Zambezi River Zambezi River T he Zambezi is Africa’s fourth largest River system, after the Nile, Zaire and Niger Rivers. It runs through six countries on it’s journey from central Africa to the Indian Ocean. Its unique value is that it is less developed than others in terms of human settlement and many areas along it’s banks enjoy protected status. It’s power has carved the spectacular Victoria Falls and the zigzagging Batoka Gorge. The Zambezi has been harnessed at various points along the way including the massive Kariba Dam between Zambia and Zimbabwe and Cabora Bassa Dam in Mozambique. Plans for another dam at the Batoka gorge have fortunately been shelved. The River’s beauty has attracted tourists from all over the world providing opportunities for a myriad of water sports and game viewing. Running for a length of 2700kms, it begins it’s journey as an insignificant little spring in the corner of north-west Zambia in the Mwinilunga District. It bubbles up between the roots of a tree, very close to the border where Zambia, Angola and Zaire meet.

It enters Angola for about 230kms, where it accumulates the bulk of its headwater drainage, and re-enters Zambia again at Cholwezi rapids flowing due south but substantially enlarged by the entry of various tributaries. This upper part of the river is thinly populated by pastoralists, farmers and fishermen and although wildlife is sparse it is remarkably free of pollution. This is also the scene of the remarkable Ku-omboka Ceremony where thousands of inhabitants move annually to higher ground as the Zambezi floods into the low lying plains. It passes through the flat sandy country of the Western Province, then traverses the broad, annually flooding Barotse Plains, where much of the water is lost to evaporation, then over more rocky country where it’s tranquil course is interrupted by the Ngonye falls and rapids. As it turns to an easterly direction it forms the border between Zambia and Namibia and eventually joins up with the Chobe River in the Caprivi Swamps, briefly forming a border with Botswana.

For the next 500kms it serves as the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe thundering over the Victoria Falls and through the narrow, steadily deepening Batoka Gorge, providing a fantastic playground for white water rafting, kayaking, river boarding and jet boating. From here the steep sides of the gorge eventually flatten out at the broad Gwembe Valley. Then it flows into the Kariba dam for 281kms – it’s width at one point being 40kms. From the dam wall the river travels due north, heading east again at Chirundu. Here it is flanked by the Lower Zambezi National Park on the Zambian side and Mana Pools National Park on the Zimbabwean side. This middle zone supports one of Africa’s most important wilderness areas. After the Luangwa confluence, it’s a much larger Zambezi that flows into Mozambique and out towards the Indian Ocean, having provided power, food, pleasure and transport for many and a home for untold numbers of wildlife along it’s journey.

Fishing Trips on the Zambezi River Zambezi River Facts and Information The Zambezi River Zambezi River means the “Great River” in the local Tonga dialect The Zambezi is the fourth longest river in Africa, after the Nile, Congo, and Niger Rivers. It is the longest east flowing river in Africa. It flows through six countries on its journey from its source in north-western Zambia to the Indian Ocean, an amazing 2 700 km. This river evokes mystery and excitement with few rivers in the world remaining as pristine or as little explored. The source of the mighty Zambezi River lies at about 1 500 m (4 900ft) above sea level in the Mwinilunga District, very close to the border where Zambia, Angola and the Congo meet. From there it flows through Zambia, Angola, Namibia and Botswana then back along the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe finally discharging into the Indian Ocean at its delta in Mozambique. The area of its catchment basin is 1 390 000 square km which is half that of the Nile.

The Power of the Zambezi River has been harnessed along its journey at two points, the first being Kariba Dam in Zimbabwe and the second Cahora Bassa Dam in Mozambique. Both these dams are sources of hydroelectric power and supply a large portion of power to Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Recently worrying reports have popped up in the press that the Zambezi Seaway Scheme, a project to open up the Zambezi to enable the transportation of goods and minerals from the hinterland, is back on the cards. Click here for full details and to leave your comments For years there has also been talk and plans of another Hydroelectric Dam to be built in the Batoka gorge just below Victoria Falls, of major concern is that these plans are very much alive again. To find out more please click on this link " Batoka Dam Project " as we continue to follow and oppose this threatening project. The rivers beauty has attracted tourists from all over the world and provides great opportunities for game viewing and various water sports. Hippopotamus, crocodiles, elephants and lions are some examples of wildlife you will find along various parts of the Zambezi river.

I suggest that we look at this amazing river in three sections: Upper Zambezi From the source the river flows to the south-west out of Zambia and into Angola for about 240 km (150miles). When it re-enters Zambia it is approximately 400m (1300ft) wide in the rainy season and is fast flowing at Cholwezi rapids and the Chavuma Falls. The river runs south now for a distance of about 800 km (500miles) and in this distance only drops about 180m (590ft). It is very slow flowing for most of this section as it enters an area known as the Barotse Floodplain where the width of the river reaches up to 25 km (16miles) in the rainy season. The upper part of the Zambezi River is only sparsely populated by pastoralists, farmers and fishermen. During the rainy season when the plain is in flood a ceremony known as the Ku-omboka Ceremony take place as the local people move to higher ground to escape the flood waters.

