Victoria Falls National Park
Dr. David Livingstone became the first white man to see Victoria Falls on November 16,1855, and named them after his queen. In his journal he wrote, “Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in flight.
Victoria Falls is approximately 5600 feet (1700 m) wide, twice the height of Niagara Falls, and one and one-half times as wide. It is divided into five separate waterfalls: Devil’s Cata¬ract, Main Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Rainbow Falls and Eastern Cataract, ranging in height from 200-355 feet (61-108 m).
Peak flood waters usually occur around mid-April when 150 million gallons (625 million liters) per minute crash onto the rocks below, spraying water up to 1650 feet (500 m) in the air. At this time (March-April) so much water is falling that the spray makes it difficult to see the falls. May-February is actually a better time to see them, keeping in mind that they are spectacular any time of the year.
Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River form the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The banks of the 1675-mile-(2700 km) long Zambezi River, the only major river in Africa to flow into the Indian Ocean, are lined with thick riverine forest.
Daytime and sundowner cruises operate above the falls where hippo and crocs may be spotted and elephant and other wildlife may be seen coming to the shore to drink.
A rainbow over the falls can often be seen during the day and a lunar rainbow within a
two to four night period over a full moon.
Fortunately the area around the falls has not been com¬mercialized, and there are unobstructed views from many vantage points connected by paved paths. Be prepared to get wet as you walk through a luxuriant rain forest surrounding the falls, a result of the continuous spray. A path called the Chain Walk descends from near Livingstone’s statue into the gorge of the Devil’s Cataract, providing an excellent vantage point.
Spencer’s Creek Crocodile Ranch has specimens up to 14 feet (4.3 m) in length and weighing close to 1000 pounds (450 kg).
The Craft Village in the middle of town is very interesting with living quarters and other structures repre¬senting traditional Zimbabwean life of the country’s major tribes.
Big Tree is a giant baobab over 50 feet (15 m) in circumference, 65 feet (20 m) high and 1000-1500 years old.
The African Spectacular, presented every night at the Victoria Falls Hotel, features tribal dancing at its finest.
The “Flight of Angels,” a flight over the falls in a small plane, is highly recommended to acquire a feeling for the true majesty of the falls. Flights over the falls by helicopter and game-viewing flights by light aircraft upstream from the falls along the Zambezi River and over Victoria Falls National Park are also available. It is best to reserve seats in advance.
The falls can also be viewed from Zambia. Zambian visas for day visits are generally available at the border for most nationalities. The “Float of Angels", offered on the Zambia side of the falls, takes guests into the “Boiling Pot” below Victoria Falls by raft.
Generally speaking, the falls are more impressive and the accommodations and tourism infrastructure are better on the Zimbabwean side.
The Zambezi River offers one of the most exciting (if not the most exciting) white-water rafting trips in the world. One-day rafting trips are usually offered June-February (de¬pending on the water level of the river) in the gorges below Victoria Falls from both the Zimbabwean and Zambian sides of the river. The Zambezi River is rated fifth class (the highest class runable). For many travelers, it is a highlight of their safari (see chapter on Zambia for details). Around 8:00 a.m. rafters take a short walk down to the river’s edge where the rafting safari begins. Longer ratfing safaris (2-7 days) are usually run August-December, Rafters must be 16 years of age or older to participate.
Kayaking Safaris
Kayaking Safaris (white-water canoeing)
This is a great way to explore the upper Zambezi from near Kazungula to just above Victoria Falls; these safaris are offered June-October. Adventurers pass numerous hippo, crocs and other wildlife as they paddle two-man expedition kayaks on safaris ranging from a half-day to three days in length.
No previous kayaking experience is necessary. However, the tricky part is that on the three day safari, two of the most difficult rapids are the second and third rapids encountered, which doesn’t allow much time for training! Most kayaks (including ours) flip once — an experience in itself.
A crew traveling in a landrover sets up camp ahead of the group. Participants sleep under the stars (beware of lions). There are no shower or toilet facilities at the camps. Under special arrangement, safari companies can arrange a more deluxe tented program with shower and toilet tents.
Accommodation - Deluxe:
First Class:
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Class F & Camping:
Accommodation Near Victoria Falls - Class A:
Zambezi National Park
Zambezi National Park
Victoria Falls National Park includes Victoria Falls as well as 216-square-mile (560 km2) Zambezi National Park. The park is located west of the falls and extends for 25 miles (40 km) along the Zambezi River.
Zambezi National Park is well known for its abundance of sable antelope. Among other species are white rhino, black rhino, elephant, zebra, eland, buffalo, giraffe, lion, kudu and waterbuck.
