Zambezi National Park

"View of the lodge"

"The Zambezi River view from the lodge"

Lodges

The accommodation units at Zambezi National Park Camp are self-contained lodges on the river bank which have fairly recently been refurbished - they are situated 6 kilometres upstream from Victoria Falls. The lodges are served by a tar road and are open all year around. The lodges are all fully equipped and each has 2 bedrooms, a living room, bathroom and kitchen with stove and refrigerator. (Sleeps 4)

I think these little lodges are great and are in a fantastic position, with abundant birdlife right there. Game does traverse this area, so monkey, bushbuck, baboons and warthog are seen daily.

Elephant, buffalo, hippo and lion are also present, so be very careful.

From here it is very easy to access the whole of the National Park yet they are also close enough to town to enjoy some of the other activities.

2010 prices:-

Foreign US$150 per lodge per night (sleeps 4)
SADAC US$115 per lodge per night (sleeps 4)

These prices are likely to increase during the football world cup

"View of the lodge outside seating area""

"The lounge area"

"Looking back from the river" 

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Three exclusive fishing camps: Kandahar, Sansimba and Mpala Jena, are attractively situated on the banks of the Zambezi just off the Zambezi River game drive. Unfortunately the facilities are no longer in order and the only thing that you could probably make use of is the sleeping shelter - which would still keep your equipment and food safe from monkeys and other animals - although you would need to give it a good sweep out first.

The cement table with bench is no longer but a braai unit would still work. Fishing by boat is excellent in these areas. Although these fishing camps have a very run down feeling to them at the moment they are still in a truly fantastic location, right by the river. I would say these suit the slightly more adventurous traveller.

Camping Sites

For an unforgettable wilderness experience, there are 4 minimum development camping sites available in the Park. Situated on the banks of the Zambezi, these areas are unfenced and completely in the wild and are equipped with a braai stand and bush toilet only.

Chundu 1 (25 kilometres upstream from the reception office) and Chundu 2 (26 kilometres) are situated in an acacia forest close to the river’s edge.

Chomuzi (40 kilometres) is sited near some rapids and Siamunungu (47 kilometres) is located at the end of the Zambezi River Drive on a particularly lovely stretch of the river. Each camp can accommodate a maximum of 12 people.

Picnic Sites

Upstream along the Zambezi River Drive, there are 25 numbered sites where day visitors may picnic or fish. These sites are attractively situated on the banks of the river and sheltered beneath the beautiful shady riverine vegetation.

Some of these sites are nicer than others and it just a matter of exploring until you find the one you like. The beauty is that you will always be able to find a site which has no one else.

Free to use just have to pay the park entry fee.
 

The Game Park

Zambezi National Park together with Victoria Falls National Park cover an area of 56,000 hectares. The northern border of the Park is formed by the great Zambezi River which also forms the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia for much of its length.

A wide variety of larger mammals may be found within the Zambezi National Park including The Big Five: elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard and white rhinoceros. In addition, herds of sable antelope, eland, zebra, giraffe, kudu, waterbuck and impala as well as many of the smaller species of game can be viewed.

The Zambezi River is home to a large variety of fish and is famous for its bream and fighting tiger fish.

Zambezi National Park has two main game-viewing sections: the Zambezi River Game Drive, with an extensive network of roads along the river accessed through the main gate of the Park, and the 25 kilometre Chamabondo Game Drive in the southern part of the Park, which begins about 5 kilometres outside of Victoria Falls town – just off the main road to Bulawayo. The roads are in reasonable condition, but please note that they do close the park after heavy rains

Our page on Victoria Falls Weather details the best season for various activities in the Falls. Generally game will congregate towards the river in the drier months and as soon as the rains arrive in November/December they will start to move inland to give the riverine vegetation a chance to recover for next year.

Contact Details

Harare Parks and Wildlife Office: + 263-4-706077/8
Vic Falls Parks and Wildlife Office: + 263-13-42294 or 44566
email: natparks@africaonline.co.zw