Lower Zambezi National Park

Below the wall of the Kariba Dam the mighty Zambezi River descends just 42m (371m to 329m in altitude) over a distance of around 150 km, which accounts for its very gentle pace and the wide meandering across much of the valley floor.

The valley is made up of the Lower Zambezi National Park and the Chiawa Game Management Area on the Zambian side and the Mana Pools National Park (designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO) on the Zimbabwean side.

The vegetation is lush and the wildlife abundant throughout the area, making it the ideal place to enjoy both excellent walking and canoeing safaris: it is often possible to see the game wading across the river between the different National Parks. Buffalo and elephant are resident here in large herds whilst antelope species include eland, kudu, impala, waterbuck and bushbuck as well as zebra and wildebeest. Large prides of lion lord over the valley with other resident carnivores including leopard and spotted hyena. Crocodiles can be seen basking on the muddy banks whilst large pods of hippo wallow in the river with the occasional snort and flick of an ear or gaping yawn to show off some huge yellow molars.

There are a number of excellent camps in the area which offer superb game viewing either on foot, by 4×4 safari vehicle or even by canoe which allows you to enjoy wildlife viewing from a totally different perspective.