Top 5 Wildlife Experiences Near Victoria Falls: Safaris and Animal Encounters

While Victoria Falls rightfully claims the spotlight as one of the world's natural wonders, the surrounding region offers some of Africa's most exceptional wildlife experiences. From the elephant herds of Chobe to the predator-rich plains of Hwange, the Victoria Falls area serves as a gateway to unforgettable animal encounters. Whether you're a first-time safari-goer or a seasoned wildlife enthusiast, these five experiences will add an incredible dimension to your Victoria Falls adventure.

1. Chobe National Park Day Safari: Botswana's Elephant Paradise

Just an hour's drive from Victoria Falls lies one of Africa's most remarkable wildlife destinations. Chobe National Park, located in neighboring Botswana, is home to the largest elephant population on the African continent – an estimated 120,000 elephants roam this pristine wilderness.

What Makes Chobe Special

The Chobe River frontage creates a unique ecosystem where wildlife congregates in extraordinary numbers, particularly during the dry season (May-October). Unlike many safari destinations where you might spend hours searching for animals, Chobe delivers consistent, spectacular wildlife viewing that rivals anywhere in Africa.

The park's diversity extends far beyond elephants. You'll encounter massive herds of buffalo (sometimes numbering in the thousands), hippos wallowing in the shallows, crocodiles basking on riverbanks, and an impressive variety of antelope species including kudu, waterbuck, impala, and the rare puku.

Predators are also present, though less commonly seen than in some other parks. Lions, leopards, and spotted hyenas inhabit the area, and patient observers are often rewarded with sightings, particularly in the early morning or late afternoon.

The Chobe Day Trip Experience

Most visitors opt for a Chobe day safari from Victoria Falls, which combines both land and water-based game viewing for a comprehensive experience.

Morning Game Drive: Your day typically begins with an early morning pickup from your Victoria Falls accommodation (around 6:30-7:00 AM) for the drive to the Botswana border. After clearing immigration, you'll transfer to an open 4x4 safari vehicle for a game drive through Chobe National Park. The morning drive focuses on the riverfront area where animals come to drink and graze.

Lunch Break: Midday brings a break at one of the lodges along the river, where you'll enjoy a buffet lunch with views over the Chobe River. This is a chance to relax, share sightings with other safari-goers, and prepare for the afternoon's water-based adventure.

Afternoon Boat Safari: The highlight for many visitors is the afternoon boat cruise along the Chobe River. From the water, you'll get incredibly close to elephants swimming, bathing, and drinking at the river's edge. The boat allows for unique photographic opportunities and perspectives impossible from land. Hippos and crocodiles are virtually guaranteed, and the birdlife is exceptional with over 450 species recorded in the park.

Best Time to Visit Chobe

Dry Season (May-October): This is prime time for Chobe. As water sources dry up elsewhere, animals concentrate along the Chobe River in massive numbers. September and October are particularly spectacular, with huge elephant herds gathering at the water's edge. The vegetation is also less dense, making animals easier to spot.

Wet Season (November-April): The landscape transforms into a lush, green paradise with newborn animals and excellent birding. Wildlife is more dispersed as water is available throughout the park, but you'll encounter fewer tourists and lower prices. The wet season offers a different but equally rewarding experience.

Practical Information

Cost: Chobe day trips typically range from $150-$250 per person, including transport, park fees, lunch, and both game drive and boat cruise.

Duration: Full day trip (approximately 12 hours including travel time).

What to Bring: Passport (required for border crossing), sun protection, hat, binoculars, camera with zoom lens, and layers for early morning chill.

Booking: Book at least a few days in advance, especially during peak season (July-October). Some operators offer hotel pickup from both the Zimbabwe and Zambia sides.

Border Crossing: You'll need your passport and may need to pay visa fees depending on your nationality. Most operators handle the logistics, but allow extra time for border formalities.

2. Hwange National Park: Zimbabwe's Premier Wildlife Destination

Zimbabwe's largest national park, Hwange spans an area larger than Belgium and offers a classic African safari experience with diverse habitats supporting over 100 mammal species and 400 bird species.

What Makes Hwange Special

Hwange is renowned for its large elephant population (estimated at 40,000+) and exceptional predator viewing. The park has one of the highest concentrations of wild dogs in Africa, along with healthy populations of lions, leopards, cheetahs, and spotted hyenas.

