Zambezi National Park Wildlife Reserve
National park along Zambezi River with wildlife
A protected area along the Zambezi floodplain offering game drives, riverine birdlife and fishing; visitors pursue wildlife viewing, boat cruises and sunset river scenery.
Zambezi National Park at a Glance#
Address: Zambezi National Park, Matabeleland North Province, Zimbabwe (park entrance points along A8/Victoria Falls roads)
How to Get to Zambezi National Park#
Zambezi National Park is accessed from Victoria Falls town (about 15-30 minutes by road) and from Bulawayo/Victoria Falls via the A8. Private transfers and scheduled shuttles from Victoria Falls or the nearby town of Kazungula are common. Road conditions vary seasonally; a 4x4 is advisable in the wet season.
Tips for Visiting Zambezi National Park#
- Combine a game drive with a sunset visit to the Zambezi River shoreline; animals gather at dusk.
- Use a licensed guide - park rangers know the seasonal water routes and where hippos and elephants concentrate.
- Bring insect repellent in the wet season; game drives can be mosquito-heavy near the river.
Best Time to Visit Zambezi National Park#
Dry season (May-October) is best for wildlife spotting; wet season favors birdlife and dramatic landscapes but can hamper travel.
Weather & Climate near Zambezi National Park#
Zambezi National Park's climate is classified as Hot Semi-Arid - Hot Semi-Arid climate with hot summers (peaking in October) and mild winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 8°C to 35°C. Moderate rainfall (627 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 18° - 30° | 24° | 162 mm | overcast | 68% | 2.1 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.9h |
| February | Very Good | 18° - 29° | 24° | 132 mm | partly cloudy | 71% | 2.2 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.6h |
| March | Excellent | 18° - 30° | 24° | 76 mm | partly cloudy | 67% | 2.4 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.1h |
| April | Ideal | 15° - 30° | 23° | 21 mm | mostly sunny | 57% | 2.5 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.6h |
| May | Ideal | 11° - 29° | 20° | 4 mm | clear | 44% | 2.5 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.2h |
| June | Ideal | 8° - 26° | 17° | 0 mm | clear | 43% | 2.7 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.0h |
| July | Ideal | 8° - 26° | 17° | 0 mm | clear | 40% | 2.9 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.1h |
| August | Ideal | 10° - 29° | 20° | 0 mm | clear | 32% | 3.1 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.4h |
| September | Ideal | 15° - 34° | 24° | 2 mm | clear | 27% | 3.3 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.9h |
| October | Ideal | 19° - 35° | 27° | 22 mm | mostly sunny | 30% | 3.5 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.4h |
| November | Excellent | 19° - 33° | 26° | 66 mm | partly cloudy | 45% | 3.0 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.8h |
| December | Good | 19° - 31° | 25° | 142 mm | overcast | 63% | 2.6 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 13.0h |
