Victoria Falls Safari

Most people when they think of Africa they think wild animals and going on safari. If you are one of those people and are searching for an ideal safari destination, then why not consider Victoria Falls?

Not only is the magnificent Victoria Falls one of the seven natural wonders of the world and on the bucket list of many people, but it is also the gateway to numerous world-class Wildlife Parks offering some of the best safari opportunities of anywhere in Africa.

Full view of the Victoria Falls

We have detailed below just a few of the Safari opportunities right on the doorstep of Victoria Falls. If you are thinking of visiting Victoria Falls and would like more information and help in planning your trip, then please don't hesitate to contact us. We are specialists in this field and have arranged hundreds of itineraries for our clients. It gives us great pleasure to personalise your experience just for you and your requirements from our in-depth knowledge of the area and country.

Victoria Falls Town

Victoria Falls town itself is surrounded by the Victoria Falls National Park and the Zambezi National Park. Animals consider it their home, as they follow ancient animal corridors, so it is not unusual to see elephant, warthogs, monkeys and baboons roaming about as you walk around the town or outside your accommodation. For this reason, it is not safe to walk around after dark in case you bump into one of these wild animals.

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

The Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is a 10 min drive from town and on the boundary of the Zambezi National Park. The Safari Lodge boasts one of the best sunset views in town, overlooking a busy waterhole and the Africa bush. Short game walks in front of the hotel are popular, as is the vulture feeding excursions and the Siduli Hide, which is an underground viewing area, close to the waterhole where you can sit and watch animals come and go undetected.

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge waterhole guests

Zambezi National Park

The 56 000 hectare, Zambezi National Park is a short 15-minute drive from the town centre and runs adjacent to the Zambezi River, which makes for some spectacular scenery. Game drives, with highly knowledgeable guides, can be arranged inside the park and a variety of wild animals can be seen including buffalo, warthog, zebra, giraffe, elephant, hyena, all kinds of antelope, crocodile, hippo, leopard, painted dog, lion and many others. Canoeing safaris, fishing, bird-watching, overnight camp and picnics at designated sites along the river are all available. The park also holds some of the most spectacular lodges, should you wish to stay in comfortable accommodation inside the park and then take day trips into Victoria Falls town.

The Zambezi National Park - Zimbabwe

The great thing about staying in the lodges and camps inside the park is being able to be the first game drive in and last game drive out, giving you the maximum time for wildlife viewings at the best times.

Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve

Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve is also a 15-20 min drive from town. This 2500 hectare private reserve is home to many species of wild animals, but noticeably is the endangered black rhino which is highly protected by private anti-poaching units. The Stanley and Livingstone Boutique Hotel and Ursula's Homestead offer good quality accommodation on this safari reserve. A rhino search and/or night drive and bush dinner are wonderful activities to do here. These can be done whether you stay on the reserve or come from town on a morning or afternoon safari.

The private game reserve

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park

Just a hop over the border to Livingstone, Zambia is the 66 sq/km Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. This park also runs along the Zambezi River and is a haven for the endangered White Rhino. The Rhino Walk and Elephant Café are very popular activities in this park and are highly recommended.

Rhino walk in Zambia

Hwange National Park

The main entrance gate of the famous Hwange National Park is a two and a half hour drive from Victoria Falls. This 14 600 sq/km park can take an entire day just to drive across so it's best to concentrate on one area at a time. Hwange national park has many prestigious safari lodges and camps to choose from in different areas throughout the park. It is part of the transfrontier park and shares its borders with Botswana. Just about every type of African animal can be found in Hwange. It is a pristine wilderness, not overrun by tourism yet and offers some of the best safari opportunities at a very reasonable price.

Guided walking safari in Hwange National Park

Chobe National Park

Last but not least is Chobe National Park. This is in Botswana, an hour's drive from Victoria Falls. Most of the action in Chobe is concentrated along the river and it is absolutely abundant with wildlife! There is a variety of accommodation options for longer stay safaris both inside and out of the park and even on a luxury houseboat. Day trips to Chobe from Victoria Falls are also very popular, they consist of a morning boat cruise on the Chobe River, a delicious lunch on the banks to the river at the Chobe Safari Lodge and a game drive before returning to your accommodation in Victoria Falls in the early evening.

Comparison of All the National Parks

For a definitive comparison of each of these parks, please visit our "wildlife parks close to Victoria Falls" page.

Safari Options Further Afield

Victoria Falls really is the hub of this phenomenal safari region. Within a short charter flight of Victoria Falls, there are several additional wildlife parks, encompassing every animal, bird and desire. To detail them all would entail another whole article but to briefly mention a few; Mana Pool, Lake Kariba, Matusadona National Park, Matobo Hills, Gonarezhou, Okavango delta, Central Kalahari, and South Luangwa.

The Okavango Delta - Botswana

Conclusion

So as you can see there is no shortage of safari opportunities on the doorstep of Victoria Falls. This article is really just the tip of the iceberg though, as there are so many options available, it would be hard to include them all in one article.

If you are thinking of going on a safari and Victoria Falls interests you, then please don't hesitate to contact us, we would love to share more information and help you plan your trip.

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