Open to visitors throughout the year, the Victoria Falls National Park in North Western Zimbabwe protects the south and east bank of the Zambezi River in the area of the world-famous Victoria Falls.
It extends along the Zambezi River from the larger Zambezi National Park about 6 km above the falls to about 12 km below the falls.
One of Africa’s absolute “must see” scenic attractions, Victoria Falls National Park is a small rainforest-swathed protected area facing the spectacular waterfall for which it is named.
About a mile wide, and similar in height to Niagara Falls but channelling a greater volume of water, Victoria Falls is according to Philip Briggs (a contributor to guidebooks on African destinations) “a truly primal and phenomenal sight – and sound – not least because it remains surprisingly unspoiled, especially at sunrise when the light is stunning, Bambi-like bush buck trot delicately between the trees, and most tourists are still in bed.”
A notable feature of the park is the rainforest which grows in the spray of the falls, including ferns, palms, liana vines, and a number of trees such as mahogany not seen elsewhere in the region.
Visitors have the chance to view elephant, cape buffalo, white rhino, hippopotamus, eland and a variety of other antelope during drives and walking safaris. Crocodiles may be seen in the river, and a nearby Crocodile Ranch offers a safer view of these dangerous animals.
There is such a large variety of activities available all around the area. Not for the faint-hearted, but fast becoming the most popular for those seeking an extreme adrenaline buzz is bungee-jumping of Zambezi Bridge.
Popular activities include white-water rafting through the steep and narrow gorge below the falls, canoeing or cruising between crocs and hippos on the calmer Upper Zambezi, and what is reputedly the world’s “Highest Commercial Bridge Jump” from the bridge below the falls.
At a price, the waterfall can also be viewed from above, whether by fixed-wing, seaplane, microlight or helicopter, while the Zambezi National Park a few miles out of town is home to lion, elephant, buffalo and much else besides.
The river and gorge are also great for birding, with Livingstone’s flycatcher and Taita falcon ranking among the most sought after species in the area.
For those seeking something a bit less exhilarating, more relaxing but equally as enjoyable, the area has excellent walks through the “rain forest”, where one can come across a fair amount of wildlife include, warthog, hippo, crocodile, antelope, elephants and buffalo. Upstream, a sundowner
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