VictoriaVictoria Falls - Increasing water levels excite tourism stakeholders and travellers alike

As of the 11th March, according to the Zambezi River Authority, the Zambezi River flows at Victoria Falls have continued increasing steadily due to local rainfall activity and increasing inflow from the Upper Catchment of the Zambezi, closing the period under review at 3,597 m3/s. The flow observed on the same date last year was 1,382m3/s. This is almost three times the amount of water flowing over Victoria Falls compared with March 2020, and is over three times the long term Mean Annual flow which is 1,100 m3/s.

Considering the low levels of tourism that the region is currently facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, tourism stakeholders across the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA) have turned to social media campaigns to showcase the awe-inspiring water levels of the Zambezi River. Africa's Eden, a private sector membership association promoting tourism to the region, have begun a "Follow The Water" campaign aimed at telling the story of the importance of water and water levels on tourism, the environment and the people living in 'Africa's Eden' and alongside the Zambezi River.

In addition, Wild Horizons, one of the top adventure tour operators in Victoria Falls with a collection of luxury camps, have begun a competition on facebook called "Follow The Flood, Escape to Old Drift Lodge", inviting friends and followers to submit their guess-timate of how high the river might rise this year. The closest winner will win 1 night for 2 at the luxurious Old Drift Lodge in Zambezi National Park, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

South African Travel Magazine, Getaway, on the 9th March published an article 'Victoria Falls thundering towards record levels in 2021' in which editor Anton Crone states, "The rainy season in the Zambezi River catchment area begins around November and lasts until March. During this time and beyond, the Zambezi experiences high water levels and an intense curtain of water barreling into the 100m chasm of Victoria Falls. The rainy season in Zimbabwe begins in December, but local rains do not have the biggest impact because they aren’t as heavy as the upper Zambezi River catchment in Angola. This water usually only reaches Victoria Falls in March, April and May. With current levels it may reach one of its highest volumes in history when the big waters flow in."

The excitement however has not been limited to local and regional stakeholders. Ahdina Zunkel from BJ Adventures in the United States confirmed that many of the Africa Specialists around the world were sharing the excitement with their clients and potential future travellers. "The KAZA region, and in particular, Victoria Falls with its magnificent flow this year is poised to be the perfect destination for travellers who want to explore wide open spaces and its wildlife, and experience its ongoing community and conservation programs," says Ahdina.