Zambezi Sands Safari Camp
Situated in North Western Zimbabwe in the Zambezi National Park
Zambezi Sands Safari Camp is situated within the western area of the Zambezi National Park on a very picturesque section of the Zambezi River where guests have wonderful views of the river and trees. The lodge can be accessed by two routes from Victoria Falls town. There is the ‘river route’ which takes you through the Zambezi National Park on a dirt road and is approximately 1½ hours duration. A 4×4 is required. The second route is the ‘forest route’ which is mainly tar road and the journey will take approximately 1 hour.
The camp was first opened in 2014 and has steadily grown in popularity. Each lodge is luxurious and very comfortable. All are linked to the central area with raised walkways and offer guests their own special views of the river and plenty of privacy. Zambezi Sands is unique in that it features not only the Zambezi River and water based activities and some glorious wildlife and scenery but is also close to the Victoria Falls.
Zambezi Sands offers a wealth of picturesque game viewing opportunities – whether guests chose to drive or walk – the experienced guides take great pleasure in introducing visitors to the camp’s pristine and tranquil surroundings. Guests can even explore the Zambezi River by inflatable canoe or motorised boat.
Relaxing in your private deck splash pool – whilst overlooking the Zambezi – is also very relaxing and therapeutic and very enjoyable. Elephant can be found loitering on the mainland or in the river, while hippo, waterbuck and bushbuck frequent the reed banks and islands. Lions can be heard calling at night and the birdlife is prolific – African finfoot, African skimmer, Pratincoles and Pel’s fishing owl all occur here.
The camp only has eight lodges thus ensuring guests are never ‘crowded’ and have their privacy and can fully chill out and relax in either their own room or at the main lodge.
Zambezi Sands offers the chance to unwind but also to experience some of the most amazing game viewing and bird watching in the region.
At A Glance
Accommodation
The Zambezi Sands Safari Camp is a specially designed and unique tented structure, consisting of a lounge, dining room, bar area and eight luxury tents.
All facilities offer fantastic views of both the river and surrounding national park which attracts game throughout the year.
There are no fences to prevent animal movement, so expect to see game and wonderful birdlife along the river bank as well as in and around the Lodge.
- 8 luxury tents: 74 sq metre Bedouin Style Tent with 56 sq metre private deck each with a lounge area
- minibar
- tea and coffee making facility
- en suite bathroom
- outdoor shower
- private splash pool
- Room configuration: 1 double (king size bed) and 7 twin (double beds).
- 2 of the 8 tents have an inter-leading walkway and are used for families.
Facilities & Room Amenities
Facilities:
- The main camp area includes dining room, lounge and bar with shaded outdoor deck for alfresco dining experiences.
- Free WiFi in the main lodge area.
- Electricity by generator.
Room amenities:
- Ceiling fans.
- Stocked minibar
- Hair dryer.
- Mosquito net and repellent.
- Emergency whistle and air horn.
- Electronic safes.
- Mobile LED lamp.
- Bath
- Complimentary daily laundry (weather dependent).
Airport and Road Access
Located 41.2 kilometers west of Victoria Falls town. Access is by transfer or self-drive from Victoria Falls, Livingstone or Kasane.
Victoria Falls airport to Zambezi Sands is 59.1 kms (37.23 miles).
Livingstone airport to Zambezi Sands is 62 kms (38.75 miles). A visa to enter Zimbabwe is required and can be purchased at the border post.
Guests can fly into Victoria Falls or Livingstone in Zambia and transfers can be arranged.
The new Victoria Falls International Airport was recently opened. It is a wonderful new facility and caters for all domestic and international flights.
Victoria Falls Airport is approximately 22 kms out of Victoria Falls Town and the journey from Livingstone to Victoria Falls is also a short drive over the bridge. Guests coming across from Zambia will require visas. Pick ups from the airport and Victoria Falls town can be arranged.
- Zambezi National Park, Matabeleland North Province, Zimbabwe
- Distances by road: 16 km on the Kazungula (Botswana) Road, and 20 km through the Park (4×4). •
- Drive time from Victoria Falls town – 60 minutes by vehicle (forest route), or 1.5 hours by vehicle (river route).