One local folk law is that the Zambezi River has a spirit called Nyami Nyami – this spirit brings them water to grow their crops and fish to eat – and so they call the river “the river of life” It then turns easterly and forms the border between Zambia and Namibia this is at the Katima Mulilo rapids. Eventually it meets the Chobe River and briefly forms a border with Botswana, before becoming the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. It is at this point that the four countries; Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe meet. The river then flows about another 80 km down towards Victoria Falls . This section above the falls is where tour operators run lots of exciting activities including kayaking, canoe trips , river cruises and daily floats on both the Zimbabwe and Zambian sides. This is a spectacular section of the river with many islands and channels, crystal clear waters and sandy beaches. It teams with birds and wildlife. The Zimbabwe side is a national park called the Zambezi National Park whilst on the Zambian side there are many small lodges which blend into the banks of the river. The Middle Zambezi The Victoria Falls are considered the boundary between the upper and middle Zambezi.

For the next 500 km the river serves as the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Below the Falls the river continues to flow due east for about 200 km (120miles), cutting through gorges of basalt rock between 200 to 250 metres (660 to 820ft) high. It is in these gorges where the commercial white water rafting now takes place. The Zambezi River is graded as a grade 5 river. This is the highest grade that a river can be graded for white water rafting , meaning this is as wet and wild as it gets. The Victoria Falls also serves as a backdrop for many other adventure sports including the famous bungee jump from the Victoria Falls Bridge . The river drops 250m over the 200 km before entering Lake Kariba. The Kariba Dam which was completed in 1959 is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world. The hydroelectric power generated at the dam provides electricity for much of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Lake Kariba is 226 km long and in places up to 40 km wide and supports a thriving commercial fishing industry and is a fantastic tourist attraction. With its spectacular scenery, stunning sunsets, great fishing and boating opportunities it is one of the finest places on this planet for a holiday. The weather here is mostly sunny and fine but it does get very hot in mid summer, even mid winter days are warm and the nights are balmy. From the Kariba dam wall the river heads east again towards Chirundu. Beyond this the river is flanked by Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia and Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. This is the stretch of the river that the famous canoe safaris are run. Tourists have the opportunity of paddling down the river and camping overnight on the banks or more luxurious trips offer accommodation in one of the safari lodges along the way. Wonderful sightings of wildlife are experienced as the canoes slip silently by them, and encounters with Hippopotamus can be quite exciting. This middle zone of the Zambezi river supports one of the most important wilderness areas in Africa.

The middle Zambezi ends where the river enters Lake Cahora Bassa which was constructed in 1974. Formerly the site of dangerous rapids known as Kebrabassa, these rapids made navigation by large vessels up the Zambezi impossible for the early explorers and for this very reason the development of the inland was slower than had they not been there. The Lower Zambezi The lower part of the river from Cahora Bassa down to the Indian Ocean is navigable by large vessels. This section is 650 km (400miles) in length, the river is shallow in many places especially during the dry season as the river enters a broad valley and spreads out over a large area. Only at the Lupata Gorge 320 km (200miles) up from the mouth does the river flow between high hills and a gorge is formed. Elsewhere it flows gently with many small channels to explore along the way. The river bed is sandy, and the banks are low and reed-fringed, however during the rainy season these streams join to become one fast flowing river.

The Zambezi's Delta About 160 km (100miles) from the mouth, the Zambezi receives water from Lake Malawi through the Shire River. On approaching the Indian Ocean the river splits up into a number of branches and forms the Zambezi Delta. A sand bar obstructs the four principal mouths, being the Milambe, Kongone, Luabo and Timbwe. To the north a branch called Chinde has a minimum depth of 2m at the entrance and 4m a bit further in; this is the branch that is used for navigation. The delta has been effected by the building of the Kariba and Cahora Bassa dams and it’s about half as wide as it was before these were finished. Share with others! Can't find what you are looking for? Use Google Search to search this site for any term you are looking for.. The Zambezi River | Zambezi Traveller - The Traveller's Friend The Zambezi River THE ZAMBEZI RIVER The Zambezi River itself travels 2,574 kilometres from its source on the Central African Plateau to its huge coastal delta on the Indian Ocean.

The Zambezi directly flows through, or along the borders, of Zambia, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique before reaching the Indian Ocean. The Zambezi's most well-known geographical feature is the Victoria Falls. Other notable falls include the Chavuma Falls at the border between Zambia and Angola, and Ngonye Falls, near Sioma in Western Zambia. Man-made features include the Kariba and Cahora Bassa Dams. Major tributaries of the Zambezi include the Kafue, Cuando (or Kwando), Gwayi, Manyame, Mazoe, Luangwa and Shire Rivers.The present-day Zambezi system can be divided up into three separate sections, each differing in its landscape characteristics, its geological history and its biodiversity. These are the Upper Zambezi, the Middle Zambezi, and the Lower Zambezi. Upper Zambezi The Upper Zambezi is geomorphologically the oldest part of the basin and has probably not changed substantially for some 2-5 million years.

From humble beginnings, the Zambezi rises as a small bubbling stream near Mwinilunga in the Kalene Hills, north-western Zambia, close to the borders with Angola and the Congo. The source is located 1,524 metres above sea level. [See Hallowed birthplace of our great river (Zambezi Traveller, Issue 06, Sept 2011) for more on the source of the Zambezi.] From its source the Zambezi flows south-west and into Angola for about 240 km, where it is joined by a much larger tributary, before turning south and back into Zambia. When it re-enters Zambia the Zambezi is approximately 400m wide. At Chavuma Falls, a few kilometres downstream from the border, the river is forced through a narrow gap in an outcrop of hard volcanic rock and tumbles over a three metre high waterfall. These falls are drowned each year under the high seasonal water levels. From its source to Chavuma, about 350 km downstream, the river drops about 400 metres.

