Mosi – oa – Tunya at full voices as the Zambezi reclaims its power

THERE is a deep, primal rumble that now hangs over Victoria Falls city, a sound that feels older than memory and heavier than time itself. It is not the warning growl of an approaching storm, nor the distant grind of machinery carving at the earth. It is the raw, unrestrained voice of the Zambezi River, rising with a force that has not been felt here in more than a decade.

Along the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, the world’s largest curtain of falling water has shed all restraint, transforming into an overwhelming spectacle that commands both awe and humility. The Falls do not merely flow these days — they proclaim their presence.

Figures released by the Zambezi River Authority read less like statistics and more like poetry written in water. As of April 1, the flow at Victoria Falls surged to a staggering 4 200 cubic metres per second.

Even as the waters began a slow easing, the river remained relentless, still charging at 4 005 cubic metres per second by April 14.

To grasp the scale of this moment, one must look back just a year. On the same date in 2025, the river carried only 2 126 cubic metres per second.

Today, the Zambezi is moving at almost twice the volume it did 12 months ago — a river rediscovering its own magnitude. From 1 776 cubic metres per second on April 1 last year to 4 200 this year, from 2 126 on April 14 then to 4 005 now, the numbers tell the story of renewal, power and abundance.

For those lucky enough to witness Victoria Falls in this state, words often fail. There is, however, a detail Zimbabweans can quietly and confidently share with the world. While the Falls stretch across two nations, nearly 75 percent of the most commanding views are found on the Zimbabwean side. This is not pride speaking; it is simply the lay of the land.

In the early hours of the morning, or late into the night when the city exhales and settles, the roar of the Falls carries far beyond the river’s edge. In low density suburbs, it rolls through open spaces and streets, a steady vibration that feels less heard than felt — like the heartbeat of the earth asserting itself.

Driving from Cresta Sprayview towards the Central Business District, motorists are met with a sight that feels almost unreal. A vast column of mist rises skywards, suspended like a living cloud, visible from kilometres away and glowing softly in the changing light.

Yet such power does not come without consequence. Mr Cephas Moyo of the Rafting Association of Zimbabwe confirmed that all rafting activities along the Batoka Gorge have been halted indefinitely.

“We have suspended rafting along the Batoka Gorge due to the high levels of water. These high levels have not been recorded in over ten years, and this means that rafting will be suspended for a lengthy time. Last year, we did not suspend the activity as the water was moderate,” Mr Moyo said.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority spokesperson Mr Luckmore Safuli acknowledged the moment, noting that while the force of the Falls enhances its splendour, it also demands respect.

“Increased flows significantly enhance the visual and aesthetic experience of Victoria Falls, reinforcing its reputation as one of the world’s most iconic natural attractions,” Mr Safuli said.

He cautioned, however, that the sheer volume of water has increased mist and spray, reducing visibility at certain vantage points, and urged visitors to strictly observe all safety warnings and guidance set by park authorities.

The spectacle has not gone unnoticed beyond Zimbabwe’s borders. His Excellency Ambassador Odo Tevi, Permanent Representative of Vanuatu to the United Nations, recently toured the Falls and was left searching for language.

“The experience of the Victoria Falls is hard to describe. It’s magnificent, you can feel it, there’s a spirit in here, and it’s something that I was in awe of — our nature and the river. I have never seen something like this in my life. We have rivers in my country, but this is something extraordinary,” Ambassador Tevi said.

Ambassador Dr Neil Parsan, Permanent Representative of Trinidad and Tobago to the UN, went further, describing Zimbabwe as a steward of global significance.

“Zimbabwe is gifted and blessed with the opportunity to own Victoria Falls. We see a very clear path, a planned, well-structured, thoughtful way forward in dealing with sustainable development,” he said.

For Ms Corina Moroi, a senior Moldovan diplomat to the UN, the visit etched more than an image of roaring water into memory.

“My biggest takeaway, I learnt here that they are also called Mosi-oa-Tunya. One of the takeaways that I will go home and tell people is the hospitality of the Zimbabwean people,” she said.

“The beauty of the people, the beauty of the nature, the beauty of your food that is what I will be taking home.”
Right now, the Smoke That Thunders is living fully up to its name. It roars, it rises, it drenches and dazzles. If you have never stood before Victoria Falls when it speaks this loudly, this is the moment. Make the journey — but come prepared, with a raincoat, steady footing and a willingness to be undone by wonder.