Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park: Introduction
The park is named after the local name for Victoria Falls, "Mosi-oa-Tunya," which translates to "The Smoke that Thunders." It's unique because it offers a mix of spectacular natural scenery, wildlife viewing, and adrenaline-pumping activities, all within minutes of the town of Livingstone. The small game park is home to Zambia’s only white rhinos and tracking them on foot is an exciting addition to a safari.
The park is situated along the bank of the upper Zambezi – one of Africa’s most impressive rivers – and it incorporates the world-famous Victoria Falls. The drive along the river offers stunning views of this mighty waterway, especially in the early morning, when a thick carpet of mist hangs above the water. When leaving the waterfront, riverine forest gives way to mopane woodland and open grassland.
Locate the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park
How to get there & Best time to visit
How to get there
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is located 4km/2.5mi 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 Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI), just outside of Livingstone and close to Victoria Falls.
Several lodges inside and outside the park offer game drives and walks. Self-drive in the park is an option too.
Best time to visit
The best time to see Victoria Falls in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is from June to August. January and February are good months too. The water flow is at its peak in early May. At this time there is too much spray to see the falls. The best months are when the waterfall is spectacular with heavy flow, but not too much spray to obstruct visibility.
Wildlife viewing in Mosi-oa-Tunya Game Park isn’t influenced very much by the seasons. 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.