While You’re Away … Sightings and Updates from Kariba and Mana Pools

It's been a pretty lonely time in the safari camps, and the only visitors seen are the wild ones, probably wondering where everyone is. But for this time of the year, the visits are usually more frequent, as different species switch their seasonal routes to the dry season. Even in Victoria Falls, the regulars are increasing in numbers – kudu, warthogs, baboons, and sounds of hyenas and lions in the distance, and even leopards!

Tourism in Zimbabwe will be opening up next week (see this post for more info Victoria Falls Zimbabwe Covid-19 update), but here's what you have to look forward to in Kariba and Mana Pools.

Lion hunting crocodile in Matusadona National Park (photo - Changa Safari Camp)

Animals of Zimbabwe

Despite the decline in certain wildlife populations in recent decades, Zimbabwe is still one of the must-go places for safari goers, with some of Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest and favourite national parks. Notable parks include Hwange, Mana Pools, Gonarezhou, as well as special intensive protected areas like Matusadona and Matobo Hills National Parks. Of-course Zimbabwe is home to quite a few more, national parks, and shares borders with countries that also have impressive wildlife populations.

Animals at a waterhole in Hwange National Park

While You're Away ... an update on the Okavango Delta, Boteti River and Chobe River

By now you're probably aware that the "Victoria Falls is dry" drama of late 2019 faded and mother nature responded, almost showing off, filling the Zambezi River, and other magical water bodies in the region. Like most places around the world, certainly in Africa, rivers and lakes are seasonal going with anything between dry or low water periods and spectacular full floods. The Okavango Delta is no exception.

After a year long dry spell, the Okavango Delta started receiving flood waters in April 2020, which slowly trickled through the 15,000 km² World Heritage Site, peaking in July. At the moment, the water levels have already started to recede.

Is Victoria Falls Drying Up? The Truth

Recent international new reports have claimed that the Victoria Falls is at its lowest levels in a century due to climate change, causing travellers to panic and cancel their bookings. Find out the real truth behind these false claims.

• Has Victoria Falls dried up due to climate change? No it has not.
• Could climate change be having an impact on global rainfall patterns? Yes absolutely.
• Should we be aware of climate change and be taking action? Yes absolutely.
• Was this the areas worst drought in a century? No it was not.
• Are the Victoria Falls rising this year? Yes, they are already currently higher than the same time last year.
• Was it right to for the press to sensationalise a news story, causing other far reaching and damaging effects, without presenting all the facts? No absolutely not.

The effect of these false reports on local tourism has been devastating, as travellers clamber to cancel bookings, or now cross Victoria Falls off their bucket list, potentially creating a lasting impact that those in the tourism industry just don’t know how long will last.

Please read on to find out the truth and see why Victoria Falls is still a seventh wonder of the world and a remarkable destination to visit. We are not trying to sell a news story here, we are just presenting the facts as they are and trying to undo some of the damage that has been caused by these unscrupulous news reporters.

Read the truth about the Victoria Falls

Safari Around Victoria Falls

You can add a safari in Hwange National Park to your Victoria Falls holiday

Victoria Falls, being a natural wonder of the world is on the bucket list of many travelers. Not only is it a spectacular waterfall, but there is also a large array of activities available, from sedate sunset cruises to bungee jumping, making it the Adventure Capital of Africa.

It also lies in the centre of some the best wildlife parks in Africa, so it makes sense to add on at least an extra few days for a wildlife Safari, for that holiday of a lifetime!

The dilemma now comes as to which national park to choose. The three big ones normally in question, because they are the closest to Victoria Falls are; Chobe National Park, Hwange National Park and Zambezi National Park.

Each one has its pros and cons, so making a decision can be quite difficult, especially if you have not been to this part of Africa before.

In this article Chobe, Hwange, Zambezi National Park comparison, I have tried to explain in-depth the differences between each of them, with specific regards to the game viewing, the accommodation, the guiding, the seasons and the logistics of getting to each one from Victoria Falls.

I trust after reading the article you will have a clearer understanding of how they compare with each other, which should make your decision a little easier.

Also touched on in the article in brief detail are the two smaller parks; Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and the Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve, which are just outside the towns of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Livingstone, Zambia.

Although these don’t really compete with the 3 bigger parks when it comes to an authentic Safari Experience, they have their rightful place for a quick game viewing experience.

Please also take a look at this interesting article – “Things to consider before booking an African safari”. Which covers essential information that will enhance your overall Safari Experience and ensure that you don’t make costly mistakes.