A Natural Wonder
The Zambezi River
The Victoria Falls
Formation of the Victoria Falls
People of the Victoria Falls
Enter the Ndebele
Discovery of the Victoria Falls
In Livingstone's Footsteps
Development of the Railway
To the Banks of the Zambezi
Development of the Falls
To The Congo
Development of Tourism
Development of Victoria Falls Town
Recent History
Further Information
Collectables

    
Discover the Victoria Falls with the Zambezi Book Company

To The Victoria Falls

Discovery of the Victoria Falls

Early Photographs of the Victoria Falls

It is not clear who took the first successfull photographs of the Victoria Falls. Charles Livingstone had been enroled as expedition photographer for Livingstone's Second Expedition in 1860, although it is believed by the time they had reached the Falls he had given up on his attempts at the skilled artform. James Chapman attempted to take photographs of the Falls in 1862 during his visit with Thomas Baines, although he himself described his attempts as a failure.

Francis Harold Watson, known as Frank 'Zambezi' Watson, first travelled to 'Zambezia' in 1873 and made many subsequent expeditions, both as a trader and as a hunter. He became a close friend of Selous on his journeys, and also became a business partner with George Westbeech.

These photographs were taken during an expedition in 1891, and represent some of the earliest known photographs of the Victoria Falls, gorges, and 'Big Tree'. They first appeared on a website which is no longer avialable.

Victoria Falls, by 'Zambezi' Watson
Falls, by 'Zambezi' Watson

Victoria Falls, by 'Zambezi' Watson
Falls, by 'Zambezi' Watson

Victoria Falls, by 'Zambezi' Watson
Falls, by 'Zambezi' Watson

Victoria Falls, by 'Zambezi' Watson
Falls, by 'Zambezi' Watson

Victoria Falls, by 'Zambezi' Watson
The last two images form this montage image

The Victoria Falls gorge, by 'Zambezi' Watson
Down in the gorge, by 'Zambezi' Watson

The Victoria Falls gorge, by 'Zambezi' Watson
Down in the gorge, with Watson in the foreground.

Big Tree, by 'Zambezi' Watson
Big Tree, by 'Zambezi' Watson.

Crossing a drift, by 'Zambezi' Watson
Crossing a drift, by 'Zambezi' Watson. Travel by ox-drawn wagon was slow and difficult.

Trading station, by 'Zambezi' Watson
George Westbeech set up the Panda-ma-Tenga trading station about 60 miles south of the Zambezi River. Westbeech and Watson became partners in this venture during 1887-1888.

Next page: Early Development of the Cape System


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Discover the Victoria Falls with the Zambezi Book Company

'To The Victoria Falls' aims to bring you the wonder of the Victoria Falls through a look at its natural and human history.

This website has been developed using information researched from a wide variety of sources, including books, magazines and websites etc too numerous to mention or credit individually, although many key references are identified on our References page. Many of the images contained in this website have been sourced from old photographic postcards and publications and no infringement of copyright is intended. We warmly welcome any donations of photographs or information to this website.

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