Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, next to Livingstone, is home to a small population of white rhinos guarded by armed scouts around the clock. On a guided rhino walk, you go on foot with a guide and scouts to find them and watch from a safe distance. Zambezi Dusk arranges the walk with a partner operator. Not all partner activities are included in the rate, so ask the lodge whether it is covered for your stay.
Why it is special
Most people see rhinos from a vehicle, if they see them at all. Here you are on foot, on the same ground as the animal, with nothing between you but distance and the scouts' judgement. Rhinos are poached across Africa for their horn, and the Mosi-oa-Tunya population is protected around the clock.
How the walk works
- Pickup from the lodge and the drive to the park.
- Briefing: walking in single file, keeping quiet, what to do if the guide signals.
- Tracking: the scouts on duty know roughly where the rhinos are. You walk in to find them.
- Time with the rhinos: you stand quietly at a distance set by the scouts and watch.
- Walk out, often with a short game drive in the park.
Most walks last around three hours, with about two hours on foot. Allow half a day including transfers. Walks usually run in the morning or late afternoon, when it is cooler and the rhinos are more active.
The walking is on fairly flat ground, but it is in the bush, in heat, on uneven tracks. A reasonable level of fitness is enough.
Who can go
Operators set minimum ages, usually between 12 and 15. Published figures differ from one operator to another, so ask the lodge to check before you book if you are travelling with children. Younger children can usually see the park on a game drive instead.
What else you may see
Mosi-oa-Tunya is small, but you may see giraffe, zebra, impala, buffalo, warthog and elephants that move through the park. There are no lions in this park, which is one reason walking safaris work here. Elephants and buffalo are still dangerous, and the scouts are armed for a reason.
What to wear
- Neutral colours: khaki, olive, brown or grey. No white or bright colours.
- Closed shoes with grip. Not sandals.
- A hat and sunscreen.
- Long sleeves and long trousers help against thorns and insects.
- A warm layer for winter mornings, June to August.
Bring water, binoculars and a camera with a zoom. Phones on silent.
Rules on the walk
The scouts set the rules, and they are not negotiable:
- Walk in single file, behind the lead scout.
- Keep talking to a whisper, and phones on silent.
- Don't approach closer than the scouts allow, even for a better photo.
- If a scout signals you to stop or move, do it at once.
- Never run. If an animal reacts, stand still and wait for instructions.
Rhinos have poor eyesight but good hearing and smell, so the scouts watch the wind as much as the animal.
Best time of year
The walk runs all year, but conditions change:
- May to August is cool, dry and comfortable, with clear views through thinning bush.
- September to November is hot, often 35°C or more by October. Go early.
- December to April, the rains: green, thick bush, harder to spot animals, and some walks can be affected by weather.
Fitting it into a stay
The rhino walk is a half-day activity that pairs well with a Victoria Falls tour, since the Falls are in the same national park. It is one of the better activities for teenagers; see family stays and safari with children in Livingstone.
Cost
The walk is priced by the operator, and the fee usually includes park entry and the scouts. Prices change, so the lodge will give you a current quote and confirm whether it is part of your stay.