safaris en zambia

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• Luxury (59)
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• Private tour (114)
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• & up (167)

Specialized Tours

• Fly-in safaris (19)
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• Gorilla trekking (1)
• Photographic safaris (2)
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• Chimp trekking (1)
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• Cycling safaris (1)
• Canoe safaris (5)
• Horseback safaris (0)
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Other Tour Features

• Airport transfer is included (172)
• Itinerary can be customized (132)

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Zambia Safari Tours & Holidays

Although Zambia has a great safari industry with lots of tours and holidays on offer, it still manages to fly under the radar as a safari country. Unfathomable, given the staggeringly wonderful wildlife experiences it offers safari-goers. If there’s a word to sum up this large, land-locked, off-the-beaten-track place, it is ‘wild’. Nowhere else in southern Africa do you get such an entirely unaffected palette of wild Africa. There’s a sense of the bush that has been lost in more highly urbanized countries – here, the cyclical forces of nature still dominate the animal kingdom.

9-Day Zambia Incredible Tour Vacation

$4,510 to $4,730 pp (USD)

Zambia: Private tour Mid-range Lodge & Guest House

You Visit: Mfuwe (Start) , South Luangwa NP, Lusaka Airport (Lusaka) , Lower Zambezi NP, Livingstone (City) , Mosi-oa-Tunya NP, Victoria Falls, Zambezi River, Livingstone Airport (End)

5.0 /5  –  122 Reviews

10-Day Romantic Zambia Honeymoon Safari

$7,323 to $7,954 pp (USD)

Zambia: Private tour Luxury Lodge & Tented Camp

You Visit: Lusaka (Start) , South Luangwa NP, Victoria Falls, Livingstone (End)

4.9 /5  –  149 Reviews

7-Day South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi Epic Safari

$3,630 pp (USD)

Zambia: Shared tour (max 8 people per vehicle) Mid-range Lodge

You Visit: Lusaka (Start) , South Luangwa NP, Lower Zambezi NP, Lusaka (End)

Wilderness Horizon Safaris   Tour operator has an office in Zambia

4.9 /5  –  16 Reviews

6-Day Wilderness Odyssey - South Luangwa

$1,430 to $1,727 pp (USD)

Zambia: Private tour Mid-range Lodge

You Visit: Mfuwe (Start) , South Luangwa NP, Mfuwe (End)

Zamsato   Tour operator has an office in Zambia

4.9 /5  –  28 Reviews

4-Day Safari on a Budget South Luangwa National Park

$568 to $884 pp (USD)

You Visit: Mfuwe (Start) , South Luangwa NP, Mfuwe Airport (Mfuwe) , Mfuwe (End)

Ntanda Ventures   Tour operator has an office in Zambia

5.0 /5  –  22 Reviews

12-Day Zambezi and Luangwa Valleys

$3,949 pp (USD)

Zambia: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle) Mid-range Lodge & Hotel

You Visit: Livingstone (Start) , Lower Zambezi NP, Lusaka (City) , Chipata (City) , South Luangwa NP, Mfuwe Airport (Mfuwe) , Mfuwe (End)

Adventure Purists   Tour operator has an office in Zambia

4.8 /5  –  13 Reviews

7-Day South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi Safari

$6,090 to $7,990 pp (USD)

Zambia: Private tour Luxury Tented Camp & Tented Bush Camp

You Visit: Lusaka (Start) , South Luangwa NP, Lower Zambezi NP, Lusaka Airport (End)

Discover Africa Safaris

5.0 /5  –  413 Reviews

3-Day Siavonga Gateaway from Lusaka & Wildlife Safari

$1,262 pp (USD)

Zambia & Zimbabwe: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle) Mid-range Chalet

You Visit: Lusaka (Start) , Lake Kariba, Lusaka (End)

Lochinvar Safaris   Tour operator has an office in Zambia

4.4 /5  –  5 Reviews

7-Day Kafue National Park and Victoria Falls

$4,015 to $4,334 pp (USD)

Zambia: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle) Luxury Lodge & Hotel

You Visit: Lusaka (Start) , Kafue NP, Victoria Falls, Livingstone Airport (End)

Vanaway Travel & Tours   Tour operator has an office in Zambia

5.0 /5  –  1 Reviews

½-Day Game Drive and Short Rhino Walk

$83 pp (USD)

Zambia: ½ Day tour Shared tour (max 20 people per vehicle)

You Visit: Livingstone (Start) , Mosi-oa-Tunya NP, Livingstone (End)

Arnolubi Safari & Tours   Tour operator has an office in Zambia

Not yet rated

11-Day Best of Wildlife

$6,666 to $7,260 pp (USD)

Malawi & Zambia: Private tour Mid-range Lodge & Tented Camp

You Visit: Blantyre (Start) , Majete WR, Zomba Plateau, Liwonde NP, Dzalanyama Forest, South Luangwa NP, Mfuwe (End)

Land & Lake Safaris

4.6 /5  –  24 Reviews

13-Day Victoria Falls & Okavango Delta Lux Fly-in Safari

$20,190 to $33,314 pp (USD)

Botswana & Zambia: Private tour Luxury Tented Camp

You Visit: Livingstone (Start) , Victoria Falls, Linyanti, Khwai (Okavango Delta) , Jao (Okavango Delta) , Makgadikgadi Pans NP, Maun (End)

5.0 /5  –  41 Reviews

1-Day Game Drive and Rhino Viewing Safari

$187 pp (USD)

Zambia: Day tour Shared tour (max 40 people per vehicle)

You Visit: Livingstone

Boris Safaris and Tours   Tour operator has an office in Zambia

9-Day Ultimate Zambian Safari

$6,243 to $8,490 pp (USD)

You Visit: Livingstone (Start) , Kafue NP, Lower Zambezi NP, South Luangwa NP, Lusaka Airport (End)

Off2Africa Travel

5.0 /5  –  94 Reviews

4-Day Livingstone Zambia Safari Adventure

$2,407 pp (USD)

Zambia: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle) Luxury Lodge

You Visit: Livingstone (Start) , Livingstone Airport (End)

Cultural Vibes Travel & Tours

4.9 /5  –  112 Reviews

½-Day 12-15 Min Helicopter Flight over Victoria Falls

$205 pp (USD)

Zambia & Zimbabwe: ½ Day tour Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle)

You Visit: Victoria Falls Town

Savannah Adventures

5.0 /5  –  21 Reviews

5-Day Livingstone and Chobe National Park Package

$1,480 pp (USD)

Botswana & Zambia: Shared tour (max 20 people per vehicle) Mid-range Lodge

You Visit: Livingstone (Start) , Victoria Falls, Livingstone (City) , Chobe NP, Kasane (End)

Africa Zim Travel & Tours

5.0 /5  –  116 Reviews

3-Day Luxury Victoria Falls Tour (Zambian Side)

$1,160 to $1,197 pp (USD)

Zambia: Private tour Luxury Hotel

You Visit: Livingstone (Start) , Victoria Falls, Zambezi River, Livingstone (End)

Mmilo Tours

5.0 /5  –  121 Reviews

10-Day Leopards of Luangwa

$9,374 pp (USD)

Zambia: Shared tour (max 6 people per vehicle) Mid-range Lodge & Tented Camp

You Visit: Lusaka (Start) , South Luangwa NP, Lusaka Airport (End)

Pictus Safaris

4.2 /5  –  5 Reviews

9-Day Zambia South Luangwa Safari

$5,300 to $5,530 pp (USD)

Kingfisher Safaris

4.7 /5  –  51 Reviews

Related Searches

• Zambia Safari Companies
• Zambia Budget Tours
• Zambia Luxury Safaris
• Zambia Honeymoon Safaris
• Best Zambia Safaris
• South Luangwa Safaris
• Kafue Safaris
• Lower Zambezi Safaris
• Victoria Falls Tours
• 10 Best Safari Companies in Zambia
• Mosi-oa-Tunya Safari Tours
• North Luangwa Safaris

7 Questions About Zambia Safaris

Answered by

Alan murphy.

When is the best time to visit Zambia?

“Zambia trips are best scheduled when it’s easiest to see the wildlife because apart from Victoria Falls, that’s the major attraction. And the best time for wildlife is the Dry season (May to October). At this time of the year, animals tend to hang out near water sources, which makes capturing them on camera easier. In Zambia, the Wet season (November to April) is known as the ‘Emerald season’, named after the infinite shades of green in the luscious bush at this time of year. South Luangwa in particular is mesmerizing during the Emerald season. However, be aware that many accommodations close at this time of the year, and roads can be in very bad shape. June through to August is the best time to see Victoria Falls as they are at their most spectacular in these months.”

Why visit Zambia, what are the major attractions?

“Zambia doesn’t have much diversity when it comes to its attractions. But what it does have is world-class! The country’s premier attraction – which it shares with Zimbabwe – is Mosi-oa-Tunya (the Smoke That Thunders). Victoria Falls is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. No Zambian vacation should miss this incredible natural sight. The second major attraction which makes a Zambia tour worthwhile is its wildlife and the setting in which you can see it. Although the animal kingdom is much the same as in other nearby countries, the parks are that much wilder in Zambia. Not only is South Luangwa National Park packed full of wildlife, but it’s also one of the most beautiful parks in Africa. North Luangwa National Park is less developed, but no less well endowed with wildlife and specializes in walking safaris. Lower Zambezi National Park has a dreamy location on the Zambezi River, opposite Mana Pools in Zimbabwe. Canoeing this mighty river is the pastime of choice here; wildlife spotting is particularly productive from a canoe. And no Zambia safari would be complete without a visit to Kafue National Park, one of Africa’s largest parks and especially good for spotting leopard. There are plenty of other wilderness areas to explore too, such as Liuwa Plain National Park, where you can see nature at its finest via a wildlife migration that includes many thousands of grazers, such as wildebeest and zebra.”

What does a Zambia safari cost?

“The sky is the limit for Zambia tours. Although not exclusively top end, most Zambia safaris are pitched towards that end of the market. Generally speaking, the more accessible a park is, the cheaper a Zambia safari will be – the most accessible park in the country is Kafue, which has a major highway running through it with affordable lodges just off the highway. Zambia camping safaris have prices that are competitive with most countries in the region (except perhaps South Africa), and start at around US$150 per day – although you’re more likely to pay upward of US$200 a day. The price of a mid-range tour will be upward of US$300 a day (and can easily climb towards US$1,000 a day, giving you an idea of the price bracket that luxury safaris occupy!), and will see you lounging around in comfy lodges and tented camps. There are some well-established tour operators in Zambia with fine reputations for delivering high-quality, luxury safaris. If you are looking to spoil yourself then a Zambia safari package with one of the many outstanding operators on SafariBookings.com will not disappoint.”

How is the wildlife viewing in Zambia?

“The wildlife viewing in Zambia is spectacular and unique. The parks are in many ways very wild and (apart from areas of South Luangwa) very undeveloped. In some there are no facilities at all. The wildlife you will see on Zambia tours of the country’s parks tends to be equally as spectacular and untamed. Lodges are in the habit of building their accommodation on traditional wildlife tracks, which encourages animals to spend time in and around the camps. Zambia safari holidays in the country’s network of protected areas are really all about wildlife encounters in pristine African bush. Kafue National Park is famed for its leopard sightings, tree-climbing lions, enormous herds of red lechwes, plenty of other antelopes and even wild dogs. What may stick in your mind from a visit to Lower Zambezi National Park are the big-tusked elephants, large buffalo herds, giant crocs lying nonchalantly on the riverbank and the pods of grunting hippos. All are best seen by paddling down the Zambezi in a canoe. South Luangwa is great for most species, including most of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo but not rhino). And Zambia tours of Liuwa Plain National Park reveal a little-known wildlife migration in the Wet season that includes tens of thousands of blue wildebeests, Burchell’s zebras and tsessebes.”

How safe is Zambia for tourists?

“Zambia is very safe for visitors. In particular, the parks and other wildlife areas rarely see any crime. Zambian people are friendly, courteous and full of curiosity, and most would be devastated to think you felt unsafe or unwelcome in their country. The only exception to this is the larger urban areas, such as the capital Lusaka – here the same rules apply as they would in any city. That is, don’t wear or carry flashy expensive items, leave valuables in a hotel safe, don’t walk around at night (catch a taxi instead), and be on a higher level of alert with regard to what is going on around you on the streets. In the parks and reserves, wildlife viewing always entails some risk – after all wild animals are unpredictable. However, if you use a bit of common sense and listen to your guide’s instructions, then you will be fine.”

What type of accommodation can I expect on a Zambia safari?

“In Zambia, the type of accommodation is very dependent on the park you are visiting. In South Luangwa National Park, the country’s best-known park, you can expect all different types of lodging, from campsites and rustic bungalows, through to tented rooms on raised platforms and luxury lodges. In Kafue National Park you can expect a decent smattering of mid-range accommodation just off the highway that splits the park, with more luxurious options buried deeper into the bush. Lower Zambezi is more off-the-beaten track with most visitors flying into bush airstrips. The accommodation reflects the price of the transport required to get here, and is pitched mainly at the top-end or luxury sector of the market. Parks such as Blue Lagoon are restricted in the accommodation they offer with limited, self-catering chalets, while others, such as Lukusuzi, require you to be totally self-sufficient as they are devoid of any facilities at all. So, when planning your Zambia safari holiday, keep in mind the type of accommodation you would prefer, including the level of luxury, and for the most choice and best value, South Luangwa is a good bet.”

What can I expect from a trip to Zambia?

“Zambia safari vacations are all about the wildlife and that – apart from the jaw-dropping Victoria Falls – is the highlight of any visit to the country. Apart from rhino, the rest of the Big Five are plentiful and the three major parks – South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi and Kafue – all have excellent wildlife densities. For most people, a Zambia tour will usually involve, at least in part, some luxury accommodation in the bush, and there’s no better place to spend up big if you want to spoil yourself. A highlight for many people on a Zambia holiday is doing a walking safari. The guides in Zambia are some of the best in Africa, and a walking safari is a special experience. Lastly, the people of Zambia are well renowned for their warmth and hospitality – interacting with the local people is an integral part of any trip to the country.”

Zambia Safari Reviews

Emma is an award-winning travel writer for Rough Guides, National Geographic Traveller, Travel Africa magazine and The Independent.

Home of the walking safari

I think it’s fair to say that most true safari aficionadoes love the idea of spending a few days in an untamed wilderness, and are irritated by facilities which are simply too big, too grand, too slick or too popular. While Zambia can’t...

Full Review

Stephen is a travel writer and avid conservationist whose work appears in prestigious magazines such as Africa Geographic and Travel Africa.

Africa’s Hottest Safari Option

It is only in the last decade that Zambia burst back onto the African safari scene, re-building its safari reputation on the back of some epic national parks and outstanding wildlife. Anyone even vaguely familiar with Zambia and its...

Under rated.

We booked to a part of Zambia that we were not familiar with. South Lawanga, not hard to get to but not all that easy, which made it perfect for us. We did not want the over touristing that can occur in some parks. The Thornicroft Lodge...

Wild and natural- an untamed destination

Enjoyed my safari to south luangwe national park and the booking went really smoothly. Your company, Ntanda tours, who offered the itinerary and safari bookings were really communicative and I got fast and helpful responses. Would use...

Fortunately not too popular yet. We were two of very few tourists in amazing and beautiful places.

We went during the green season, at the end of the rainy season. Lovely weather, very few tourists, a lot of wildlife easy to spot if you are with an experienced guide. Unfortunately some roads were still flooded and closed, but it didnt...

Wonderful Zambia

Zambia is a country that I had not ventured but perhaps I was saving it to understand it’s beauty after having visited many of the more frequented African countries. The Zambezi River is a phenomenal place to get close to wildlife via...

THE 10 BEST Zambia Safaris

Safaris in zambia.

