Africa's fourth largest river acts as a border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The river rises in a spring in Mwinilunga in Zambia and travels for 2,700 kilometres through six countries finally emptying out into the Indian Ocean in Mozambique. The river has been dammed at two points to provide hydro-electric power. For thousands of years, the river has been used for transportation and hunting by the indigenous population. Visitors to Zimbabwe will find several points of interest to visit along the Zimbabwe section of the river, the most famous of which is Victoria Falls.
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls are known in the local dialect as 'Mosi-oa-Tunya' which translates as 'the smoke that thunders' due to the impressive power of the water cascading over the falls and the rise of spray that can be seen from miles away in the wet season. David Livingstone, the British explorer, is considered to be the first European to see the falls. It was he who named the falls for the then Queen of England. The Victoria Falls are around 1,700 metres wide and drop to a depth of 107 metres at the deepest point into the Zambezi Gorge. The Falls have been declared a World Heritage Site.
One of the best things, from the visitor's point of view, is that the area around the Falls is largely unspoiled and natural. You can walk through the rain forest that has formed due to the spray, watching monkeys and birds flitting through the trees and then walk out to the incredible sight of the magnificent falls in all their glory.
The nearest town is Victoria Falls which has an airport where you can fly in from Zimbabwe's larger cities such as Harare and Bulawayo. There are a variety of places for the visitor to stay, including the colonial Victoria Falls Hotel, itself a World Heritage Site, which has its own path down to the falls. The hotel's terrace has been the perfect spot for afternoon tea or a sunset drink for over 100 years. Nearby is the Elephant Hills Resort, sited on a hill next to an ancient elephant trail. The resort has everything you would expect of a luxury hotel including an 18-hole golf course designed by Gary Player.
Activities around the Victoria Falls include white water rafting, bungee jumping from the rail bridge that crosses between Zimbabwe and Zambia, game viewing either by boat, on foot or by vehicle, fishing and you can even enjoy the Falls from the air with flights over the river and the waterfall.
Lake Kariba
Next on the tourist trail along the Zambezi River is Lake Kariba. The lake was created when a dam was built across the Zambezi in the early sixties to provide hydro-electric power. The building of the dam was controversial as many people lost their homes and thousands of animals had to be rescued in something called Operation Noah organized by a man called Rupert Fothergill. Animals of all sorts were saved from drowning with many having to be rescued literally as the waters rose around them.
Now, the lake, which covers an area of 5,000 square kilometers is a wildlife paradise both in the water with crocodile and hippo as well as some of the world’s best fishing, especially the tiger fish, which fisherman have to really fight to catch, and on the shores where the Matusadona Wildlife Reserve has the highest number of lion per square kilometre of any reserve in the African continent. The most iconic image of Lake Kariba is of the fish eagles, who sit in the fossilized trees in the lake hunting for fish and whose haunting cry is a sound you will never forget.
Visitors can stay in one of the game lodges along the shores or perhaps enjoy a few days in a houseboat just drifting along enjoying the spectacular scenery and watching the wildlife come down to the shores to drink.
Mana Pools
After Lake Kariba comes the lower Zambezi valley and here you will find the Mana Pools National Park. The river spreads out over a floodplain and forms pools, oxbow lakes and other formations. There are four main pools, with Long Pool being the largest, and lots of smaller ones. The flora and fauna of this area are outstanding and it’s a very popular area for either walking safaris or canoe safaris, both excellent ways to get close to the wild animals in a safe way. Bird watchers can try and spot one of the 380 different species of bird including the Livingstone’s flycatcher and the banded snake eagle. In the Mana Pools area, you can stay in a traditional safari camp in tents with no electricity or running water, a truly eco-friendly holiday.
Travelling Safely
While it is perfectly possible for tourists to travel along the Zambezi under their own steam, the difficult political situation in Zimbabwe makes it safer for you to travel with an organized tour or safari company of which there are many. One thing is certain: you will never forget the experience of travelling along the mighty Zambezi River.
Amanda Payne - By Amanda Payne: Topic Editor for European Affairs. Amanda is a freelance writer with a special interest in Spain and all things ...
