My realisation of Africa is its offerings of infinite spellbinding experiences. My short excursion to one of Zambia’s National Parks, Mosi-oa-Tunya was no different. Despite the short hour of my visit, an array of wonderful sights and sounds regaled my senses. Even then I know my brief visit was an appetizer of things to come when I return to the Park at leisure.

I had little expectations when told about the park. Mosi-oa-Tunya is after all, one of Zambia’s smallest (25 sq mil) and only National Park a stone throws away from a large urban setting. But, I was happy for Mosi-oa-Tunya to prove me wrong. They say good things come in small packages, Mosi-oa-Tunya is exactly that.

Wildlife of Mosi-oa-Tunya

Mosi-oa-Tunya is one of the 19 National Parks in Zambia which the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) manages. Established in 1998 with a goal to protect Zambia’s treasured and exceptional wildlife. Mosi-oa-Tunya packs within its boundaries several treasures. The relaxed herds of elephant, giraffe, zebra, buffalo, impala and other antelope greet visitors as they arrive. The huge variety of bird life, 400 species all told, includes several types of eagle such as the iconic Fish Eagle – the national bird of Zambia. It is Mosi-oa-Tunya’s five endangered white rhinoceros which are the park’s most valuable treasure.

Victoria Falls

The name Mosi-oa-Tunya itself will not be familiar to many. It originates from the Kololo language and translates to ‘The smoke that thunders’, also known as Victoria Falls. This diminutive national park holds within it access to the largest waterfall in the world. Victoria Falls discovered by David Livingstone in 1855 stands at a height of 108 meters and is 1.7km wide (Niagara Falls has a width of 1.2km). Columns of spray, from the huge mass of thundering and cascading water, resemble plumes of smoke which are visible some 30km away. Needless to say, this awe inspiring characteristic has played a part in the formulation of its Kololo name.

Colonial History

Amidst the thriving wild life it would be difficult to imagine that Mosi-oa-Tunya was once the venue for early European settlers. These pioneers made camp by the banks of Zambezi. However, they succumbed to a fatal illness (later discovered to be Malaria) before moving up to higher ground known now as Livingstone. Mosi-oa-Tunya is now home to those who fell to Malaria; resting at Old Drift Cemetery.

Driving through Mosi-oa-Tunya was a fascinating journey. It held remnants of the past and vision of the present: of death and life. Here lies traces of mankind and now of Mothers Nature’s bounty. In the Zambezi’s heat, animals congregate at the life bearing waters of the river. It will be more than a month before the rainy season arrives. Already some of the animals look fragile. Some might bow to the heat before the solace of rain arrives. It is the Law of the Jungle: only the fittest will survive. The residents of Old Drift would have testified to that.

Author: Reehana Shihab

Editor: Tim Plowden