• Nature & Wildlife Tours
• 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
• Victoria Falls
• Revival Safaris and Tours
• Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls National Park
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Chobe Full Day Trip

2. Chobe Full Day Safari Trip

3. Full-day Safari Tour in Chobe

4. 5-Day Explore Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana

5. Chobe Safari Day Trip From Livingstone

6. Game Drive plus white Rhino short walk

7. Full Day Chobe Safari Tour with Return Transfers

8. Zambezi River Safari

9. Game drive and short rhino walk

10. Rhino Game Drive

11. Game Drive & Rhino Safari Experience

12. Rhino Game Drive

13. Game Drive and White Rhino Walking Safari in Livingstone

14. Rhino Walk

15. Chobe Safari Experience Day Trip

16. Chobe National Park Safari Day Trip

17. Day Trip: Discover Victoria Falls Zimbabwe From Livingstone, Zambia

18. Game Drive in Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park

19. Chobe Full Day Trip

20. A Chobe Full Day Tour - Botwana

21. Chobe Full day Safari: Game Drive & Boat Safari with Lunch

22. 5 Day Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park Camping Tour

23. Full-Day Chobe Trip Botswana

24. 5 Day Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park Luxury Accommodated Tour

25. Game Drive And Rhino Walk

26. Half Day Birding Safari Experience

27. Game Drive and Rhino Viewing Safari

28. Chobe Day Trip

29. Chobe Full Day Trip

30. Chobe Day Trip -Botswana

What travelers are saying.

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Best Zambia Safari Tours

Find the perfect Safari adventure in Zambia. There are 28 Zambia safaris to choose from, that range in length from 3 days up to 16 days. The most popular month for these tours is June.

28 Zambia safari packages with 54 reviews

• Overland Truck

9 Days - Zambia: Enjoyable MWEZI Travel Expedition Safari Adventure

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Nyati BIG-5 Classic “Best of Zambia” Safari Experience: Lower Zambezi, Kafue (Busanga Plains) and South Luangwa National Parks – 11 days

• Christmas & New Year

7-Days Zambia Safari Adventure - Livingstone & Kafue NP

The Wild West of Zambia

Highlights of Zambia - 11 days

Zambezi Canoe Safari

10 DAYS EXPLORING THE WONDERS OF ZAMBIA

Kanzwa short holiday break excursion - 2 Nights Safari Tour to Kafue National Park - Central Region

The 3-day tour from Lusaka to Kafue National Park was an unforgettable experience. It is a good trip to do if you are short on time at the beginning or end of a visit to Zambia, to give you a flavour of the bush and the sounds, smells and sights away from the cities. The group was small: tour leader, driver, cook and two individual travellers, that allowed for some flexibility, e.g with regards to the time to return. We had a tent each with really comfortable beds, on a campsite right by the river, and could see and hear the hippos nearby! The boat tour in the late afternoon especially was very memorable. Unfortunately, there were a few issues with the tour - we were downgraded from a camp to a campsite, so there was no bar and little opportunity to meet other travellers. The tour guide disappeared for nearly a full day without telling us in advance, and a few of the advertised options disappeared off the schedule. If I did this tour again, I would make sure to communicate and agree well in advance exactly which of the optional extras I would want to do (e.g. a hike, or a visit to a village). But with all those issues in mind, I still think this is a great tour to a less-overrun national park and have a lot of wonderful memories. Thank you Mark, Brian and Martha!

Zambia: Incredible Shoebill Stork & other bird species watching in Bangweulu wetlands & Lochinvar for 16 days.

From Livingstone: 3-days safari travel to Kafue National Park (southern part)

Lochinvar Safaris has been doing great work. I had excellent time with them for three full days. Not only that, but booking and discussion about plan was smooth. Mark is great communicator and organizer. His team is well committed to provide good experience for customers. We left Livingstone in the morning, and Oscar, who works with Mark was very knowledgeable about Zambia’s history and tradition. One of first highlights was visiting Pioneer cemetery, originally dedicated to Rhodesian Pioneers. Must visit for anyone who’s interested in this part of Zambia history. Drive to (and back from) Kafue NP is great, opportunity to visit local villages and how people live, plus view of great flora and fauna. Two nights stay at Itezhi tezhi town was well experience. Good accommodation, nice host and people who work there. Alice was making nice dishes with great presentation. The second day was drive in KNP, again great flora and fauna. Lots of opportunity to see various birds (like national bird Fish Eagle) and various animals (likely most often is Pumbaa, local name for warthog). The safari guide was KNP native Gift, very knowledgeable about his native land. We also visited Game Rangers International (located in KNP), dedicated to rescue mostly orphaned elephants. Finally it was nice visiting Longola Hot Springs, and have opportunity to see how local people enjoy it very much. Thanks for experience, Zarko

Zambia's Best Parks

Kafue 6 Days / 5 Nights Budget Safari

• Walking Adventure
• Wildlife Trekking
• Hiking & Trekking

Zambia Walking Safari

Highlights of Zambia

4 days - Explore Lochinvar National Park for bird-watching and Batwa Culture Tour

Zambia safari tour reviews.

Really enjoyed my three day/two night Karfue National Park tour with this team. If you’re after personal, customised service, then these guys will be able to help you. The park itself is enormous… Probably best combined with one of the other more “animals on tap” parks like Chobe or South Luangwa. Mark went out of his way to make sure I had a good in-depth look at the more remote sections of the park which is very beautiful and very under touristed. Instead of rigid to game drives, we spent the whole day doing several of the Park game circuits which I really appreciated. Accommodation at the lodge was not great, but adequate and much better than paying three or four times as much at a luxury lodge to do the same daytime activities. Overall, a great option for the value, seeking Traveler – you won’t regret it.

Safari Tours

• Wildlife (6)

National Park

• Lower Zambezi National Park (11)
• South Luangwa National Park (5)

Regions in Zambia

• South Luangwa National Park (11)

Travel Styles

• 10 Best Safaris in December 2024/2025
• 10 Best Safaris in August 2024/2025
• 10 Best Safaris in January 2024/2025
• 10 Best Safaris in November 2024/2025
• 10 Best Safaris in October 2024/2025
• 10 Best Safaris in September 2024/2025
• 10 Best Safaris in July 2024/2025
• 10 Best Safaris in June 2024/2025
• 10 Best Safaris in May 2024/2025
• 10 Best Safaris in April 2024/2025
• 10 Best Safaris in March 2024/2025
• 10 Best Safaris in February 2024/2025
• 10 Best Luxury African Safari Tours 2024/2025

International Versions

• Deutsch: Sambia Safari
• Français: Zambie Safaris 2024/2025
• Español: Safaris en Zambia
• Nederlands: Safari Rondreizen in Zambia

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• Big Five Safaris
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• Zambia Safari

The ultimate guide to your next Zambia Safari

Get to know zambia.

By Diane Du Plessis

Safari Travel Planner

This landlocked country is a truly extraordinary safari destination, boasting some of the continent’s most remote and rugged wildlife areas, topped off with the magnificent Victoria Falls .

Zambia safaris are known for their natural beauty in one of the most pristine and unspoiled wildlife havens on the entire African continent, owing to the country’s incredibly low population.

Zambia has a generally pleasant climate, but the river valleys are typically hotter and more humid.

Zambia Video

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Why Zambia?

• Visit the picturesque Victoria Falls during your safari in Zambia
• Try out the adrenaline-pumping canoe safaris in Lower Zambezi National Park
• Partake in walking safaris in the Luangwa Valley of Zambia
• Go leopard-spotting on night drives in South Luangwa or Lower Zambezi
• Enjoy white-water rafting on Grade Five rapids below Victoria Falls
• See the spectacular birdlife on safari along the Zambezi and around Lake Bengweulu

Where to go in Zambia

• Kafue National Park
• Kasanka National Park
• Lake Kariba
• Liuwa Plain National Park
• Lower Zambezi National Park
• North and South Luangwa National Park
• North-Eastern Zambia
• Sioma Ngwezi and Ngonye Falls National Park
• Southern Zambia
• Victoria Falls in Zambia
• Western Zambia

Kafue National Park is Zambia’s largest wildlife reserve and one of the biggest in Africa. It covers more than 22000km² (8494 square miles), and the terrain varies significantly from north to south.

The park’s top third is separated by the M9 highway, and rivers, large and small, define this northern section. Seasonal floodplains and far-reaching, wildlife-rich wetlands dominate northern Kafue, and as the Kafue River flows south, the surrounding area becomes increasingly drier.

Large sections of Kalahari wood and grassland make southern Kafue a perfect home to ever-growing populations of plains game and the park’s largest concentrations of elephants.

Highlights of Kafue National Park In Zambia

Birders will delight in the extreme northwest of the park, where the Busanga Swamps, an official Ramsar site, attract close to 500 species, including large flocks of herons, egrets, and endangered Wattle cranes. This area is perfect for anyone interested in bird-watching safaris .

Numerous antelope species are also common in the north, especially kudu, bush buck, eland, reedbuck, duiker, grysbok, lechwe, and waterbuck. Buffalo and elephants can be found in large herds further south.

Lions are widespread, and there’s a particular lion pride in Busanga, which is known for climbing trees. Leopards are frequently spotted in forested areas, especially during night drives, though these are only permitted with certified guides booked through a camp or lodge.

Walking safaris are best during winter, while boat safaris are available along the Kafue River during the wet summer.

Travel Tips for a Kafue Safari in Zambia

• The tarred M9 (also known as the Mongu Road) provides year-round access to the north, and Kafue’s main gate, Hook Bridge, can be reached in a four-hour drive from Lusaka.
• The park’s extensive internal road network is 4×4 only, however, and much of it is totally inaccessible from late November through April when heavy rains turn the dirt tracks to mud.
• Wildlife is generally more prolific in the north of the park and is also where many luxury lodges in Zambia provide all-inclusive safari packages. Many stay open all year, offering fly-in safaris to avoid the bad roads.
• Camps in the central and southern sections tend to be more affordable, but without access by air, they usually close during the worst of the rains.

Kasanka National Park is Zambia’s only privately managed park, run by the Kasanka Trust charity in partnership with the local community. At slightly less than 400km2 (154 square miles), it’s also one of Zambia’s smallest, lying just south of the Bangweulu Wetlands near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

With its wonderful papyrus marshes, swamp forests, and miombo woodland, it’s one of Zambia’s most beautiful reserves. The many crisscrossing rivers and seasonal swampy pools support an incredible number and variety of birds. Kasanka is best known for its annual bat migration, which takes place in late November and early December each year.

Highlights of a Kasanka Safari in Zambia

Kasanka has limited big game but supports several interesting antelope species, including the rare sitatunga, which is relatively common here. Crocodiles and hippos are also plentiful, while buffalo, elephants, and leopards are present but rarely seen.

The major wildlife attraction is the annual bat migration, which begins in November. Up to 10 million bats, with wingspans of over half a meter in diameter, cloud the skies in an incredible swarm – small predators and scavengers pouncing on any that fall.

The park is also home to almost 500 species of birds, an astonishing number considering its small size. Which makes it the perfect location for photographic safaris in Zambia .

Fishing and canoe trips are available on the Luwombwa River, although river fishing is banned across Zambia from December to March. Many visitors combine Kasanka with a trip to the nearby Bangweulu Wetlands to see the shoebills and endemic Black lechwe.

Practical Advice on a Kasanka Safari

• A holiday in Kasanka is excellent for experienced self-drivers with fully-equipped 4x4s. Access is relatively straightforward along the tarred T2 from Lusaka, which is in good condition for most of the way.
• Within Kasanka park, there are well-managed campsites with toilets and shade, and the roads are easily manageable during the dry season (although not at all in the wet). Fly-in Kasanka safaris are also available – there’s an airstrip near Wasa Lodge. Wasa Lodge is the park’s main camp, and all visitors must report here on arrival.
• Guided, multi-day bat safaris can be booked through various operators, and self-drivers can arrange local bird and fishing guides at Wasa Lodge. It’s best to book these in advance to ensure availability, especially during the bat migration season.

Lake Kariba is the world’s largest man-made dam by volume, extending over 5000km2 (1930 square miles) along Zambia’s southern border. Completed in 1959, the dam provides hydroelectric power to Zambia and Zimbabwe, and fish stocks – mainly tilapia, kapenta, and the prized tigerfish – are also shared.

Access to the Zambian side of the lake is relatively limited, with Sinazongwe and Siavonga the only two towns of any significance. Siavonga is the larger, a sleepy lakeside holiday village popular with locals and only a few hours’ drive from Lusaka. Sinazongwe is much smaller and less developed, and most head to Siavonga as their base for exploring the lake.

Highlights of Lake Kariba

The Zambian side of the lake is far less wild than Zimbabwe, and there are no game reserves along the northern shore.

For wildlife safaris , you’ll have to visit one of two large islands, Chete or Chikanka, both in the southwest and accessible from Sinazongwe. Chete is the larger of the two, and guided game walks are possible.

There’s a small population of elephants, some leopards, and plenty of crocodiles, hippos, and birds. Chikanka is privately owned, with a single, dedicated fishing lodge. It’s one of many fishing options on a Lake Kariba holiday, with tigerfish as the most sought-after catch.

Various expeditions can be arranged from Siavonga – from live-aboard houseboats to private motorboat trips and canoes. Siavonga is also right next to the dam wall, and by flashing your passport, you can walk out onto it, or catch a boat from Siavonga for a dam-wall cruise.

Practical Advice for a Lake Kariba Holiday

• It’s not safe to swim along Lake Kariba’s shallow shoreline due to the waterborne parasite bilharzia, and the high numbers of crocodiles and hippos. It’s generally okay to swim further out in deeper water, so a quick dip from your houseboat is usually fine.
• There are good roads to both Siavonga and Sinazongwe, but Siavonga is easier to reach as it’s closer to Lusaka. Any holiday visit to Lake Kariba is primarily about houseboats and/or fishing, so if you’re not into either, you might want to look elsewhere. If you’re after boating and fishing, you can’t go wrong.
• There are hotels, lodges, and campsites in Siavonga to suit a range of budgets, and whereas fishing is banned on Zambia’s rivers from December to March, Lake Kariba is exempt, with fishing year-round.

One of Zambia’s most remote national parks, Liuwa Plain, lies west of the upper Zambezi River, close to the border with Angola. It’s made up of vast grasslands with a smattering of pans, dotted here and there with palms and clumps of Kalahari woodland.

As with much of northern Zambia, large areas of the park are flooded during the rainy season (December to April), and even in the drier winter months, it’s difficult to reach and explore.

Those who can find a way there often feel like they have the entire park to themselves. With its abundant wildlife, panoramic views, and genuinely low visitor numbers, Liuwa Plain exudes tranquility and a sense of total, magical isolation.

Highlights of Liuwa Plains National Park in Zambia

Liuwa Plains most prominent single attraction is its annual Blue wildebeest migration . Comprising an estimated 40,000 animals or more, it’s the second-largest of its kind in the world.

The migration takes place around November each year as rising water levels force the herds southeast in search of fresh grazing. Liuwa Plains birdlife is another major draw, with some of its pans holding water year-round.

These pans attract a surprisingly large variety of species, including marabou and saddle-billed storks, spoonbills, and herons, plus a noteworthy bird rarely found in groups elsewhere – the Slaty egret. Another notable highlight is the hyena population. Estimated at around 600, they take the top spot as Liuwa’s apex predator.

Practical Advice for a Liuwa Plain Safari

• The best time to visit Liuwa Plain National Park for holiday is in November, when the wildebeest migration starts to gather steam. It’s also the last chance to catch the best game viewing before the ensuing rains render the network of dirt tracks impassable.
• The park is closed to self-drive travellers between December and May, with wet-season access by fly-in Zambia safaris only. Accommodation is limited to one very luxurious lodge, which operates most of the year, and a handful of basic seasonal campsites dotted along the wildebeest migration route. Permits (and a map of the park’s 4×4 network) are available from the town of Kalabo, south of the park.

Lower Zambezi National Park is one of Zambia’s premier wildlife destinations, certainly in the top three with South Luangwa and Kafue. Wildlife viewing is best along the rivers, which border the park on three sides.

The Zambezi River is the region’s main water source and the major attraction, both for visitors and game. There are no campsites inside the park, and all the lodges and tented camps are mid-range to luxury.

Highlights of Lower Zambezi National Park

The Lower Zambezi is known for its large populations of buffalo and elephants, which congregate along the Zambezi River during the dry winter months. Lions, leopards, and hyenas are also common, as well as large numbers of hippos and crocodiles.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take to the river itself – most lodges offer short canoe and/or boat excursions. Multi-day canoe safaris are also available, ranking among Africa’s most extraordinary experiences.

Although not without risk, these canoe safaris are truly unique, with experienced river guides leading small groups between the crocs and hippos down one of southern Africa’s wildest, most spectacular rivers.

Also on the river, tiger fishing is very popular, and the best conditions are between August and October. Many lodges cater specifically to anglers drawn to the area by the enormous tigerfish on offer.

