Livingstone & Mosi-oa Tunya National Park Overview
Livingstone
Established in 1905 and named after the famous Victorian missionary explorer, Dr. David Livingstone, Livingstone Town has grown from an early settlement to a bustling hub of tourism over the years. This ‘tourist gateway’ to Zambia is steeped in history and its Edwardian heritage can still be seen in the colonial style buildings throughout the town. The proximity of the Zambezi River and the spectacular Victoria Falls has led Livingstone to become a base for travellers from all over the world wanting to explore this ‘Wonder of the World’ and offers a host of adventure and adrenaline experiences to choose from.
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
Founded in 1972 and within easy reach of Livingstone (approximately a 15 minute drive), Mosi-oa-Tunya is one of the smallest national parks in the country, covering an estimated 56 square kilometers and stretches for an estimated 12 kilometers of river frontage above the Victoria Falls. It is split into two sections, the Victoria Falls World Heritage National Monument site and the Mosi-oa-Tunya Game Park. The park itself contains the Big Five and has become a popular destination for walking with rhinos.
When To Travel
Being in a tropical zone, temperatures can be hot and humid during the wet season, November through to April and are more temperate during the dry season, which is May through to October.
The Victoria Falls can be viewed year-round and, if you enjoy getting wet, the best months are March through to June after the summer rains. This is when the river is at its highest and water thunders over the Falls with a fine-to-heavy mist, depending on volumes. The water is at its lowest during October to January.
April to July
The rains stop early April and May, generally marking the onset of the dry winter months with low humidity, warm and sunny days (around 26°C) but cooler evening and early morning temperatures often dropping down below 7°C.
August to October
August is the onset of the warmer drier months where temperatures begin to rise steadily with daytime temperatures reaching around 36°C and above.
November to March
The first rains can be expected anytime from late October to early November, when humidity is high and temperatures are, on average, around 32°C. The rainy season is typified with late afternoon showers and thunderstorms, and generally these clear up within a few hours.
Getting There
Livingstone Town has an International Airport (Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport – LVI) serviced by domestic, regional and international airlines, and links well with other destinations in Zambia; including Kafue National Park and the South and North Barotse Trails. It is also within easy reach of neighbouring Zimbabwe and Botswana.
Species
Wildlife
Due to its smaller size, the park is more like a wildlife sanctuary, particularly with white rhino having been reintroduced in 2009 and which are now kept in a specially protected area with 24-hour surveillance. Additional species include elephant, buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe, Burchell’s zebra and various antelope species. Hippo and crocodile are resident in the river. There are no known predators in this park.
Birdlife
With over 350 recorded bird species within Mosi-oa-Tunya Park, and running alongside the Zambezi River, the area offers fantastic bird watching year round, but generally the best time of year is during the wetter months of November through to April – when a number of migrants come in to breed. Water bird specialties include the African skimmer, the African finfoot, rock pratincoles, and kingfishers among others. The area is also home to an estimated 35 species of raptors; including the Taita falcon, Verreaux’s eagle, peregrine falcon and the augur buzzard.
Livingstone
Established in 1905 and named after the famous Victorian missionary explorer, Dr. David Livingstone, Livingstone Town has grown from an early settlement to a bustling hub of tourism over the years. This ‘tourist gateway’ to Zambia is steeped in history and its Edwardian heritage can still be seen in the colonial style buildings throughout the town. The proximity of the Zambezi River and the spectacular Victoria Falls has led Livingstone to become a base for travellers from all over the world wanting to explore this ‘Wonder of the World’ and offers a host of adventure and adrenaline experiences to choose from.
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
Founded in 1972 and within easy reach of Livingstone (approximately a 15 minute drive), Mosi-oa-Tunya is one of the smallest national parks in the country, covering an estimated 56 square kilometers and stretches for an estimated 12 kilometers of river frontage above the Victoria Falls. It is split into two sections, the Victoria Falls World Heritage National Monument site and the Mosi-oa-Tunya Game Park. The park itself contains the Big Five and has become a popular destination for walking with rhinos.
Being in a tropical zone, temperatures can be hot and humid during the wet season, November through to April and are more temperate during the dry season, which is May through to October.
The Victoria Falls can be viewed year-round and, if you enjoy getting wet, the best months are March through to June after the summer rains. This is when the river is at its highest and water thunders over the Falls with a fine-to-heavy mist, depending on volumes. The water is at its lowest during October to January.
April to July
The rains stop early April and May, generally marking the onset of the dry winter months with low humidity, warm and sunny days (around 26°C) but cooler evening and early morning temperatures often dropping down below 7°C.
August to October
August is the onset of the warmer drier months where temperatures begin to rise steadily with daytime temperatures reaching around 36°C and above.
November to March
The first rains can be expected anytime from late October to early November, when humidity is high and temperatures are, on average, around 32°C. The rainy season is typified with late afternoon showers and thunderstorms, and generally these clear up within a few hours.
Livingstone Town has an International Airport (Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport – LVI) serviced by domestic, regional and international airlines, and links well with other destinations in Zambia; including Kafue National Park and the South and North Barotse Trails. It is also within easy reach of neighbouring Zimbabwe and Botswana.
Wildlife
Due to its smaller size, the park is more like a wildlife sanctuary, particularly with white rhino having been reintroduced in 2009 and which are now kept in a specially protected area with 24-hour surveillance. Additional species include elephant, buffalo, wildebeest, giraffe, Burchell’s zebra and various antelope species. Hippo and crocodile are resident in the river. There are no known predators in this park.
Birdlife
With over 350 recorded bird species within Mosi-oa-Tunya Park, and running alongside the Zambezi River, the area offers fantastic bird watching year round, but generally the best time of year is during the wetter months of November through to April – when a number of migrants come in to breed. Water bird specialties include the African skimmer, the African finfoot, rock pratincoles, and kingfishers among others. The area is also home to an estimated 35 species of raptors; including the Taita falcon, Verreaux’s eagle, peregrine falcon and the augur buzzard.
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