Have you ever seen a sight that is so amazing or so beautiful that it makes you speechless? Then you will know how I felt when I visited Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe/ Zambian border. It was named after Queen Victoria but I think I prefer the local name Mosi-oa-tunya which apparently when translated means 
" The Smoke that Thunders"
Image from Wikepedia but come round some day and I can bore you with dozens taken when we were there.
If you ever go to see this wonderful waterfall it will be easy to see why the name is more appropriate. The first thing you notice as you approach the site of it is a huge mist cloud that mushrooms up high over the tree tops. I t is more exciting in the rainy season because the volume of water is greater.
As you walk nearer you are suddenly aware that the dry arid surroundings are being replaced by a rain forest, lush and green and full of dark shadows. In this magical place the quality of the sound changes, the traffic and people noises of the small local town are left behind and suddenly you are aware of a deep and continuous rumbling sound. So the spray and the sound of the water thundering over the rocks inspired the local name.
Its only once you step through the trees that you get your first view of the magnificent falls. It is quite stunning...am I running out of superlatives yet?... The water tumbles over the edge of the gorge and cascades down hundreds of feet, millions of gallons a minute. The huge Zambezi River draining itself over the precipice of the rocks creates wonderful patterns and if you lean far enough over the edge on the opposite side of the gorge you will catch glimpses of rainbows.
It takes at least 30 minutes to walk along the path opposite with different vistas opening up at each new viewing point and little deviations into the rain forest. I swear that one time we were there a hippo peeped back at us through the trees unless it was some trick of the light.
When you reach the end of the path you will be soaked to your skin but gloriously uplifted.
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