Travel Tips for a Lower Zambezi National Park Holiday

• May to November is the best time to visit the Lower Zambezi, and the prime game-viewing season begins in June. October and November can get extremely hot, however, with daytime temperatures well over 40°C/104°F.
• Once the rains begin (usually by mid-November), most camps inside the park close. Between January and April, all the park’s lodges shut down, but there are year-round lodges and campsites outside the park, across the Chongwe River.
• Within Lower Zambezi National Park, there is no budget accommodation. Self-drivers can camp along the Zambezi to the west. Many visitors opt for a fly-in safari or drive to Chirundu and take a boat transfer from there.
• Several safari operators offer Lower Zambezi packages to the region, often at better rates than booking directly with a lodge.

South Luangwa National Park is arguably the best wildlife-viewing destination in Zambia. It has several excellent lodges and tented camps , with more budget accommodation available just outside the park at Mfuwe Bridge.

This Mfuwe section of the park gets relatively busy and can sometimes feel a bit touristy. The best options are further north along the Luangwa River, where there’s a mix of mid-range to luxury lodges and mobile camps, many open year-round.

Both parks offer day and night guided game drives and some of the best walking safaris in Africa .

Highlights of a North and South Luangwa Safari

South and North Luangwa are famous for their walking safaris, which are led by expert guides through some of Africa’s best game-viewing territories.

South Luangwa is home to many rare and endemic species, including Thornicroft’s giraffe, Cookson’s wildebeest, and Crawshay’s zebra, and there are plenty of elephants, buffalo, lions, and especially leopards.

In late October, before the start of the rains, thousands of hippos gather in the Luangwa River’s deeper pools – an incredible spectacle as they jostle and fight for space.

Unlike most of Zambia’s parks, many camps in South Luangwa stay open during the rainy season, with boat safaris the major attraction. As the Luangwa River breaks its banks, shallow-draft vessels can navigate into the flooded riverine groves, one of Zambia’s unique safari highlights.

Practical Advice on a North and South Luangwa Safari

• Of all Zambia’s national parks, South Luangwa has the best network of all-weather roads, so both boat and game drive safaris are possible during the rainy season.
• During the dry season, fully-sufficient self-drivers can explore North Luangwa’s rough network of dirt tracks, a wild and beautiful adventure best done in convoy and with some previous 4×4 experience.
• October and November can get brutally hot in the Luangwa Valley, with temperatures well above 40°C/104°F. Walking safaris are not recommended; the best time to walk is between May and September.
• Fly-in North and South Luangwa Safaris are available throughout the year, and package deals booked through reputable agents are often cheaper than going direct to the lodges.

North-eastern Zambia is a vast, varied region – a mix of lush, open grassland, thick riverine forest, beautiful rivers, wetlands, and lakes. To the south, the Luangwa Valley area is the most accessible – by Zambian standards – and South Luangwa National Park is one of the country’s best, and most popular wildlife destinations .

Further north, access becomes increasingly difficult. The Great North Road, the T2 highway from Lusaka, is the north’s main artery. While it’s generally kept in reasonable condition, most secondary roads are rough and challenging and can be completely impassable in the wet season.

Many of the region’s few visitors forgo the bumpy, time-consuming roads and opt instead for fly-in North-Eastern Zambia safaris to the more remote highlights: North Luangwa and Kasanka National Park and the Bangweulu Wetlands.

Highlights of a North-Easter Zambia Safari

South Luangwa National Park is arguably Zambia’s best for wildlife. It offers the best combination of natural beauty, accessibility, wildlife, and a range of lodges, camps, and Zambia safari activities.

The Luangwa Valley is where the first-ever commercial walking safaris began, and they’re still a highlight of the region. They’re especially worthwhile in the more isolated North Luangwa National Park, known for its expert guides and pristine, largely unvisited wilderness.

Northwest of Luangwa Valley, the Bangweulu Wetlands are wonderfully wild and remote. The few brave adventurers who visit usually do so for the endemic Black lechwe and the remarkable 1.5m-tall shoebill, which with its goofy smile could have been plucked from a fanciful Disney animation.

Nearby Kasanka National Park is a beautiful reserve and home to a sky-darkening, 10-million-strong bat migration in November and December each year. If you’re in the area, be sure to visit Shiwa Ng’andu estate, the incredible early 20th-century project of British-born Stewart Gore-Browne, who became one of Africa’s greatest champions for autonomy and self-rule. There are hot springs, fishing, canoeing, rafting, and guided walks nearby.

Practical Advice for a North-Easter Zambia Safari

• If you’re planning to drive, don’t drive alone. A northeastern Zambia safari tour is extremely challenging and remote and is only recommended for experienced 4×4 enthusiasts, ideally traveling in a convoy.
• Fly-in safaris are the norm here, and all the major camps and lodges offer air transfers, usually from Lusaka. It’s a good idea to book your entire trip with a single, reputable agent – they’re often cheaper than booking directly with a lodge.
• You’ll also get better rates if you stick with just one safari operator. The more prominent operators run multiple camps and lodges, with deals for more extended stays across their properties.
• Be aware that similar prices don’t necessarily denote a similar style. The most remote lodges are much more expensive to run, and you’ll pay a premium for the wildest, most exclusive locations.

Covering 5,000km² (1930 square miles) of Kalahari woodland, Sioma Ngwezi is Zambia’s third-largest national park. Tucked away in the country’s southwestern corner, it’s bordered by the Kwando River to the west (which also forms Zambia’s border with Angola) and Namibia to the south.

Once heavily affected by cross-border poaching, Sioma Ngwezi is seeing a revival. This has been made possible by several factors, including a slowly improving local infrastructure, good tourism numbers to nearby Livingstone, and, most importantly, the park’s inclusion in the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area.

Combined with the impressive Ngonye Falls National Park further north, this is one of Zambia’s up-and-coming regions. A steady return in wildlife numbers makes it an exciting prospect for adventurous travelers.

Highlights at Sioma Ngwezi And Ngonye Falls National Park

Sioma Ngwezi has a history of excellent giraffe sightings. Although wildlife is still scarce and relatively skittish, small populations of Zambia’s other species still occur and are growing, including leopards, lions, and spotted hyenas.

Water is also scarce, so the best wildlife viewing is just after the summer rains when the animals congregate around the drying pools. At just 25m/82ft high, Ngonye Falls may not be as grand as Victoria Falls, but what it lacks in stature, it makes up for in its impressive volume.

There’s also the chance to swim, fish, kayak, or go white-water rafting, all this far from the much busier Livingstone, a bumpy four-hour drive away.

Practical Advice for Sioma Ngwezi And Ngonye Falls National Park

• The best time to visit Sioma Ngwezi and Ngonye Falls national parks is from May to early June, just after the rainy season.
• Many of Sioma Ngwezi’s dambos (wetland pools) will still have water, and it’s the most prolific period for wildlife viewing.
• The falls at Ngonye (about 120km/74mi further north) are also at their best while the river is high.
• Unfortunately, the road from Livingstone is heavily potholed for long stretches. Still, with brand new tarmac laid further north, there’s hope that this southern section of the M10 will be resurfaced soon, making the journey from Livingstone much easier.
• Driving in Sioma Ngwezi is strictly 4×4 only, and there are no facilities inside the park.

Zambia’s southernmost region is also its most popular, dominated by the mighty Zambezi River, which flows east from the town of Sesheke to Mozambique. The river forms Zambia’s southern border with Namibia and Zimbabwe, and along this strip, you’ll find the country’s best infrastructure.

The T1 and T4 highways, which stretch from Livingstone to Lusaka and Lusaka to the Malawi border, are the country’s two major arteries. Naturally, the towns along these two main roads are the busiest but also the best equipped for travelers to Zambia. These are the access points for the country’s top highlights: Victoria Falls, Lake Kariba, and the Lower Zambezi National Park.

Highlights of a Southern Zambia Safari

Victoria Falls is one of the major highlights of Southern Africa . Although there are fewer viewpoints on the Zambian side, visiting the falls from Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park provides visitors with a quieter alternative to Zimbabwe’s much busier Victoria Falls National Park.

Further down the Zambezi, Lake Kariba is another highlight. With just a handful of small resorts on its northern shores, a few days on Lake Kariba is the perfect Zambia holiday if you enjoy fishing, canoeing, or simply relaxing on a stately houseboat.

The lake also boasts a small number of game-rich islands, although passionate wildlife lovers should look to scratch that itch a little further east on a safari to Lower Zambezi National Park. Arguably the best park in the country, this magnificent reserve holds its own against Africa’s best. An open-top vehicle safari in Zambia here is not to be missed.

Practical Advice for a Southern Zambia Safari

• Zambia’s T1 and T4 highways are in relatively good condition, but sections are still severely degraded, and travel times, even over short distances, tend to be longer than expected.
• Allow plenty of time between destinations and avoid driving at night. Swimming in Lake Kariba’s shallows is also unsafe.
• The lake is home to numerous crocodiles and hippos, and the waterborne parasite bilharzia is an ever-present threat, especially along the shoreline.
• Southern Zambia is an excellent year-round safari destination, but it can become sweltering from late September until the rains begin in November.
• High temperatures and humidity make this region especially risky for malaria, so take appropriate precautions.

Arguably Africa’s most famous attraction, the 1.7km/1mi wide Victoria Falls, lives up to its hype, especially when viewed in full flow. At its peak between February and May, more than 550 million liters of water (enough to fill 220 Olympic-size swimming pools) spills into the Batoka Gorge every minute.

You can view the falls from Zambia and Zimbabwe, but Zambia tends to be quieter and more intimate. The flow may not reach the Zambian side from August to December, but day trips into Zimbabwe can be easily arranged.

Highlights of Victoria Falls in Zambia

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is well-geared for travelers, with an intimate network of pathways and viewpoints, a restaurant, and numerous information boards. The Zambian side also boasts what is probably the falls’ most dramatic viewpoint – the Knife Edge Bridge, which is completely shrouded in mist during peak flow.

Above the falls, Livingstone Island and the Devil’s Pool are only accessible from the Zambian side, the latter a spectacular swimming spot right on the edge of the falls. It’s a major highlight, but for the brave only, and only open between August and January.

If adventure activities are your thing, there’s also skydiving, bungee jumping, abseiling, and white-water rafting. The rafting is also best between August and January when the river is lower, and the more difficult rapids are safe to run.

Travel Tips for a Victoria Falls holiday in Zambia

• It’s difficult to recommend the best time to visit Victoria Falls . Swimming in the Devil’s Pool is only possible when the water level is low (from August to early January), and white-water rafting is also best during this period.
• On the other hand, peak flow is incredible to see. These months, from February to May, give the falls its local name: Mosi-oa-Tunya, ‘The Smoke That Thunders’.
• If you’re visiting Victoria Falls during peak flow, take a raincoat and waterproof shoes (or flip-flops). You’ll certainly get soaked if you don’t. Plastic ponchos are also available to rent at the park’s entrance; an extra one will help shield your camera.
• There’s no shortage of hotels, lodges, and tented camps in the area. The upmarket lodges are generally along the upper stretch of the Zambezi River, above the falls, while more affordable backpackers and hotels can be found in Livingstone town.

Western Zambia’s topography is primarily defined by two of its most significant rivers: the Zambezi and the Kafue, which have carved broad valleys into Zambia’s plateaus over the millennia. Heavy rains from November to January cause them to swell over onto the surrounding grasslands, creating extensive, swampy floodplains for a few months each year. Several pans dot the region, and some hold water year-round.

At the extreme west, Kalahari sand dominates, while miombo woodland, papyrus swamps, and a handful of evergreen forests make up the remaining major flora.  The region suffered during southwest Africa’s border conflicts of the 1970s and 80s, and it’s still one of Zambia’s least developed areas.

These days its parks are bouncing back fiercely, and new tar roads east of the Zambezi are making access significantly more manageable.

Highlights of a Western Zambia Safari

Western Zambia encompasses the wildest stretch of the Zambezi River, and its highlights are equally untamed.

A handful of isolated lodges and camps make the most of the area’s aquatic riches, offering challenging but exceptional tiger and bream fishing opportunities.

Seasoned off-road enthusiasts will find the Kalahari sand equally challenging, and exploring this region in a 4×4 requires good backup and patience. Rewards come in the form of quiet, underexplored parks such as Sioma Ngwezi National Park and the magnificent (and more easily accessed) Liuwa Plain National Park, as well as natural wonders such as Ngonye Falls.

Combine this with the resurgence of nearby Kafue National Park , Zambia’s biggest national park, and it’s an unmissable region for a truly wild experience.

Practical Advice on a Western Zambia Safari

• Sparsely populated, wild, and untamed – the features that make this region attractive for the adventurous also make it essential to be well prepared, especially if you’re self-driving.
• As a rule, fuel becomes scarcer the further north you travel, so fill up in the south and always carry extra. Much of the extreme west is undrivable during the rainy season, as are large parts of the Kafue Valley.
• It’s highly inadvisable to travel in one vehicle only – a small convoy of three or more is best. A GPS and prior 4×4 experience are essential.
• For most travelers, it’s recommended to book an all-inclusive stay with a lodge or tented camp, either within one of the parks or along the Zambezi River. Allow them to handle your transfers, which will typically be from Livingstone.
• Not all lodges operate during the rainy season, but those that do usually offer fly-in options. Reduced prices are sometimes available to encourage bookings, and it can be an excellent time to visit, especially for peace and quiet and the abundant birdlife.
• Note that fishing is banned on the Zambezi River from December to the end of February.

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When is the best month to travel to zambia.

• Zambia in January

January is the height of Zambia’s summer rainy season and most guide books will tell you it’s the worst time to visit. By January, heavy downpours have turned Zambia’s dirt and gravel roads to an impassable mush, rivers break their banks, and many camps and lodges close completely, only reopening once the waters have subsided. Daytime temperatures average about 30°C, with nights around 20°C across most of the country.

Conditions on the ground are tough, especially if you’re driving, but not all safaris are confined to roads. Some operators in South Luangwa National Park offer fantastic boat safaris from late January to April, when the Luangwa River is high enough to explore into its flooded woodland groves. These exclusive, fly-in safaris are a fantastic way to experience Zambia’s ‘emerald season’ and South Luangwa also has a reasonable network of all-weather roads so some game driving is still possible. When the rain does fall, it tends to be brief and heavy and is more spectacular than disruptive. The dramatic skies and clear air make for excellent photographs and specialist photographic safaris are also available.

Although the rainy season is generally less productive for wildlife, that’s not to say you won’t see any. Most mammals give birth from December to March and it’s a great time to spot juveniles as they (rapidly) learn to fend for themselves. This is also by far the best period for birds across the region, but what’s food for the birds can be a nuisance for you. Be prepared for plenty of insects and don’t forget the bug spray.

By January, the Zambezi River is starting to rise rapidly and the flow over Victoria Falls becomes more and more dramatic. At the beginning of the month there may not yet be enough water to extend the full length of the falls and the Zambian side always has less flow than Zimbabwe. By the end of the month, however, the entire width should be covered, with good viewing from both sides, and from the air. The famous Devil’s Pool – where the brave can swim right up to the falls’ edge – is only accessible from the Zambian side and closes when the water level become too high. In very rainy years this could mean it’s closed by late January, only reopening in August.

• Zambia in February

February in Zambia is much the same as January, with short, fierce afternoon thunderstorms, swollen rivers and washed-out roads. It can be a difficult time to visit in Zambia, unless you’re flying into a specialist lodge that operates throughout the season. These usually offer their best safari deals from January to April and will sometimes have discounts for families and children. Expect day-time temperatures around 30°C and nights falling below 20°C by the end of the month.

Fly-in safaris are the best – arguably the only – way to experience Zambia’s wet, ‘emerald season’, and although not all lodges remain open, a few in South Luangwa National Park offer extraordinary boat safaris at this time of year. By February the Luangwa River overflows deep into the Luangwa Valley, allowing boat access through half-submerged forests and offering a unique perspective on this incredible region. South Luangwa is also one of the only parks in Zambia with game-viewing roads that remain drivable during the rainy season. It’s practically impossible to self-drive any of Zambia’s other national parks during February (or any time from December through April), so South Luangwa’s boat and partial vehicle access makes it an excellent February destination.

By February most herbivore species have already given birth and both young and old are in excellent condition. Predators can be elusive and hard to spot in the thicker vegetation, but sightings are still possible. If time is short, however, and animals a priority, then it’s better to postpone your safari until later in the year.

February is an excellent time for birding, with many species in their bright, breeding plumage. By the end of the month, shoebills return to the Bangweulu Wetlands although March is a more certain time to see them.

