Wildlife Around Victoria Falls: Game Drives, Elephants & Zambezi National Park

Victoria Falls draws millions for the waterfall. Many are surprised to discover that the surrounding landscape is as rich in wildlife as any park in southern Africa. The Zambezi National Park begins at the edge of town. Elephant walk the streets at night. River safaris put you at eye level with hippo and crocodile. And within three hours by road, Hwange National Park holds the largest elephant population on the continent.

For visitors who want wildlife alongside the falls experience, Victoria Falls delivers without requiring additional travel.

Zambezi National Park

The Zambezi National Park covers around 56,000 hectares of Zambezi riverine woodland stretching west from Victoria Falls town. It shares a boundary with Botswana’s Chobe National Park to the south and the Zambezi River forms its northern edge.

The park is one of Zimbabwe’s most accessible — game drives run from early morning to late afternoon and can be combined with a falls visit on the same day. Species to look for include:

Elephant — Very high density. The corridor between Hwange and Chobe means elephant move constantly through Zambezi NP, and large herds are regularly seen. Elephant wander into Victoria Falls town after dark, particularly near the rain forest car park.

Sable Antelope — Zambezi National Park holds a particularly strong population of this striking, curved-horned antelope. These are one of Africa’s most handsome animals and not easily found in other nearby parks.

Buffalo — Large herds graze the flood plains along the river, especially in the dry season when grass remains green near water.

Lion — Present throughout the park. Sightings are less guaranteed than in Hwange but consistent enough that most multi-day game drive programmes record them.

Giraffe, Zebra, Impala — Common throughout. Giraffe are particularly visible from game drive vehicles as they tower above the mopane canopy.

Wild Dog — Occasional sightings during dry season. The painted wolf has a known territory overlapping the park.

Game Drive Operators

Wild Horizons runs morning, afternoon, and full-day game drives into Zambezi NP from Victoria Falls town. Shared departures cost approximately USD 60–80 per person; private vehicles are approximately USD 250–350 per group. Book at their office on Parkway Drive or through most hotels. You can also compare game drive options with GetYourGuide tours in Victoria Falls town before you arrive.

Shearwater Adventures offers similar packages, sometimes combining a morning drive with a Zambezi cruise in the afternoon.

Imvelo Safari Lodges operates from camps inside the park itself, offering more intimate experiences with guests staying in the wildlife area rather than commuting from town.

River Safaris and Sunset Cruises

The Zambezi River is one of Africa’s great wildlife corridors. A sunset cruise or morning boat safari covers the stretch from the Victoria Falls Bridge upstream toward the rapids, where hippo pods of thirty or more bask on sandbanks, Nile crocodiles line the banks, and African fish eagle call from riverside trees.

Sunset cruises operate daily year-round, typically from 4pm to 6pm (approximately 2 hours). Cost: approximately USD 35–55 per person including snacks and drinks as of 2026. Multiple operators depart from the main jetty near Zambezi Explorer boat station.

Morning canoe paddles offer a quieter, more intimate experience than motor boats. Canoe safaris run upstream from the falls with expert guides — elephant swim the river regularly during dry season and hippo encounters at canoe level are unforgettable. From approximately USD 80–120 per person as of 2026. Browse Victoria Falls waterfall and river activities on GetYourGuide to compare canoe safaris, sunset cruises, and gorge experiences in one place.

Elephant Encounters and Walking with Elephants

Several operators near Victoria Falls offer structured elephant interaction experiences. These range from responsible educational encounters with rescue elephants to controversial activities that have drawn criticism from conservation organisations.

We recommend seeking out programmes with verifiable elephant welfare credentials — look for operations affiliated with Zimbabwe’s Elephant Conservation Programme or similar bodies. Ask specifically how elephants are trained, where they sleep, and whether contact riding is involved (we’d suggest avoiding any operator that offers elephant-back riding on wild-caught animals).

Wild Horizons Elephant Camp is often cited as operating under better welfare standards than some competitors, running educational encounters rather than riding. From approximately USD 150 per person as of 2026.

Birdwatching on the Zambezi

The Zambezi River and Zambezi National Park host over 450 bird species — one of the highest totals of any similar-sized area in southern Africa. Key species include:

• African Fish Eagle — heard and seen on almost every river trip; the call is synonymous with African wilderness
• Pel’s Fishing Owl — one of Africa’s most sought-after owls; the riverine forest near the falls holds a reliable population
• Collared Palm Thrush — a Zimbabwe special; look in the town’s palm trees
• Long-toed Lapwing — common on the sandbanks
• Rock Pratincole — breeds on the basalt rocks within the gorge below the falls

Specialist birding guides operate from Victoria Falls town and can target specific species. Half-day birding walks along the Zambezi cost approximately USD 60–100 per person as of 2026.

Day Trips to Hwange National Park

For a fuller Big Five experience, Hwange National Park is 280km (3–4 hours) southeast of Victoria Falls. Several operators run day trips combining road transfer, morning game drive, lunch, afternoon game drive, and return — covering roughly 12 hours. Cost: approximately USD 350–450 per person as of 2026.

This is a long day but viable for those with limited time. Spending two or three nights in Hwange is far more rewarding — see our Hwange safari guide for detailed planning information.

Chobe Day Trip (Botswana)

Chobe National Park, just across the border in Botswana, is within day-trip distance of Victoria Falls (approximately 80km to Kasane). Chobe holds the second-largest elephant population in the world and its boat safaris on the Chobe River are spectacular. Several Victoria Falls operators run daily cross-border trips including transport, game drive, and boat cruise. Cost: approximately USD 180–250 per person as of 2026. A single-entry day visa for Botswana is available at the border.

Staying Near the Wildlife

Accommodation options close to wildlife habitat include:

• Victoria Falls Hotel (from approximately USD 350/night) — colonial heritage, elephant in the grounds at night
• Elephant Camp (Wild Horizons property above the gorge) — exclusive, exceptional views, from approximately USD 600–800 per person per night fully inclusive
• Ilala Lodge — central to town, garden rooms, elephant visit the pool area, from approximately USD 200–300 per night

The town centre is 10 minutes from the park gate and all major activity operators. For full city details see our Victoria Falls hub.

Victoria Falls wildlife needs no apology for coming second to the waterfall. In any other location, a river loaded with hippo and crocodile, a national park full of elephant and sable, and some of Africa’s best birding would be the headline attraction. Before heading out on any activity, make sure you have travel insurance for Zimbabwe in place — game drives, canoe safaris, and elephant encounters all involve genuine wildlife risk.