Zimbabwe Archives - Q2 Travel

The Zambezi River is the 4th largest river system in Africa after the Nile, Zaire and Niger Rivers. It stretches over 3,540km and traces a course flow from north-western Zambia through Angola, runs along the borders of Namibia and Botswana, re-enters Zambia, then makes its way through Zimbabwe and finally to Mozambique to empty into the India Ocean,1600miles from its source.

The Zambezi River

The river divides up into three sections; the Lower Zambezi, middle Zambezi; and the Upper Zambezi; and changes at different spots along it going from a placid flow in sandy plains to annually flooded plains to a tumbling river of falls and rapids. Conceivably, the most stunning spot along the river is in Zimbabwe at Victoria Falls.

The Zambezi River is also one of the most heavily dammed rivers in Africa, with at least 30 large storage reservoirs holding back its flow. Four of the world’s largest hydroelectric dams at Kariba, Itezhi-Tezhi, Kafue National Park dam and Cahora Bassa is situated on the Zambezi.

Dubbed Southern Africa’s “River of Life”, the Zambezi River supports millions of people, who make use of its rich fisheries, forests, water, and rich floodplain soils.

The ebbs and flows of River Zambezi depend on climate/season. The climate along the river is predominantly tropical with characteristic heavy rains intensifying from October through to April. During seasons of prolonged rains, the river swells up and bursts its banks de-settling several settlers along its banks. The peak of the dry season is also not best because the falls are at their fullest during this time. The best time to tour the falls is during the dry winter season between July and August.

Wildlife

The Zambezi River is a great habitat for an amazing array of wildlife. A number of national parks and reserves are located all along the Zambezi and offering some of the best Africa safaris. They include Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia; Victoria Falls National Park, Zimbabwe and Zambia; Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe; and the Wide Horizons Elephant Camp. Hippos, crocodiles, baboons, elephants, hyenas, and lions are frequent sightings.

The Zambezi River Crocodile

Birdlife Along The Zambezi River

Several waterbird species that frequent the Zambezi include pelicans, egrets herons, and African fish eagles.

Victoria Falls

The most spectacular feature along the Zambezi is the magnificent Victoria Falls. Known locally as “Mosi-oa-Tunya” (the smoke that thunders), the Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world. The deafening roar of the falls as millions of liters of water cascade down its rocky cliff can be heard from meters away. Around the rainy season, the blanket of mist gets so thick that it makes it impossible to catch a glimpse of the falls. From the falling water rises a glistening blanket of mist which makes the sight all the more enchanting. This wondrous waterfall is a stunning site and brings travelers from all over the world to view its majesty.

Victoria Falls

Activities

There are a lot of things to do on and around the Zambezi River. They include;

Whitewater rafting expeditions
Bird Watching Tours
Game Viewing
Sport Fishing
Victoria Falls Tours
Canoeing
Kayaking
Cliff jumps
Gorge swings

Mana Pools National Park is one of the national parks of Zimbabwe. It is nestled along a deep section of the southern bank of the Zambezi River in an area of good quality alluvial soils. Mana Pools is a big attraction for the wildlife lovers. The park derives its names from a number of large pools which also produces the remoteness it has.

Hippos in Mana Pools

What to see

Mana Pools National park has Zimbabwe’s largest concentration of hippos and crocodiles and large dry season mammal populations of elephant and buffalo. Others include the zebra and eland. During the wet season, most of these animals leave the river area to seek grazing and browsing closer to the escarpment. As the year progresses, shortages of food and water inland force them back towards the Zambezi, where the river terraces, with their extensive grasslands and nutritious acacia pods, bears several hundred pounds of seed pods every year. This is why game viewing in the park is seasonal.

Birdlife

The remote and beautiful Mana Pools National Park also offers a mosaic of amazing habitats with some rare bird species. Over 380 bird species have been recorded here including the gorgeous Nyasa lovebird, white-collared pratincole, Livingstone’s flycatcher, banded snake eagle and yellow spotted nicator.

Yellow Spotted Nicator

Getting There

By Road – Makuti is the main route and lies 296km north of Harare on the main highway to Zambia along which is also the last fuel station before the park. Continue along the road for more 30km to Nyakasikana Gate. From this point is an additional 42km to the main office at Nyamepi Camp. However, the road surface is extremely rough; drivers are cautioned to be careful. All visitors are required to stop and obtain an entry permit before proceeding to the Zambezi Valley and later to Mana Pools.

Where to Stay

Accommodation in Mana Pools National Park is available in luxury bush camps and lodges on the Zambezi such as at Chikwenya, Nyamepi, and Ruckomechi.

Activities

Game drives and especially the bush walks are so prominent in the park. These offer the opportunity to stand near buffalo or elephant or watch crocodile and hippo from close quarters with nothing but your fear to protect you. The game drives are more adventurous in the early morning and late afternoon.
There are also guided canoe trails down the Zambezi River from Kariba in the west, to Kanyemha in the east.
Fishing on the Zambezi River, here you will find tiger fish, bream, chessa, nkupe, vundu and several other local species.
Birding tours are also often especially around the Zambezi vicinity.

Mana Pools Canoeing

Best Time to Visit

The short season running from September to October presents the best time for Zimbabwe safaris in Mana Pools National park. This is when the park has the highest concentration of wildlife and spotted with ease in less thick areas. However, during this time the temperatures go as high as 38 degrees Celsius.