Steadily rising throughout January, the Zambezi River reaches full flow in February. Expect a spectacular display at Victoria Falls, so much so that by the end of the month it can be difficult to see the falls at all through the incredible explosion of spray and mist. Flights over the falls are the best way to see them, while exploring the walkways will certainly leave you drenched. The Devil’s Pool swim is usually closed in February and white-water rafting switches to half-day trips – only the lower sections of rapids safe enough to run.

• Zambia in March

Zambia’s wet season is nearing its end in March, but there’s still plenty of rain, especially in the north. Up north, the season lasts longer, but gradually the rains retreat from the south, first from Livingstone and then Lusaka. Hot days remain around 30°C, but the nights get slowly cooler – down to around 15°C by the end of March.

Woodland kingfisher

Although the afternoon storms are getting less frequent, water levels across Zambia remain high, in fact they’re at their highest levels throughout March and April. This is still an extremely difficult time to explore Zambia by road. Livingstone, Lusaka, and the main connecting roads are fine, but driving off-road into the parks is practically impossible. South Luangwa National Park has the best network of all-weather roads and also offers fly-in safaris along the Luangwa River. These incredible boat safaris follow the swollen river into the surrounding floodplain, drifting between half-submerged trees in search of game that may not have seen humans for months. It’s especially rewarding for photographers and birders, with great light and dramatic skies, and thousands of birds getting ready for their approaching winter migration.

In Zambia’s Western Province, a very different migration is also preparing. The final date varies from year to year, but in late March or early April, Zambia’s Lozi people undertake their annual odyssey, vacating their summer residence near the Zambezi River for higher, drier ground. This ‘Kuomboka’ festival literally translates as ‘to get out of water’ and is marked by a spectacular ceremonial procession as the king and queen navigate their huge, decorated barges to their winter residence at Limulunga.

Further south, the mighty Zambezi is by now in full flow over Victoria Falls. It’s not the ideal time for white-water rafting as the volume is so great the first section of rapids is usually closed. Above the falls the famous Devil’s Pool swim is also closed in February; the high waters make it far too dangerous. It’s during March and April that the falls’ local name seems most appropriate: Mosi-oa-Tunya, ‘the smoke that thunders’. It’s an awe-inspiring – and very wet – experience, and you won’t see much of the chasm itself with the amount of mist and spray pouring into the air. For the best views, take to the skies. Helicopter and light aircraft flights are at their best at this time of year.

• Zambia in April

Although not considered prime game-viewing season, April is an excellent time to safari in Zambia. Rates tend to be lower, the weather drier and slightly cooler, and the atmosphere clear and crisp and scattered with fluffy clouds. It’s an ideal month for photography enthusiasts and for those who want to see the greener side of Southern Africa without the afternoon downpours. Hot days will still touch 30°C, with colder nights falling to between 10°C and 15°C. By mid-April the rains have almost completely left the south, but may linger in the north into the first few weeks of May.

April and May are Zambia’s autumn low season, when good deals and increasingly pleasant safari conditions must be weighed against lingering flooding that continues to make park access difficult. Off-road driving is still nearly impossible in April, although conditions get gradually easier towards the end of the month. Fly-in safaris remain the best way to access most parks and as the lodges that closed over the wet season reopen, many offer discounts to encourage early visitors. The lush, thick vegetation means predators are harder to spot than later in the year, and the tall grasses can make walking safaris difficult, even dangerous. Nevertheless, it’s a good time for group and family deals; the bush is at its verdant best, the birding fantastic, and early April is superb for boat and canoe safaris.

Also in early April, or sometimes late March, the annual Kuomboka Ceremony takes place in Zambia’s Western Province.

Kuomboko ceremony | Credit: Getaway

Literally translated ‘Kuomboka’ means ‘to get out of water’ and it marks the local Lozi people’s yearly move from the Zambezi floodplain up to higher ground. Powerful drums summon thousands to the site, before the king and queen board massive, decorated barges, and begin their stately procession upstream. It’s a festive occasion with plenty of music and dancing and visitors are welcome providing they’re respectfully attired.

Further downstream Victoria Falls is in full flood and exploring the walkways and viewpoints will certainly leave you drenched. Take a poncho or raincoat and don’t expect to see much of the gorge itself – most will be hidden under the roaring white torrent. April is a great month for flights over the falls, but not for white-water rafting or swimming in the Devil’s Pool. Water levels are too dangerous for the latter activities, although half-day rafting excursions are usually still an option on the lower-grade rapids down river.

• Zambia in May

May is arguably Zambia’s most beautiful month, with the vegetation at its lush best and Victoria Falls in full flow. By May, all of Zambia’s southern camps and lodges have reopened after the rains and across the south the dirt roads are drying, allowing self-drivers back into the parks. May is not yet prime time for wildlife viewing – the thick vegetation makes animals harder to spot. That said, Zambia’s guides are experts and guided game drives can still produce great sightings.

May is also an excellent month for discounts, with low or shoulder season rates at most camps and lodges. Late May, when the vegetation has thinned a little, is perfect for a walking safari in the Luangwa Valley. Expect lower rates and comfortable daytime temperatures, prolific wildlife and some of Zambia’s most qualified and enthusiastic guides. By now the summer rains have completely retreated and nights are cooler and far less humid. Hot, clear days may still touch 30°C, but closer to 25°C is more common in the south.

Although most of Zambia’s southern park roads are open by late May, dirt roads in the north are often still impassable. Both the Kafue River Valley and Liuwa Plain National Park can stay flooded into June, but conditions depend on the rains and vary year to year. As the floodwaters withdraw the rivers gradually clear and late May / early June marks the start of the best river fishing in Zambia.

In the magical Bangweulu Wetlands, the subsiding waters also start to make travel easier, and late May through June is the best time for shoebills. These goofy looking birds are well worth the trip, not just to see them, but for the stunning natural beauty of the wetlands themselves. At nearly 10000km2 they’re almost as large as the Okavango Delta and support a rich, varied flora and fauna, including the endemic black lechwe.

May to August are also the best months to spot the elusive leopards, nocturnal predators who generally only venture out once it’s cool. At hotter times of the year that can mean quite late in the evening, but in winter they prowl at twilight, inspecting their territory as they prepare to hunt. South Luangwa is particularly good for leopard and all the main camps and lodges offer guided evening and night drives. Sightings aren’t guaranteed, but this is the best way to see them, especially as Zambia is one of very few countries to allow spotlights on game vehicles.

Note that May is still high water at Victoria Falls and tours of the Devil’s Pool will definitely be closed. White-water rafting is usually limited to half days on the downstream rapids, so May is not a good time for either of these activities. You will, however, get to see the falls at near-peak flow and experience the full might of Mosi-oa-Tunya, ‘The Smoke That Thunders.’

• Zambia in June

June marks the start of Zambia’s prime safari season, but many lodges still offer reduced ‘shoulder season’ rates so it’s one of the best months to visit. Later in the season conditions can get very hot, but June is cool and pleasant, with daytime highs not much over 25°C and nightly lows around 10°C. Pack thick socks and a warm jacket for early morning walks and game drives. And prepare yourself for one of Zambia’s best months for a walking safari.

The Luangwa Valley is Zambia’s walking safari mecca, although all the major parks offer guided walks as well. South Luangwa National Park is where it all began, however, and the region still boasts some of the most experienced walking guides in Africa. June in Zambia is cool with clear skies, and after a month or two without rain the vegetation is thinning, but not yet completely desiccated. It’s a beautiful time to walk in the parks and you’ll find a range of walking safaris available. The more adventurous can try multi-day mobile safaris where guests walk between temporary camps, through some of Zambia’s most pristine wildlife areas. North Luangwa National Park is especially wild and the few operators in its southern section are walking safari specialists.

Northwest of the Luangwa Valley, the Bangweulu Wetlands are also excellent in June. Those wishing to see the strange, smirking shoebill will have better chance at the beginning of the month, before the floods recede. As the waters withdraw, the endemic black lechwe emerge from the surrounding woodlands, gathering in great herds on the exposed floodplain.

Across in northern Kafue, the Busanga Plains also begin to dry out in June. Here you’ll find red lechwe and roan and sable antelope, as well as elephant, buffalo, lion and leopard. By late June, the dirt roads of Kafue and Liuwa Plain National Park have usually reopened to self-drivers and as the region’s rivers subside and become clearer, the fishing conditions take off. It’s a wonderful time to combine a safari and fishing holiday along the Kafue and/or Upper Zambezi rivers. Bream and tigerfish are the prized catches in the area.

Although June is a great time to see Victoria Falls in high flow, the waters are usually still too high for the best white-water rafting. Half day trips starting further downstream are possible, but these skip the highest-grade rapids closer to the falls. The famous Devil’s Pool swim, above the falls, is also closed until around August, but guided walks onto Livingstone Island are normally operating by the end of the month.

• Zambia in July

July to October is peak season in Zambia, when game-viewing is at its finest, but lodges and camps also charge their highest rates. This is this the best time to go on safari, with the thinning vegetation making wildlife easier to spot. It’s also the coldest month to visit Zambia, with daytime temperatures around 25°C in the south. Hot days can still reach 30°C, especially in the north, but expect some chilly nights and take a fleece, or better yet a windproof jacket, for early morning walks and game drives.

Across the country, July is a great time to travel. There’s zero rainfall and by now almost all the dirt roads have dried and hardened. Liuwa Plain and northern Kafue may still present a few challenges, but for the most part self-drivers can explore where they wish. Fly-ins are still available to all the major parks and remain the quickest and most comfortable (and expensive) way to travel internally.

From late July the white-water rafting season opens, although it may be a bit earlier or later depending on the rains that year. When the water is low enough the higher-grade rapids nearest Livingstone can be run and the rafts set off from just below the falls. The entry is spectacular, especially in July and August when there’s still a lot of water pounding into the gorge. The first 10 rapids are the most extreme so if you’re serious about rafting, this is the time to do it.

Above the falls the Devil’s Pool may not yet be open in July. This daring chasm-lip swim can only take place once the river’s flow has decreased, and water levels are usually not low enough until August. Even so, July is a great time to experience Victoria Falls. The world’s widest sheet of falling water will still be pouring into the gorge and with less spray obscuring the view you should be able to see right down into the chasm.

Keen anglers will already know that July is a fabulous month for fishing in Zambia. There are numerous species in Zambia’s lakes and rivers, but bream, yellowfish and especially tigerfish are the most prized. Dedicated fishing lodges and camps can be found all over Zambia, but head to the upper Zambezi if you’re after really big tigers.

For those looking to combine local culture with their safari, the annual Mutomboko Ceremony takes place on the last weekend of July. Hosted by the Lunda people, this two-day music and dance festival celebrates the incorporation of the Lunda tribe into Zambia from the DRC. Visitors are welcome, but as it’s up in Zambia’s far north, near Lake Mweru, most will likely find it a bit too far to travel.

• Zambia in August

Zambia’s peak season extends into August and the combination of cool, dry weather and increasingly thinning vegetation makes it one of the best months to go on safari. Across the country, surface water is rapidly drying and by the end of the month the animals begin to mass along the rivers, congregating near permanent water in ever increasing numbers. As pools dry, fish are trapped, and a variety of birds, including the supremely ugly marabou stork, descend for an easy meal.

Throughout August, conditions remain dry and clear. Expect cool mornings around 10°C and warm afternoons that gradually climb over 30°C by the end of the month. It’s still a good time to see leopards in South Luangwa National Park, while the evenings remain cool and they continue to begin prowling at dusk. Like July, August is a top month for walking safaris and the more popular South Luangwa camps can book out over a year in advance. With excellent game-viewing and dry dirt roads, it’s a popular month for both fly-in and self-drive safaris across all of Zambia’s parks.

Many visitors also come for the fishing – August is a phenomenal time for giant tigerfish on the upper Zambezi. A handful of excellent lodges cater specifically for anglers, and camps on the Kafue, Luangwa and lower Zambezi rivers also offer excellent fishing for bream, yellowfish, catfish and tigers. There’s great fishing on Lake Kariba year-round, but August to October are especially productive, with bigger and bigger tigerfish being caught as the season progresses.

Fishing holidays on the upper Zambezi can be combined with a cultural trip to the Likumbi Lya Mize Ceremony, which takes place near the town of Zambezi in the last few days of August. Over five days, the Luvale people of Western Zambia celebrate the passage of their older boys to adulthood, with feasts, songs and traditional dancing. The festival is particularly well-known for its colourful Makishi dancers who perform for the crowds in giant, painted masks and flamboyant headdresses.

Down south on the Zambezi River, the flow is gradually decreasing over Victoria Falls. August marks the start of the best white-water rafting on the Zambezi, with full-day rafting excursions beginning just below the falls. High up on the lip above, the Devil’s Pool also reopens in August. The lower water levels allow tours to recommence and it’s once again possible to take a swim right next to the precipice.

• Zambia in September

By September things are hotting up in Zambia, as temperatures rise and the increasingly water-stressed animals compete for resources. As more pools dry, fish are exposed – an easy meal for hungry eagles, storks and scavengers. Both predators and prey stay close to the rivers and lion sightings are more common as their range decreases and their movements become more predictable. By the end of September hot days can easily reach 35°C, with nightly lows of between 15°C and 20°C.

In Liuwa Plain National Park the first wildebeest appear in September, though in nothing like the enormous herds of late October and November. Along the upper Zambezi River, nearby, the fishing remains excellent, but the hotter days can be a challenge under the fierce African sun. The growing heat aside, September is still prime fishing season across Zambia and most lodges have swimming pools for guests to cool off in. A houseboat on Lake Kariba makes a wonderful base for fishing and out in the deeper water you can swim (at your own risk), away from the crocs and hippos.

Despite the hot afternoons, early mornings remain cool, and September is still a good month for a walking safari. The lush April vegetation is a thing of the past, replaced with vast golden grasslands that glow in the dawn light. In the Lower Zambezi and Luangwa valleys the thick mopane forests burst with vivid yellows and reds, their leaves falling completely by the end of the month. It’s a beautiful period in these low-lying valleys, before the scorching October heat arrives in full force.

September is an exciting time for white-water rafting on the Zambezi River and the full set of rapids can be run from just below Victoria Falls. While the falls themselves are less spectacular than in the preceding months, in early September there should still be some flow over the entire width. It’s an ideal time for a swim in the stunningly-situated Devil’s Pool. With a guide, the adventurous can take a plunge right on the falls’ edge, with incredible views down into the gorge.

• Zambia in October

October is peak safari season in Zambia – but it’s hot! Known locally as ‘suicide month’ the relentless heat hits the low-lying regions hardest, especially the Luangwa and Zambezi valleys where temperatures in the shade can reach well above 40°C. This includes Livingstone and Victoria Falls where white-water rafting is no longer just about the world-class rapids, for many it’s simply a great way to cool down. A stint on Lake Kariba is ideal at this time of year. It’s arguably the best month to catch giant tigerfish and in the deeper waters it’s also safe to swim.

It may be relatively safe out deep, but the shoreline can appear especially treacherous. October is the start of the crocodile nesting season and it’s an excellent time to see them out of the water. As even the bigger rivers begin to dry out, thousands of hippos are forced into the ever-shrinking pools. In some places, many hundreds are crammed cheek-to-jowl and, grumpy to begin with, their constant jostling and roaring fights can be quite a sight.

The permanent water is where all the action takes place and on the riverbanks you’ll see large, mixed groups of herbivores alongside giant herds of buffalo and thirsty elephant. October is also a great month to see lions – they’re never far from the water and in the heat of the day they’ll loll around in the shade for hours.

In Liuwa Plain National Park the wildebeest are gathering, and by the end of the month their numbers may be many thousand strong. In November and December, they’ll move down out of the plains in what is Africa’s second largest wildebeest migration. The migration itself is dictated by the start of the rains further north so the exact timings vary year to year. In wet years, parts of Zambia will get a first sprinkling of rain at the end of October, but it’s rarely more than a shower and does little to diminish the heat.

October is a mixed time to visit Victoria Falls. It’s great for white-water rafting and the Devil’s Pool, but the flow over the falls is nearing its lowest ebb and there may be no water at all on the Zambian side. October lacks the mist and thunderous roar of April and May, but the views into the gorge are still beautiful and worth seeing. If you’re visiting in October, it’s a good idea to plan a daytrip across to the Zimbabwean side where there’s usually still good flow at this time of year.