From here to the Victoria Falls, 800 km distant, the level of the basin is very flat and uniform, dropping only by another 180 metres. The river is wide and slow flowing through this section, travelling over a thick mantle of sand, evidence of the past northern extension of the Kalahari Desert, and forming the vast Barotse Floodplain which extended for some 200 km. In the rainy season the width of the flooded river can reach up to 25 km. This is the domain of the Lozi people, who live, farm and fish on the floodplains during low water and whose lives are dominated by the seasonal flood cycle of the river. During the rainy season when the plains are in flood, they move to higher ground and forest fringes to escape the flood waters, led by their king, the Litunga, in an annual migration ceremony known as the Kubomboka. South of the settlement of Senanga the Ngonye Falls are worthy of note.

Situated a few hundred kilometres upstream of the Victoria Falls, near a small town called Sioma, they are formed by the same geological process as the Victoria Falls, with cracks in the underlying basalt riverbed being eroded away to form the drop. Their height is only 10-25 meters, but the width of the falls forms a broad crescent, interrupted by rocky outcrops, creating an impressively picturesque scene. Upstream of these falls, the river is broad and shallow as it flows across Kalahari sands, but below the falls extensive white water rapids exist, as the river is hemmed in by gorges cut into basalt rock, much like the Victoria Falls but on a smaller scale. Further south, the Zambezi turns east and briefly forms the border between Zambia and Namibia's Caprivi Strip before emerging from the Caprivi Swamps along the Botswana border, where it is joined by one its major tributaries, the Cuando or Chobe River.

Here, the Caprivi-Kavango region of Namibia reaches out to meet the Zambezi and the river briefly forms the border between Zambia and Namibia before emerging from the Caprivi Swamps, where it is joined by one its major tributaries, the Cuando or Chobe River. Here four countries meet - Zambia, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. [See The great enigmas (Zambezi Traveller, Issue 13, June 2013) for more on this part of the Zambezi.] It was in this region during the mid 1800s that the Makololo established dominance over the Lozi, eventually subjugating their whole kingdom. It was during this time that Dr David Livingstone first explored this region, discovering the river and being the first to link it with the known river mouth of the Zambezi on the east coast. The Makololo were later overthrown by the Lozi who regained their kingdom. At Katima Mulilo the river is crossed by its first major transport bridge (opened in 2004), linking with Sesheke in Zambia. Kazungula marks the official border and river crossing point between Botswana and Zambia.

About 20km downstream from Kazungula the swamplands end and the Zambezi traverses the Katambora rapids, with swirling white waters for several kilometres, before again entering a section of calmer waters. Kazungula town is the tourism access point to the Chobe National Park, one of Africa’s great safari destinations. Flowing east from the swamps the Zambezi River's valley and flood plain is wide and broad, ridged by sandstone hills, through which the river gently meanders. Here the river lies at an altitude just over 900 meters above sea-level, on the basalt sheet of the south-central African Plateau. As it continues eastwards it suddenly reaches a chasm which cuts directly across the width of the river bed, over which it flows creating the spectacular Victoria Falls. Middle Zambezi The Victoria Falls are known as one of the largest, or greatest, waterfalls of the world. Whilst by no means the tallest, or largest in terms of annual flow, the combination of height and width and flow in seasonal flood, and spectacular geological formation and setting, make it certainly one of the greatest.

The tourism needs of this natural wonder are served by the small tourist town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, and tourism hub of Livingstone in Zambia. [See The smoke that thunders (Zambezi Traveller, Issue 13, June 2013) for more on the Victoria Falls.] Below the Falls the Zambezi zigzags in a southerly direction through the steadily deepening Batoka Gorge, as it descends some 260m, its power and flow concentrated in the narrow channel and flowing over 60 rapids, and one waterfall, the Moemba Falls (some 50 km downstream of the Falls), until it emerges from the basaltic plateau and turns east where it is drowned under the waters of Lake Kariba and its dam, 240km from the Falls. Lake Kariba was created in 1959 following the completion of the Kariba Dam, drowning the Gwembe Valley, home of the Tonga people. It is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, and the hydroelectric power-generating facilities provide electricity to much of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The flooding of the river valley displaced over 50,000 Tonga people from their traditional lands. The small tourist town of Kariba nestles on the Zimbabwean side of the river. The lake offers many tourism options, and transport connections to the Zambian side. [See The Middle Zambezi (Zambezi Traveller, Issue 13, June 2013) for more on this part of the Zambezi.] Below Kariba, the Zambezi is swollen from the north by the Kafue River as the Zambezi runs between Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools and Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Parks. At its junction with the Luangwa River, and after forming the international boundary between Zambia and Zimbabwe for approximately 500 km, the river enters into Mozambique and joins Lake Cabora Bassa. Lower Zambezi Formerly the site of dangerous rapids known as Kebrabassa, and which had blocked the early navigation of the river into the interior, the lake was created in 1974 by the construction of the Cahora Bassa Dam, and provides hydroelectric power to South Africa.

Located a short distance downstream of the Cahora Bassa Dam is the regional centre of Tete on the main transport highway connecting Zimbabwe and Malawi. From Cahora Bassa to the Indian Ocean, 650 km, the river is shallow in many places during the dry season, as the river enters a broad valley and spreads out over a large area. Only at one point, the Lupata Gorge, 320 km from its mouth, is the river confined between high hills. Here it is scarcely 200 metres wide. Elsewhere it is from 5 to 8 km wide, flowing gently in many streams. The river bed is sandy, and the banks are low and reed-fringed. At places, however, and especially in the rainy season, the streams unite into one broad fast-flowing river. On approaching the ocean the Zambezi splits up into a number of branches and forms a wide delta before eventually reaching its journeys end, escaping into the Indian Ocean.

