Mosi-Oa-tunya National Park

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park has two parts: the Victoria Falls World Heritage National Monument Site and Mosi-oa-Tunya Game Park. The falls are deservedly one of Africa’s top attractions. The game park is a small wildlife sanctuary and might be worth a visit if you have a few hours to spare.

Pros & Cons

Victoria Falls in one of Africa’s top attractions
Small game park with lots of animals 15 minutes from Livingstone
Game park with lots of animals in small area
Self-drive or guided drives available
Guided walking safari to see rhino on foot
Not a real park, but a wildlife sanctuary
Lacks wilderness appeal

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park offers an easy opportunity to see the most common, flagship animals that can be found in the national parks around the country. The exception is the predators. Elephant and buffalo are easy to see, as are Burchell's zebra and many antelope species.

Wildlife Highlights

White rhino were introduced from South Africa, and this is a good place to see them, as rhino are rare in Zambia's parks. The same is true for giraffe – a lot of the big parks don’t have this magnificent animal. The majestic sable antelope is also present. Wild dog sometimes venture into the park by swimming across from Zimbabwe.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

It is easy to see the animals at any time of the year, as the park is small and contained. The best time to see Victoria Falls is from May to September.

Wildlife Viewing

Wildlife viewing is generally very safe as long as you listen to your guide’s instructions carefully.

Most of the lodges on the Zambezi riverfront are unfenced, and it isn’t unusual for elephants and hippos to wander around on the lodge grounds. Pay attention to the safety briefing given at the lodge at check-in. For further information, read the ‘Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions’ below.

Further advice on limiting dangers and annoyances when traveling:

• Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions

• General Travel Safety Precautions

• Cities & Urban Areas: Safety Precautions

• Safety & Security – Zambia

• Malaria & Vaccinations – Zambia

Although easily overlooked as a birding destination, this park has a lot to offer bird watchers. It has over 350 recorded species, and there are some very interesting birds on the list. Taita falcon and Verreaux’s eagle are easily spotted from the top of the gorge below the falls, and the rare African skimmer nests on sandbanks in the river.

Birding Specials–Treats for Avid Birders

Best Time for Bird Watching

Mosi-oa-Tunya is an underrated birding stop at any time of the year. We’d recommend the Wet season months – from November to April – when migrants are in the park and many birds are in breeding plumage.

Wildlife viewing in Mosi-oa-Tunya isn’t influenced very much by the seasons because it’s very small and contained. Elephants regularly move in and out of the park, as they can swim across the river. Their concentration in the park is highest in the dry months, from July to September. The best time to see Victoria Falls is from May to September.

Best Time May to September (This is the best time to see the waterfall, and it is good for wildlife viewing too)

High Season July to October (The park can become busy and high-season rates apply)

Low Season January to June (Lodges might offer better rates)

Best Weather April to September (It hardly ever rains)

Worst Weather October to March (Hot and wet weather)

May to October –Dry Season

May to September is the best time to visit Victoria Falls
Wildlife is easy to spot as vegetation is thinning out
It is usually sunny
There is less chance of catching malaria
May to August is cooler, and the humidity is lower
Victoria Falls gets crowded
It is dusty, and the sky is hazy
May to August can be cold – bring warm clothing

November to April –Wet Season

The landscape is lush and green
Newborn animals are present
Migratory birds can be seen – bird watching is at its best
From October to December the flow of the Zambezi River is at its lowest, and the waterfall might be reduced to a trickle
The heat and humidity can become unbearable

The climate in Mosi-oa-Tunya is hot, and the park experiences a Wet and Dry season. Being in the tropical zone, average temperatures tend to be rather uniform throughout the year. There is, however, an increase in the temperature during October, before the rains begin. In the Dry season, from May to August, it can get cold at night.

Dry season–May to October

There is very little rain in the Dry season. The bush gets drier as the season advances. It is hot in the daytime, but cool at night.

May – This marks the commencement of the Dry season. The bush is still lush, and there is a lot of water around, but rainfall has become minimal.
June & July – The rain has stopped. June and July are the coolest months in the year – daytime temperatures are around 26°C/79°F. It is cold at night with average temperatures of about 7°C/45°F. Warm clothing for early morning drives is essential.
August & September – The bush is very dry as there is no rain. It is getting warmer as well. September’s daytime temperature is about 33°C/91°F. Mornings are getting warmer too.
October – Temperatures keep escalating and average 36°C/97°F. They can get much higher though, becoming unbearable in the daytime. The best time of day is in the morning, with temperatures around 18°C/64°F. The first rain usually falls this month causing temperatures to decrease.

Wet season–November to April

This season maintains the heat and brings the rains. Afternoon showers are common, and so are impressive thunderstorms. Skies are clear, and the landscape is many shades of green.

November – If rain hasn’t already begun in late October, it should start in November. It comes as a relief because the bush is so dry. The average daytime temperature is 34°C/93°F, making conditions very hot. Rain mostly comes in afternoon thunderstorms.
December, January, February & March – These are the wettest months – it rains most days, but rarely all day. Daytime temperatures average 31°C/88°F, and at nighttime and in the early morning expect 20°C/68°F.
April – A great month for travel as the rain is winding down, but the land is lush and green.

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is located 11km/6mi from Livingstone.

Most international visitors enter Zambia via, Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN), located 14km/9mi from the capital, Lusaka. You can also fly in or out of Livingstone Airport (LVI) (Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport), just outside of Livingstone and close to the falls.

There are several lodges inside the park, and they all offer game drives and walks. Self-drive in the park is an option too.

