The Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, is a sight not to be missed. Especially when the Zambezi river is in full flow (April to June/July) when over a mile of unbroken surging water plunges into the Zambezi gorge below. The pleasant town is compact enough to walk around and the Falls are within easy walking distance.
The Victoria Falls is bordered by Zimbabwe and Zambia and each country offers a different viewing perspective. Towards the end of the dry season, from late September to January, the spectacle is best seen from the Zimbabwe side of the Victoria Falls.
A host of activities are on offer centred around the Falls themselves, the magnificent Zambezi River and the Zambezi National Park. Enjoy guided tours of the Falls and then a languorous sunset boat cruises. To gain an overall impression of the Falls, the helicopter 'Flight of Angels' is essential. A microlight ride and bungee jumping are available for the more daring. The wide gentle river above the Falls is the perfect place for canoeing and fishing, whilst below the Falls, the serious white-water rafting or jet-boating is on offer. Game drives and horse riding are offered in the Zambezi National Park to view elephant and buffalo, or you can take a day safari to nearby Chobe National Park. You can also sample elephant back safaris and interactions.
Located in western Zimbabwe, Hwange National Park (formerly Wankie Game Reserve) is the largest natural reserve in the country and is famous for its rich diversity of wildlife. Home to one of the biggest elephant populations in the world, as well as around 100 mammal species, the park is popular among animal lovers. Several protected species inhabit the awe-inspiring open landscapes, including the endangered wild dog, critically endangered black rhino, and rare roan and sable - along with lion, cheetah, and around 500 bird species. Adventurers can look forward to guided bush hikes, game drives, and horse riding safaris, all of which offer excellent photographic opportunities.
The life-giving power of the Zambezi River makes Mana Pools National Park one of Zimbabwe’s most lush and rewarding safari regions. It offers a stunning water and wildlife experience. The focal point is the magical Zambezi River and its islands, the surrounding flood plains and gorgeous forests of mahogany, wild fig, ebony and baobab trees.
Mana Pools is renowned for its large numbers of elephant, buffalo, hippo, crocodile, and eland that concentrate along the river when the inland waterholes dry up - especially in the winter months. Leopard and lion are present but are not seen as regularly. This World Heritage Site is one of the least developed national parks in Zimbabwe and it's this overwhelming sense of wilderness which is as much of an attraction of Mana Pools as its wildlife.
Mana means 'four' in Setswana and refers to the four large permanent ox box lakes formed by the meandering Zambezi river. It was saved from a hydro-electric scheme in the early 1980's which would have flooded this beautiful area. Canoeing and walking safaris are a speciality of Mana Pools, both day excursions and multi-day adventures. Canoe trips are offered year round and provide a unique and memorable way for visitors to experience the area’s striking scenic beauty and diverse fauna, while guided walks are a great way to take its pristine riverside forests.
