Country Zimbabwe District Hwange Climate BSh | Province Matabeleland North Time zone CAT (UTC+2) | |
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Victoria Falls is a town in the province of Matabeleland North, Zimbabwe. It lies on the southern bank of the Zambezi River at the western end of the Victoria Falls themselves. It is connected by road and railway to Hwange (109 km away) and Bulawayo (440 km away), both to the south-east.
Map of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
According to the 2012 Population Census, the town had a population of 33,060. Victoria Falls Airport is located 18 km south of the town and has international services to Johannesburg and Namibia.
The settlement began in 1901 when the possibility of using the waterfall for hydro-electric power was explored, and expanded when the railway from Bulawayo reached the town shortly before the Victoria Falls Bridge was opened in April 1905, connecting Zimbabwe to what is now Zambia. It became the principal tourism centre for the Falls, experiencing economic booms from the 1930s to the 1960s and in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Education
Victoria Falls has a few primaru schools like Baobab Primary School, Chinotimba Primary School, Kings Primary School, Victoria Falls Primary School and Mkhosana Primary School.
In addition there are high schools like Mosi Oa Tunya High School.
Health
The town is served by Victoria Falls Hospital, The Chinotimba Clinic , a few surgeries and Another Private Hospital.
Sports
Football is the most popular sport and there are many football teams some of which play in the first division. There have been legendary teams like Zimbabwe Sun Rovers, Intundla, Makasa Sun Casino, Guyu, Burning Spear, Sprayview, Mawema and The Young Warriors which was coached by legendary ABernie. This team produced some exceptional players and some played overseas while others played for some premiership sides.
Victoria Falls Rugby Club which started at the Farm school playing touch rugby was strengthebed and played a few touring international sides at Elephant Hills Hotel. They participated at the Victoria Falls Rugby 10s in 1999 where South African, Scottish, Zambian and Kenyan teams played.
The town is known for its grade 5 rapids where white water rafting and kayaking are done.
There is also a good golf course at Elephant Hills Hotel.