The Zambezi is one of Africa's longest rivers. It rises in Zambia's north-western forests, crossing into Angola and then heading south. It re-enters Zambia about 400km from its origins. In western Zambia, the river passes through the Barotse flodplains, carving a channel through deep Kalahari sands.

Here the Lozi people established their kingdom in the late 1600s, with a traditional king known as the Litunga. If you are visiting Jungle Junction in late March or early April, you might be able to attend Zambia's largest and most famous traditional festival, the Kuomboka. It's the annual ceremonial departure by barge of the Lozi king and his people from the floodplains to the palace on the dry mainland.

This first part of the river, from its source to the Victoria Falls, is the Upper Zambezi.
Here you can find Jungle Junction's islands, not far from the town of Livingstone. We are 40 Kilometers upstream of the Victoria Falls.
Seasonal changes in the river level reveal beautiful white sand banks and beaches at low water, which is from October to January. These provide perfect breeding spots for summer visitors...we're talking ornithology here! At high water, from february to April, the Zambezi is in full spate.

The Victoria Falls, 40km from Bovu Island, are one of the wonders of the natural world. In full flood, millions of litres of water cascade over the 1,7 km-wide cliff every minute, plunging into the Batoka Gorge 100 metres below.

From the Falls to Lake Kariba is the homeland of the Tonga people. Lake Kariba is one of the largest artificial lakes in Africa and is used for commercial fishing as well as for angling and leisure.

Below the lake and Kariba Gorge, the Lower Zambezi flows through Zambia's Lower Zambezi National Park. From there, the river's journey is through the spectacular Zambezi Valley, and then to Lake Cabora Bassa. Finally, the Zambezi flows into its great delta in the Indian Ocean, aproximatly 2500Km from its source.