From Cape Town’s urban sophistication, we jetted to our next destination on our worldwind adventure, flying via South African Airlines from Capetown to Johannesburg then on to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe where raw natural beauty of this expansive land coalesced via the mighty Zambezi river. The name itself told colonial history: Victoria Falls honors England’s 19th-century queen, while the indigenous Mosi-oa-Tunya—”the smoke that thunders”—captured the falls’ true essence in ways that resonated deep in my chest.

The Zambezi Boutique Hotel, more guesthouse than grand hotel, provided my intimate base camp for adventures ahead. Here, concierge Sandrah Gilbert became my cultural ambassador, arranging authentic Zimbabwean experiences that transcended typical tourism. Her promise of “Anthony Bourdain, Parts Unknown” adventures proved prophetic. I would eat, drink, and dance my way through local communities most visitors never discover.

But first, the Zambezi River demanded introduction via sunset cruise. Boarding with our fellow Exotica travellers and ice-cold Zambezi beer (which tastes remarkably similar to our own Stella Artois), we drifted along waters that have carved this landscape for millennia. Wildlife congregated along the banks as if posing for my amazement: zebras, giraffes cooling themselves, crocodiles sunning motionlessly, and hippo families grunting territorial warnings that made my skin tingle.

The sunset cruise provided gentle prelude to Victoria Falls’ overwhelming power. As golden light danced across the Zambezi, I understood why this river inspired both beer names and lifetime pilgrimages. The peaceful serenity masked tremendous forces gathering just downstream.

Morning revealed Victoria Falls’ full majesty during our seven-mile hike along Zimbabwe’s side. UNESCO World Heritage status felt insufficient for this natural wonder. While not the world’s tallest or most voluminous waterfall, it is undoubtedly the greatest sheet of falling water I could witness. The trail offered multiple vantage points where thundering water created perpetual mist, nourishing vegetation I’d never seen anywhere else on Earth.

I worked overtime with my camera capturing images that inevitably disappointed compared to the visceral reality. The sound alone—constant, overwhelming, primal—vibrated through my chest cavity. Add visual spectacle, the mist’s cooling spray, and unique flora thriving in this microclimate, and I understood why Victoria Falls ranks among Earth’s natural wonders.

The helicopter tour elevated my appreciation literally and figuratively. Fifteen minutes aloft revealed Victoria Falls’ true scope: a mile-wide curtain of water plunging 350 feet into the Zambezi Gorge. From ground level, I experienced the falls’ power; from above, I comprehended their place in the vast African landscape. The Zambezi River snaked through wilderness, gathering strength from countless tributaries before releasing everything in one spectacular cascade that took my breath away.

Evening brought BOMA restaurant—an immersive cultural experience beginning with warrior and queen greetings (tips expected), fire-eating performances, and traditional loin cloth wrapping that made me feel slightly ridiculous but completely engaged. The African buffet pushed my culinary boundaries: wild boar rotating on spits, buffalo steaks, impala stew, and the infamous mopane worm; which is a local delicacy that earned me an official certificate for bravery.

Eating actual worms felt like a Fear Factor qualification, but traditional African dancing, drumming, and participatory entertainment transformed my dinner into cultural education. The guests all received drums, joined the rhythm, and connected with traditions spanning generations. The evening perfectly balanced authenticity with accessibility, respecting local customs while welcoming me as an international guest.

But Victoria Falls’ ultimate thrill awaited me across the Zambezi Bridge, where Zimbabwe meets Zambia. Livingstone Island offered Devil’s Pool—a natural infinity pool literally at the falls’ edge during low water season. This bucket-list adventure required courage, trust, and what I can only describe as slight insanity.

Three guides orchestrated my experience: two held my ankles while the third photographed my terror and exhilaration. The current’s pull, biting fish, and proximity to a 350-foot drop created sensory overload that ranked above skydiving for pure adrenaline rush. I was simultaneously terrified and exhilarated, trusting strangers with my life while creating memories no photograph could fully capture.

The rush proved addictive. I understood why visitors return annually, chasing that perfect combination of natural beauty and mortal terror. Devil’s Pool wasn’t just swimming for me; it was communion with forces that shaped continents.

As my Victoria Falls chapter concluded, the falls’ lesson resonated deeply: nature remains supremely powerful despite human attempts at dominance. Standing at the precipice, whether on hiking trails or in Devil’s Pool, I was reminded of my place in Earth’s grand design—significant yet fragile, temporary yet capable of profound connection with timeless forces.

The Zambezi continues flowing, the falls keep thundering, and the smoke keeps rising. My visit ended, but Victoria Falls’ impact endures, calling me back to witness again the smoke that thunders.