Wildlife and nature
Wildlife Guidebook: River, Park and Chobe
Elephants on the river, predators in the park and one of the best birding areas in southern Africa — where to look, and in which months.
On the river and around town
You do not need a safari to see wildlife here. The Zambezi banks, the national park edge and even the golf course host animals daily.
- Sunset cruises regularly put elephants, hippos, crocodiles and buffalo in front of you.
- Warthogs, banded mongoose and vervet monkeys are common around lodges — keep food sealed.
- Canoe safaris on the upper Zambezi get you quietly close to hippo and birdlife.
- Never walk the riverbank at dawn or dusk without a guide; hippos and crocodiles are the real risk.
Zambezi National Park
The park starts a few kilometres upstream of the falls and is the easiest big-game outing from town, best done at dawn.
- Expect elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, kudu, impala and plenty of hippo.
- Lions, leopards and wild dogs live here but are never guaranteed — mornings give the best odds.
- Self-drive is possible in a high-clearance vehicle; a guided drive finds far more.
- From June to October the bush thins out and animals concentrate at the river.
Chobe day trips
Across the border in Botswana, Chobe National Park holds the largest elephant population in the world and is reachable as a long day trip.
- A typical day combines a river cruise with a game drive, and includes border formalities.
- Bring your passport — it is a real international crossing even for a few hours.
- Chobe's elephant numbers are highest from about May to October when they gather at the river.
- Day trips leave early and return in the evening; book a day either side without commitments.
Hwange, if you have the time
Zimbabwe's largest park is about four hours away. It is a two- or three-night destination rather than a day trip, and it rewards the commitment.
- Famous for huge elephant herds and a painted-wolf and wild-dog population.
- The dry season from July to October concentrates game around pumped waterholes.
- Lodge stays inside or on the edge of the park give you dawn and dusk game drives.
- Combine it with Victoria Falls for a week that pairs the river with a classic safari.
Birdlife
More than 450 species have been recorded around Victoria Falls, from fish eagles on the river to rare rock pratincoles in the gorge.
- November to March brings migratory species and breeding plumage — the richest birding window.
- Early morning is worth the alarm: birds are active, light is good and the river is still.
- The rainforest and the gorge rim are both easy birding on foot.
- Bring binoculars; the boat-based cruises are the most comfortable way to cover the river.
Planning around this
Water levels and weather shift week by week, so treat the seasons here as a guide. Members posting from the falls can tell you what is actually happening this week.
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