Mosi-oa-Tunya — “the Smoke that Thunders” — is the Zambian face of Victoria Falls, based at the lively riverside town of Livingstone. The small national park along the Zambezi offers easy game viewing including a protected population of white rhino on foot, elephant and zebra, while the Falls themselves can be experienced up close: the knife-edge bridge, Livingstone Island and, in low water, the heart-stopping Devil’s Pool at the very lip of the drop.
Ratings
Wildlife Density: ★★★☆☆ Infrastructure: ★★★★☆ Photography: ★★★★☆
Adventure: ★★★★★ Exclusivity: ★★☆☆☆ Price: $$ Scenery: ★★★★★
Location: Southern Zambia; Livingstone (cross-border with Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls)
Key wildlife: White rhino (walking), elephant, zebra, giraffe; the Falls
Best for: Falls & activities, rhino walks, Devil’s Pool, safari gateway
Best time: Falls fullest April–June; Devil’s Pool ~August–January (low water)
Wildlife & Ecology
The small wildlife section protects Zambezi riverine woodland with elephant, giraffe, zebra, buffalo and a closely guarded group of white rhino; large predators are absent. The Falls and river, rather than a complete savanna ecosystem, are the primary reasons to visit.
Best Time to Visit
Falls volume is usually highest from February to May and lowest from October to December. Dry-season wildlife viewing is easiest from June to October, and access to Livingstone Island and Devil’s Pool is strictly water-level dependent, sometimes closing without notice.
Conservation & Community
The protected white rhino population and transboundary management of the UNESCO-listed Falls are the specific conservation themes here.
Activities
Guided rhino walks, Zambezi cruises, rafting in season, canoeing, scenic flights and Falls trails are all available through licensed operators.
How to Get There
Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport is about 15 to 20 minutes from Livingstone and the Falls. The park sits on the town’s edge, while road and rail links cross into Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, subject to border formalities.