- Latitude 17° 50.802’S Longitude 25° 35.066’E.
Road Distances
Distances:
Victoria Falls Town to Zambezi Sands (using Kazungula Rd) 41.2 kms (25.6 miles)
Victoria Falls Airport to Zambezi Sands 59.1 kms (37.23 miles)
Livingstone Airport to Victoria Falls Town 20.6 kms (13 miles)
Livingstone airport to Zambezi Sands is 62 kms (38.75 miles)
Bulawayo – Hwange 337 kms (210.63 miles)
Hwange – Victoria Falls Town 102 kms (64 miles)
Hwange Town – Zambezi Sands 146 kms (91.3 miles)
Bulawayo – Victoria Falls Town 438 kms (274 miles)
Bulawayo – Zambezi Sands 477 kms (298 miles)
Harare – Victoria Falls 878 kms (548.75 miles)
Harare – Zambezi Sands 750 kms (466 miles)
Kariba – Victoria Falls Town 778 kms (486 miles)
Kariba – Zambezi Sands 808 kms (502 miles)
Gweru – Zambezi Sands 560 kms (348 miles)
Gweru – Victoria Falls Town 539 kms (337 miles)
Bulawayo – Matopas 35 kms (22 miles)
Bulawayo – Beitbridge 320 kms (200 miles)
Bulawayo – Gweru 164 kms (102 miles)
Bulawayo – Harare 440 kms (274 miles)
Bulawayo – Kariba 803 kms (502 miles)
Harare – Gweru 277 kms (172 miles)
Activities
Activities:
Game drives:
- Morning and afternoon game drives with snacks in traditional open safari vehicles.
- All day game drives with a packed lunch and snacks in traditional open safari vehicles. Land Cruisers seat up to 9 guests and Land Rovers seat up to 7 guests.
Game walks:
- Conducted by a fully licensed and highly experienced professional guide.
- Usually undertaken in the mornings and ideal for photography of big game on foot.
Canoeing:
- Guided canoeing in the Zambezi using stable, inflatable 2 man rubber canoes which are easy to manage.
- Some shallow rapids allow guests to enjoy the excitement of the white waters and is a fun way to experience the mighty Zambezi River!
Fishing:
- Basic guided fishing close to the camp – the Zambezi is home to the fierce and powerful Tigerfish and many other species.
Sunset drift amongst the islands
- A wonderful cruise on the Zambezi River amongst the islands near the lodge – enjoy the river, its wildlife and a Zambezi sunset with complimentary drinks and snacks.
Bush Breakfasts
Note: Other Victoria Falls activities are available on request, but are charged separately. e.g. Rafting, Helicopter Trips & Bungee Jumping.
Experienced guides are on hand for all activities which centre around tracking game on morning, afternoon and night game drives in open 4×4 safari vehicles. Bird-watching is exceptional, as birdlife is prolific and varied, ranging from water birds to shy forest dwellers.
Game walks and fishing excursions for the renowned Tiger Fish, are available by prior arrangement.
Nearby Attractions
Victoria Falls is approximately 41.2 kms (25.6 miles) from Zambezi Sands. Transfers can be arranged.
There are a number of things to see and do in Victoria Falls.
These include:
- Sunset river cruises
- Elephant rides
- Walking with lions
- Micro-lite rides
- Helicopter rides
- White water rafting
- Bungy jumping
- Flying fox
- Safari drives in the National Park
- Golf
- Fishing trips
- Abseiling
- Gorge swing
- Foofie slide
- Canoeing
- Curio shopping
- The Big Tree
- Larry Norton Art Gallery (Victoria Falls Hotel)
- Restaurants
- Visiting the curio centre
- Victoria Falls Bridge
- Victoria Falls walk
- The Crocodile park
Wildlife
Animals:
Elephant, Hippopotamus, Buffalo, Impala, Waterbuck, Kudu, Eland, Bushbuck, Common Duiker, Sharpe’s Grysbok, Reedbuck, Klipspringer, Sable, Roan, Tsessebe, Leopard, Cheetah, Spotted Hyaena, Wild dog, Side-striped Jackal, Genet, Civet, Caracal, Serval, Wildcat, Baboon, Vervet monkey, Lesser Bushbaby, Warthog, Banded Grey Mongoose, Slender mongoose, Yellow-spotted Dassie, Cape Clawless Otters
Several other species of mongoose are present, as well as many smaller species of rodents and bats.
