Safari in Mosi-oa-Tunya

Zambia is famous for the Victoria Falls, the greatest sheet of falling water on the planet, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and a natural border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The traditional name for Victoria Falls is Mosi-oa-Tunya, appropriately translated as “the smoke that thunders”. Mosi-oa-Tunya is also the name of Zambia’s smallest national park: the only one in the country with white rhinos, and which is easily accessible from Livingstone.

On the Zambian side, you can walk the paths directly opposite the Falls and cross the precarious Knife-Edge Bridge, for spectacular views of the eastern cataract and up the main gorge. There are also plenty of adventure activities to do here, from white water rafting, to microlight and helicopter flights.

There are walking safaris and game drives in this tiny – just 23.5 square kilometre – park. It’s home to giraffe, zebra, buffalo, many of Zambia’s different antelope species and plenty of elephants too. One of the best reasons to visit though, is to see the white rhinos and booking a guided walk in the park will get you an almost guaranteed chance of an up-close sighting. This little sanctuary is free from predators.

A visit to Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is a great activity for those who’d like a taste of safari but don’t have time to travel further afield. Many years ago I used to guide day safaris in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and while I admit this is not the most exciting of Zambia’s safari parks, if this is your first time to Africa, or you’ve had enough of all the adrenaline activities associated with the falls, a few hours spent here really is worth it.

Beautiful Thorntree River Lodge is located on the banks of the Zambezi River, just 20 minutes upstream of the Victoria Falls. Avani Victoria Falls Resort is the closest accommodation to the Falls themselves giving you unlimited access to them. Jolly Boys Backpackers offers good accommodation at affordable prices.