Imagine a place where the earth trembles beneath your feet. This is Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. It is home to the majestic Victoria Falls. Mosi-oa-Tunya means “The Smoke that Thunders”. It is a fitting name for this natural wonder.
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park shares Victoria Falls with Zimbabwe. The Zambezi River forms the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The park covers 66 square kilometers. It stretches along the Zambezi River bank.
The Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park has two main sections. One is a wildlife park. The other is the land next to Victoria Falls. The falls form the world’s largest curtain of falling water in the rainy season.
The wildlife park teems with life. Tall riverine forests and miombo woodlands abound. Grasslands host many birds and animals. You might spot an Angolan giraffe. Burchell’s zebra roams here too. Warthogs, sable, African buffalo, and impala also call this place home. Animal numbers have decreased due to droughts since 2000.
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park protects Zambia’s only white rhinos. They were brought from South Africa. The park has ten southern white rhinos now. These rhinos are guarded day and night. This is to protect them from poachers.
African elephants often visit the park. They cross the Zambezi River during the dry season from Zimbabwe. Hippos and crocodiles can be seen from the riverbank. Vervet monkeys and baboons are common here.
The Old Drift Cemetery lies within the wildlife park. It is where the first European settlers were buried. They camped by the river. They died from a strange illness. They blamed fever trees. But it was the malarial mosquito that caused their deaths. The community moved to higher ground. That is how the town of Livingstone began.
The falls section of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is equally stunning. It includes the rainforest on the cliff. The spray from the falls sustains it. You will find rare plants here. Pod mahogany, ebony, and ivory palm thrive. Wild date palms and creepers also grow here. Small antelopes and warthogs roam the paths.
A statue of David Livingstone stands in the park. It marks the spot where he first saw the falls.
The Knife-Edge Bridge offers stunning views. It was built in the 1960s. It allows access to the cliffs overlooking the Rainbow Falls. You can see the First Gorge’s exit to the Boiling Pot. A steep path leads down to the Boiling Pot. It offers views of the Second Gorge and the Victoria Falls Bridge.
Mosi-oa-Tunya Market sits right outside the park’s gate. Vendors sell African artwork and jewelry. You can find Zambian souvenirs here.
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is more than just a park. It protects Victoria Falls and its wildlife. It is a place of wonder and beauty. The Zambezi Government and park services protect the rhinos from poachers. The government provides armed guards. This is a vital protective measure. It helps these animals from extinction in Zambia.