The first European to view this natural wonder, David Livingston, bestowed the name Victoria Falls in honor of Queen Victoria. The Falls traditional name is Mosi-oa-tunya ("The Smoke That Thunders") due to the mighty roar and giant column of mist generated by the 107 meter drop of the Zambezi River into its gorge. The mist billows 500 meters into the air and can clearly be seen from miles away. The powerful falls create enough mist to support a rainforest of mahogany, ebony, and fig trees through which there are abundant trails to explore.

Before the Zambezi River widens to 1700 meters and plummets over the falls, the river is quite peaceful. During an early morning breakfast cruise on the Zambezi River, tour participants witnessed this elephant slowly crashing through the forest to wade in the cool waters.