Depending on the season, Mosi-oa-Tunya (Victoria Falls), experiences fluctuations in water flow. Picture: Unsplash
THE state of Mosi-oa-Tunya (Victoria Falls) has come under the spotlight with netizens concerned about the Unesco World Heritage Site, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
This comes after a video showing a dried-up wterfall was uploaded to social media platforms, X and TikTok.
In the video posted on TikTok, social media user, Aroma Luxury (@aroma.luxury6), said: “It’s no longer funny, this a serious case😰this is worse than I imagined. The Victoria Falls dries but this is worse than before and especially that the country has experienced dry spells this year.”
@aroma.luxury6 Its no longer funny this a serious case😰this is worser than i imagined. The victoria falls dries but this is worser than before and especially that the country has experienced dry spells this year. I guess as for power we just forget we endure for now otherwise we need rains by the end if this year #fyp ♬ Ngibambe La - Mthunzi
Aroma Luxury later said she is on the Zambian side of the fall as Mosi-oa-Tunya is on the border of country with Zimbabwe.
On X, Dr Chauke (@_BlackZA ) also posted the same video advising travellers not to visit the tourist attraction and said: “The Victoria Falls has dried out. If you’re planning to go there cancel that trip till it rains.”
The Victoria Falls has dried out. If you planning to go there cancel that trip till it rains. pic.twitter.com/ZaQLRUUvHL
— Dr Chauke 📝 (@_BlackZA) September 16, 2024
The drying up of Victoria Falls is common as the region experiences a dry season. According to Go2Africa.com, the best time to visit Victoria Falls is from February to May, directly after the summer rains, as visitors can see the world’s largest sheet of falling water flowing at its greatest volume.
The travel operator also said that the tricky thing about visiting Mosi-oa-Tunya is that the most impressive spray doesn’t coincide with peak safari season in nearby Chobe in Botswana or Hwange in Zimbabwe and some activities, like swimming in Devil’s Pool.
Sections of white-water rapids, are too dangerous to undertake when the water is at its highest and fastest.
“We don’t recommend visiting the Falls at the end of the dry winter season, October through November, when the water level is lowest, and the weather is very hot and humid,” said the travel operator.
Low-water season guarantees visitors will have panoramic views (no misty spray) on both sides of the Falls, but the Zambian side may have dried up completely and all you’ll see is bare rock face.
“Water flow on the Zimbabwean side is permanent but ebbs and flows in volume with the rainy season,” said the travel operator.