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What Wildlife Can I See in Victoria Falls?

Africa's best authentic tailor-made safaris

While you explore the paths around Victoria Falls, you’ll be able to spot many birds (look out for Hornbills, Fork-tailed drongos, African paradise flycatchers, and Goliath herons) and some mammals in the lush forest, such as Chacma baboons, Vervet monkeys, Banded mongooses and if you’re lucky, warthog and elusive bushbuck. Hotels on either side of the falls also attract animals, including warthogs, zebras, and giraffes who graze on their manicured lawns.

Depending on where you stay, wildlife spotting can be done from the comfort of your balcony. For more wildlife and big game, there are two national parks, one in Zimbabwe and one in Zambia, where you can enjoy a variety of safari experiences.

The African paradise flycatcher can be seen in and around Vic Falls

On the Zimbabwean side of the falls, the Zambezi National Park has the Big Four (only rhinos are missing), as well as many more animals in beautiful mopane woodland and forest landscapes, including African wild dogs, giraffes, waterbuck, bushbuck, impala, and sable antelope, and lots of hippo and crocodiles in the river. It’s easy to drive yourself around the park, but you can also take walking safaris accompanied by a guide, which will get you close to animals on foot.

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia, while the smallest in the country at only 23km2 (9 square miles), boasts an impressive range of species, including buffalo, elephant, Burchell’s zebra, giraffe, bushbuck, and sable antelope.

The star highlight of the park is tracking White rhinos (which were reintroduced from South Africa) on foot. Rhinos are absent from many parks, so this is a great chance to see them, and tracking these fascinating creatures is a memorable and thrilling experience.

Birding is a highlight of a trip to Victoria Falls. 470 species of birds have been recorded in both these parks and in the Victoria Falls area, including Pel’s fishing owl, African skimmers, Taita falcon, African finfoot, Verreaux’s eagle, African fish eagle, Miombo pied barbet, Collared palm thrush, Lanner falcon, Goliath heron, osprey, and Half-collared kingfisher.

The Zambezi River is home to more than 75 species of fish, including the famous Tigerfish. Fishing trips on the river allow anglers to try their hand at catching this toothy predator. Meanwhile, relaxing river cruises and canoeing trips (which can be multi-day adventures) in Zimbabwe and Zambia are a great way of seeing the area’s wildlife, including hippos and crocodiles, elephants drinking and bathing on the banks, antelopes, and lots of birds.

animals in the chobe national park hippo

Only an hour’s drive from Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s flagship reserve and one of the top safari destinations in Africa. It’s home to 40 000 elephants, buffalo, rhinos, leopards, lions, one of the continent’s largest African wild dog populations, and antelope such as roan and sable. The park is easily accessible and can be explored in a sedan car – you don’t need to rent a 4×4.

Less than 100km (62mi) away from the town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, just over the border in northern Botswana, Chobe National Park has one of the most significant concentrations of wildlife in Africa and, with 50 000 pachyderms, hosts the largest elephant population in the world. There’s plenty more to see, from the rest of the Big Five to roan and sable antelope, cheetah, hyenas, wild dogs, and zebra.

Cheetah play during a brief thunderstorm

Chobe and Hwange are popular safari destinations to combine with a trip to Victoria Falls, but if you’re short on time, you can also make day trips to both parks from either Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or Livingstone in Zambia.

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"We were referred to Discover Africa to book our honeymoon safari by friends who had used them previously and spoke very highly of them and we could not have been happier. We worked with Susan and Adelle and they listened to what we were thinking in regards ..."

Jack & Sarah, United States•17 Sep 2026•

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Google review

"We booked our 10-day safari in Tanzania and Kenya through Discover Africa, and it exceeded every expectation. From our first conversation through the end of our journey, everything was exceptionally well organized, allowing us to focus entirely on enjoying ..."

Dwyane George, United States•04 Aug 2026•

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Safari Bookings review

"Adelle and team had plan my Africa trip according to what we discuss. They are professional and plan in detail the itinerary. We had a very good time in Africa travelling from Johannesburg, Victoria Falls, Botswana and end at Cape Town. The transfers are ar..."

Suhardi Semuni, Singapore•19 Jul 2026•

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Trustpilot review

"We had an amazing safari experience in Botswana thanks to Chrizaan! She planned everything perfectly and was very professional, honest, and helpful throughout the entire trip. She supported us every step of the way and was always available whenever we ne..."

Mojgan Owliaey, Germany•18 May 2026•

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Safari Bookings review

"Our entire experience was magnificent. Everything was in place and perfectly reliable. We wanted for nothing and were taken care of every step of the way. To use the word "life changing" seems so cliché, but my husband and I both found the whole trip an ama..."

Julie Ferguson, United States•03 May 2026•

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Trustpilot review

"Working with Susan made our experience just perfect. She has everything organized and it all went so well. Her recommendations were perfect. We loved the safaris she chose, the lodges, guides, staff and the experience were wonderful."

Marlene Wheatley, Canada•22 Mar 2026•

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