The park's artificial waterholes, pumped from underground aquifers, create reliable wildlife viewing spots during the dry season. These waterholes attract massive concentrations of animals, creating dramatic scenes as predators and prey share the precious resource.

Unlike Chobe's river-focused ecosystem, Hwange offers varied landscapes including teak forests, mopane woodlands, and open grasslands, each supporting different wildlife communities.

Hwange Safari Options

Day Trip from Victoria Falls: Hwange day safaris are available, though the 2-hour drive each way means less time in the park compared to Chobe. Day trips typically include a game drive and lunch at a lodge within or near the park.

Multi-Day Safari: For the full Hwange experience, consider a 2-3 day safari staying at one of the park's lodges or camps. This allows for multiple game drives at optimal times (early morning and late afternoon) when animals are most active.

Walking Safaris: Some lodges offer guided walking safaris, providing an intimate, ground-level perspective on the bush. Walking safaris focus on tracking, ecology, and the smaller details often missed from a vehicle.

Wildlife Highlights

Elephants: Hwange's elephant herds are legendary, and sightings are virtually guaranteed during the dry season.

Predators: Lions are commonly seen, particularly around waterholes. Leopards are present but elusive. Wild dogs, one of Africa's most endangered predators, are regularly spotted, especially in the northern sections of the park.

Antelope Diversity: Sable antelope, roan antelope, gemsbok, and eland are among the larger antelope species, while impala, kudu, and waterbuck are abundant.

Rare Species: Hwange is one of the few places where you might spot brown hyena, aardwolf, and pangolin, though these nocturnal species require luck and patience.

Best Time to Visit Hwange

Dry Season (June-October): Peak wildlife viewing as animals concentrate around waterholes. September and October are particularly excellent but also the hottest months.

Wet Season (November-April): The landscape greens up, and many animals give birth. Wildlife is more dispersed, but birding is exceptional, and you'll have the park largely to yourself.

Practical Information

Cost: Day trips range from $180-$280 per person. Multi-day safaris vary widely depending on accommodation level, from $300-$1000+ per person per night.

Duration: Day trips are 10-12 hours; multi-day safaris are typically 2-4 nights.

What to Bring: Similar to Chobe, plus warmer layers for early morning game drives which can be quite cold in winter months (June-August).

Booking: Day trips should be booked a few days in advance. Multi-day safaris at popular lodges should be booked weeks or months ahead, especially for peak season.

3. Zambezi National Park: Convenient Wildlife Viewing

Located just upstream from Victoria Falls, Zambezi National Park offers convenient wildlife viewing without the need for long drives or border crossings. The park stretches along 40 kilometers of the Zambezi River, providing excellent game viewing in a beautiful riverine setting.

What Makes Zambezi National Park Special

The park's proximity to Victoria Falls (the entrance is just 6 kilometers from town) makes it ideal for visitors with limited time or those wanting to combine falls viewing with wildlife experiences. Despite being smaller and less famous than Chobe or Hwange, Zambezi National Park offers quality game viewing with far fewer tourists.

The riverfront area is particularly productive, with elephants, buffalo, and various antelope species regularly seen coming to drink. The park is also home to lions, leopards, and a healthy population of hippos and crocodiles in the river.

Zambezi National Park Experiences

Game Drives: Morning and afternoon game drives explore the park's network of roads, focusing on the riverfront and productive waterholes. Drives are typically 3-4 hours and offer a good chance of seeing elephants, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, and various antelope.

Canoeing Safaris: One of the most unique ways to experience the park is by canoe, paddling the upper Zambezi River. This peaceful activity allows you to drift past hippos, crocodiles, and elephants coming to drink, with spectacular birdlife overhead. Canoeing safaris range from half-day to multi-day expeditions camping on river islands.

Fishing: The Zambezi River is renowned for tiger fish, and the park offers excellent fishing opportunities for those interested in combining wildlife viewing with angling.

Best Time to Visit

Dry Season (May-October): Best for game viewing as animals concentrate along the river. The vegetation is also less dense, improving visibility.

Wet Season (November-April): Lush and green with excellent birding, though wildlife is more dispersed.

Practical Information

Cost: Game drives typically range from $60-$120 per person for a half-day. Canoeing safaris range from $80-$150 for half-day trips.

Duration: Half-day (3-4 hours) or full-day options available.

What to Bring: Standard safari gear, plus water shoes and dry bag if canoeing.

