Victoria Falls, also known locally as “Thundering Smoke” or “Boiling Water,” is a majestic waterfall on the Zambezi River, straddling the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe

At 1,708 meters (5,604 feet) wide, it ranks among the largest waterfalls in the world

I visited from the Zambian side, and even in the dry season, the sight was awe-inspiring

From there, you can clearly see the Zimbabwean (Zim) border, it was the closest I’ve ever been to Zim and would love to visit one day

There’s a memorable story about the legendary Radio 1 DJ, John Peel

While visiting Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwean side, he wanted to see the Zambian side too

Lacking a visa, he approached the border guards

When asked about his knowledge of local music, he impressed them by citing several Zambian records

Then, in a spontaneous moment, he sang a duet with one of the guards, a chorus from “Samora Machel” by the Zambian band Shalawambe

The guards, delighted by his musical knowledge and friendly spirit, stamped his card and let him cross

Peel later reflected on the experience as “that’s the way to cross international boundaries.”

Victoria Falls isn’t just a natural wonder; it’s a place where culture, music, and human connection can turn even a simple border crossing into an unforgettable story