• Zambia in November

November is the spring ‘shoulder’ season in Zambia when many lodges offer reduced rates or close completely, mostly on account of the unpredictable weather. Nobody knows exactly when the rains will begin, but they usually start in the north of Zambia first, then slowly move south over the course of the month. Lodges with fly-in access are more likely to stay open, but even some of these shut down for the wet season. As soon as the rains set in most dirt roads become impassable and lodges replying on road transfers generally close by mid-November at the latest.

Before the first rains fall it stays extremely hot across the county, with temperatures hovering around 40°C. The afternoon thunderstorms bring welcome relief, but you can still expect daily highs between 30°C and 35°C. Gradually the spring rains revitalise the land – the baobabs begin to flower and fresh leaves bud on the mopane trees. By the end of the month new-born calves and lambs appear, and migrant birds arrive back in numbers, sporting their bright breeding plumage.

In Zambia, November is perhaps best known for its two great wildlife extravaganzas. In the far west, Liuwa Plain National Park hosts Africa’s second largest wildebeest migration as up to 40000 blue wildebeest move south in search of fresh grazing. The exact timing depends on when the rains begin further north, but it’s usually sometime in mid to late November.

Then to the east, in Kasanka National Park, November is the best month to witness the annual fruit bat migration. Billed ‘Africa’s greatest mammal migration,’ an estimated 10 million bats take to the evening skies from late October to early December, an incredible swarming mass of bodies – each with wingspans of over half a metre.

Both of these amazing spectacles can be experienced on self-drive or guided/fly-in safaris. Neither are easy to reach by road however, and road conditions deteriorate rapidly from the end of the month. November is a risky month to self-drive anywhere in Zambia. And those driving to Liuwa Plain in particular should ideally travel in convoy.

Visitors to Victoria Falls may be disappointed in November. The white-water rafting is excellent, but except for a trickle on the Zimbabwean side, there may be no flow at all over the falls. This is a good time to explore the top of the falls, with guided walks to Livingstone Island and swimming in the Devil’s Pool. Below the falls, the cliffs of Batoka Gorge are exposed and breath-taking, but there’s none of the pounding, mighty roar, and the drenching mists of March, April and May.

• Zambia in December

December is the start of Zambia’s rainy season – generally cooler than the previous few months, but nevertheless still hot and humid. Expect daytime averages of roughly 30°C and nights down to only around 20°C. Rainstorms can be fierce, with heavy downpours rapidly turning the dirt roads to mud. Camps and lodges without fly-in access close completely and many close anyway due to flooding. Few safari operators continue through the wet season, but those that do stay open usually offer lower rates. It can still be a rewarding time to visit, especially for bird lovers, as the migrant species return in full force and the breeding season begins in earnest across the dambos and swamps.

Besides the excellent birdlife, December is a great month for grazers and their new-borns. The resurgent grasses provide much needed sustenance and the rapidly greening plains are covered with antelope. Elephant and buffalo, however, are harder to see as they disperse from the rivers into the scrubland and forest.

There’s a ban on all river fishing in Zambia from December to March, but this doesn’t apply on Lake Tanganyika or Lake Kariba where you can fish year-round. It can be a spectacular time to rent a houseboat on Lake Kariba – the still lake waters reflecting towering thunderheads while lighting flashes and the hippos grumble and moan.

In Victoria Falls, December is still great for white-water rafting as the water levels are low enough to run the full rapids from below the falls. The falls themselves, however, are at their lowest flow, and there may be no water at all on the Zambian side. Guided tours to Livingstone Island and the Devil’s Pool are open in December, but make sure you plan a trip across to Zimbabwe where there’s always some water cascading into the gorge.

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Free safari planning advice from destination experts

Faqs about zambia.

There are 4 ways to get from Lusaka to Livingstone by plane, bus, train or car.

Best things to do in Livingstone Zambia 

Dip in Devil's Pool

Visit Victoria Falls

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• There are a couple of different options for accommodation in Livingstone Zambia for a Zambia Safari, but it would be recommended to stay in a hotel or lodge. Examples of this include; Victoria Falls Waterfront, Ngoma Zanga Lodge, Okavango Lodge and much more.
• The Busanga Plains are located in the northwestern part of Zambia's Kafue National Park, which is one of the continent's largest protected areas.
• Safari/bucket showers are common in mobile or tented camps where there is no permanent plumbing. They are an effective yet environmentally friendly way to shower where water is at a premium and provide plenty of hot water to wash comfortably.
• Generally, there is an en-suite private shower stall within your tent with a “rainfall” style shower head at which you can control the water flow. Outside the tent, there is a large waterproof bag or bucket which is filled with about 10 to 15 litres (5 US gallons) of hot water before being raised with a pully/rope system to either connect to the shower pipe or fill a cistern.
• The water is delivered at the ideal temperature so it is best to use it as soon as it arrives. Staff typically fill the showers at a pre-arranged time of day, or you simply need to give them a few minutes notice so they can get it ready.
• According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, you should be up to date on routine vaccinations while travelling to any destination.
• Some vaccines may also be required for travel - such as Routine vaccines that make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip. These vaccines include the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine and your yearly flu shot.
• However, you will need to take Hepatitis A - CDC recommends this vaccine because you can get hepatitis through contaminated food or water in Zambia, regardless of where you are eating or staying. You will also need to take prescription medicine before, during and after your trip to prevent malaria.
• Your doctor can help you decide which medicine is right for you and also talk to you about other steps you can take to prevent malaria. Travellers can get typhoid through contaminated food or water in Zambia. CDC recommends this vaccine for most travellers, especially if you are staying with friends or relatives, visiting smaller cities or rural areas. Source: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/south-africa

See Zambia in Your Comfort

• A Luxury Zambia Safari
• Affordable Zambia Safari
• Budget Zambia Safari

Zambia has several superb luxury tented camps and lodges located in some of Africa’s most remote, unspoiled wildlife areas. Private, all-inclusive luxury packages are available from between $600 and $1200 a day, which is good value compared with luxury safaris in Botswana and South Africa.

At the lower end of this relatively broad price range, the quality is still of a very high standard, and it’s this, along with its exceptional wildlife and relatively quiet national parks, that makes a luxury safari in Zambia an extremely competitive luxury safari destination.

Most of Zambia’s luxury safari lodges are concentrated in South Luangwa National Park and the Lower Zambezi National Park, along the banks of the Zambezi River. Lodges along the Zambezi offer unforgettable canoe safaris and sunset boat cruises, with excellent bird life and large elephant, buffalo, and hippo populations. South Luangwa National Park is famous for its walking safaris and wilderness trails, with all of the Big Five, except the rhino, in abundance.

For more affordable luxury, try Victoria Falls and Kafue National Park, or for the ultimate in exclusivity, head northwest to Liuwa Plain National Park for Africa’s second-largest wildebeest migration . Liuwa Plain has only one permanent camp inside the park, offering one of Zambia’s most luxurious private lodge experiences.

Affordable safaris in Zambia offer the best value for money in their midrange and more luxurious deals, with all-inclusive safari tours often significantly cheaper than equivalent packages elsewhere in Africa.

Equivalence is difficult to measure, but the quality and exclusivity of Zambia’s midrange camps and lodges are hard to beat. All-inclusive safaris are also the easiest way to see Zambia’s most pristine wilderness areas and enjoy some of the best wildlife-viewing conditions in Southern Africa.

At the lower end of the price range, you’ll find short, fully-catered camping safaris from between $175 and $200 a day, provided you’re willing to join a group. Tours usually run from Lusaka or Livingstone, with a few days in Kafue and/or one of the other nearby parks.

Short safaris in Zambia like this can be an excellent add-on to a more budget-conscious holiday. In contrast, longer, fully-catered safaris in Zambia are available from $1200 to $1800 a week, depending on the number of lodge nights and activities included.

Self-catering, private houses are also an option, usually located in excellent game-viewing areas. Prices can vary wildly, however – anything from $400 to $4000 a night. This can still represent good value for families and groups of six or more, although food and wildlife activities are usually not included.

More exclusive, private safari packages start at around $350 a day, and these will probably also include a few nights of comfortable, full-catered camping.

Budget $450 to $600 daily for private, all-inclusive lodge or tented camp deals. In this bracket, you can expect high-quality guiding, exclusive, pristine wilderness areas and lodge and tented camp accommodation at near-luxury standards.

Zambia offers excellent value on exclusive safaris and wildlife activities, but budget travelers in Zambia will struggle to make the most of what’s available. This is partly because many of Zambia’s best wilderness areas are extremely hard to reach, with wonderfully isolated lodges that are expensive to run.

Getting to these areas can hit the budget hard, with long 4×4 transfers or charter flights required. Staying close to Livingstone and/or Lusaka will reduce costs but limits your options to the immediate area. Renting a camping-equipped 4×4 is the most affordable way to explore Zambia properly, especially if you’re traveling in a small group.

With four people in a vehicle, you can expect to spend around $120 per person per day, including fuel, camping, park fees, and food. Be aware, however, that Zambian roads can be challenging, and some previous 4×4 experience is highly recommended.

On a very tight budget, your best bet is to base yourself in Livingstone and take advantage of the excellent adventure and safari options nearby. These can be pricey, too, with a Victoria Falls bungee jump at $160 a person and white-water rafting at $130 a day.

A double room at a backpacker starts at around $45 a night, so if you’re just passing through Zambia, you’ll probably spend about $50 a day on basic accommodation, food, drinks, and public transport. This can quickly become $150 a day with a guided safari and a few adventure activities thrown in.

Holiday Styles and Options in Zambia

• Active Holiday in Zambia
• Adventure Holiday in Zambia
• Birding Safari in Zambia
• Photographic Holiday in Zambia
• Relaxed Holiday in Zambia
• Romantic Holiday in Zambia
• Walking Safari in Zambia

Zambia’s village communities hold centuries of traditional wisdom to stop you in your tracks. Still, it’s Mother Nature’s ‘Smoke that Thunders’ (known as Victoria Falls to most) that steals the show as Zambia’s standout attraction. Thrilling Zambia safari activities play worthy supporting roles in Victoria Falls’s show-stopping spectacle.

Zambia is home to what is arguably the best whitewater river on earth. From the start of your adventure beneath Victoria Falls, this is a trip with it all. With great fun, warm whitewater rapids, and stunning beaches to camp on, Zambia is so much more than a natural wonder and a river. You’ll see incredible wildlife during your active holiday in Zambia, sometimes even from your hotel.

Combine rivers reflecting the sunrise, crashing waterfalls, and an animal-populated wilderness, for an unforgettable active holiday in Zambia. To follow nature’s path on foot is an experience as special as the diverse landscape you’ll explore. You’ll be mesmerized by the slower pace of life that flows in line with the rise and fall of the great Zambezi River, and awestruck by the raging rapids of Victoria Falls.

White-water River Rafting in Zambia

Batoka Gorge is considered to be one of the best stretches of commercially run river in the world and provides one of the most intense sensory thrills fathomable. It has twenty-three whitewater rapids and striking scenery deep within the sheer black cliffs, which afford the adrenaline junkie a wild roller-coaster ride along a route carved over millennia by the Great Zambezi.

From March to July, only the last 13 rapids can be attempted when the river is high. From June to February, all 23 are navigable as the water subsides.

Abseiling on a Zambia vacation

Expert tour operators ensure a safe and highly enjoyable experience for clients. On reaching the base of the gorge, you can walk out or be hauled back up. The walk back up has been designed as an integral part of the day’s activities. A gentle slope with plenty of rest stops has been chosen. It’s a pretty walk, especially when all the trees are in leaf during the wetter summer season from November to March.

Gorge Swinging on a Zambia Safari

These activities are operated on a spectacular site above rapid number 7. You will freefall for about 50 meters before swinging out into the middle of the gorge.

After several pendulum swings, you’ll be lowered to the ground, where you can take a track back up to the top of the gorge. This can also be done as a tandem.

For a true adventure, a self-drive 4×4 safari through Zambia is guaranteed to thrill. It’s best done well into the dry season (mid-June to October), when tracks inside the national parks are at their driest, and there’s less chance of getting stuck. Even then, thorough preparation, good backup (minimum two vehicles), and some previous African 4×4 experience are essential.

Zambia is one of Southern Africa’s most challenging off-road destinations, and you’ll need to be entirely self-sufficient. Essentials include a good map, a GPS with up-to-date software (Tracks4Africa is best), vehicle-recovery equipment, spare tires, a compressor, extra fuel, food, medical supplies, and a satellite phone for emergencies.

If you’re keen on self-driving but feel a little daunted, hop-in guides are sometimes available from camps inside Zambia’s national parks . For around $50 a day, a guide can provide both route and road advice and local wildlife and bird expertise.

It’s a great way to heighten the experience, save time and reduce stress, especially for less-experienced drivers. For multi-day trips, guides typically bring their own tents and food. They can be hired via reputable in-country safari operators, but check availability well in advance.

The most popular, and probably the easiest, 4×4 route is up from Livingstone/Lusaka into the Luangwa Valley. The road from Lusaka is tarred (though badly potholed in places), and the network of tracks inside South Luangwa National Park is manageable, even for relatively inexperienced drivers.

Campsites for self-drivers are outside the park, so head for Mfuwe Bridge and take day trips from there. From South Luangwa, the more intrepid can head even further north and explore the network of more demanding dirt tracks that cross North Luangwa National Park. The remote wilderness, an abundance of game, and a lack of other travelers mean you’ll likely have excellent wildlife sightings entirely to yourself.

Kafue National Park is another popular option for self-drive safaris in Zambia. A tar road from Lusaka provides good access to Hook Bridge Gate, and in the dry season, the internal network of roads is extensive and very productive for spotting wildlife.

Western Zambia and the upper Zambezi River area are among the more adventurous regions for experienced drivers. New tar roads have made access to parks such as Liuwa Plain easier, but there’s still an extensive network of sandy tracks on either side of the Zambezi River that feel remote and will test your navigation skills.

A smattering of tiger fishing camps along the river with good facilities complete a truly wild experience. Some even offer multi-day river safaris up through the Barotse Floodplain to the Angolan border. For those who love being out on the water, a guided river-whacking adventure with wild camping along the Zambezi River is the kind of experience that will live on in the memory for a lifetime.

If you want to try a change from the more traditional abseiling, then you can also try rap jumping, where you descend the rock face facing the ground and keep pushing off from the rock face as you head towards the bottom of the gorge.

River Boarding in Zambia

For the more adventurous, it’s possible to experience river boarding on the great Zambezi. Armed with a body board, a wetsuit, a life jacket, helmet, and fins, you will embark on a river journey playing in the currents, charging the rapids, and surfing some of the world’s biggest freshwater standing waves.

The most notable difference between river surfing and rafting is that you are entirely responsible for managing your own vessel on the river. Instructors teach and guide you, but in the end, it’s you taking on the rapids.

Zambia is the ideal destination for a birding safari – one of the rarest birds in Africa, the Shoebill, is found there. Zambia is a hot birding location with over 700 species found throughout the diverse ecosystems. One of the best times for birding safaris in Zambia is just before the summer rains arrive, when the arrival of many migrant species increases the local population.

Most of the avifauna is found on the Central African Plateau as this region has a diversity of ecosystems. Several hotspots include Bangweulu Swamps, Lochinvar National Park, the South Luangwa National Park, and Kafue. Another great spot with a dam that attracts a wide array of species is the Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage .

A canoeing safari offers a unique way to spot birds on safari in Zambia . Drift down the river with binoculars and a checklist in hand. Expect lots of excellent game sightings too. Choose from a tranquil upper Zambezi cruise just above Victoria Falls, or paddle down the lower Zambezi with game parks close by for a wilder adventure.

Lochinvar National Park is a small 450km2 (173 square mile) game park on the Kafue floodplains with 428 known species. Most game lodges in Zambia have expert guides who are skilled bird spotters and will be happy to take you on walks or drives through the bush.

Lochinvar National Park for Bird-watching in Zambia

The Lochinvar National Park is one of the best places in the world to see water birds in significant concentrations. Thousands arrive during the summer months when the rains occur. Although the park is accessible, there are no serviced campsites, so you need to be completely self-reliant.

It’s a great place to see the endangered Wattle Crane, Greater and Lesser Flamingos, and watch the daring acrobatics of the African Skimmers. There are numerous duck species, including the Whistling Duck and Fulvous duck. Additionally, there are many species of waders to delight as well.

