Family Days in Matabeleland North
Families will find easy wildlife and heritage stops here, plus a few adventure activities with strict age limits. The province also carries real hazards for children, including cliff edges, rivers and malaria.
Victoria Falls rainforest with children
Entry to the rainforest is about US$58 for international adults and about half that for children under 12; under 6s are free. The ticket is single entry. The path runs along the gorge, and some viewing points such as Danger Point have unfenced rock edges. Hold young children by the hand, keep everyone back from the edge and do not let anyone climb on the rocks. Spray makes the stone slippery, so choose shoes with grip and pack a dry change of clothes.
Painted Dog Conservation
At Dete, opposite Hwange National Park Airport, this rehabilitation and conservation centre is free to enter and donation based. Plan on up to about 2 hours. It is not a zoo, which makes it a good way to explain wild animals and their threats to children. Hours are about 08:00 to 17:00, and it may close on the last weekend of each month.
Victoria Falls Crocodile Farm
Formerly Spencer’s Creek Crocodile Farm, this farm is about 5 km from town beside Zambezi National Park. It opened in the 1950s and has feeding times, a curio shop and a snake park. Hours are about 08:00 to 17:00 and prices are about US$20 for adults and US$10 for children, so confirm on the day. It is a working farm, not a conservation sanctuary, and you should stay behind barriers and avoid any offer of lion contact.
Evening out
The Boma - Place of Eating at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is an evening dinner and show. Booking is essential, and you should ask directly about children’s rates.
Age limits to plan around
- Rafting: minimum age 15.
- Devil’s Pool in Zambia: children under 10 cannot join, and under 12 cannot swim.
- Other adventure activities: ask the operator, since child rules vary.
Health and safety
- Malaria occurs all year in the Zambezi Valley, Victoria Falls, Hwange and Binga. Talk to a doctor about children’s prevention well before travel.
- Crocodiles and hippos live in the Zambezi, Lake Kariba and every dam, and bilharzia is a risk in still fresh water. Keep children out of rivers, and swim only in treated lodge pools.
- Heat above 35 C is common from September to November.
- Keep children indoors after dark in Victoria Falls town, because elephants and buffalo can walk through.
- Skip anything that offers elephant rides, lion walks or cub petting.
Read more: Animal activities and Attraction tours .
Look at family-friendly tours on Viator . Conservation centre details: Painted Dog Conservation .