Booking: Can often be booked with just a day's notice, though advance booking is recommended during peak season.

4. Elephant Interactions: Up Close and Personal

For those seeking a more intimate wildlife experience, elephant interaction programs offer the chance to get up close with these magnificent animals while learning about elephant behavior, conservation, and the challenges facing African elephants.

What to Expect

Elephant interaction experiences typically involve spending time with semi-habituated elephants in a controlled environment. Activities vary by operator but often include:

Elephant Walk: Walking alongside elephants as they move through the bush, observing their natural behaviors and social interactions.

Feeding and Interaction: Feeding elephants their favorite treats while learning about their diet, communication, and individual personalities.

Educational Component: Guides provide detailed information about elephant biology, behavior, conservation challenges, and the specific stories of the elephants you're interacting with.

Photography Opportunities: These experiences offer unparalleled photo opportunities, getting closer to elephants than would ever be possible in the wild.

Ethical Considerations

The ethics of elephant interactions are debated within the conservation community. When considering these experiences, look for operators that:

• Do not use bull hooks, chains, or punishment-based training
• Allow elephants to roam freely when not interacting with guests
• Do not offer elephant riding (this is harmful to elephants' spines)
• Contribute to elephant conservation and welfare
• Employ knowledgeable, passionate staff who prioritize elephant wellbeing
• Limit group sizes and interaction duration to minimize stress on elephants

Many of the elephants in these programs are orphaned or rescued animals that cannot be released into the wild. Reputable programs provide these elephants with quality care while educating visitors about conservation.

Best Time to Visit

Elephant interactions are available year-round and are not weather-dependent, making them a reliable activity regardless of season.

Practical Information

Cost: Typically $120-$180 per person for a 1-2 hour experience.

Duration: 1-2 hours for standard interactions; longer programs available.

Age Restrictions: Most programs welcome children, though minimum ages vary (typically 6-12 years).

What to Bring: Camera, sun protection, closed-toe shoes, and an open mind.

Booking: Book at least a few days in advance as group sizes are limited.

5. Lion Encounters: Meeting the King of Beasts

Lion encounter programs offer the rare opportunity to walk with lions and observe these apex predators up close in a controlled environment.

What to Expect

Lion encounter experiences involve walking with semi-habituated lions (typically sub-adults) in a large, natural enclosure or controlled wilderness area. Trained guides accompany you throughout, ensuring safety while providing insights into lion behavior, conservation, and the individual animals' stories.

The Walk: You'll walk alongside the lions as they explore their environment, observing their interactions, play behavior, and natural instincts. The lions are accustomed to human presence but remain wild animals with natural behaviors intact.

Photography: These encounters offer incredible photography opportunities, capturing lions in natural settings from perspectives impossible in the wild.

Conservation Education: Guides discuss the challenges facing African lions, including habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and declining populations across the continent.

Ethical Considerations and Controversy

Lion encounters are more controversial than elephant interactions within the conservation community. Concerns include:

• The potential for lions to be bred for canned hunting
• Questions about whether habituated lions can ever be successfully released into the wild
• The ethics of using wild animals for tourism

When considering a lion encounter, research the operator thoroughly. Look for programs that:

• Have transparent, verifiable conservation goals
• Do not breed lions for hunting
• Provide lifetime care for their animals
• Contribute to wild lion conservation efforts
• Employ knowledgeable staff who prioritize animal welfare

Some visitors prefer to skip lion encounters in favor of seeing lions in truly wild settings on safari, where the animals' behavior is completely natural and uninfluenced by human habituation.

Best Time to Visit

Available year-round, though early morning or late afternoon sessions are more comfortable during hot months (October-March).

Practical Information

Cost: Typically $130-$200 per person for a 1-2 hour encounter.

Duration: 1-2 hours.

Age Restrictions: Usually 15+ years due to safety considerations.

What to Bring: Camera, sun protection, sturdy closed-toe shoes, and long pants recommended.

Booking: Book several days in advance as spaces are limited.

Combining Wildlife Experiences with Victoria Falls

The beauty of Victoria Falls as a destination is the ability to combine world-class waterfall viewing with exceptional wildlife experiences. Here are some suggested itineraries:

3-Day Wildlife and Falls Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Victoria Falls, afternoon guided tour of the falls, evening sunset cruise on the Zambezi.

