![A silhouette of an elephant, against the golden hues, after the sun has set, in the Matusadona National Park in Zimbabwe.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Elephant-in-Silhouette-Sundown-safari-drive-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R4.jpg)
Sundown safari drive at Rhino Safari Camp, Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe at its best
What an incredible way to end the day…Sharing the beautiful Zimbabwean sunset with a lone elephant as your companion truly takes some beating.
I warn you now if you love elephants, keep scrolling.
![A lone male elephant heading towards us with the sun behind him just before sunset at the Rhino Safari Camp in the Matusadona National Park on the shore of Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Elephant-at-sunset-Sundown-safari-drive-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R4.jpg)
Quick Links
![A lone kudu, amongst a herd of impalas, on a grassy plain in the Matusadona National Park on the shores of Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Antelopes-at-Sundown-Sundown-safari-drive-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R4.jpg)
Ohh and it did!
Gary and I were fortunate again that on our first sundown safari drive it was just the two of us and Mark our guide.
Jumping in the back of the open truck, we headed out in front of our lodges and immediately came across a bull elephant. We’d see them saunter by from our room.
![An elephant walking through the camp right outside our lodge.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Elephant-walking-through-the-camp-Sundown-safari-drive-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R4-1.jpg)
We sat and watched for a while; however, the elephant had already had his mud bath and was now a lovely ochre colour and was reluctant to take another dip.
We sat and watched for a while; however, the elephant had already had his mud bath and was now a lovely ochre colour and was reluctant to take another dip.
![A close-up of the head of a young male elephant with one tusk broken off in the Matusadona National Park on the shores of Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/One-and-a-half-close-up-Sundown-safari-drive-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R4.jpg)
Further along, we watched some impala, but I was still hankering to see one of my favourite animals again, that’s the hippo.
On this morning’s game drive, we had been lucky enough to see a cheetah, which very few and far between.
Good to know!
![A young male elephant, tinged orange after a mud bath, walking towards the shore in the Matusadona National Park on the edge of Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/One-and-a-half-on-the-move-Sundown-safari-drive-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R4.jpg)
Matusadona National Park
An African dreamWe drove around the bay of the island, which was the first time we had headed in this direction and the evening sky and the view across the pasture and the lake was breath-taking.
It was made all the more special that a herd of elephants graced our view. This place is wonderful, I wish more people would come and experience Zimbabwe for its splendours.
![A row of four elephants in a line on the water's edge in the Matusadona National Park, Zimbabwe.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Elephants-on-an-evening-stroll-Sundown-safari-drive-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R4.jpg)
![A juvenile elephant, following a baby elephant, on the water's edge in the Matusadona National Park, Zimbabwe.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Keeping-a-close-eye-on-junior-Sundown-safari-drive-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R4.jpg)
![A close up of an infant elephant with its parent close by, in the Matusadona National Park, Zimbabwe.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Who-could-resist-this-little-fella-Sundown-safari-drive-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R4.jpg)
An interesting fact
The Majestic Hippopotamus
And a grin from ear to ear![A lone hippopotamus foraging on land. Set against a backdrop of red rust rocks in the Matusadona National Park in Zimbabwe.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/A-lone-hippo-Sundown-safari-drive-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R4.jpg)
![A side profile of a lone hippopotamus on land looking at us in the Matusadona National Park in Zimbabwe.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Getting-closer-Sundown-safari-drive-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R4.jpg)
![A lone hippopotamus is returning to the water in the Matusadona National Park in Zimbabwe.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Going-for-a-dip-Sundown-safari-drive-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R4.jpg)
A helpful guide
If you're considering an adventure around Zimbabwe, then your in for a holiday of a lifetime. I always find it incredibly useful to plan our trips with the help of a guide book.
Take a look at this informative Bradt guide, it will give you great tips and advice.
The beautiful Lake Kariba
As the evening draws in![A pair of Sea Eagles perched on a branch of a petrified tree on the edge of Lake Kariba in the Matusadona National Park in Zimbabwe.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/A-pair-of-Fish-Eagles-Sundown-safari-drive-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R4.jpg)
The light was beginning to fade, so, Mark then drove us over to a spot between the island and Matusadona National Park.