Birds:
The Victoria Falls area offers a variety of birding habitats and opportunities including the Zambezi National Park, Rain forest next to the Falls itself, the Zambezi river, the gorges below the Falls and the woodland around the various hotels.
More than 470 species of birds have been recorded in the Zambezi NP and it is a particularly popular place with birders. The riverine habitat is home to many specials, including the African Finfoot, Collared Palm-Thrush and Pel’s Fishing Owl. African Skimmers can be found on the sandbanks or skimming the water in the Wet season. Migratory birds are present from November to April. The hot and wet summer months between November and March is the best time for birding in the area as resident species are boasting their breeding plumage and the intra-African and Palaearctic migrants are still around.
Birds include: Schalow’s Turaco, Brown Firefinch, White-backed Night-Heron, Rufous-bellied Heron, Grey-headed Parrot, White-crowned Lapwing, Racket-tailed Roller, Taita Falcon, Augur Buzzard, Red-necked Falcon, Bat Hawk, Broad-tailed Paradise-Whydah, Orange-winged Pytilia, Northern Grey-headed Sparrow. Lanner Falcon, Goliath Heron, Long-Toed Plover, Collared Palm-Thrush, Pel’s Fishing Owl, African Skimmer, Rock Pratincole, Long-Toed Lapwing, Schalow’s Turaco, African Finfoot, Half Collared Kingfisher, Thick Billed Weaver, Western Banded Snake Eagle, Schalow’s Turaco, Trumpeter Hornbill, African Black Swift, Rock Martin, Bearded Scrub-Robin, Collared Sunbird , Brown Firefinch, Black Heron, Little Egret, Great Egret, Grey-headed Parrot, Osprey, Verreaux’s Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Red-necked Falcon, Bat Hawk, Broad-tailed Paradise-Whydah, Orange-winged Pytilia, African Pygmy-Goose, Kori Bustard, Denham’s Bustard, Racket-tailed Roller .
Area Weather
The Zambezi National Park area enjoys warm to hot temperatures. The warmest time occurs during September to March and the coldest is May to August. April to October (the Dry season) is full of sunny, clear weather. The Wet season is from November to March and is characterized by afternoon showers with sunshine following. Likewise, it can also come in the form of successive days of drizzle. The winter and summer seasons are experienced at opposite times than in Europe and North America, going hand-in-hand with the dry and Wet seasons.
Dry season – April to October – Winter
April – The temperatures cool down, particularly during the night time. Rains occur less and less often.
May, June, July, August – These are the coldest winter months but August brings a slight increase in temperature. Drought increases as time goes on, causing the air to get dusty. Daytime temperatures are around 27°C/81°F, but at night and in the early morning the temperature cools to around 8°C/46°F. Be sure to bring winter clothing for the cold morning game drives.
September, October – The drought finally ends with the first rains by late October, although the rest of these months is generally very dry. The rain brings much relief to the vegetation. It gets hot during the day, with temperatures reaching over 32°C/90°F, resulting in warmer morning game drives. October is the hottest month with an average daytime temperature of 35°C/95°F. It can feel uncomfortably hot once the rains have started because of the increased humidity.
Wet season – November to March – Summer
November – The rains start more heavily, although it won’t rain every day. It can still get uncomfortably hot because of the increased humidity and high average daytime temperatures, usually hovering around 33°C/91°F.
December, January & February – These months are the wettest, although it rarely rains the whole day. Afternoon showers are common and are often followed by hours of sunshine. Alternately it can drizzle for a few days in a row. Daytime temperatures average 30°C/86°F while night and early morning average 18°C/64°F.
March – Temperatures average between 29°C/84°F and 18°C/64°F as the Wet season
