Zimbabwe ParksThe small (but very scenic) Zambezi National Park is a great destination for a day trip from Victoria Falls since it is located next to it. There are also several lodges overlooking the Zambezi River inside the park offering a real bush experience. Elephant and buffalo are regularly seen, as well as giraffe and zebra. There is a good variety of antelope including waterbuck, impala and sable.
Pros & Cons
- Beautiful scenery along the Zambezi River
- Picnic spots available
- Great half-day or day trip from Victoria Falls
- Great birding destination
- Only three of the Big Five are regularly seen
- Limited road network
- Travel by 4WD essential
Wildlife
The park shouldn't be compared to some of the more impressive wildlife destinations in the country. Four of the Big Five are present, but only elephant and buffalo are likely to be seen. Rhino is absent. Leopard are rarely spotted, while sightings of lion are becoming more common. African wild dog also occur in the park, and the best chance to spot them is during the denning season, from May to August. The river teems with crocodile and hippo.
Scenery
The park has the very scenic Zambezi River as its northern border. The Zambezi River Game Drive runs the length of the park, along the river for about 50km. The vegetation is mainly mopane woodland and riverine forest with some amazing trees, including apple-ring, figs and ebony.
Weather & Climate
The Dry season (April to October) is characterized by temperatures that bounce from morning cold to afternoon warmth and back again. That is, until the season’s final month, when personal discomfort can rise along with the mercury in anticipation of the coming rain. The Wet season (November to March) has a predictable daily pattern of afternoon showers, though these are usually followed by the reappearance of the sun.
Best Time to Visit
The broad Zambezi River draws thirsty animals in the Dry season (April to October). It’s a spectacle that in turn draws plenty of visitors – particularly on weekends. If you need more reasons to visit at this time, consider that this is also when Victoria Falls is at its most thunderous, thanks to the Zambezi’s peak water flows. This stacks up well against the low-season prices available during the wetter months.
