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Why is Victoria Falls called Mosi-oa-Tunya?
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Zambezi River
The Zambezi River basin and its drainage network.
Victoria Falls is called Mosi-oa-Tunya, which translates to "The Smoke That Thunders," because of the characteristic veil of mist and the mighty roar produced by the Zambezi River as it plunges over the precipice. This name was given to the waterfall by the Kalolo-Lozi people, who observed these distinct sensory features as the river approached the drop.1