Visiting Victoria Falls had always been a dream of mine. Experiencing it in person exceeded every expectation. I was with a small group of fellow travelers. Misty rainbows danced over the falls. Elephants gently took food from our hands. Every moment in Zimbabwe was a gift.
The thunder of the falls was unforgettable. However, our time with the elephants truly stole my heart.
Glamping in the Wild
We spent two nights at Wallow Lodge, a luxury glamping retreat tucked along the edge of Zambezi National Park. Our canvas-walled tents provided enough comfort to feel spoiled. They also offered just enough exposure to the wild to remind us exactly where we were. There was signage on our porch overlooking the river warning us of alligators and hippos.
At check-in, we were advised to request a resort security escort after dusk. Nocturnal animals like leopards lived in the same park. Alligators and other wildlife also roamed around the camp. That alone set the tone—we were guests in their territory.
Baboons and monkeys were commonly seen during the day. Warthogs casually trotted through camp. They moved as if they had somewhere important to be. Birds of every color filled the air with song. Each night, the sounds of the wild took over. There were howls, grunts, rustling, and calls we couldn’t quite identify. It was thrilling, a little unnerving, and completely unforgettable.
Rainbows Over the Falls
The first morning began with a visit to Victoria Falls. No words or photos could fully capture the sheer magnitude and beauty. The roar of the water crashing down into the gorge was powerful. Yet, the rainbows completely enchanted me. Mist hovered in the air. It caught the sunlight and painted arcs of color everywhere. Some were right in front of us, others stretched far across the gorge.
Victoria Falls National Park was teeming with life. Monkeys darted across the pathways. Vibrant birds soared overhead. A wild, untamed energy filled the air. It was chaotic and stunning all at once.
Lunch with Giants
In the afternoon, we traveled to a nearby elephant conservation reserve. There, we enjoyed a delicious lunch overlooking the bush. As we ate, we spotted the occasional trunk reaching through the trees. It was as if the elephants knew we were coming. They were just biding their time.
Then came the moment we’d all been waiting for. It was time to meet the elephants.
These elephants were rescued orphans, now thriving under the care of a dedicated conservation team. Feeding them was a surreal experience. We were handed a bucket of elephant kibble and taught two simple commands:
“Up!”—the elephant would raise its head, open its mouth wide, and we’d toss the kibble inside.
“Down!”—the elephant would lower its head and gently suck the kibble from our palms with its trunk.
The feeling of that soft, bristly trunk brush against my hand was something I’ll never forget.
Cocoa, the Matriarch
One of the elephants that stood out most was Cocoa, the matriarch of the herd. She moved with calm authority—gentle yet strong, always aware of where the others were. Her handler shared her story. He explained how she naturally assumed a leadership role within the group. Cocoa offered comfort and guidance to the younger elephants.
We learned how elephants use mud baths to cool and protect their incredibly sensitive skin. Did you know their trunk has over 40,000 muscles? Their trunk is both a powerful tool and expressive extensions of their personalities.
These were not just animals. They were wise, emotional, deeply intelligent beings with complex social lives and individual stories.
A Sacred Pause
As I stood among them, camera in hand and heart wide open, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace. The stillness of the scene—the rhythm of the elephants’ movements, the softness in their eyes—was almost spiritual.
Nature’s gifts are everywhere, but that day, in the presence of giants, they felt especially vivid.
A Day I’ll Never Forget
Our time at Victoria Falls gave us roaring water, endless rainbows, and nature in its wildest form. The park offered color, chaos, and creatures around every turn. But the elephants gave us something more—quiet wisdom, grace, and a shared moment in their world that I’ll never forget.