Zambezi National Park

Zambezi National Park runs along the southern bank of the river upstream from Victoria Falls, and its riverside road is one of the easiest game drives in the country: elephant come down to drink, buffalo and sable use the teak woodland behind, and hippo and crocodile lie in the channels. The park, split off from Victoria Falls National Park in 1979 and covering 56,000 hectares, is small compared with Hwange and its value is proximity, ten minutes from the town, with the river as the backbone of everything in it. More than 400 bird species have been recorded in it, Pel's fishing owl and African skimmer among them.

The landscape

• The riverside drive - the road along the Zambezi bank with game coming to water.
• The elephant - herds crossing to the river through the day.
• The teak woodland - the forest behind the river holding sable and kudu.
• The river channels - hippo and crocodile in the water above the falls.

When to go

June to October is the dry season and best for game at the river. The rains disperse the animals. Early morning and late afternoon are the productive hours.

Before you go

The park is small and game densities are lower than in Hwange. Walking is not permitted without a guide.

Nearby

Victoria Falls is east, and Hwange is south.

Key facts