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner, or for multiple-destination flights check Expedia, to see which airlines can take you to Livingstone Airport (LVI) or Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN), and what tickets would cost.

Domestic Flights

Your tour operator is generally responsible for booking your charter flights between parks.

There are scheduled, domestic flights to Livingstone from Lusaka. The only domestic carrier running these scheduled flights is Proflight.

Zambia’s national parks are very safe destinations, including Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.

Victoria Falls, however, is the biggest tourist attraction in the country and the nearby town of Livingstone sees some petty crime. Read the ‘Cities and Urban Areas: Safety Precautions’ below for some safety tips. It is not recommended to walk between Livingstone and Victoria Falls.

Make an appointment with your travel clinic or doctor about which vaccinations you need before visiting Zambia. Mosi-oa-Tunya lies in a malaria area, and some precautions need to be taken. Cover exposed skin in the evening and apply mosquito repellent (those containing DEET are most effective). Antimalarial medication is also important. Your travel clinic or local doctor can tell you which antimalarials are most effective.

Safety & Security – Zambia

Zambia is in our opinion a safe country to visit, especially when on an organized safari. If driving independently, always get local advice on the road conditions and recommended routes and never underestimate driving times or drive at night.

Below are tips on staying safe in Zambia.

Staying Safe on Wildlife Viewing Activities

As long as you listen to your guide’s instructions, you’ll be very safe on safari. Always follow the rules of the park and respect wild animals. When on a self-drive safari, only leave your car where it has been designated as safe to do so. For additional tips:

Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions

Staying Safe in Cities and Towns

As in most big cities in the world, there is a fair amount of crime in Zambia’s cities. Most incidents are minor, such as petty theft and pickpocketing. You are unlikely to encounter any trouble on guided tours. When venturing out in the city unguided, it helps to take some simple safety precautions: seek advice from your hotel about the area; don’t wear any valuables and only take the money you need with you; take a taxi after dark. For more safety tips that apply to African cities in general:

Cities & Urban Areas: Safety Precautions

Other Tips on Staying Safe

Please read the pages below regarding malaria and vaccination information for Zambia and general travel safety precautions.

Below are tips on staying safe in Zambia.

Staying Safe on Wildlife Viewing Activities

• Wildlife Viewing Safety Precautions

Staying Safe in Cities and Towns

• Cities & Urban Areas: Safety Precautions

Other Tips on Staying Safe

Please read the pages below regarding malaria and vaccination information for Zambia and general travel safety precautions.

• Zambia: Malaria & Vaccinations

• General Travel Safety Precautions

Wildlife viewing is generally very safe in our opinion. A professional guide will ensure your safety on a guided safari. Self-drive safaris are safe as well, as long as you treat animals with respect and follow all park rules. It is extremely rare for incidents to occur. Below are some general safety guidelines and tips.

Always follow your guide’s instructions and guidelines
Always keep your voice down when close to animals
Stay in the car during game drives except at designated areas where you are allowed to get out
Don't stand up in the car, hang out of the window or sit on the roof
Don’t drive too close to animals if you are on a self-drive safari and back off if the animals seem disturbed
Don’t drive between elephants in a herd, especially females and their young
Stay together as a group close to your guide on a walking safari and always walk in single file
Never run or jog in a wildlife area as it entices predators to attack
Never walk between a hippo and water; it may panic and charge because its safety route to the water is blocked
Never leave food in your tent; it will attract wildlife
Cover your arms and legs in the evening and use insect repellent to protect against mosquitoes
Wear a hat, use sunscreen and drink plenty of water
Don't wear bright and colorful clothes or too much perfume – especially on walking safaris
In tsetse-fly areas it is recommended not to wear dark-colored clothing – such as black or dark blue – since it attracts these stinging flies
Bring warm clothes for morning game drives in open vehicles

African safaris are generally safe in our opinion. Especially if your visit is primarily an organized tour. Your tour operator and guide will ensure your safety at all times. Self-drive safaris are generally safe as well, but it is recommended to seek advice about the safety of the areas you intend to visit. Below are some general safety tips:

Buy good travel and health insurance
Check the passport and visa requirements for your destination
Get all the required vaccinations, antimalarial medication and insect repellent (those containing DEET are most effective)
Lock all your travel bags and keep all valuables in your hand luggage
Make duplicates of important travel documents or keep copies online
Bring appropriate clothing to protect against the sun, mosquitoes and to stay warm on open vehicle game drives
Check luggage restrictions on all your flights (including domestic flights)
Don't drive at night
Put your valuables in the safety deposit box of the hotel
Always be polite and respectful to police officers and military personnel. In the rare instance that you might get asked for a bribe (on a self-drive safari only), a light attitude and a joke might well get you off the hook.

Travel in Africa is generally safe in our opinion. Especially if on an organized tour or safari. However, as is the case all over the world, there is an increased risk of crime in large cities and urban areas. Visitors on guided activities are mostly shielded from these risks and their guide will ensure their safety. When unguided, normal safety precautions and common sense should keep you safe. Below are some general tips:

Ask at your hotel if it is safe to walk around the local area; when new in a place it’s always good to seek local advice on safety issues
Don’t wear jewelry when walking in cities and leave all valuables in a safety deposit box at your hotel
Avoid walking alone in a large, unfamiliar city
Don’t walk around at night; take a taxi
Avoid getting engaged with people approaching you in the street
Be careful when drawing money from an ATM; go elsewhere if you suspect people hanging around
Always lock your car doors and close windows when driving in busy towns
Never leave a car unattended with valuables or luggage visible