Zambezi River Photos - National Geographic

Travel on the Zambezi
Photograph by Chris Johns
The fire of dawn lights a path across Africa's Zambezi River, where villagers in Zambia travel as they always have—in a dugout canoe. With continuing political stability in southern Africa, the Zambezi opens the way to some of the continent's most unspoiled reaches.
—From "Down the Zambezi," October 1997, National Geographic magazine
Greeting the Dawn
Photograph by Chris Johns
Newly circumcised boys greet the dawn with traditional song and drumming in Lukulu, Zambia. Unless they work in a town downriver, the boys will probably go through life seeing few outsiders other than missionaries and the odd sportfisherman.
—From "Down the Zambezi," October 1997, National Geographic magazine
Victoria Falls
Photograph by Chris Johns
Built of moonglow and water spray, a bridge of colored light arches over the chasm at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Besides moonbows, special effects at the 355-feet-high (108-meter-high) falls include a roar so loud it once broke windows 6 miles (9.7 kilometers) away and spray so thick that at times the falls vanish from sight.
—From "Down the Zambezi," October 1997, National Geographic magazine
Whitewater Rafting
Photograph by Chris Johns
"Tourists overboard!" One of the ferocious Class V rapids below Victoria Falls flips a raft; passengers are assured beforehand that hippos and crocodiles usually steer clear of fast water.
—From "Down the Zambezi," October 1997, National Geographic magazine
Park Warden, Zimbabwe
Photograph by Chris Johns
Ordered to shoot poachers on sight, a game warden at Zimbabwe's Matusadona National Park guards a young black rhinoceros, one of only a handful left in an area where once there were thousands. A rhino horn ground up for medicine can bring $50,000 in Asia.
—From "Down the Zambezi," October 1997, National Geographic magazine