Zambezi National Park
What YAS members think
Highlights
- Victoria Falls is one of the world’s seven wonders
- Four of the big five live in the park
- Easy access from airports and cities
- Fishing, birding and big game
- Can be crowded, especially on the weekends
About Zambezi National Park
The park is in the northwestern-most corner of Zimbabwe, near the borders of Botswana, Namibia and Zambia. It is a seven-hour drive from the large cities of Lusaka, Zambia, and and Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. However it is a very short drive from Livingstone Airport, which is across the river in Zambia.
While the allure of the spectacular waterfall is tempting, the park is rich with diverse wildlife. Formerly part of Victoria Falls National Park, Zambezi was split off from Victoria Falls National Park in 1979 so that Victoria Falls town could be extended to the river.
Wildlife of Zambezi National Park
Zambezi is home to four of the big five: buffalo, elephant, leopard and lion. Additionally, antelope, baboons, zebra, giraffe and hippopotamus call the park home. Safaris can be by boat, motor vehicle or foot. Several safari operators offer many options within the park, including overnight canoe trips. With all its water from the falls, fishing in Zambezi is exceptional. The park is also documented to have the highest concentration of bird species in all of Africa making it a prime destination for birding safari enthusiasts.
Zambezi National Park has one lodge, three fishing camps and four general camps in the park. Additionally the nearby city of Victoria Falls has many hotels and restaurants. There are many options for animal viewing and fishing. While there are guided tours, adventurers may use their own transportation in the park for car safaris, hikes and fishing trips.
When to visit Zambezi National Park
May through October is normally the dry season, with September and October recognized as the better months for photo opportunities at Victoria Falls, as there is much less spray. The dry season is also better for viewing game in the Zambezi National Park.
The rainy season runs fom November through to April, when the weather is hot and very humid.
Australia
The whole area around Vic Falls is stunning and a great place to do it all in a relatively short period of time. I visited the Zambezi National Park several times during my working time in Africa as the overland trip which included the falls was always the most popular. Close to Livingstone and ease of entry meant we could do a day's game drive/boat ride without having to stay in the park, so I can't really recommend a particular camp there. The park itself is just divine and it's easy to see why animals love it here! The river makes everything so green and luscious, and there's plenty of high grassland etc where they can hide. Driving around is possible but to be honest not very worthwhile, the floodplains are where most of the animals congregate and youre not really going to get very close. Take a boat trip or canoe down the river and youre bound to have much closer encounters. Always saw lots of hippos, elephants, herds of zebras and and lots and I mean LOTS of buffalo. My pax always enjoyed fishing from the back of the boat whilst looking out for game, and that is a totally fun thing to do. Of all the times Ive been here Id say the September trips were always best, great viewing both of game and the falls, where you dont get completely soaked trying to get close enough for a good photo. Gorgeous luscious corner of the world and a nice change to the dry and dusty savannahs, game boat riding a lovely change from the usual 4WD experience. Expect crowds here though as everyone who visits the Vic Falls will spend at least one day here.
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Canada
This was my last park visit on my wonderful safari through Botswana. I was really looking forward to seeing Victoria Falls and knew it was the rainy season here (which means more water flow for the chutes!). I was not prepared for the sticky and buggy conditions in Zambezi National Park. Great for a boat tour and for viewing loads of elephants, though!
Zambezi National Park is considered the gateway to Victoria Falls and is easily accessible from Livingstone International Airport.
The following airlines travel to Zambezi National Park
Airlink is a privately-owned, BBBEE Level 4 business and regional airline serving a comprehensive network of smaller destinations throughout Southern Africa. We are now operating independently under our own unique 4Z flight code offering more freedom, more choices and more travel opportunities. Visit website
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National airline of Namibia. Air Namibia (Pty) Limited is a proprietary limited company incorporated in accordance with the Companys Act. Air Namibia is the national airline of the Republic of Namibia, with the Government of Namibia as its sole Shareholder. The companys business operations primarily involve provision of air transport services for passengers and cargo. Through its subsidiary company, Air Namibia Ground Handling (Pty) Limited, it provides ground handling services for passengers and aircraft at Windhoeks Hosea Kutako International Airport. The airline is positioned as a niche carrier serving domestic points within Namibia, the immediate regional markets of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Angola, Zambia and Botswana. The airline also serves the entire European network through Frankfurt. Visit website
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Domestic services in South Africa. An aviation company founded in 1946, Comair Limited is managed and owned by South Africans through its listing on the JSE. For close to 70 years, Comair has provided consistent value, reliability and professionalism. British Airways and kulula.com now carry an average of 4.8 million passengers per annum locally and regionally. Our reputation of quality and passion for service will ensure Comair continues to play a major role in the South African aviation and travel industry. Visit website
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Air Zimbabwe is the national Airline for Zimbabwe whose main purpose is to provide Air travel solutions for the Zimbabwean community, the African continent and the world at large. The airline which is wholly owned by the Government of Zimbabwe was founded in 1967 and has been in existence over the years up to present time. Its roots can be traced back to 1946 when it was known as Central Africa Airways and operated as a joint airline for Nyasaland, Southern Rhodesia and Northern Rhodesia. The tripartite operations continued till 1967 when the joint operations ceased leading to the formation of Air Rhodesia. The airline operated as Air Rhodesia till 1980 when the nation attained its independence and the airline adopted the name Air Zimbabwe. The Airline operated as Air Zimbabwe Corporation until 1997 when Air Zimbabwe Pvt Ltd was created in terms of the Air Zimbabwe Corporation Repeal Act No.4 of 1998.The airline is therefore registered as Air Zimbabwe Pvt Ltd REG NO.10852/97 and conducts its business as such. The airline has been a member of the International Air Transport Association [IATA] and is also a serving member of the African Airlines Association [AFRAA]. Visit website
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Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) is the flag carrier of Ethiopia. During the past seventy plus years, Ethiopian has become one of the continent's leading carriers, unrivalled in Africa for efficiency and operational success, turning profits for almost all the years of its existence. Operating at the forefront of technology, the airline has also become one of Ethiopia's major industries and a veritable institution in Africa. It commands a lion's share of the pan African network including the daily and double daily east-west flight across the continent. Ethiopian currently serves 100 international and 21 domestic destinations operating the newest and youngest fleet. Visit website
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Budget flights within East Africa. Established in 2012, fastjet has flown over 1,000,000 passengers with almost 40% being first time flyers benefitting from fares as low as $20. Of the 300,000 social media followers fastjet has over 100 customers who have flown as frequently as 50 times! Low-cost is quite simply the avoidance of costly frills, offering customers the lowest possible fares in addition to pay-as-you travel extras. Visit website
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National airline of South Africa. At South African Airways we are the proud national airline of South Africa. We offer great value flights to and from South Africa as well as within our beautiful country. We are committed to the highest standards in everything we do and aim to deliver a world-class experience on every flight. Plan and book your flights with us and experience why we are one of the leading airlines in Africa. Visit website
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The flag carrier of Kenya. Kenya Airways was established in February 1977 following the breakup of the East African Community and subsequent disbanding of the jointly-owned East African Airways. KQ now flies to over 60 destinations around the world with over 40 being in Africa. The network expands to many more destinations with partnerships from Codeshare partners. Our Vision is to consistently be a Safe & Profitable Airline that Guarantees World Class Service. Visit website
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