Bordering the Luangwa River, the northern and southern Luangwa National Parks contain some of the most breathtaking and untouched wilderness in Africa. As a result of this and the parks’ successful anti-poaching campaigns, the area has developed into a world-renowned wildlife haven. The South Luangwa National Park is renowned for its walking safari, which allows visitors to view elephant, hippo and even lion close-up under the supervision of professional and knowledgeable armed guides.
Situated on the Zambia–Zimbabwe border along the Zambezi River, Victoria Falls is experienced from the Zambian side within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, where walkways trace the cliff edge above a vast basalt gorge. Knife Edge Bridge pushes visitors into the spray line for a close view of the Main Falls, a continuous curtain of water, and the Eastern Cataract, where the flow breaks into narrower channels across the far side. Rainbow Falls, the highest section of the cascade, often reveals shifting arcs of colour in fine mist when light breaks through the spray. The Boiling Pot viewpoint looks directly into a deep whirlpool where the river is forced into the Batoka Gorge. Upstream, boat access reaches Livingstone Island, a rocky outcrop on the lip of the falls, and the seasonal Devil’s Pool, a natural rock pool at the edge of Victoria Falls that becomes safely accessible during low water when river levels drop and currents weaken. Activities extend beyond the rim, including white-water rafting through gorge rapids, kayaking, ziplining across the chasm, bungee jumping from the bridge, bridge swings, sunset cruises, game viewing along the riverbanks, and visits to the local market.
The Chobe River forms the northern boundary of Chobe National Park and is one of southern Africa’s most rewarding wildlife riverfronts, especially in the dry season when animals concentrate along its banks. Elephant herds gather in large numbers at the water’s edge, hippos crowd the channels, and buffalo move regularly through the floodplain grasslands, while lions range through the wider system and may hunt buffalo in the surrounding landscape. The river also supports exceptional birdlife across reeds, sandbanks, and woodland edges, and visitors typically explore it through guided game drives on designated park tracks as well as boat safaris that bring them level with elephants and hippos along the shoreline.
Situated in the east of the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve ranks as one of the most beautiful reserves in Africa. It covers more than 4871 square kilometres of pristine wilderness, and this varied terrain includes savannah, winding waterways, and dense forest. The diverse ecosystem supports an incredibly wide spectrum of wildlife, ranging from large herds of buffalo, wildebeest and zebra, to the rare sitatunga and lechwe antelope, lion, cheetah and packs of wild dog in the open grasslands. The birdlife is prolific and includes most of the 550 bird species recorded on Botswana’s national bird list. A range of luxury lodges in the reserve offers visitors the perfect base to experience this corner of paradise.
The Hainaveld and Ghanzi Farms surround the northwestern border of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana and serve primarily as game viewing areas. Aside from excellent wildlife-spotting opportunities, this safari area is known for its great accessibility, cultural tourism and first-class bird watching. The Hainaveld and Ghanzi Farms offer the quintessential, authentic African bush experience featuring remarkable desert landscapes inhabited by a wide range of desert-adapted wildlife, including gemsbok, springbok, giraffes, ostriches, to name a few. It is also home to a blend of cultures, including the Bakgalagadi, the original inhabitants, the Herero, the San, the Batawana, and the Afrikaners. Visitors can explore local villages, learn about the ancient traditional way of life of the Kalahari hunter-gatherers, take a nature walk with an expert guide, relax at a luxury lodge or spend a day on safari spotting abundant wildlife. Don’t miss the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the rare black-maned Kalahari lions.
