Gorge Swing, The Zip Line, Things to do in Victoria Falls, Victoria Falls Activity, Wild Horizons Activites, wildhorizons
We met our guides Michael and Bright at The Lookout Café. The venue is spectacular and the views give you a tantalizing taste of what’s to come. Our guides kitted us each with full body harness, pulley and safety helmet and there was plenty of laughter about the flattering fit of the harnesses!
We then walked a short distance to the first slide on the Victoria Falls Canopy Tour and our guides demonstrated how to slide on the cables and the safety procedures.
The Victoria Falls Canopy Tour offers everyone an exhilarating opportunity to soar through the rain forest in the Batoka Gorge with spectacular views of the mighty Zambezi River and the Victoria Falls Bridge. It is an unforgettable adventure as you slide from one platform to the next along a series of steel cables set amongst magnificent natural surroundings.
You are in another world from the moment you step off the first platform and slide through the tree-tops… there’s simply nothing to prepare you for the magnificence of the view across the gorge you glimpse as you first whizz across it. As you continue on the tour it appears that each slide offers something more and you can feel the groups’ confidence build.
At first some of us were very unsure and there was much nervous giggling but by the third slide whoops of sheer delight were reverberating through the gorge. We soon realize that with the combination of the safety line and the knowledge and expertise of Michael and Bright who are calm, confident and encouraging, we were totally safe.
SAFETY:
All groups are escorted by a lead guide and safety guide at all times. The guides are friendly, professional and reassuring. Your safety is paramount and Wild Horizons have strict procedures in place to ensure that you are constantly connected to either the cable or the platform.
The scenery high up within the forest canopy is spectacular. We enjoyed spotting birdlife amongst the surrounding trees and canyon walls and were lucky enough to have a Verreaux’s eagle soaring above us and periodically landing in trees on the canyon wall to watch us inquisitively. I can only imagine he thought we were learning to fly! Each tour lasts between 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on how many people are in your group and the speed you choose to go. We had a much-needed cold drink as we walked out of the gorge still smiling from the adventure.
Next up was the Flying Fox. We were re-harnessed so that we were suspended from our backs. The Flying Fox consists of a cable over the width of the gorge and with the harness facing down you literally ‘fly’ through the air over the turmoil of the Zambezi below. With our confidence soaring from the Canopy Tour we all stepped off into the abyss. The view is unbelievable!
Similarly to the Canopy Tours escalation of excitement and adrenaline, so the order we did the other activities in scaled up in order of excitement. Accordingly we moved on to the Zip Line- this is an activity we chose to do in tandem. Our harnesses were re-adjusted and we were seated for the activity. The platform it leaves from offers an exciting view of what you are about to embark upon- a very steep descent that has you travelling at up to 105 km an hour whilst travelling across the gorge with the Zambezi below.
My friend perfectly described the feeling of hurtling downwards and across the gorge as a ‘rush of joy’!
The final and most adrenalin inducing activity is the Gorge Swing. Not for the faint of heart this includes a whopping 70 metre free-fall before you are ‘caught’ by the harness and begin swinging across the gorge. This is an incredible experience as you swing in a huge arc with the Zambezi churning below you. It’s impossible not to appreciate the feeling of hanging over the mighty Zambezi by a cord!
And suddenly we were done! Buoyed up by adrenaline and the indescribable feeling of feeling more alive we headed back to the Lookout Café for a celebratory beer. We were all thrilled at the end of a great day and the shared memories we had created.
TIPS:
- Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe footwear. Open sandals are not suitable as they will simply fall off. Wear shorts or long pants and not a skirt as you will be in a harness. Running shoes are perfect and strap-on sandals will do.
- Take an easy to use camera with a strap that can attach around your neck or to your hand. There are plenty of great photo opportunities!
- The Canopy Tour experience is an excellent corporate and team building event.
- There is a safe box at The Lookout Café where you can leave your belongings and any valuables- however I suggest packing lightly.
Jan 13, 2016 | High Water, Low Water, Wild Horizons Activites, Zambezi river
Recently there has been strong concern over the apparent ‘drying up’ of the Victoria Falls- fuelled by sharing of the story on social media. An image taken in Zambia of the apparently dry Victoria Falls was widely circulated and purported to show the Falls as a whole.
However, the large fluctuation of the Zambezi River’s water levels are part of a normal annual occurrence. The huge variation at Victoria Falls is far more than in most of the world’s major waterfalls. The minimum flow, which occurs in November, is on average a mere tenth of the maximum April figure. Source- Wikipedia
Rough Guide to annual water levels showing the general trend of water levels in a typical year. (image courtesy Zambezi Helicopter Company).
This phenomenon means that viewing the waterfall at different times of the year produces vastly different experiences- and it’s definitely worth seeing both. In high flow the entire length of the Falls is a thundering wall of falling water whereas in low water the underlying structure can be seen and visibility is far better. Compare the images below of the Falls in October above and in May below.
The Victoria Falls in low flow
The Victoria Falls in high flow
The Zambezi river, upstream from the falls, experiences a rainy season from late November to early April, and a dry season the rest of the year. The river’s annual flood season is February to May with a peak in April.
The Zambezi River is at its lowest in approximately November or early December in most years. At times of low water the water of the Falls is concentrated mainly towards the Zimbabwean side as that side of the Falls is deeper. As the dry season takes effect up to half of the rocky face of the falls may become dry and the bottom of the First Gorge can be seen along most of its length.
The difference in flow at peak levels varies far more than the flow at low levels.
Currently in January 2016 we are about 15cm below the average water level of the Zambezi river at Victoria Falls at this time of the year. The river started rising on the 13/11/15 which is normal. Since Christmas the river has been rising 1/2cm a day.
In high flow the entire length of the Falls is a thundering wall of falling water. Compare the images below of the Falls in October above and in May below.
Below are some more images of the Falls in past years showing the vast difference in water levels that occur each year.