Generally people know the Zambezi river to accommodate the great Victoria Falls, but understand very little else about that. The Zambezi, in fact, is the 4th longest river system in Africa following the Nile, the Zaire as well as the Niger rivers as it works its course over some twenty five hundred kilometres. The river has its origin in Zambia, after which it flows into Angola and along the borders of Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe and into Mozambique where it unwraps into the Indian Ocean. Zambezi River means the “Great River” in the local Zambian language.

Aside from the superb Vic Falls, other significant characteristics are the Kariba dam (some 260 kilometres long and forty kilometres at its widest point) plus the Cahora Bassa dam. Both these dams are used for producing hydroelectric power. The Cahora Bassa system also provides power into the South African electricity grid, apart from providing power to Mozambique. Aside from being a large and important commercial fishing resource, the Kariba dam offers superb leisure fishing particularly Tiger fishing, as does the Cahora Bassa dam.

Along its course the Zambezi flows through three regions, namely:

The upper Zambesi , which flows into Angola for some 250 kilometres, where it is joined by some tributaries before turning to the north-west over some highlands before turning south where it develops a floodplain where the river becomes variable in breath during the wet and dry seasons. Victoria Falls indicates the end of the upper Zambezi and the beginning of the middle Zambezi.

The middle Zambezi, which flows from Vic Falls through the Batoka gorge. This gorge affords the roughest river rafting for enthusiasts before the river enters the Kariba dam some two hundred and fifty kilometres downstream from the gorge. Lake Kariba is one of the biggest man-made lakes on earth. This region ends where the Zambezi enters the Cahora Bassa dam in Mozambique.

The Lower Zambezi, which flows from the Cahora Bassa dam to the Indian Ocean some six hundred kilometres away.

The Zambezi, in particular the middle region, is a much-loved tourist area offering various accommodations in both Zambia and Zimbabwe. The waters above the Vic Falls is particularly rich with fish (reportedly more than one hundred species, some of which are endemic to this great river) hippopotamuses and crocodiles. The banks of the river abounds with mammals such as elephant, giraffe, buffalo and many antelope species. Birds appear in abundance with the spectacular fish eagle a firm favourite with the tourists. Herons, pelicans and egrets also show up in great numbers because of the fish rich waters.

This area is further a well known venue for house boats that offer magnificent game viewing and fishing to a huge amount of tourists as floating hotels. The climate favours activities like rafting, fishing, hunting and game viewing in either high-class style or even self-catering style. The choice is yours to explore and revel in among the finest “bush experiences” Africa can give.

There are a number of travel specialists and air operators that support this area. A large selection of overnight accommodation is available, as is car rental services should you choose to enter the area by air.

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