The Changing Face of Victoria Falls

Written by -  Verona Mwelwa Chilonge Mwansa

Of late,  there has been panic about the extremely  low to seemingly non existent water which makes up the Victoria Falls.  Please note that it is not the first time it is happening in living memory.

In Zambia,  we have three distinct seasons. This is how it is taught in schools:

-Cool,  Dry season from late May to mid August.

Hot, Dry Season from late September to early November

Hot,  Wet season from November to late April

The length of each season varies by several weeks from year to year.

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Now,  about the Falls. September/October are the driest months following 5 months of no rain at all.  A large swathe of rock face rising above the gorge is fully exposed as the water falling over the lip is reduced to a trickle.  This is the best time of the year to skip across the rocks at the top of the falls and frolic in the collection of shallow pools.  It is also the safest time of the year to hop into a banana boat and sail, on the considerably slowed down current to Livingstone Island for a different view of the falls and, for adventurous spirits, a swim to Devils Pool to chill at the lip of the falls with a breathtaking view of the great drop to the bottom of the gorge. Or to bungee jump 110 metres off the iconic century old bridge (all of which I've done..only once mind you😁)

Appreciate the beauty that lies beneath all that makeup for now. The high,  nobly carved cheekbones and natural, black coffee complexion. She is showing you all her faces.  Do you only love a woman with her makeup on? Great beauty lies beneath 💓

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To know the true character of the falls and to see it fully wreathed in mighty tumbling water with lacy mist and iridescent rainbows, or the stark naked rock face carved with magnificent patterns by the chisel of the falling water over the millennia, you need to visit it over and over again over many years at different times of our three seasons.  It changes the face like a woman changing her hair and make up. I urge you to go there from late February to July.  The pictures you will post then will be very different. She'll be at full thunderous roar soaking the skin with her spray. She will be in full hair and make up and a ruffled ball gown decked with floaty frills and furbelows. I have never ceased to marvel at its breathtaking awesomeness over the countless times I've visited it over the past 35 years at different seasons.