Bordered between Livingstone town, farmland and the Zambezi River, lies the wildlife area of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park – Zambia’s smallest National Park.

This small reserve was established in 1972 with the idea of having representative wildlife species from Zambia.  The park extends from the Batoka Gorge and continues for about 12km along the Zambezi River, above Victoria Falls.

Livingstone itself borders on several ancient wildlife migration routes and river crossing points, some of which are still frequented by elephants. A few of these fall within the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, where wildlife can be found throughout the year, but elephants especially, during the drier months.

What makes this park unique in Zambia is that it’s the only wildlife area with white rhinos. These are closely protected from poachers by the scouts from DNPW (Department of National Parks and Wildlife).

This little sanctuary is free from predators. This, in combination with it being an area with manmade boundaries, guarantees an abundance of wildlife throughout the year. In addition to the migratory elephants, wildlife including white rhinos, giraffe, buffalo, waterbuck, impala, wildebeest, zebra, bushbuck, warthogs, monkeys, baboons, hippos and crocodiles are residents in the park year-round. They inhabit a mix of riverine forest, mopane woodland as well as grassland, which also provides a variety of habitats for numerous bird species.

Within this park is the Old Drift Crossing Point as well as Cemetery, where the first European settlers were buried. Historically, the Old Drift was where ox-wagons were floated across the Zambezi before there was a bridge.

This park is easily accessible from Livingstone town. You can explore parts of the park by vehicle (self-drive or on a game-viewing safari), by foot on a guided walking safari, and also by boat on a Zambezi river cruise.

Size of Mosi oa tunya Zambia

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park covers 66 sq km (25 sq mi) from the Songwe Gorge below the falls in a north-west arc along about 20 km of the Zambian riverbank.

Location of Mosi Oa Tunya Zambia

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is home to one half of the Mosi-oa-Tunya — ‘The Smoke Which Thunders’ — known worldwide as Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River

How to get to Mosi oa tunya Zambia

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.

Things to do in Mosi Oa Tunya Zambia

Game drives

Experienced guides accompany each game drive. A game drive lasts approximately 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take your car and take a leisurely drive yourself.

The park protects 5 white rhino (the only remaining rhino in Zambia), as well as various antelope, buffalo, giraffe, wildebeest and zebra. The riverine vegetation is beautiful and there are stunning views across the Zambezi River. It is also possible to see “Old Drift” where the early settlers lived before 1904. This is at the narrowest point of the Zambezi and was the first crossing place.

Walking Safaris

Walks can be arranged in the park with an armed guard. If it is possible he will take you to watch the white rhinos from afar. Other animals are Hippo, Crocodile, Elephant, Buffalo, Giraffe, Wildebeest, Zebra, Waterbuck, Kudu, Puku, Impala, Bushbuck, Warthog, Baboon, Vervet Monkey, Genet, Civet, Mongoose (various) and an impressive array of birdlife.

When to visit Mosi Oa Tunya national park Zambia

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.

Where to stay in Mosi Oa Tunya Zambia

There are many places to stay around Mosi Oa Tunya and some of our picks Ngoma Zanga lodge, Shongwe lookout, Victoria Falls waterfront and Victoria Falls safari lodge