Walking With The White Rhinos Of ‘Mosi-Oa-Tunya’ In Zambia

Mosi-oa-Tunya’ means the ‘smoke that thunders’ and this nickname has been given to the world-renowned Victoria Falls. These falls are hosted both by Zimbabwe and Zambia in the Southern-central region of Africa, but on ‘the Zambian side’ as it is known, this is also the name of the National Park where just a few surviving White Rhinos can roam without fear.

It is truly sad that creatures that once roamed so freely and in such abundance now need to be constantly guarded in protected areas to avoid their mass slaughter and total distinction. This is the reality of the plight of the African Rhino population, both Black and white and the result of this terrible scourge we call rhino poaching!

Due to the fact that their very existence is something of a miracle and because they have become so acclimatised to people in their safe space, that walking with the white Rhinos of ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ in Zambia has become something quite special and revered by tourists to the area.

The White Rhinos at ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’           

Zambia once had a healthy population of several thousand Black Rhinos, which due to this poaching scourge were almost wiped out. To balance things out, in 2008, the Zambia Wildlife Authority successfully relocated four White Rhinos from South Africa to Mosi-oa-Tunya to create a new population close to Livingstone on the north side of the Zambezi River.

The river is their natural northern boundary, so technically the park’s Rhinos live outside the species’ traditional range. Today, as a result of a successful breeding programs and 24/7 protection, more than 10 White Rhinos reside within the park’s 26 square miles.

These rhinos are protected 24 hours a day by armed guards and you will have the opportunity to spend some quality time with these animals.

Walking with The Rhinos

Visitors to Victoria Falls have the opportunity to track and spend time with these amazing creatures.

The overall period of the visit is about 4 hours, of which about 2 hours is actual walking time. It starts early – 6-30 am in summer and 7-15 am in winter.

You will be collected from your hotel and enjoy a short road transfer to the park entrance for registration and a briefing. You will be given the do’s and don’ts as obviously these are still wild animals and should be treated with respect.

You will then proceed on a short game drive to the area where the Rhino have been located. Here you do the specific ‘walk briefing’ and then start the game walk. It is fascinating and you feel like you are spending some “quality time” with these magnificent creatures. You are also likely to get some pretty exceptional photos as this is really and ‘up close and personal’ experience.

We will also look for and be informed about other game and learn a little bit about the flora and fauna of the area. Time stands still and the experience is sublime. As the day progresses you are met with cool drinks and transferred to your picnic spot for snacks, after which you reluctantly drive out the park and back to your hotel.

We at Jewel of Africa Safaris have excellent packages for trips to the Victoria Falls and other exotic locations very close by. One of the things we pride ourselves on and a typical example of our flexibility, would be to take a side excursion to go walking with the white Rhinos of ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ in Zambia if that’s what you desired as a part of a tailor made package just for you.

Contact us to find out about the many great Safari and guided tour packages we have to some of the best destinations in the world. Our beautiful Rhino population really needs your support. Come and help us to help these beautiful, but tragically threatened members of Africa’s famous ‘Big 5’ start to re-populate and grow in number again. We await you. Africa awaits you – and our Rhinos are waiting to walk with you!