Year-long video project captures Victoria Falls at highest and lowest water levels in decades

Zimbabwe, 1 June 2020. In a year-long project, Ilala Lodge Hotel has released unique video footage of Victoria Falls – one of Seven Natural Wonders of the World – showcasing the highest and lowest water levels recorded in decades.

Since April 2019 until April 2020 the hotel has filmed a series of monthly sunrise videos over the 1.7 km stretch of falling water as it ebbs and flows with the changing seasons of the year.

“The year-long project began with the intention to capture the breath-taking spectacle of the sun rising over Victoria Falls in each month of the year and showcase the diversity of each season. As it transpired, we also videoed the lowest water levels, followed by the highest water levels since 2010,”said Heather Kay, General Manager of Ilala Lodge Hotel.

At the end of 2019, headlines and images across the world claimed Victoria Falls had dried up. However, the Ilala Lodge Hotel monthly sunrise videos, in addition to data provided by the Zambezi River Authority, recorded continuous river flow during this period, despite being the lowest since 1995/6.

With the onset of the rainy season in the catchment areas upstream of Victoria Falls,  the Zambezi River water levels began rising in November 2019, reaching an initial peak flow of 4,289 cubic metres per second on 31 March 2020, followed by a second peak of 4,358 cubic metres per second on 27 April 2020– the highest recordings since 2009/10.

“We look forward to the Victoria Falls rainforest opening for locals to experience as the mighty waterfall flows in its most majestic state. But for the meantime, we hope you’ll enjoy experiencing Victoria Falls virtually via this unique video, and from the safety of your homes,” added Heather.

Victoria Falls remains closed to the public in Zimbabwe until further notice due to the current Covid-19 pandemic.

Ilala Lodge Hotel is ideally located only 8-minutes from the spectacular Victoria Falls, in Zimbabwe. As the closest hotel to the Natural World Wonder, the family-run hotel is equipped with 73 stylish and well-appointed rooms, offering the ultimate in comfort and luxury.

The hotel’s award-winning Palm Restaurant is famous for its gourmet cuisine and is rated ‘Excellent’ on TripAdvisor. Guests can see the spray and hear the thunder from the world-renowned Victoria Falls waterfall while enjoying al-fresco dining at The Palm Restaurant.

For more information visit www.ilalalodge.com, email reservations@ilalalodge.co.zwor call + 263 (0) 83 2844737/8/9 or +263 (0) 712 401814.

Full Video:                   https://we.tl/t-Y0QW0BqW5Q

Victoria Falls April 2019 – April 2020

(Video copyright: Ilala Lodge Hotel – May 2020)

 

 

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