[See The Zambezi’s final triumph (Zambezi Traveller, Issue 13, June 2013) for more on this last section of the Zambezi River.] Read about the Zambezi Region on the following pages: Zambezi River | river, Africa | Britannica.com Zambezi River Alternative Titles: Zambesi River, Zanbere River Related Topics Kariba Zambezi River, also spelled Zambesi, river draining a large portion of south-central Africa. Together with its tributaries, it forms the fourth largest river basin of the continent. The river flows eastward for about 2,200 miles (3,540 kilometres) from its source on the Central African Plateau to empty into the Indian Ocean . With its tributaries, it drains an area of more than 500,000 square miles (1,300,000 square kilometres). The Zambezi (meaning “Great River” in the language of the Tonga people) includes along its course the Victoria Falls , one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, and the Kariba and Cahora Bassa dams, two of Africa’s largest hydroelectric projects.

The river either crosses or forms the boundaries of six countries—Angola, Zambia, Namibia , Botswana , Zimbabwe , and Mozambique —and the use of its waters has been the subject of a series of international agreements. The Zambezi River basin and its drainage network. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River as seen from Zambia. G. Holton/Photo Researchers The Zambezi River at sunset. Art Wolfe—Stone/Getty Images Physical features Physiography The Zambezi rises out of a marshy bog near Kalene Hill, Zambia , about 4,800 feet (1,460 metres) above sea level , and flows some 20 miles before entering Angola , through which it runs for more than 175 miles. In this first section of its course, the river is met by more than a dozen tributaries of varying sizes. Shortly after reentering Zambia, the river flows over the Chavuma Falls and enters a broad region of hummocky, sand-covered floodplains, the largest of which is the Barotse, or Zambezi, Plain.

The region is inundated during the summer floods, when it receives fertile alluvial soils. The main tributaries intersecting the river along the plains are the Kabompo River from the east and the larger Lungué-Bungo (Lungwebungo) River from the west. Similar Topics Kagera River The Zambezi then enters a stretch of rapids that extends from Ngonye (Sioma) Falls south to the Katima Mulilo Rapids, after which for about 80 miles it forms the border between Zambia to the north and the eastern Caprivi Strip—an extension of Namibia—to the south. In this stretch the river meanders through the broad grasslands of the Sesheke Plain until it is joined by the Cuando ( Kwando ) River. Near Kazungula, Zambia, the river, after flowing past Botswana territory to the south, turns almost due east and forms the frontier between Zambia and Zimbabwe. From the Cuando confluence to the Victoria Falls , the Zambezi varies considerably in width, from open reaches with sand islands to stretches of rapids through narrow channels separated by numerous rock islands.

The Victoria Falls mark the end of the upper course of the Zambezi, as its waters tumble with a thunderous roar and an enormous cloud of spray. The area around the falls was once covered by a thick layer of lava, which as it cooled formed wide cracks, or joints, that became filled with softer sediments. As the Zambezi cut its present valley it encountered one of these joints, eroded the sediment, and created a trench, eventually forcing a gap at the lower end of the trench that quickly widened into a gorge. The force of the water also created a second gap at the upper end of the trench that gradually diverted the river until the trench itself was left dry. As the river cut backward it repeated the process, scouring eight successive waterfalls in the past half million years. The Zambezi’s middle course extends about 600 miles from Victoria Falls to the eastern end of Lake Cahora Bassa in Mozambique. It continues to form the boundary between Zambia and Zimbabwe until it crosses the Mozambique border at Luangwa. Below the falls a gorge some 60 miles long has been formed by the trench-scouring process, through which the river descends in a series of rapids.

Just upstream of Lake Kariba the river valley widens and is contained by escarpments nearly 2,000 feet high. The middle Zambezi is notable for the two man-made lakes, Kariba and Cahora Bassa (see below), that constitute much of this stretch of the river. Between the two lakes the Zambezi trends northeast for nearly 40 miles before it turns east below the confluence with the Kafue River , the Zambezi’s largest tributary. In this section the river rushes through two rocky, narrow gorges, the first just below the Kariba Dam and the other above the confluence with the Luangwa River . Britannica Stories Obama Acts to Protect the Arctic At the dam at the eastern end of Lake Cahora Bassa, the Zambezi begins its lower course, during which it descends from the Central African Plateau to the coastal plain . At first the hilly country is replaced by flat areas at the head of the Tete Basin, and the river becomes more placid.

About 40 miles downstream the river has cut the Lupata Gorge through a range of hills, where it emerges onto the Mozambique Plain and occupies a broad valley that spreads out in places to a width of three to five miles. Near Vila Fontes the river receives its last great tributary, the Shire River , which drains Lake Nyasa (Malaŵi) some 210 miles to the north. Africa at Random: Fact or Fiction? At its mouth the Zambezi splits into a wide, flat, and marshy delta obstructed by sandbars. There are two main channels, each again divided into two. The wider, eastern channel splits into the Muselo River to the north and the main mouth of the Zambezi to the south. The western channel forms both the Inhamissengo River and the smaller Melambe River. North of the main delta the Chinde River separates from the Zambezi’s main stream to form a navigable channel leading to a shallow harbour. Hydrology The Zambezi, according to measurements taken at Maramba (formerly Livingstone), Zambia, experiences its maximum flow in March or April.