Day 2: Full-day Chobe safari including game drive and boat cruise.

Day 3: Morning elephant interaction or Zambezi National Park game drive, afternoon at leisure or optional activities.

5-Day Comprehensive Safari and Falls Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive, afternoon falls tour.

Day 2: Full-day Chobe safari.

Day 3: Morning helicopter flight over the falls, afternoon elephant interaction.

Day 4: Full-day Hwange safari.

Day 5: Morning at leisure, afternoon departure or extend your stay.

7-Day Ultimate Wildlife and Adventure Itinerary

Days 1-2: Victoria Falls viewing, bungee jumping, sunset cruise.

Day 3: Full-day Chobe safari.

Day 4: Zambezi National Park game drive and canoeing.

Days 5-6: Multi-day Hwange safari with overnight at a bush lodge.

Day 7: Morning lion encounter, afternoon departure.

Wildlife Photography Tips

Wildlife photography in the Victoria Falls region offers incredible opportunities. Here are some tips for capturing great shots:

Equipment: A telephoto lens (200-400mm) is essential for wildlife photography. A 70-200mm lens is the minimum for decent shots.

Camera Settings: Use fast shutter speeds (1/500s or faster) to freeze animal movement. Aperture priority mode works well, with apertures of f/5.6-f/8 providing good depth of field while maintaining fast shutter speeds.

Lighting: Early morning and late afternoon provide the best light for wildlife photography. Midday light is harsh and creates strong shadows.

Patience: Great wildlife shots require patience. Wait for interesting behavior, good light, and clean backgrounds rather than just snapping every animal you see.

Respect: Never ask drivers to get too close or disturb animals for a photo. Ethical wildlife viewing always prioritizes animal welfare over photography.

For more detailed photography advice, check out our comprehensive Victoria Falls photography guide.

Conservation and Responsible Wildlife Tourism

The wildlife experiences around Victoria Falls contribute to conservation in several ways:

Economic Incentive: Wildlife tourism provides economic value to wildlife and wild spaces, creating incentives for conservation over alternative land uses like agriculture or development.

Employment: Safari operations employ local communities, providing livelihoods that depend on healthy wildlife populations.

Education: Visitors who experience African wildlife often become advocates for conservation, supporting conservation organizations and spreading awareness.

Direct Funding: Park fees and tourism revenue directly fund conservation efforts, anti-poaching patrols, and wildlife management.

As a responsible wildlife tourist, you can maximize your positive impact by:

• Choosing ethical operators that prioritize animal welfare
• Following all park rules and guide instructions
• Never feeding wild animals or leaving litter
• Supporting conservation organizations working in the region
• Sharing your experiences to inspire others to value wildlife

Planning Your Wildlife Adventure

When planning wildlife experiences around Victoria Falls, consider these tips:

Timing: Dry season (May-October) offers the best wildlife viewing, with September-October being peak time. However, wet season has its own rewards with fewer tourists and lush landscapes.

Booking: Book major activities (especially Chobe and Hwange safaris) at least a few days in advance, and weeks ahead during peak season (July-October).

Budget: Wildlife experiences range from $60 for a short Zambezi National Park game drive to $1000+ per night for luxury multi-day Hwange safaris. Plan your budget accordingly and prioritize experiences that matter most to you.

Physical Requirements: Most wildlife activities are suitable for all fitness levels, though some walking safaris and canoeing trips require moderate fitness.

Combination Packages: Many operators offer combination packages that include multiple activities at discounted rates. Ask about packages when booking.

Conclusion: Beyond the Falls

While Victoria Falls alone justifies the journey to this corner of Africa, the surrounding wildlife experiences elevate your trip from memorable to truly extraordinary. Whether you're watching elephant herds gather at the Chobe River, tracking lions through Hwange's mopane woodlands, or paddling past hippos on the Zambezi, these wildlife encounters provide context and depth to your African adventure.

The combination of one of the world's greatest natural wonders with some of Africa's best wildlife viewing makes Victoria Falls a destination that satisfies every type of traveler – from waterfall enthusiasts to safari lovers, from adventure seekers to wildlife photographers.

Ready to add unforgettable wildlife experiences to your Victoria Falls adventure? Explore our full range of safari and animal encounter activities and start planning your ultimate African journey today.

The elephants of Chobe, the lions of Hwange, and the thundering waters of Victoria Falls are waiting – all you need to do is answer the call of Africa.