The Lower
Zambezi National Park was for many years a forgotten
wilderness, lying along the northern banks of the Zambezi
River opposite Mana Pools National Park
The diversity of animals is not as wide as the other big
parks, but the opportunities to get close to game wandering
in and out of the Zambezi channels are spectacular. The Park lies opposite the
famous Mana Pools Reserve in Zimbabwe, so the whole area on both sides of the river is a
massive wildlife sanctuary.
Enormous herds of elephant, some up to 100
strong, are often seen at the rivers edge. ‘Island hopping’ buffalo and
waterbuck are common. The park also hosts good populations of lion and
leopard and
listen too for the ubiquitous cry of the fish eagle.
Canoeing
is a must. The lodges will provide day long canoeing trips. Float down the river at your
leisure and they’ll pick you up in a speedboat at the end of the day to bring you
back.
The valley floor, although a small area is
host to many of the bigger mammals, elephant,
buffalo,
hippo, waterbuck, kudu,
zebra, and crocodiles, impala and warthog.
The birdlife along the riverbanks is
exceptional. Many a fish eagle can be seen and heard for
miles around. Nesting along the cliffs are white fronted
and carmine bee eaters.