In October or November the discharge diminishes to less than 10 percent of the maximum. The annual average flow reaches about 247,000 cubic feet (7,000 cubic metres) per second. Measurements taken at Kariba Dam reflect the same seasonal pattern; the highest flood recorded there was in March 1958, when the flow reached 565,000 cubic feet per second. Climate Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Pinterest The Zambezi River lies within the tropics. The upper and middle course of the river is on an upland plateau, and temperatures, modified by altitude, are relatively mild, generally between 64° and 86° F (18° and 30° C). The winter months (May to July) are cool and dry, with temperatures averaging 68° F (20° C). Between August and October there is a considerable rise in average temperatures, particularly in the river valley itself; just before the rains begin in October temperatures there become excessively hot, often reaching 104° F (40° C). The rainy season lasts from November to April.

Rain falls in short, intense thundershowers—the rate sometimes reaching 6 inches (150 millimetres) per hour—with skies clearing between downpours. In these months the upper Zambezi receives nearly all its total rainfall, and this accounts for the great variation in the flow of the river throughout the year. In all, the upper and middle Zambezi valley receives 22 to 30 inches of rain per year. Studies have suggested that a microclimate in the area of Lake Kariba has created a rise in precipitation, possibly as a result of a lake breeze blocked by the escarpment that produces thunderstorms. In the lower course of the river in Mozambique the influence of the summer monsoon increases the levels of precipitation and humidity. Temperatures are also higher—determined more by the latitude and less by altitude—as the river descends from the plateau. Plant life The vegetation along the upper and middle course of the Zambezi is predominantly savanna , with deciduous trees, grass, and open woodland. Mopane woodland (Colophospermum mopane) is predominant on the alluvial flats of the low-lying river valleys and is highly susceptible to fire.

Grass, when present, is typically short and sparse. Forestland with species of the genus Baikiaea, found extensively on sandy interfluves between drainage channels, is economically the most important vegetation type in Zambia, for it is the source of the valuable Rhodesian teak (Baikiaea plurijuga). Destruction of the Baikiaea forest results in a regression from forest to grassland , a slow process involving intermediate stages of scrub vegetation. The river additionally has a distinct fringing vegetation, mainly riverine forest including ebony (Diospyros mespiliformis) and small shrubs and ferns (e.g., Haemanthus). In the lower course of the Zambezi, dense bush and evergreen forest, with palm trees and patches of mangrove swamp, is the typical vegetation. Animal life Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park · National parks and Sanctuaries · The Best of Zambia Read more Enquire The park and its history Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park covers 66 square kilometres from the Songwe Gorge below the Victoria Falls in a north-west arc along about 20 kilometres of the Zambezi River bank.

It forms the south-western boundary of the city of Livingstone and has two main sections, each with separate entrances – the forest and cliff tops surrounding Victoria Falls, and the wildlife park. The Zambezi River forms the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, so the Victoria Falls are shared by the two countries, and this Zambian National Park is ‘twin’ to the Victoria Falls National Park on the Zimbabwean side. ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ which means ‘the smoke that thunders’ comes from the Kololo or Lozi language and the name is now used throughout Zambia, and in parts of Zimbabwe. In November 2005 a new statue of explorer David Livingstone, the world famous explorer was erected in the park. The original and more famous Livingstone statue is on the Zimbabwean side. A plaque was also unveiled on the nearby Livingstone Island to mark the spot from where David Livingstone became the first European to see the Victoria Falls, who he named after Queen Victoria. Today, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is considered for inclusion in the five nation Kavango-Zambezi Trans frontier Conservation Area.

The Victoria Falls section of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park The Victoria Falls section of the national park includes the rainforest on the cliff opposite the Eastern Cataract which is sustained by spray from the falls. It contains plants that are rare for the area such as pod mahogany, ebony, ivory palm, wild date palm and various creepers and lianas. Despite the many visitors that come here small antelopes and warthogs inhabit this area and are sometimes seen on the winding footpaths through the dripping riverine forest leading to the falls. The aptly named Knife Edge Bridge was built in the 1960s to provide access on foot to the cliffs looking over the Rainbow Falls and the first gorge’s exit to what is known as the boiling pot in the second gorge. During the high season from February to May, prepare to get drenched from clouds of spray thrown up by the thundering falls. A steep footpath leads down to the boiling pot. Look up and there are views of the second gorge and the Victoria Falls Bridge.

Just before the Zambezi River plunges over the Victoria Falls, there is a small undeveloped stretch of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park which is currently the only river front location that can be accessed without paying a fee. This is also known to be an important location for elephants to cross the Zambezi River. As you would expect the amount of water falling over the Victoria Falls varies with the seasons. Come to Victoria Falls during or just after the rainy season to see the world’s largest curtain of falling water. Be ready to hire rain coats or get soaked to the skin for this experience. Come to Victoria Falls in the drier seasons for a view of the sheer drops of rock, craggy nooks and crannies which offer an altogether different experience. It is when the water calms a little that you can take a guided trip across the rocky lip of the Zambezi River above the Victoria Falls to Livingstone Island for a heart-stopping peek into the thundering chasm below, or take a dip in the Devil’s Pool – your friends will never believe your photos!