It’s not just waterfowl that birders can look forward to, as the park is home to over 50 species of raptors, including Black Sparrow hawks and Peregrine falcons. Keep an eye open for the Narina Trogon and yellow-throated Sandgrouse.

South Luangwa National Park for bird-watching in Zambia

Perhaps a more accessible region for excellent birding safaris in Zambia is the South Luangwa National Park, home to around 400 of the 732 species found in Zambia. Birding here is at its best at the end of the dry season when the lagoons begin to recede. The best time to visit is during the wet season in summer, between November and March.

Zambia is an incredible country to photograph, with its stunning wilderness landscapes, superb birdlife, and some of the best opportunities for up-close wildlife interactions in Africa. Every corner of the country has something to offer, but two experiences, in particular, stand out.

In late winter, ideally just before the rains begin in November, keen photographers should head to Liuwa Plain National Park, where tens of thousands of Blue wildebeest gather in the second-largest wildebeest migration in Africa (after the Serengeti).

Then, for something truly unique, try a wet season photographic safari in Zambia to the Luangwa Valley and explore the swollen Luangwa floodplain by boat, drifting across the mirror-like waters through a dreamscape wilderness of half-submerged trees.

Of these two photographic safari options , Liuwa Plain is perhaps the trickier to undertake. If you’re self-driving, then some prior 4×4 experience is essential, and it’s best to travel in convoy, especially if you’re going for the wildebeest migration, which coincides so closely with the onset of the summer rains.

It’s difficult to time the journey precisely, and if the rains begin early, local rivers can flood quickly, turning roads to mud and making driving near impossible. Unless you’re experienced, joining an organized tour for photographic safaris in Zambia is best. Dedicated Zambia photographic safaris are available, specifically aimed at capturing the wildebeest.

There’s also a single high-end luxury lodge in Liuwa Plain National Park where guests can fly in and photograph the region on private game drives. Liuwa Plain is a fantastic birding destination year-round, but the coming rains signal the return of migrant species, and the wet season is the best time to photograph them in their breeding plumage.

Just about every kind of holiday in Zambia is intrinsically relaxing – there’s something especially rejuvenating about spending time in such wild, pristine wilderness. That said, there’s perhaps nothing more quintessentially relaxing than a fishing holiday, and a fishing holiday on a fully-catered houseboat is hard to beat.

Whether to fish or not is entirely up to you, of course. You could just as easily sip cocktails on the deck, watching the fish eagles fish instead, in between more drinks and naps. Lake Kariba is a beautiful place to unwind like this, and the sleepy town of Siavonga is where most of Zambia’s houseboat fleet is based.

Many of Lake Kariba’s houseboats operate from the Zimbabwean side – Kariba town is the focal point for houseboat adventures. The lake is enormous enough to accommodate hundreds of vessels without feeling crowded, but the Zambian side is the least busy, with even less chance of seeing other boats as you cruise.

On multi-day voyages, you’ll explore the lake’s many inlets, then drift out towards the center to take in the vast scale. Hippos and crocodiles are common along the lake shore, but they rarely venture out to disturb the deeper waters.

Smaller launches can be towed behind the main houseboat allowing anglers to search out fishing spots more easily. There’s good fishing on Lake Kariba throughout the year, but locals say that months containing the letter ‘r’ are best for tigerfish.

September and October are perfect for tigers, and the season continues throughout the summer months when fishing on Zambia’s rivers is banned. Most operators will provide fishing gear and bait, but you’ll need to check carefully when booking and place any orders in advance.

Houseboat holidays are ideal for larger groups, with most offering cabin berths for between 10 and 30 people. They always come fully crewed, and fishing guides can be arranged. Whether you’d like to self-cater or hire a chef is up to you.

Several excellent, laid-back fishing lodges are also dotted around the lake – another very tranquil option if you’re not in a group. Again, fishing is not compulsory; you can always relax by the pool or take a sunset cruise.But do try to get out on the water at some point during your stay and let some of Kariba’s magic soothe your tensions.

Zambia’s tented camps and lodges are growing in stature. They may not yet be as well-known as those in neighboring Botswana and South Africa. Still, they offer excellent value and are ideal for couples and honeymooners looking for an all-inclusive romantic break .

Zambia has a reputation for smaller, more intimate camps and lodges. These are often owner-run, with attentive, friendly guides and staff who are supremely knowledgeable about the local fauna and flora and extremely accommodating to guests.

Many of Zambia’s best intimate lodges are also situated in the most pristine corners of the country. These stunning, hard-to-reach wildlife areas are often empty of other visitors, with no access for day trippers and no other camps or lodges for miles around.

Spending time in the such magnificent, unspoiled wilderness is a romantic experience that feels like a dream. Think of elephants sauntering past your flung-back chalet windows and outdoor sunset baths overlooking the African plains. Of course, it’s also the sort of experience that comes at a price – expect to pay anything from $600 to over $1000 a person a night for the most exclusive tented camps and lodges.

This will usually include park fees, all meals, alcoholic beverages, wildlife excursions, activities, and transfers. For an all-inclusive romantic safari in Zambia, this is very competitively priced for the region, especially considering that a safari in Zambia offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa.

For that once-in-a-lifetime experience with a loved one, a safari in Zambia is an underrated delight that still feels like Africa’s best-kept secret. To top it all off, include a few days at Victoria Falls – one of Africa’s great highlights and arguably the most impressive waterfall in the world .

The falls are most inspiring from March to June when the flow of water is at its greatest and vast plumes of mist and spray pour into the skies. If you live in the region, it makes an excellent spontaneous break. Local carriers offer frequent flight specials to Livingstone, and last-minute package deals, many aimed specifically at couples, are also regularly available.

Whether it’s a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River , a walk through the evergreen forests of Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, or a helicopter flip over Victoria Falls, a romantic holiday in Zambia will not disappoint.

For a more active holiday, try a walking safari in Zambia. Zambia is arguably the best country in Africa for guided game walks and is widely recognized for its enthusiastic and highly knowledgeable field guides.

Now widespread throughout southern Africa’s major parks, the concept was first introduced in the Luangwa Valley, which remains the county’s top walking safari destination . Luangwa’s walking safaris are small-scale and extremely popular. So popular, in fact, that some trails book out far in advance. You’ll need to start planning up to two years ahead if you want to experience the best trails in peak season.

Walking safaris come in various forms, the most strenuous being multi-day mobile safaris, where you’ll hike from temporary camp to temporary camp, covering eight to 12km each day. The pace is generally slow and steady, with plenty of breaks to appreciate the surroundings.

It’s far more active than sitting in a vehicle, but the idea is to take things slowly and really get closer to nature. Zambia’s safari guides will turn every tiny detail into a captivating story – from the barest hint of an animal’s paw print to the tiny flowers and insects buzzing by.

Encountering predators on foot is extremely rare, but there’s a huge thrill just knowing they’re around. There’s always some danger with being out in such wild country on foot, but with such experienced guides, the risks are very low.

North and South Luangwa, the Lower Zambezi, and Kafue National Parks offer excellent walking safaris , and June to September is the best time to go. October is prime game-viewing season, but it can be too hot for comfortable walking, except perhaps in the very early morning.

If you like the idea of a walking safari, but not a multi-day hike, then shorter day and half-day excursions are also available (in fact, they’re the norm). These are often the highlight of any safari in Zambia – definitely not to be missed if the opportunity arises!

Consider a guided canoe safari on the lower Zambezi River for an even wilder active holiday. Again, half and full-day options are available from most camps in the region, or you can paddle the entire length of the Lower Zambezi National Park, finishing up on the Mozambique border.

As with the multi-day walking safaris, these canoe safaris are not meant to be overly strenuous. If a headwind kicks up, it can be heavy going, but the route is always run downstream and not intended to be a workout.

Again, there are risks involved, this time mostly from grumpy hippos. It’s one for the more adventurous as you’ll be carrying your gear and camping wild along the riverbank each night. This is one of Africa’s wildest stretches of river, and big game sightings are virtually guaranteed.

Who is Travelling to Zambia with you?

• Couple Holiday in Zambia
• Family Safari in Zambia
• Solo Holiday in Zambia

Because of its relatively late start in the global safari market, Zambia is perfectly positioned to offer couples the kind of unique experiences that its neighbors cannot. Many of its lodges, hotels and tented camps are small, intimate, and owner-run, which means there is healthy competition and a real commitment to giving guests a once-in-a-lifetime, truly memorable experience.

Finding the best region for a couples holiday in Zambia depends mainly on your budget. For remote exclusivity, wildlife destinations such as Liuwa Plain National Park on the Barotse Floodplain and South Luangwa National Park in the Luangwa Valley offer the kind of all-inclusive, fly-in Zambia safaris befitting a Hollywood-style honeymoon.

Generally, the more central parks, such as Kafue National Park and Lower Zambezi National Park, have a broader range of accommodations to suit couples looking for a more affordable break. Then there are the Upper and Lower Zambezi valleys, where close proximity to airports in Livingstone and Lusaka make destinations such as Victoria Falls and Lake Kariba great for couples and honeymooners looking for a short holiday.

Highlights of a couple of safaris in Zambia

For couples who love wildlife holidays, Zambia offers something genuinely unique. Towards the end of the rainy season, as the rivers swell to bursting and turn much of the landscape into inaccessible wetlands, a handful of lodges remain open, offering guests the chance to fly in and experience a safari by boat.

Certain lodges in Liuwa Plain and South Luangwa National Park are best known for these ‘Emerald Season’ experiences. Floating through extraordinary scenes of submerged trees beneath dense, green canopies alive with birds makes for a romantic safari vacation unrivaled anywhere else in the world.

More affordable safaris and some of the best dry-season game viewing in Zambia can be found inside the Lower Zambezi National Park, where 4×4 self-drive travelers are welcome, and the scope of accommodation includes budget lodges, luxury tented camps, and campsites.

Of course, no couples’ holiday is complete without a visit to Victoria Falls . The go-to African destination for romance has it all – sunset cruises on the Zambezi River, the wild rush of water over Mosi-oa-Tunya’s misty walkways, and a range of all-inclusive holiday packages for a wide range of budgets.

Travel Tips for a couple safaris in Zambia

• Because Zambia’s lodges, hotels, and tented camps are usually smaller and more intimate than those of its neighbors, they also tend to get booked up quicker. Book at least six months in advance to avoid disappointment, and a year in advance if possible.
• Ensure you have up-to-date health and travel insurance and vaccination certificates. Guests should consider their choice of clothing too.
• Revealing items, such as very short shorts and short skirts, can offend and are generally frowned upon.
• Homosexuality is illegal in Zambia, and public displays of affection (whether same-sex or heterosexual) may also cause tension. However, it should be noted that these attitudes are more relaxed within the confines of lodges and hotels.
• While rates are generally given as per person sharing, some lodges will offer special couples’ rates for extended stays. It’s important to ask whether these include Zambia’s compulsory bed levy, which is from $10 a person a day and can add up quickly if not included in the price.

The last decade has seen a marked rise in family-friendly safaris in Zambia, with reduced prices for children and more activities geared towards kids and young adults. Not all lodges allow children, and some have age restrictions of eight or 12. Families, especially those with very young children, can find excellent value and flexibility in Zambia’s growing selection of exclusive-use safari houses.

These can be found throughout the country, especially in the prime wildlife regions around the Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa National Parks. The upper Zambezi Valley – Livingstone, Victoria Falls, and surrounds – is also well-suited for a family holiday. Several tour operators, lodges, and hotels have facilities and itineraries that cater to all ages.

As Zambia’s tourism hub, Livingstone has a variety of half-day and day tours with relatively short transit times that give families some flexibility when choosing what to do each day. Zambia’s major parks offer excellent wildlife and nature, so choose a destination based on a lodge or hotel’s family policy rather than focusing on a specific region. The Lower Zambezi and Luangwa Valley offer the broadest range of family-friendly safari accommodations , from low-key camps and private houses to high-end luxury lodges.

Highlights of a family-friendly safari in Zambia

Zambia has excellent potential for a memorable family holiday for families with teenagers (and older). Whitewater rafting down the Zambezi River, bungee jumping from Victoria Falls Bridge, and abseiling into the Bakota Gorge are activities where bragging rights and family bonding are guaranteed.

For the younger ones, a half-day tour of Victoria Falls or a visit to the Victoria Falls Snake Park or Crocodile Ranch tops the list of highlights in and around Livingstone. Zambia also boasts some of the best walking safaris in Africa . In fact, it’s in the Luangwa Valley where the concept of walking safaris first began. Zambia’s award-winning guides undergo rigorous testing, and many are specifically trained to guide young adults.

Walking through the bush with some of the world’s best safari guides can be the perfect recreation for inquiring young minds. However, it should be noted that national parks do not allow children under 12 to join a walking (or canoeing) safari. Various camps also impose higher age limits, so you must check with your hotel, lodge, or tented camp operator before you book.

Travel Tips for  a family-friendly safari in Zambia

• Ensure that your family’s immunizations are up to date, especially those for measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), tetanus, polio, diphtheria, hepatitis A and typhoid. Immunization against rabies, hepatitis B, and TB are also recommended.
• Zambia is a malaria area, so you’ll need to consult your doctor on the available prophylaxis options for children.
• Note that some lodges that allow families also insist that those traveling with children (under eight mostly) should reserve a private vehicle and/or guide for game drives.
• Make sure you’re clear on all aspects of your accommodation’s family policy before you make a booking.
• Although it may not be the most prolific period for wildlife sightings, families should also consider visiting Zambia for safari in the shoulder- or off-seasons – April, May, and November. Lodges are generally quieter then and thus often more amenable to hosting younger children. Rates are also lower out of season, and family discounts are more frequently available.

As Zambia’s road and transport infrastructure continues to develop, even its more remote regions will become exciting options for solo holidays in Zambia. For the time being, however, the country’s more isolated corners are best explored in company, ideally with an extra vehicle as a backup if you’re planning to self-drive.

In general, solo travelers in Zambia will have the best experience by basing themselves in more populated regions with good infrastructure, a host of established tour operators, and a community of fellow travelers to meet and team up with.

Livingstone delivers best on all of these. Its proximity to Victoria Falls, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Kafue National Park, and even Lake Kariba means that a holiday centered in Zambia’s southernmost town is still the best option for those going it alone.

Lusaka, Zambia’s capital, is the other good alternative. Many group tours start in Lusaka, and you’ll find several trusted operators offering safaris and adventure holidays in the country’s central and northern regions, especially to Lower Zambezi National Park, Lake Kariba, and South Luangwa National Park.

Highlights of a solo safari in Zambia

Visiting Victoria Falls itself is a must. The walkways through Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, which borders the falls and the stretch of the Zambezi River above them, are safe, fun, and easy to navigate alone.

Further options for solo travelers include a sunset cruise, kayaking, the famous Victoria Falls bungee jump, white-water rafting, or tiger fishing on the Zambezi River. Although the Zambezi flows through six countries, here – above Victoria Falls – is where travelers can experience Africa’s ‘River of Life’ at its finest and most spectacular.

North of the falls, Kafue National Park is great for wildlife lovers and can be visited by joining a two or three-day group tour from Livingstone. More adventurous solo travelers in Zambia can head further afield to the Barotse Floodplain and Ngonye Falls on four or five-day tiger fishing safaris.

Almost equidistant from Lusaka and Livingstone, Lake Kariba is another top highlight, with everything from water sports to Big Five game viewing safaris on offer.

Travel Tips for a solo safari in Zambia

• Solo self-driving is not recommended in Zambia for safari. While the country is relatively safe and its people among the friendliest on the continent, the lack of infrastructure outside its built-up areas makes it extremely risky to travel alone.
• As a solo traveler in Zambia for safari, your safest (and indeed most affordable) option is to join one of the many group safaris offered by private tour operators. These usually start and end in Livingstone or Lusaka, and everything from budget camping to more luxurious group adventures is available. Ensure you have up-to-date health and travel insurance and vaccination certificates.
• English is widely spoken in Zambia, but learning a little about the local customs and attitudes is always appreciated. It will also help keep you from becoming a target for thieves and swindlers.
• These are not a major problem in Zambia, but be especially careful and attentive in tourist hotspots. It’s best not to walk alone at night, especially in larger towns, and to move confidently and purposefully during the day. Take particular care when drawing money and don’t carry more than you need with you on the streets.

