Victoria Falls – the Wildlife Safari Hub

Victoria Falls – spectacular scenic helicopter flights over the Falls

Victoria Falls, one of the world’s Seven Natural Wonders, is without doubt Zimbabwe’s top tourist attraction and one of the best locations in Africa to build a safari around. Many parks are conveniently located within a 300 mile radius of The Falls, offering a choice of inland delta, deserts, salt pans, plains grasslands, mountains and riparian forests.  So our advice would be to spend 2 or 3 nights at Victoria Falls and then take your pick of the following destinations radiating from this wildlife hub:

1. Hwange National Park

Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s largest national park and one of Africa’s premier elephant strongholds. There are more than 100 mammal species (sanctuary to 25 types of predator) and more than 400 bird species. It is well served by camps and lodges with a choice both inside and outside the park and often they have a waterhole right outside camp. Hwange’s network of game viewing roads is extensive.

How far? –  Just over one hour’s drive

Little Makalolo – one of Hwange’s National Park’s top camps set in a large private concession

2.  Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe

One of the world’s greatest man-made lakes created when the Kariba dam flooded much of the middle Zambezi Valley.  Prolific game became concentrated on its islands and southern shoreline where the Matusadona National Park was created. Track the Big 5 on foot in this park, whilst Lake Kariba is a mecca for tiger fishing and sunset boat safaris for observing hippos and crocs, as well as great birdlife. 

How far? – About one and a half hour’s flight

Lake Kariba – awe inspiring sunsets

3.  Kafue National Park, Zambia

Kafue is Zambia’s largest and oldest National Park with a hugely varying landscape including the Kafue River, Lake Itezhi Tezhi, open plains, grassy dambos and miombo woodland.  This results in huge wildlife diversity – some 150 different mammal and at least 470 bird species!

Kafue is a must for seasoned safari travellers, whether on a classic fly-in safari to the Busanga Plains in the north or by taking a road safari in a 4×4 vehicle.  Boat trips, guided walking and fishing trips out of small independent bush camps are a Kafue speciality.

How far? –  Two to three hours by road to Southern Kafue from Livingstone

Puku antelope on the Kafue Floodplains

Busanga Ballooning – spectacular adventure in Kafue

4.  Caprivi, Namibia

(now known as the Zambezi Province)

Belonging to Namibia, this strip of land is wedged inbetween Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana.  It’s bound by 4 major tropical rivers, the Kwando, Chobe, Linyanti and the Zambezi and contains 4 lush national parks.  The rich birdlife is a huge attraction with fantastic mammal populations including hippo, crocodile and buffalo.  Works well with a stay in Chobe.

How far? –  Two and a half hours by road

Chobe Savanna Lodge Aerial  – The Chobe River is home to large herds of Elephant, Buffalo and Hippo

Chobe Savanna Lodge – Situated in the Eastern Caprivi, Zambezi Province of Namibia

5.  Okavango Delta, Botswana

The Okavango Delta is a heavenly water world teeming with animal and birdlife. It’s a year round destination too, with game at its most prolific during the dry season (July to October).  Small luxury camps are dotted amongst the intricate network of waterways interspersed with fertile floodplains and riverine forest.  Many of the camps can only be accessed by light aircraft landing at the camps closest bush airstrip. 

How far? –  Light aircraft flight time one to two hours, depending on camp location in the Delta.

Mokoro Safari in the magical water-world of the Okavango Delta

6.  Chobe, Botswana

The sheer volume and diversity of game makes this a magnet even for seasoned safari travellers and its accessibility is particularly desirable for first time adventurers to Africa too.   Great game viewing in Chobe is virtually guaranteed year round and when teamed up with a stay at Victoria Falls, you will have an exceptional holiday combination!  Chobe also has a superb selection of lodges and camps that offer some of the finest river safaris in Africa.  

How far? – Just over one hour by road

The Chobe River – The most accessible and frequently visited region of Botswana’s big game country

7.  Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, Botswana

Atmospheric, hypnotic, vast and photogenic sum up the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans experience. The Makgadikgadi is an exciting playground:  getting up close to habituated meercats, flocks of colourful flamingos, cultural walks with a group of Zu/’hoasi Bushmen, star gazing, game drives to find unique desert species, a visit to Chapman’s Baobab and during the dry season quad biking across the pans to Kubu Island.

How far?:  By road 4 to 5 hours or a private charter flight of one and a half hours

The Makgadikgadi – one of the largest salt pans in the world

With the opening of the new international Airport in November 2016, Victoria Falls access has become even more convenient.  Its new runway can now accommodate the world’s largest jets with new direct flights already introduced by Ethiopian Airlines and South African Airways with more airlines due to follow.

All in all, Victoria Falls is simply the perfect location to begin or end your Safari of a Lifetime, thanks to its fabulously convenient location, its spectacular scenery, exciting Zambezi adventures, wonderful collection of ambience laden lodges and not least it has wildlife too in the local national parks that will kick start your safari holiday.

Call us now on +44 01722 445925 or contact us by email to chat “safari” and allow us to create your perfect African wildlife adventure.  

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