Below the Victoria Falls Downstream from the Victoria Falls the Zambezi River plunges into the Batoka Gorge a sheer cut through the landscape that hacks a deep zigzag groove through the plateau as it heads off eastward towards the distant Indian Ocean. Sandy tracks wind through the forest, passing through the occasional thatched village, various points where rafters climb up out of the gorge and on towards two remote lodges perched high above the chasm. The tops of these deep gorges below the Victoria Falls can be reached by road and walkable tracks through the game park. These are excellent places to see klipspringers, clawless otters and 35 species of raptors such as the Taita falcon, black eagle, Peregrine falcon and Augur buzzard which all breed here. The wildlife in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park The game park is on the land adjacent to the awe inspiring Victoria Falls. This is home to Zambia’s remaining white rhinos. White rhinos are on the verge of extinction and there are currently five white rhinos with plans to introduce further animals in due course. The indigenous black rhino was believed extinct in Zambia but has recently been reintroduced in a pilot area.

There are also zebra, giraffe and herds of elephants. Others include zebra, giraffe and herds of elephants. A variety of colourful birds, various antelope species, warthog are also likely. These are excellent places to see klipspringers, clawless otters and 35 species of raptors.A game drive along the Zambezi River almost certainly promises pods of hippo wallowing in the shallows and crocodiles basking on the Zambezi River bank. A variety of colourful birds, various antelope species, warthog are also likely. Elephants cross the Zambezi River and roam around freely in this game park and the bordering regions. The Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is small compared to other parks in Zambia making a tour in the early morning or late afternoon an easy and rewarding addition to a Livingstone and Victoria Falls visit. Since there are no predators here, the wildlife is very relaxed with some excellent photo opportunities. You can complete a pleasant drive around the park in a couple of hours and all the species can be seen at a relatively close range. There are many organised tours available and visitors can use their own cars to drive through the park.

You could also opt for an elephant back safari through the park. A commercial wildlife company, Lion Encounter, has been operating a ‘walking with Lions experience within the park, with further plans to start a breeding programme for lions within the Dambwa Forest section of the park. Activities Livingstone is a historic town, the orginal capital city of Zambia and where many European explorers first settled. A visit to the Livingstone museum tells some of this story within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is the Old Drift cemetery where many of the first European settlers were buried. The area is also an adrenaline junkies heaven with a host of activities. Throw yourself off a bridge, zip wire down the gorges, go white water rafting below the Victoria Falls or… Take your pick from the long list on the right and we’re sure to have missed some off! There are many hotels and lodges to choose from, many with their own restaurants. There are also just as many restaurants serving all kinds of cuisine with European, American, Asian and Adrican influences.

Where to stay There is a whole range of Livingstone accommodation choices in and out of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, from budget to five star, hotel to safari accommodation, city to the country. How to get there International fights fly into Livingstone International Airport from South Africa and London. Connections from Lusaka are available daily. Visitors can drive from Lusaka though it is a long 6 hour drive with some bad patches of road. If you are coming from Zimbabwe crossing the border into Zambia from Victoria Falls town is possible on the Zambezi Bridge. From Botswana, Namibia and Angola visitors can cross into Zambia on the pontoon at Kazungula. Others include zebra, giraffe and herds of elephants. A variety of colourful birds, various antelope species, warthog are also likely. These are excellent places to see klipspringers, clawless otters and 35 species of raptors. Zimbabwe Part I Story and photos by Manos Angelakis Zimbabwe Sojourn, Part I The Zambezi River is the fourth longest river system in Africa, meandering through 6 countries, with its delta emptying into the Indian Ocean.

The 1,600 mile river forms part of the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe; runs through a vast broken-edged plateau, in a spectacular gorge with perpendicular walls of basalt and granite, and forms the famous Victoria Falls where Zimbabwe and Zambia meet at its banks. During the Victoria Falls segment of our Zimbabwe trip we visited the Gorges Lodge, a spectacular camp located on top of Batoka Gorge with incredible views of the river and the rapids that form one of the most harrowing whitewater narrows, a tremendous challenge to kayakers and rafters that dare to brave this mighty river. The Gorges Lodge and Little Gorges Tented Lodge are a combination of brick and mortar buildings and luxury tents within a lush garden with, as I mentioned above, spectacular views of the river from the terraces and porches. There is a very good open-air dinning room and bar, and though we did not spend the night there, we had a tasty lunch of assorted cold cuts, salads and what seems to be Zimbabwe’s national dish, cabbage and carrot slaw – we were offered this delicious coleslaw for lunch and dinner at every meal during our sojourn!

After visiting in the morning the falls that are named “The smoke that thunders” by the local tribes, when the sun was covered by the mist generated by the falls and the sound of the water rushing to the bottom was deafening, we took a sunset boat tour on the Zambezi. The banks were teaming with wildlife; some were there to drink, others to feed on the lush grass and trees that grow by the river and others were bidding their time to make a meal of the herbivores at the bank. We watched as a young elephant slid down a steep embankment to reach the succulent shoots by the water and there was some concern that once down it would not be able to climb back up. It was with some relief that once sated the calf maneuvered its way back up to the encouraging cheers of the spectators on board. As the setting sun colored the sky and water a red-orange hue, the palm trees were silhouetted against the horizon and the hippos were surfacing by the riverboats hoping that a careless tourist would drop some food from their hands. That scene said one thing to me “Africa”!

That was the reason we traveled all the way to Zimbabwe and that was what made it worth every minute of the long flight. We overnighted at another legendary property, the 5-star Stanley & Livingstone Private Game Reserve at the Nakavango Estate, a few minutes away from the Victoria Falls Township. Victorian opulence and 5-star amenities are the hallmark of this exceptional property. When you walk through the public spaces of this hotel you are transported back to the time when Britannia ruled the waves, Queen Victoria reigned in far-away London, and Henry Morton Stanley, Welsh by birth but American by assimilation, was commissioned by George Bennett -- publisher of the New York Herald, to find David Livingstone who was presumed lost in “The Dark Continent” in his search to find the source of the River Nile. The Stanley and Livingstone meeting is depicted in a large canvas over the fireplace of the hotel’s salon and is illustrated with numerous period photographs that dot the walls of the reception, the salon, the dinning room and other public spaces. Our air-conditioned suite was exceptionally spacious with a good-sized living room, bedroom and bathroom. There are telephones on the living room desk and at the bedside with international calling capabilities.