What You Need To Know

• Why go to Zambia
• Highlights of Zambia
• Zambia vs Botswana
• Zambia vs Namibia
• Wildlife in Zambia
• Zambia Travel Advice
• Visa Requirements for Zambia
• Travelling to Zambia
• Public Transport in Zambia
• Cash and Payments in Zambia
• Is Zambia Safe?
• At Your Lodge in Zambia
• Zambia Food and Tipping Practices
• The Cultures of Zambia
• Shopping and Markets in Zambia
• Packing List for Zambia
• Vaccinations for Zambia
• Medical Emergencies in Zambia
• Healthcare System Zambia
• Travel Insurance for Zambia
• Languages in Zambia

Although not unique to Zambia, the country stands apart from others in the region because most of its lodges and bush camps are owner-run. This tends to create a more personal experience – a homely kind of service that draws people back again and again.

There are several luxury lodges in Zambia to choose from and a good selection of smaller, eco-conscious operators. These offer low-density tourism at a slight premium, but with the benefit of having the spectacular, remote wilderness almost entirely to yourself.

Private, exclusive-use houses can also be found, stunningly situated in pristine, isolated areas and complete with cooks, carers, and expert guides. These exclusive homes and many of Zambia’s private safari camps are also very often family-friendly, offering guides that have specific experience with children and young adults.

This can turn a f amily safari tour in Zambia into a fantastic learning experience for all. However, it should be noted that kids under 12 are not allowed on walking safaris in any of Zambia’s national parks.

But it’s the sheer remoteness of Zambia’s many wonderful wilderness regions that makes it such an excellent and repeatable safari destination. There are few places left in the world where such wild, solitary experiences are still possible. This, together with its quality camps, passionate guides, and rare wildlife, consistently pulls visitors back for more.

Zambia is perhaps southern Africa’s best-kept secret, although, in recent years, it’s a secret that’s increasingly being told. For a long time, Botswana and South Africa have been the region’s most popular wildlife and safari destinations . Still, Zambia is fast emerging as an excellent alternative, and indeed, for some experiences, there’s no better place to travel.

Zambia has 20 national parks of various sizes, with roughly a third of the country protected within wildlife management areas. A few of these parks, South Luangwa and Kafue in particular are considered to be some of the best places in Africa to do a walking safari , not only for their fantastic wildlife and pristine, unfenced wilderness but especially for the quality of their guides.

Zambian field guides are recognized as some of the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable in the world, winning guiding awards and accolades year after year. And they have plenty to be enthusiastic about as Zambia isn’t just somewhere to tick off the Big Five. For one thing, rhinos are almost non-existent in Zambia’s major parks, but more than that, it’s the rare species and remarkable migrations that make a safari holiday tour to Zambia so unique.

As the first summer rains fall in early November, thousands of Bue wildebeest congregate in Liuwa Plain National Park for Africa’s second-largest wildebeest migration (after the Serengeti). At the same time, some 850km (528mi) to the northeast, up to 10 million fruit bats can be seen swarming across the skies of Kasanka National Park, and the very rare Black lechwe antelope can be spotted in the water courses nearby.

When choosing between a Zambia Safari and Botswana Safari, it’s clear that both are incredibly protected and have outstanding wildlife and national parks. Still, each is tailored to a very different style of traveler.

Botswana is possibly the best self-drive safari destination in Southern Africa, with decent connecting roads, plentiful wildlife, plenty of inexpensive campsites, and an effective bureaucracy that makes camp and national park bookings pretty simple with a bit of practice.

A Botswana Safari can also be considered one of the most luxurious safari destinations in Africa , with many first-rate luxury lodges, most especially in and around the Okavango Delta. Though a Botswana safari caters to both confident self-drive 4×4 explorers and well-heeled safari-goers, quality mid-range and more affordable luxury accommodation can be difficult to come by.

When comparing Zambia vs. Botswana in this category, a Zambia safari has much more to offer, with outstanding luxury experiences that are often half the price of comparable lodges in Botswana and private, exclusive-use houses and smaller eco-lodges that provide great value, especially for families and larger groups. Zambia’s poorer-quality highways and more difficult-to-access wilderness areas make self-drive travelers’ lives much more difficult. Many who accept the conditions are rewarded with some of Africa’s finest nature and desert views, but self-drive visitors are few and far between.

When comparing Zambia vs. Botswana, this low-density exclusivity separates a Zambian safari as the perfect location for a luxury safari experience that won’t break the bank.

But it’s Zambia’s two ‘most unique’ attractions that are also its most famous. Both are shared along the border with Zimbabwe, and both are the biggest of their kind in the world. In full flood, Victoria Falls boasts Earth’s largest sheet of falling water, and downstream, Lake Kariba is the world’s largest man-made dam by volume.

Both offer superb adventurous and more sedate activities as well, from white water rafting, bungee jumping, and skydiving to canoe safaris, fishing, and houseboat cruises .

Zambia and Namibia are two of Southern Africa’s best safari destinations, but in many ways, they couldn’t be more different. Both have vast, isolated wilderness areas where intrepid travelers can find themselves entirely alone.

But where Zambia offers a more traditional safari experience of lush, sprawling parks and abundant wildlife, Namibia is far more desolate, with breathtaking desert views and wildlife confined to a few key areas.

Both Zambia and Namibia have excellent luxury lodges and cater very well to high-end travelers. If you’re on a budget, however, a safari in Namibia is more affordable, mainly because of its more developed road and camping infrastructure, which makes self-drive holidays easier.

Driving in Zambia can be challenging, especially during the summer rains when many roads become impassable. This keeps visitor numbers low, even in the best wildlife viewing areas, an ideal setting for Zambia’s smaller, owner-run bush camps, which can offer exclusive wildlife experiences at excellent value for money.

Namibia is perfect if you love the thought of being completely independent, adore isolation and stunning views, and are more focused on the wilderness than the wildlife. A safari in Zambia, however, has some of the best game viewing and guided safaris in Southern Africa, a chance to see rare and iconic species far from any crowds, and the opportunity for action and adventure on the Zambezi River – a flight over Victoria Falls or a cruise on Lake Kariba.

Technically, Zambia has all the Big Five, but rhinos are extremely rare and confined to the Mosi-oa-Tunya (Victoria Falls) and North Luangwa National Parks. Elephants, buffalo, and lions are common across multiple parks, however, and Kafue, South Luangwa, and the Lower Zambezi are all well-known for leopards.

Look beyond the Big Five, and you’ll find Zambia full of fascinating rare and endemic species such as Black lechwe, Crawshay’s zebra, and Thornicroft’s giraffe. Liuwa Plain National Park hosts Africa’s second-largest wildebeest migration in November each year, and Kasanka National Park’s 10 million fruit bats take to the skies from October to December.

Zambia is one of the wettest countries in southern Africa, and the rivers and lakes offer excellent fishing alongside thriving populations of hippos and crocodiles. The Zambezi River is famous for its tigerfish, and numerous fishing lodges can be found throughout its length.

May to October is the best time for wildlife viewing when the weather is drier and the vegetation is at its thinnest. This makes the animals easier to spot, and the lower winter temperatures are also more pleasant.

By mid-October, however, it’s already getting scorching, and when the rains arrive in November, they can make the roads in the more isolated regions completely impassable. For this reason, many camps close their operations completely between December and March, with April, May and November considered the lower-rate shoulder season.

There are so many ways to experience a safari holiday in Zambia that an entire book would be required for an exhaustive pre-holiday checklist. If you’re on an all-inclusive fly-in safari, for example, then just about every need will be thoroughly taken care of, from food to flight transfers to emergency evacuation services.

Not so at all if you’re planning a self-drive safari. Zambia is perhaps the most challenging country to self-drive in southern Africa and should only be considered if you have prior 4×4 experience.

There is, however, some information that pertains to all visitors. Travel documents (passports and immunizations) must be up-to-date, and travel insurance is essential and required for entry into the country (you can also buy it at the border).

Besides the usual narcotics, explosives, and pornography, palm tree products and henna are also banned. Electronic items should be listed (with serial numbers) and declared upon entry. It’s a rarely enforced regulation, but a spot check could create unnecessary problems and delays.

While drunk without trouble by locals, tap water tends to upset travelers’ stomachs, so it’s best to buy bottled water to be safe. Very importantly, Zambia’s top lodges and destinations fill up quickly, especially in peak season.

Book well in advance to avoid disappointment (up to two years in some cases). Generally, it’s always best to get up-to-date information from your hotel or lodge a few weeks before travel.

Visa Requirements For Zambia

Zambia’s visa regulations are relatively complex and change regularly, but broadly speaking, there are three main categories. Firstly, those who are exempt from needing a visa at all (South African citizens, for example), then those who can purchase a visa on arrival, and finally, those nationals who need to apply for and obtain a visa before they travel.

North American and most European nationals fall into the second group and can purchase a $50 single entry or $80 double entry visa on arrival. Both are valid for 90 days, but the double entry can be used twice within that period.

In the past, this was particularly useful for a trip to the Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls, but after being introduced, then canceled, and now apparently reinstated, the KAZA Univisa is now best for that purpose.

Available on arrival at the Livingstone and Kazungula border posts and at Livingstone and Lusaka airports, the KAZA allows multiple access between Zambia and Zimbabwe (as well as day trips into Botswana). It costs $50 and is valid for 30 days.

All visitors requiring a visa will need to provide details of their stay in Zambia (lodge or hotel name, booking dates, and telephone numbers) and produce a valid passport with no fewer than six months before expiry. You’ll also need at least three blank pages.

Zambia is best accessed via its two major airports – Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka and Harry Mwaanga International Airport in Livingstone. There are also several land border posts with neighboring countries: Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.

Travelers arriving by vehicle will likely cross at one of the three most popular land borders: Kazangula from Botswana, Victoria Falls Bridge from Zimbabwe, or Katima Mulilo from Namibia.

These points of entry are all on well-established routes that connect Zambia to other major safari destinations in southern Africa. They can be a bit chaotic, especially at the border with Zimbabwe, although day-trippers at Victoria Falls are usually processed quickly.

The Kazangula border used to involve a ferry across the Zambezi River, and depending on how busy it was, the process could take all day. A new bridge opened in 2020 and has drastically speed up the process.

Flying to Zambia is easy, though not cheap, with good international deals usually available to Johannesburg, Dubai, Addis Ababa, or Windhoek, then relatively expensive connecting flights from there. Flights from Europe are significantly cheaper than the Americas and usually have shorter layovers. More affordable flights can have very long connections. Expect to pay anything from $800 from Europe and $1200 from North America and up to twice that for minimum travel times.

These points of entry are all on well-established routes that connect Zambia to other major safari destinations in Southern Africa . They can be a bit chaotic, especially at the border with Zimbabwe, although day-trippers at Victoria Falls are usually processed quickly.

Flying to Zambia is easy, though not cheap, with good international deals usually available to Johannesburg, Dubai, Addis Ababa, or Windhoek, then relatively expensive connecting flights from there.

Flights from Europe are significantly cheaper than the Americas and usually have shorter layovers. More affordable flights can have very long connections. Expect to pay anything from $800 from Europe and $1200 from North America and up to twice that for minimum travel times.

The currency in Zambia is the Kwacha (K). Official regulations state that all payments within the country must be made in kwacha, but US dollars are widely accepted by many of the larger hotels, lodges and tour operators. Indeed, prices for visas at the border, import taxes, and national park fees are all quoted in US dollars, which confuses the matter even more.

If you’re on an all-inclusive Zambia safari holiday most expenses will be taken care of anyway, and any tips or sundries can be paid for in dollars. If you’re self-driving, then carry enough cash in both currencies. Purchasing fuel is almost always a cash-only transaction, and often only payable in kwacha.

Credit and debit cards (Visa more so than MasterCard) are accepted at prominent stores, major supermarkets and large hotels, although these facilities become significantly less common when you leave Lusaka and Livingstone.

Similarly, ATMs are widespread in urban centers but increasingly less frequent (and less reliable) in the country’s interior. Very few places accept travelers’ cheques or American Express, so it’s best to avoid those two options entirely.

As with most African countries, cash is king, and if you’re carrying US dollars, smaller denominations are preferable ($1, $5, $10, and $20 bills). Larger notes are the most commonly forged, and, as a result, vendors are suspicious of them.

Be sure to inform your bank of your travel plans so that your card is not blocked due to suspected fraud. If you’re bringing cash into Zambia, any amount over $5000 must be declared on arrival.

On the whole, Zambia is a safe country, and locals are generally very welcoming and friendly toward visitors. That said, it’s still very poor, and there’s a moderate risk of pick-pocketing and opportunistic theft in busy urban areas.

You can minimize the risks to almost zero with a few simple precautions and some local knowledge. Violent crime is extremely unlikely, and if you’re on an all-inclusive safari, staying in lodges and hotels, then you have no cause for concern.

• If you are on the streets, especially in busy, touristy areas such as around Victoria Falls, follow these general rules to avoid becoming an obvious target:
• Don’t carry expensive items out in the open (cameras, mobile phones, etc.), and avoid excessive, flashy jewelry.
• If you’re carrying cash, keep a small, daily amount separate. Don’t pull out your entire wad of notes for every small payment.
• Avoid walking alone in touristy areas, and never walk alone at night
• Move with confidence, and don’t act lost – even if you are! Head for somewhere that looks reputable and ask for directions
• If you have a vehicle, don’t leave valuables visible on the seats, and don’t leave it unattended at all if you have equipment strapped to the outside.
• Don’t park at night on urban streets – always find safe, secure parking when you’re within city limits.

If you find yourself a victim for any reason, the best course of action is to hand over your possessions. Contact your lodge, guide, or tour operator immediately and get their assistance and advice in reporting the matter to the police.

The lodges in Zambia are extremely accommodating of guests’ specific needs and Western customs in general. Courtesy is expected, but nothing unusual there, and beyond that, visitors will rarely notice if any cultural norms are being stretched.

Homosexuality is illegal in Zambia, although the law is rarely enforced. Most lodges won’t have any problem with same-sex guests booking a double room, but it’s worth being upfront about your requirements to avoid misunderstandings.

Official Zambian regulations stipulate that children under 12 years old may not participate in walking or canoe safaris and some lodges impose higher age restrictions for their own safety reasons. Each lodge and safari operator has specific rules for children, so be sure to check carefully with each before you book.

Less of a rule and more something to be aware of is how lodges handle the daily park fees payable to the Department of Wildlife and National Parks. Fees differ between international residents, SADC citizens, and locals. While they’re almost always incorporated into the cost of all-inclusive stays, they may be charged as an additional expense for those arriving in their own vehicle.

If you’re flying directly into a lodge on a transfer, it’s important to note that most chartered flights have a maximum luggage allowance. 12kg per person is the standard limit, and for light aircraft flights, only soft bags are allowed. Soft bags are essential because of the small packing space available. A large, tough, dustproof duffle bag usually works very well.

Basic rules for game drives follow the same standards as the rest of Africa – don’t get out of the vehicle unless instructed, and don’t disturb the animals. Your guide will thoroughly explain specific lodge or safari rules. They’re never draconian and always have guest safety in mind.

Zambia’s lodges serve excellent Western-style food, with a few local delicacies thrown in for the adventurous. Meats include local game, beef, chicken, and freshwater fish along with rice, potatoes, salad, fruit, and vegetables.

Outside the camps and lodges, Zambia’s staple food is nshima – a thick maize-based starch most often served with red meat, chicken, or fish and accompanied with a side of relish. You’ll find it in most smaller restaurants, and it’s delicious. Definitely worth trying at least once.

Tipping is not compulsory but always appreciated. Although when and how to do so can be tricky. At a local eatery, it’s not expected, but at more upmarket restaurants, you can tip 10% for good service. Tipping guides is the norm at camps and lodges, but different establishments handle the tipping process differently.

Some expect you to tip staff directly, while others implement a tip box which is then split between all. Many camps also exclude guides and spotters from the communal tip box, assuming that guides will be tipped individually after each activity.

As with most things on a Zambia safari, asking what the policy is ahead of time is the best way to avoid misunderstandings. As a general rule, tip guides for their efforts at the end of your stay (not after each activity), and if there’s no communal tip box, then tip the camp staff separately (assuming you feel the service has been worth it!). Between $5 and $10 is generous per activity, and around the same rate per day is a good tip for the staff.

Zambia contains a rich mix of cultures with nuances and social norms that differ between regions. Practically speaking, however, there are just a handful of social conventions you need to be aware of, and a friendly attitude and a dose of deference will smooth out most faux pas.

