A Victoria Falls moonbow can appear after dark in Livingstone, Zambia, when full-moon light hits the waterfall’s heavy spray and forms a pale lunar rainbow.
The phenomenon, also called a lunar rainbow, forms through the same refraction, reflection and dispersion process as a daytime rainbow, but moonlight replaces sunlight as the light source.
Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya or “The Smoke That Thunders,” straddles the Zambia-Zimbabwe border and drops more than 100 metres into the gorge, creating the mist needed for the moonbow.
Tour operators say visitors usually have the best chance around the full moon, especially on the nights before, during and after it, when skies stay clear, and spray levels remain high. Wild Horizons lists guided lunar rainbow tours for Victoria Falls during full-moon periods.
Zambia Tourism says Victoria Falls National Park opens for lunar-rainbow viewing from 6 pm to midnight on the night before the full moon, the full-moon night and the night after it.
When the time is right we shall travel to the Victoria Falls to gaze at this wonder.#stayhome#traveltomorrow#moonbow#lunarrainbow#victoriafallsnationalpark#visitzimbabwe#inharmonywithnature@ZtaUpdates @FarawoTinashe pic.twitter.com/ZI2zbA9g7E
— Zimparks (@Zimparks) June 17, 2020February to July usually offer strong viewing conditions because the falls carry heavier flow and throw more spray into the air. Visitors should expect wet paths, limited light and controlled night access.
Guides advise waterproof clothing, non-slip shoes, warm layers and low-light camera settings, especially near viewpoints such as Knife-Edge Bridge.
