Zimbabwe Parks

ZIMBABWE

Hwange National Park

At 14,651 sq km, Hwange is one of the larger parks in Africa, boasting of the highest diversity of mammals of any park in the world - 108 species. It includes 19 large herbivores and 8 large carnivores. And it has one of the largest elephant population of any park - upto 75,000 in the dry season. Over 400 species of birds are found here including 50 raptors. The flora varies from dry mopane woodland in the west to lush teak forest in the east. There are plenty of camps and lodges inside and outside the park in a wide range of budgets.

Lake Kariba & Matusadona National Park

Lake Kariba is the name given to the 5 200 sq km man made reservoir over the Zambezi River valley in 1959. It is roughly 280kms long and 40 kms at its widest. It is shared by Zimbabwe and Zambia. Here, you can relax in a houseboat for a few days and do fishing, bird watching and even swimming in the deeper parts, as Nile crocs prefer shallow water. And the best part is that you can get into a small boat or canoe and get up close to elephants and buffalo coming in to drink from the nearby Matusadona National Park. The park is home to elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, hyena, cheetah and a few black rhino, apart from hippo and crocodile. Over 240 birds are found here. A combination of the lake with the park works best.

Mana Pools National Park

The stretch of the Zambezi river from Lake Kariba to the Zimbabwe-Mozambique border is a wilderness gem few ever get to visit. Here, the mighty river meanders and produces a number of pools and oxbow lakes. Mana means four in Shona, meaning four pools, the largest of which is 6km across. Mana Pools is a small park at 2196 sq km but a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it's greatest draw is it's remoteness and it's walking safaris. It is here that you can witness full grown elephants standing on their hind legs reaching out for tasty pods of the Faidherbia albida tree from the higher branches. Some guides have been able to develop trust with the wildlife which allow for very close encounters with elephant, buffalo and even lion.

Victoria Falls

Named Victoria Falls by Livingstone in 1855, Mosi oa Tunya or the Smoke That Thunders has been in existence for over a million years It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and listed as one of the 7 Wonders of the World. It is a must visit on any safari to southern Africa. The volume of water depends on the Zambezi river, which is maximum during the rains (March - June) and reduces during the dry months (August-September). No matter which season you visit in, the Falls must be viewed from both Zimbabwe and Zambia. The adjoining Zambezi National Park is home to a large population of elephants, zebra, kudu, giraffe, sable, and impala. Predators include lion, leopard and wild dog. It is particularly good for birding.