Turkish terrycloth bathrobes and slippers are hanging in the wardrobe, and there is a minibar at the bottom of the living room television cabinet. There are multiple televisions with digital satellite reception throughout the suite. A fruit basket was waiting for us when we arrived and tea cups and a kettle were available, in case we would like some tea or coffee in the evening. The dinning room was compact because most guests, as I was told, choose to dine at the sun-deck veranda that surrounds the back of the main building or the Main Bar patio with views of the grounds and river. But since this was the “late autumn” of Southern Africa and the evenings were cold, we decided on indoor dinning. “Kariba Bream” was plentifully available during lunch or dinner during our trip, and it was grilled, poached or fried. It is a tasty fresh-water fish that is farmed in the waters of the lake created by the Kariba Dam on the Zambezi River. Of the times it was served, twice it was offered as fillets with a white sauce and mushroom medley. Another dish that made frequent appearances was “Cauliflower Soup”.

In general, Zimbabwean cuisine has not been graced by the culinary achievements of modern cuisine and instead is somewhere between early 20th century British cookery and, in the better restaurants, the classics of Escoffier and Carï¿½me. It is not bad cooking and, during the colder months it can be very enjoyable; I just think it would be very heavy during the hotter time of the year. Another thing to mention is wine availability. Most wines I saw were mid-priced bottles from South Africa, the better ones from Stellenbosch vineyards. I was happy to have a couple bottles during the trip of Zambezi Beer, a very dry Pilsener style beer, hoppy with a pleasantly bitter aftertaste. Category:Victoria Falls - Wikimedia Commons Category:Victoria Falls Jump to: navigation , search English: The Victoria Falls are large waterfalls on the Zambezi river where it forms the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Subcategories This category has the following 12 subcategories, out of 12 total. ► Animals of Victoria Falls ‎ (1 C, 6 F) B Pages in category "Victoria Falls" This category contains only the following page.

V Media in category "Victoria Falls" The following 196 files are in this category, out of 196 total. Zambezi National Park Zimbabwe Home | Zambezi National Park Zimbabwe Zambezi National Park Zimbabwe Phenomenal Game Park Right on the Door Step of Victoria Falls 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. Elephants coming down to drink in the Zambezi National Park A wide variety of larger mammals may be found within the Zambezi National Park including elephant, lion, buffalo and leopard. 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 over is 75 species of fish and is famous for its bream and fighting tiger fish . You can read more about fishing on the Zambezi here.

Zambezi National Park in Zimbabwe 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. Activities It is within this park that the Upper Zambezi Canoe trips are conducted. You drive through the park to your put in point and then canoe back along the Zambezi River . Discover safaris also operate several game viewing opportunities within the park namely, half day and full day game drives and walking safaris.

They are also very privileged to have access till 8pm at night which makes them the only operators able to do night drives within this park. Read more about Discover Safaris here . Accommodation Zimbabwe National Parks has some excellent lodges along the river and there are some camping facilities as well. You can read more about that on our Zambezi National Park accommodation page . Bookings for this accommodation can be done via the contact details below: Harare Parks and Wildlife Office: + 263-4-706077/8 Vic Falls Parks and Wildlife Office: + 263-13-42294 or 44566 Tell Us About the Zambezi National Park [ ? ] Close Help Entering your story is easy to do. Just type!... Your story will appear on a Web page exactly the way you enter it here. You can wrap a word in square brackets to make it appear bold. For example [my story] would show as my story on the Web page containing your story. TIP: Since most people scan Web pages, include your best thoughts in your first paragraph. Upload 1-4 Pictures or Graphics (optional)[ ?

] Do you have some pictures or graphics to add? Great! Click the button and find the first one on your computer. Select it and click on the button to choose it. Then click on the link if you want to upload up to 3 more images. Add a Picture/Graphic Caption (optional) Victoria Falls Victoria Falls You are here: Homepage > What to see > Waterfalls > The Victoria Falls The Victoria Falls V ictoria Falls presents a spectacular sight of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur on the Zambezi River, forming the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It was described by the Kololo tribe living in the area in the 1800’s as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ – ‘The Smoke that Thunders’. In more modern terms Victoria Falls is known as the greatest curtain of falling water in the world. Columns of spray can be seen from miles away as, at the height of the rainy season, more than five hundred million cubic meters of water per minute plummet over the edge, over a width of nearly two kilometers, into a gorge over one hundred meters below.

The wide, basalt cliff over which the falls thunder, transforms the Zambezi from a placid river into a ferocious torrent cutting through a series of dramatic gorges. Facing the Falls is another sheer wall of basalt, rising to the same height, and capped by mist-soaked rain forest. A path along the edge of the forest provides the visitor prepared to brave the tremendous spray, with an unparalleled series of views of the Falls. One special vantage point is across the Knife-edge Bridge, where visitors can have the finest view of the Eastern Cataract and the Main Falls as well as the Boiling Pot, where the river turns and heads down the Batoka Gorge. Other vantage points include the Falls Bridge , Devils Pool and the Lookout Tree, both of which command panoramic views across the Main Falls. *As of December 2016, the KAZA visa for entry into both Zimbabwe and Zambia is available at all major ports of entry into both countries, making it easier than ever to experience both sides of the falls. To find out more, click here .

