Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe and Zambia
Area: 68 km2
Inscribed: 1989
Criteria: (vii) aesthetic; (ix) ecological processes
Values: This is perhaps Africa's single most outstanding feature, and one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. The Zambezi River, which is more than two kilometres wide at this point, plunges 108m into a narrow chasm and noisily down a series of basalt gorges. The world heritage site covers both banks of the Zambezi River, including the Victoria Falls National Park on the Zimbabwe side and the Mosi-ao Tunya National Park in Zambia. When the river is in full flood in February and March, it forms the world's largest sheet of falling water with some 540 million cubic meters of water per minute pouring over the edge and creating a spray plume which is visible 20km away. The local name for the falls - Mosi-ao Tunya - means the ‘smoke that thunders', a suitable description for a place that stirs every sense.
Slideshow of the Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls world heritage site.
Impressions (based on a visit in September 2005): This is a well managed site, although clearly suffering from the downturn of tourism in Zimbabwe resulting from that country's present political and economic troubles. The development of tourism infrastructure around the site has been well done, and the landscape values are well preserved. There were some problems on the Zambian side over personal security, and piles of litter scattered everywhere along the road between the two border posts are a disgrace, requiring greater cooperation between the two state parties. Nevertheless, this is a truly exceptional place.
Quick Reference Scores: (for explanation see About Us)
|
Scenery |
Wildlife/Biodiversity |
Accessibility |
Facilities |
Integrity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Links: Google Earth | WCMC Site Description | Official UNESCO Site Details |OurPlace Photos |Management Authorities: Zimbabwe Parks |Zambia Wildlife Authority | Birdlife IBA Zambia | Birdlife IBA Zimbabwe