Day safaris are offered from Victoria Falls. Fishing for tigerfish, tilapia, and giant vundu (giant catfish) is very good. There are 30 sites along the river for picnicking and fishing (beware of crocodiles). Since the game reserve does not have all-weather roads, parts of it are usually closed during the rains from November 1-May
Accommodation - Class D:
Kazuma Pan National Park
Kazuma Pan National Park
Located north of Hwange National Park in the Matetsi Safari Area, Kazuma Pan National Park is a small park (121 sq. mi./313 km2) that has a series of pans that flood in the rainy season. The eastern part of the park is wooded with more water and a greater variety and concentration of wildlife than the western side of the park, which is predominantly grasslands.
Lion and cheetah are often seen. The park is open to campers who are self-contained. Walking is allowed with a profession¬ally licensed guide. There are no facilities.
Hwange National Park
Hwange National Park
Hwange (previously called Wankie), Zimbabwe’s largest national park, is famous for its large herds of elephant. Other predominant species include buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, white and black rhino, cheetah, wild dog and bat-eared fox. This is one of the best parks on the continent to see sable antelope. Hwange is slightly larger than the state of Connecticut, covering 5656 square miles (14,651 km2). The park is located in the northwest corner of the country just west of the main road between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls. Hwange boasts over 100 species of mammals and 400 species of birds.
The park ranges from semidesert in the south to a plateau in the north. The northern part of Hwange is mudstone and basalt, and the southern part is Kalahari sand veld. The park has an average altitude of 3300 feet (1000 m). Winter nights can drop to below freezing, and summer days can be over 100° F (38° C), while average temperatures range from 65-83° F (18-28° C). There are no rivers and only a few streams in the north of the park, but boreholes (wells) provide sources of water year-round for wildlife. During the dry season, these permanent water holes (pans) provide an excellent stage for guests to view wildlife performing day-to-day scenes of survival.
Generally, there are no seasonal animal migrations. The best time to see wildlife is during the dry season from July-October when the game concentrate near permanent water. Game viewing is good June and November, fair in April, May and December, and poor during the rainy season from January-March when the game is widely dispersed.
Game viewing is usually very good within ten miles (16 km) of Main Camp and Park Headquarters. Wildlife commonly seen nearby include elephant, giraffe, zebra, greater kudu, impala, buffalo, sable antelope, wildebeest, tsessebe, black-backed jackal, lion, hyena, and cheetah. On one visit we saw a try large full-maned male lion guarding a buffalo kill while a ckal darted in and out, snatching morsels as dozens of vul-Lres waited their turn.
On my most recent visit to Hwange we sat in a tree hide Y a waterhole and watched over 30 giraffe come to drink. From ground-level hide we watched as a herd of over 70 eland assed within 65 feet (30 m) and 10 buffalo came within 30 feet ) m) of us. On a night game drive in a wilderness area of the ^serve we saw five lion, one leopard and bat-eared fox.
Moonlight game viewing occurs from one or two nights efore and after a full moon when park staff escort guests to the fyamandhlovu (meaning “meat of the elephant") Platform tear main camp. Morning walks with a national park game cout may be available.
The area around Sinamatella Camp in the northern part •f the park is good for spotting kudu, elephant, giraffe, impala, lippo, klipspringer, warthog, lion, hyena, and leopard. The Bumbusi Ruins, the third largest ancient stone buildings in Zimbabwe, are located behind Bumbusi Camp, 15 miles (24 km) lorthwest of Sinamatella Camp.
The northwestern part of the park near Robins Camp is known for its large lion population. Other species often seen include impala (which attract the lion), buffalo, kudu, sable antelope, roan antelope, waterbuck, elephant, giraffe, reed-buck, tsessebe, lion, side-striped jackal, cheetah and hyena.
Hwange has 300 miles (480 km) of roads, some of which are closed during the rainy season. All-weather roads run through most of the park. Some roads near the main camp are tarmac, which detracts a bit from the feeling of being in the bush.
Vehicles must keep to the roads and visitors are not allowed to leave their vehicles unless escorted by a licensed professional guide, or at the hides, game-viewing platforms and at fenced-in picnic sites. Open vehicles are allowed.
An airstrip is available for small aircraft at Main Camp. The closest rail station is Dete Station, 15 miles (24 km) from Main Camp.
Accommodations: Sable Valley Lodge, Sikumi Tree Lodge, Ivory Lodge and Hwange Safari Lodge are all located in 60,000-acre (24,000 hectare) Dete Vlei (private reserve) bordering Hwange National Park, a 30-60 minute drive from Hwange National Park; guests of these camps and Kanondo Tree Camp enter the park through the main gate. The Hide, Jabulisa Lodge, Jijima Camp and Kumuna Lodge are located on private reserves or leased land; guests enter the park through Kennedy Pan. Makalolo Tented Camp and Nemba Safaris are located in an exclusive area deep within the park, about a three hour “game drive” from the airport. Only guests of these two camps are allowed in this region of the park. Mobile tented camp safaris are also available.