We jumped out the truck and with our Gin & tonics in our hand we stood and watched the evening sun disappear before us.
![Janis and our guide Mark chat next to our trusty Landrover during a break on our evening safari drive at Rhino Safari Camp next to Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Janis-and-our-guide-Mark-Sundown-safari-drive-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R4.jpg)
![A silhouette of an elephant, against the golden hues, after the sun has set, in the Matusadona National Park in Zimbabwe.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Elephant-in-Silhouette-Sundown-safari-drive-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R4.jpg)
Fancy heading to Lake Kariba...
for an unforgettable experience?Lake Kariba is around 356km (221 miles) from Harare, at present, there are no scheduled commercial flights, so your best option is to drive. Allow 5 to 6 hours for your journey, the roads are tarmac, however, can be slightly hectic at times. But don't let this put you off Lake Kariba is a magical experience.
There are also two tolls en route which are two Zimbabwe Bond each.
Rhino Safari Camp, Lake Kariba
The following evening...![The Land Rover Safari truck parked in front of the boma at Rhino Safari Camp next to Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Rhino-Safari-Camp-before-we-head-out-Sundown-safari-drive-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R4.jpg)
![A hippopotamus, strolling on the outskirts of the Rhino Safari Camp in the Matusadona National Park, Zimbabwe.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/A-strolling-lone-hippo-Sundown-safari-drive-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R4.jpg)
On safari in Zimbabwe
They remain elusiveKeen to track the buffalo we saw this morning we head out, but it’s still about a 45 minutes drive, especially as we want to stop to take photos along the way.
We head to the plain and can see plenty of impalas but no buffalo, we also spot warthogs, but they are very skittish. We head further around and along the riverbed but still no joy, even the big hippo wallowing has moved on.
![A view across the vlei to a herd of crazing impala in the Matusadona National Park in Zimbabwe.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Impala-grazing-Sundown-safari-drive-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R4.jpg)
We keep a lookout for the pride of lions, but once again, no sign. You can’t be lucky every time; otherwise, you will take all for granted.
We then head towards the watering hole we stopped at earlier and saw plenty of birds, small crocs on the water’s edge.
![A petrified tree in the still waters of Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Stillness-of-the-evening-Sundown-safari-drive-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R4.jpg)
![A Sea Eagle fishing in the still waters of Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Taking-flight-Sundown-safari-drive-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R4.jpg)
Taking flight
Is Zimbabwe for you?
Take a peek at our Victoria Falls and our Morning safari posts and start creating your own adventure for yourself.
Search for your flights in one easy place with ebookers.com and open up a world of options. Over 400 airlines are scanned for your favoured routes and chosen dates.
An uncertain African Safari
Some you win, some you lose![A silhouette of a hippopotamus grazing next to Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Hippo-grazing-at-dusk-Sundown-safari-drive-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R4.jpg)
![A herd of hippopotamus grazing, after sunset, next to Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Hippos-in-silhouette-Sundown-safari-drive-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R4.jpg)
![A mixed bunch of birds and hippos grazing after sunset on the shores of Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Hippos-at-sunet-Sundown-safari-drive-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R4.jpg)
![Janis at dusk besides an inlet on Lake Kariba with a herd of hippopotamus grazing at the water's edge](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Janis-with-Hippos-in-the-background-Sundown-safari-drive-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe-R4.jpg)
A video of our afternoon/evening safari
We have created a little YouTube video of our experience - perhaps check it out?
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Inspired to visit Lake Kariba?
![The pin image for our post - 'Sundown safari drive at Rhino Safari Camp, Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe'](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Sundown-safari-drive-at-Rhino-Safari-Camp-Lake-Kariba-Zimbabwe.jpg)
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Comments
Hippos are such fascinating creatures… It just blows my mind how such a chubby, heavy animal can be so dangerous and move so fast. Great post.
I totally agree they are one of my favourite animals. We’ve been lucky enough to visit Zimbabwe a few times and it’s incredible when you see the hippos in their own habitat, although if you are on a small boat and they decide to submerge it can be a little unnerving.