Victoria Falls Victoria Falls VICTORIA FALLS & ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARKS UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site Victoria Falls and Zambezi National Parks are situated on the western tip of Zimbabwe. The Falls, known by the local Kololo tribe as Mosi oa Tunya- The Smoke that thunders, is one of the "Seven Wonders of the World" and one of the largest and most spectacular waterfalls on earth. The Falls The falls are 1,7 kilometres wide and nearly 550 million litres of water cascade 70 to 108 metres into the chasm below -every minute- during the Zambezi River's peak flow. Victoria Falls is made of five different "falls". Four of these are in Zimbabwe: The Devil's Cataract, Main Falls, Rainbow Falls and Horseshoe Falls -and one, The Eastern Cataract, is in the bordering country of Zambia. The Devil's Cataract The falls here are about 70 metres deep. They derive their name from an adjacent island in the Zambezi River where it is reported that locals used to conduct sacrificial ceremonies.

With the advent of the missionaries, this practice was frowned upon and considered "devilish", resulting in the name of the area. Main Falls The falls at this point are at their most majestic. With a wide curtain of water thundering down 93 metres into the gorge below and peak water flows of 700,000 cubic metres per minute, this section throws out a magnificent spray that continually nourishes the evergreen rainforest around the area. Horseshoe Falls This section is horseshoe shaped and is 95 metres deep. This section usually dries up at the height of the dry season between October and November.Rainbow Falls A beautiful rainbow can clearly be seen from this viewpoint. The falls are 108 metres deep at this point and are the deepest of the whole series. The Eastern Cataract These falls are situated completely on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls but have a stunning view from the Zimbabwean side. They are the second deepest falls of the series at 101 metres deep. Cataract Viewpoint A unique view of the falls below can be found by descending 73 steps into the gorge.

David Livingstone Statue The David Livingstone statue can be found at the left end of the Falls near the spectacular Devil's Cataract viewpoint. On 16 November 1855, Livingstone (the first Western explorer to view the Falls) wrote in his journal: "...scenes so lovely must have been gazed on by angels in their flight." The Rainforest The rainforest area of Victoria Falls is filled with many unique species of flora and fauna. One can wander amongst the Fig, Mahogany and Date Palm groves while gazing at the falls from magnificent viewpoints. Many species of birds and small mammals may be spotted beneath the protective canopy of the forest. The Boiling Pot This place is appropriately named to describe the turmoil where water from opposite sides of the falls collide in the Zambezi River as it turns in a southeasterly direction passing through several gorges. The Big Tree This is a large baobab tree near the Falls. The tree which has withstood the test of time is 16 metres in diameter and 20 metres tall.

Victoria Falls Bridge Having been designed in England, the bridge was transported from Europe in pieces and was assembled on site, bridging the Zambezi River and linking Zimbabwe and Zambia in 1906. The bridge is also renowned for its popular bungee jumping. 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. Seasons During the summer months (November to March) the weather is hot and humid, whilst during the winter it is pleasantly cool and dry - occasionally becoming cold at night. Facilities Lodges The accommodation units at Zambezi Camp are self-contained lodges on the river bank, situated 6 kilometres upstream from Victoria Falls. The camp is served by a tar road and is 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.

Fishing Camps Three exclusive fishing camps: Kandahar, Siansimba and Mpala Jena, are attractively situated on the banks of the Zambezi just off the Zambezi River Game Drive. Facilities consist of a flush toilet and cold shower; running water, a sleeping shelter (with low side walls at Kandahar), cement table with bench and braai unit. Fishing by boat is excellent in these areas. 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. Amenities The town of Victoria Falls has most modern conveniences and there are several world-class hotels, lodges and restaurants. Supplies of fuel, food and provisions may be found here, as well as hospital facilities and many curio and craft shops. Game viewing - visitors use their own vehicles for transport. • Fishing - visitors bring their own fishing gear and boats. • Walks - marveling at the splendour of the Falls is, of course, the prime activity of the area. Visitors should plan on viewing the Falls at several different times, as the ever-changing mist and light can afford spectacularly different views throughout the day. • Scenic views. • Boat cruises - daytime and sunset cruises on the Zambezi River. • Moonlight viewing - an unique opportunity to view the Falls and the Lunar Rainbow which takes place during periods of the full moon.

• Other activities include: guided tours, bungee jumping, whitewater rafting, helicopter and micro-light flights over the Falls, tribal dancing, etc Why Visit Victoria Falls? This is one of the 7 Wonders of the World • Victoria Falls is one of the world's most prolific and spectacular waterfalls. • Victoria Falls is a one stop destination affording the visitor several aspects of tourism ranging from prime game viewing, cultural tourism and the Falls themselves How to get to Victoria Falls Victoria Falls and Zambezi National Parks lie on the southern bank of the Zambezi River. Visitors can travel by car, driving 440 kilometres northwest from Bulawayo or through Kazungula Border Post with Botswana 90 kilometres to the west. The Victoria Falls Border Post is within metres of the Falls for access by road from Zambia. The road from Bulawayo to the Falls is completely tarred and the roads around thee Falls can easily be negotiated by all types of vehicles. Victoria Falls boasts an international airport with services from Harare and many regional and international destinations.

Question: Which river forms the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia?
Answer: Zambezi