Class A:
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Class B:
Class D, F & Camping:
Harare
Harare
Formerly called Salisbury, Harare is the capital and largest city. It is one of the cleanest and most modern cities on the continent. Points of interest include the National Art Gallery, Botanical Garden, Houses of Parliament and the Tobacco Auction Floors (the largest in the world). Mbare Msiki Market is good for shopping for curios.
A beautiful park adjacent to the Monomotapa Hotel fea¬tures a large variety of brilliant flora. Harare Botanical Gar¬dens has indigenous trees and herbs.
Harare’s best restaurants include Tiffany’s, L’Escargot, La Chandelle, La Francais and The Bamboo Inn. Jackets for men and dresses for women are appropriate attire (but are usually not required) for the top restaurants.
A short drive from Harare are the Larvon Bird Gardens, Ewanrigg Botanical Gardens and Lake Mcllwaine Game Park. Imire Game Park Farm is well stocked with wildlife, has an animal orphanage and bushmen paintings.
Accommodation - Deluxe:
First Class:
Tourist Class:
Accommodation Near Harare - Class A:
CLASS A/B:
nestled beneath a large granite outcrop. Activities include game drives and walks.
Lake Kariba
Lake Kariba
Sunsets over the deep blue waters of island-doted Lake Kariba are rated among the most spectacular in the world. This, one of the largest man-made lakes on earth covering over 1970 square miles (5100 km2), was formed in 1958 by damming the Zambezi River. The lake is 175 miles (280 km) long and up to 20 miles (32 km) in width and is surrounded, for the most part, by untouched wilderness.
When the dam was completed and the waters in the valley began to rise, animals were forced to higher ground, which quickly became islands soon to be submerged under the new lake. To save these helpless animals, Operation Noah was organized by Rupert Fothergill. Over 5000 animals, including 35 different mammal species, numerous elephant and 44 black rhino, were rescued and released in what are now Matusadona
National Park and the Cheta Safari Area.
Kariba
Kariba (Town)
Kariba is the major gateway to both Matusadona and Mana Pools National Parks. Many people fly here from Harare, Victoria Falls or Hwange and are then transferred by aircraft, boat or vehicle to their respective camps. This is a good place to meet Zimbabweans on vacation.
Kariba Dam, one of the largest in Africa, is a short distance from town. Water sports (beware of crocodiles and hippos) and cruises on the lake are available.
Accommodation - Tourist Class:
CAMPING:
Matusadona National Park
Matusadona National Park
Situated on the southern shore of Lake Kariba and bounded on the east by the dramatic Sanyati Gorge and the west by the Umi River, this scenic 543-square-mile (1407 km2) park has an
abundance of elephant, kudu, impala and buffalo — especially along the shoreline in the dry season (May-October). Other game includes lion, sable antelope, roan antelope and water-buck. Leopard are occasionally spotted in the Sanyati Gorge. Game viewing by boat near shore and walking safaris are popular. Fishing is excellent but beware of crocodiles. Several-day walking safaris and private tented safaris with profes¬sional guides are another great way to experience the bush. Houseboats complete with captain, staff, and professional guide provide private parties great freedom and comfort in exploring the region.
Accommodation - Class A:
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Camping:
Accommodation In The Kuburi Wilderness East Of Kariba - Class A/B:
Mana Pools National Park
Mana Pools National Park
During the dry season, Mana Pools National Park has one of the highest concentrations of wildlife on the continent. The park is situated on the southern side of the Zambezi River downstream (northeast) of Lake Kariba.
This 845-square-mile (2190 km2) park is uniquely charac¬terized by fertile river terraces reaching from the slow-moving Zambezi River inland for several miles. Small ponds and pools such as Chine Pools and Long Pool were formed as the river’s course slowly drifted northward. Reeds, sandbanks, and huge mahogany and acacia trees near the river give way to dense mopane woodland to the park’s southern boundary along the steep Zambezi Escarpment.
Mana Pools National Park covers part of the Middle Zambezi Valley, which is home for 12,000 elephant and 16,000 buffalo (with herds of over 500 each).
Species commonly seen in the park include kudu, zebra, eland, impala, bushbuck, lion, leopard, jackal, hyena and croco¬dile. Large pods of hippo are often seen lying on the sandbanks soaking up the morning sun. Occasionally spotted are wild dog and the rare nyala. Large varieties of both woodland and water birds are present.