The first thing to note is that Zambia is relatively conservative and predominantly Christian, and many views and attitudes reflect this. Homosexuality is illegal, and although it’s overlooked within the confines of most lodges, open displays of same-sex affection can theoretically land you in prison.

Even public affection between heterosexual couples is frowned upon, and revealing clothing of any kind (including shorts for men) is considered improper. Keep your clothing choices sensible and practical, and avoid camo and military fatigues. These, in particular, are not considered appropriate civilian attire.

Interactions between Zambians are unhurried and courteous. If you need assistance or are asking for directions, be sure to greet the person first. Politeness and genuine interest will get you far in Zambia. Ask how people are doing first, and don’t jump right in with questions.

In Lusaka and Livingstone, you’ll find almost everything available in western shopping centers, save perhaps for bespoke clothing brands. There are large supermarkets, pharmacies, fashion retailers, and well-known fast food outlets, and many well-stocked strip malls are also popping up along the highways.

Smaller Asian-owned corner stores sell everything from electronics to exotic spices. These are the primary source of supplies outside the urban areas and are common throughout the country.

There are also a significant number of designer curio stores near major attractions and inside the airports. These often contain items (especially carvings) imported from Kenya, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. Favor locally made souvenirs instead, and you’ll also be contributing to the livelihood of Zambia’s home-grown carvers, weavers, and clothing-makers. Their quality of artistry is generally outstanding, and the best deals can be found in markets away from tourist attractions.

Bargaining is an innate part of the purchasing process, and paying about half the initial asking price is usually a reasonable deal. You can also purchase fresh fruits and vegetables from markets (they’re sometimes better than those found in supermarkets) but exercise caution with raw meats. These are often kept out in the open and are susceptible to the elements (and flies!).

The first thing to do when preparing for a Zambia safari is to book an appointment with a local travel clinic and go and speak to a doctor. The internet is full of African health and safety horror stories, but the risks are generally very low and/or easily manageable for safari holidays. If you’re at all concerned, speak to a professional.

They’re likely to advise you to get your immunizations up to date and will be able to prescribe appropriate anti-malarial drugs. They’ll also have the latest information on the yellow fever vaccine. Regulations are constantly changing and have relaxed somewhat in recent years.

If you have any allergies or require chronic medication, then be sure to bring it with you. If it’s anything exotic, check whether it’s legal in Zambia, or you might run into trouble at customs. Finally, ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance including complete evacuation and repatriation cover. Familiarise yourself with all the small print and the procedures to follow should the worst happen.

The most common vaccinations for Zambia are against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), tetanus, diphtheria, polio, typhoid, and hepatitis A. Check the latest regarding the yellow fever vaccine and, if required, don’t lose the little yellow booklet that comes with it. Regulations have relaxed recently, but that yellow booklet has been something of a passport in the region.

Not having one can stop your holiday in its tracks, especially if you plan to visit other countries in southern Africa. A vaccination against rabies is also recommended, and the course lasts at least three weeks, so it can’t be left to the last minute.

The waterborne bilharzia parasite is common along Zambia’s lake shores, and although there’s no vaccine, it’s easy to test for and treat once you get back home. It’s a sensible post-holiday precaution if you’ve been canoeing or fishing on Zambian waters.

By far the most significant health risk in Zambia is malaria. Various preventive prophylaxis treatments are available; some should be taken a few weeks and others a few days before arrival. Consult your doctor or a local travel clinic well before your departure.

Many safari operators include emergency medical insurance in their rates, but this may only cover the immediate situation and exclude further treatment and/or repatriation. In any event, it’s essential to be fully insured, especially if you’re headed into Zambia’s more remote regions.

Every travel insurance policy is different, so make sure you know how yours operates. Some policies will expect you to pay upfront and seek reimbursement later, others have ties with Zambia’s private hospitals, and direct payments are possible.

Speciality Emergency Services (SES) is Zambia’s leading country-wide emergency medical support service and your best option if you need urgent assistance. They also offer short-term medical and evacuation insurance if you’re concerned with the coverage offered by your primary provider.

Zambia has very limited mobile network cover outside the major centers. Safari camps and lodges will always have a means of contacting emergency services, but a satellite phone is highly recommended if you’re self-driving to remote areas.

Zambia’s public healthcare system is very basic by first-world standards and suffers from inadequate funding and a lack of infrastructure and facilities, especially in rural areas. There are good private hospitals in Livingstone and Lusaka, and if you have any kind of medical emergency, you’ll be transferred there as soon as possible.

For very serious or ongoing treatment, patients may require evacuation to South Africa, which has the best medical facilities in the region. Treatment and evacuation costs are expensive, however, so comprehensive healthcare insurance is essential.

For less serious medical issues, pharmacies can be found in the major cities but are incredibly scarce in rural areas. Even in the cities, the range of drugs and supplies can be limited, and very few are open on Sundays. Ensure you have a comprehensive first-aid kit before traveling into remote areas.

Comprehensive medical insurance is essential for safari holidays in Zambia. It should include cover for emergency evacuation and private hospitalization within Zambia, transfers for specialist treatment in neighboring countries and, ultimately, repatriation. Make sure you’re covered for safari activities, close wildlife encounters, and any other adventure activities you plan on doing.

Walking and canoeing safaris usually require special cover. Bungee jumping and whitewater rafting almost certainly will. Before you travel, check with your insurance provider on how their claims process works. They may pay medical costs upfront or expect you to pay the initial costs and seek reimbursement later.

Familiarize yourself with the exact documents they require from hospitals and emergency services, and if you’re expected to pay initial costs, then carry a credit card with sufficient funds.

Zambia’s official language is English, but there are more than 70 different languages and dialects spoken throughout the country. Almost everyone will speak or understand some English, and most Zambians living in the urban centers speak it fluently.

Signs and official documentation are almost always in English and/or Bemba and Nyanja, the country’s two most widely spoken local languages. Bemba is spoken by more than two million Zambians and is used frequently in education and administration.

Nyanja, a Bantu language spoken by approximately one million Zambians, is also prominent in major centers, especially Lusaka and Livingstone.

Nyanja is the official language of the police and is also spoken in neighboring Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Mozambique. Tonga is spoken by about 11% of the population and is commonly used in the media.

Other major languages include Lozi (about 500,000 speakers), Tumbuka (about 400,000 speakers), Nsenga (about 300,000 speakers), Lunda (about 200,000 speakers) and Luvale (also about 200,000 speakers).

Luyana, Mambwe-Lungu, Mashi, Mbunda, Nkoya-Mbwela, Luchazi, and Nyika make up the rest of Zambia’s main languages, spoken by various groups across the country.

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DISCOVER AFRICA SAFARIS

2nd floor, Tygervalley Chambers One, 27 Willie van Schoor Avenue, Bellville, Cape Town , 7530

A one of a kind safari

Gavin Opie Safaris is run by Gavin Opie, one of Zambia’s leading safari guides. Gavin has spent most of his life living and working in Zambia’s wild places and he has a gift for sharing his passion for this wonderful place.

Gavin is a proud champion of ethical safari guiding, so you can trust that your safari is making a positive impact on the wildlife, environment and communities of the Luangwa Valley. In fact, we contribute over US$20 per guest per night to local conservation and community projects right here is the Luangwa.

Nkonzi Camp

Welcome to our home – a classic old-world bush camp set deep in the heart of South Luangwa National Park. Nkonzi offers authentic tented accommodation with charming design and all the comforts you need, letting you really immerse yourself in nature.

We are also proud that Nkonzi Camp has been certified as climate neutral thanks to our minimal environmental impact and sustainable principles. 

South Luangwa National Park

For scenery, variety and density of animals, South Luangwa is the best park in Zambia and one of the most majestic in Africa.

Lonely Planet

This ancient land is a haven for Africa’s wildlife , known for its lion and leopard, as well as the rare African wild dog.  The Luangwa is heaven for bird lovers too, with over 470 species and counting. And let’s not forget the epic landscapes and endless night skies that make this one of the world’s most magnificent safari destinations.

Safari Packages

Make the absolute most of your time with one of our tailor-made Zambian safari holidays exploring more of the country’s wild places.

Explorer's Dream

South Luangwa & Lower Zambezi National Parks | 8 night safari

Best of Both Worlds

South Luangwa National Park | 7 night safari

Into The Wild

South Luangwa & Kafue National Parks | 8 night safari

In the news

Nkonzi Camp has been nominated in the 2024 Safari Awards!

Best Value Safari Property

Best Walking Safari Experience

Best Safari Guiding Team

Testimonials

Before we visited Nkonzi I was very nervous of sleeping in a tent with wild animals roaming freely outside at night. But once we arrived  I was completely put at ease by the camp staff...

It may only have been 3 days but it was packed with fun and rich rides! Gavin, thank you for the extra miles you have gone to accommodate us and make our trip extremely memorable.

For me, the highlight was the one-day expedition drive in the Park, just us and the animals, no obvious impact from humans. We also had excellent sightings of leopard and the night time dinners at the camp

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Safari in Mosi-oa-Tunya NP

• White Rhino tracking
• Guided Tour of the Victoria Falls
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Kafue Bush Break

Luangwa bush break, nanzhila bush break, zambezi bush break, zambezi canoe adventure.

• 4 – Day Rustic South Luangwa Safari
• 6 – Day South Luangwa Explorer
• 9 – Day Iconic South Luangwa
• 9 – Day Luangwa Discovery Safari
• 9 – Day Splendid Valleys
• Chikunto Safari Lodge
• Kasabushi Bush Camp
• Flatdogs Camp
• Mozhi Bush Camp
• Nanzhila’s Lake Camp
• Nanzhila Plains Camp

19 – Day Wildebeest Safari

14 – day zebra safari, 8 – day sable safari.

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Zamsato – Zambia Safaris & Adventours.

Discover Zambia, Snapshot Your Adventure

Trip Type: All Tented Safaris Bush Breaks Lodge Safaris Luxury Getaways Walking Safari Day Trip Specials for Locals Private Safari

Location: All Botswana    Nxai Pan NP    Moremi Game Reserve    Chobe NP Zambia    South Luangwa NP    Kafue NP    Liuwa Plain NP    Lower Zambezi NP    Mosi-oa-Tunya NP    Ngonye Falls    Livingstone    Lusaka    North Luangwa    Sioma Ngwezi NP Malawi    Nyika Plateau    Lake Malawi    Lilongwe Tanzania    Nyerere NP    Mikumi NP    Udzungwa NP    Ruaha NP    Katavi NP    Ngorongoro CA    Lake Natron    Arusha NP    Ngorongoro Crater    Tarangire NP    Serengeti NP       Northern Serengeti       Western Serengeti       Southern Serengeti    Mt. Kilimanjaro

Come and join us on our 3hr game drive safari in Mosi-oa-Tunya NP. Available daily between 06:00hrs and 15:00hrs.

Tour of the Victoria Falls

Without a doubt a Tour of the Victoria Falls is a must do for every visitor.

The Zambezi Canoe Adventure offers an immersive overnight canoe safari experience in Lower Zambezi. It provides an opportunity to feel alive and get closer to nature, engaging all your senses.

Highlights around the Victoria Falls

Let’s create memories! Track White Rhino’s on foot, feast on Zambian dishes for lunch, visit the Victoria Falls and enjoy a Victoria Falls River Safari Sunset Cruise.

Embark on the 14-Day Zebra Safari from lively Lusaka to serene Livingstone. Witness the diverse wildlife of Northern Kafue’s Busanga Plains teeming with buffalo, sable, roan, and eland. Move to Liuwa Plain, home to Africa’s second-largest wildebeest migration and a rich cultural history. For nature lovers and adventure seekers.

Embark on a thrilling journey tracking endangered White Rhinos in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, followed by an exploration of the vast and diverse landscapes of Southern Kafue National Park. An unforgettable safari adventure awaits you! 🦏🌿

Rhino tracking

Put your skills to the test while Rhino tracking with a qualified guide and armed DNPW escort ranger in Livingstone’s Mosi-oa-Tunya NP.

Embark on the enchanting 19-Day Wildebeest Safari, unveiling Western Zambia’s treasures. From the biodiversity of Kafue National Park to the mesmerizing wildebeest migration in Liuwa Plain, each day promises awe-inspiring wildlife encounters. Conclude your odyssey at Ngonye Falls and the iconic Victoria Falls, creating unforgettable memories in Zambia’s wild heart.

The Luangwa Bush Break offers a year-round safari experience in South Luangwa NP, a top wildlife hotspot with high predator concentrations, like Lions, Leopards, and increasing Wild Dog populations. Visitors can choose between camping or lodging, with optional night drives and walking safaris for an additional fee.

3 Days in Lower Zambezi between Muchinga Escarpment and Zambezi River. Picturesque scenery, wild – and birdlife, just a few hours from Lusaka.

The Nanzhila Bush Break features the untamed wilderness of the Nanzhila Plains. This area in the South of Kafue NP made a great…

Ideal for everyone who needs a breather, wants to unwind and get away from the stress of being in a big city.

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6 – Day South Luangwa Explorer

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our safari blog

Read our blog and get the latest from us.

Safari Season 2024 – Are you ready?

As Safari Season 2024 approaches, we’re gearing up for the adventure that lies ahead. To begin, let’s take a moment to reflect. Year after year, our safaris have the privilege of hosting guests from diverse nationalities and cultural backgrounds. In […]

South Luangwa NP – the safari gem

South Luangwa National Park is a wildlife haven in eastern Zambia, known for its high concentration of leopards and diverse range of wildlife. It offers visitors the opportunity to experience unique safari tours, including game drives, walking safaris, and night safaris. The park is home to over 400 species of birds and boasts stunning landscapes, including the Luangwa River and a diverse range of habitats for the animals. If you’re looking for an authentic African wildlife experience, South Luangwa National Park is not to be missed.

🇿🇲 Why You Should Visit Zambia: A Hidden Gem of Africa 🌍

Are you looking for a unique and unforgettable travel experience? Then Zambia should be at the top of your list! This beautiful country, located in southern Africa, is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. With its stunning landscapes, diverse […]

The Bushcamp Company

Imagine having the privilege to experience one of the last unspoilt wilderness areas in Africa. Watching wildlife in their undisturbed habitats. The Bushcamp Company operates 6 bushcamps in the remote South of Zambia’s iconic South Luangwa NP and the award-winning […]

Green Safaris

Experience a sustainable safari in Africa and become part of a love story that leaves the world, and you, transformed for the better. Luxury and kindness go hand in hand when you stay at any of our hand-picked locations in […]

Book early and save BIG! 20% Discount!

Yes, that’s right. You will get 20% discount on the safari price when booking and paying the deposit for one of our scheduled 2023 Tented Safaris: 8 – Day Kwalata Safari – Southern Kafue Explorer 14 – Day Pizi Safari […]

Taita Falcon Lodge

A rustic lodge on the edge of the Batoka Gorge, just downstream of the mighty Victoria Falls, in Zambia. 3 Nights per person sharing from USD1,066 INCLUDES: – Three nights’ Accommodation – Three Dinners at the Taita Restaurant – Two […]

Mawimbi Bush Camp

A luxury tented camp on the banks of the magical Kafue River, in the heart of the Kafue National Park in Zambia. 3 Night Mawimbi Adventure Experience from USD855 per person sharing. For bookings / information kindly drop a line […]

Zambia in tiny groups

Safaris in Zambia in tiny groups with family and friends are our life. Get in touch with us and we tailor a safari just for you. Click here: bit.ly/ownsafari Zamsato – Zambia Safaris & Adventours. Let’s explore. More. Together. #zamsato […]

Taita Falcon Lodge – above the Batoka Gorge and the mighty Zambezi River ( Local Rates until June ’22 )

The following rates are valid for Zambians and Residents until June 30, 2022 Room Specials ZMK2220.00 per room per night (max 2 people) ZMK2820.00 per Family room per night (max 2 Adults and 2 children younger than 12) Includes Accommodation, […]

Last Minute Specials @ Flatdogs in South Luangwa

Crocodiles Nest 2 Activity Package – Including accommodation, all meals and 2 game-viewing activities as well as return airport transfers if required. Per Peron sharing ZMW4140 Child (6 year and above) ZMW2880 Minimum age for children in the Croc’s Nest […]

South Luangwa – always in season

South Luangwa is worldwide known for its high density of predators and big herds of buffalo. Am I right? And there is a lot more. Let’s start. The Luangwa River The Luangwa River in eastern Zambia is the fourth largest […]

Zambia is home to a wealth of incredible wildlife but the jewel in its crown is the scenic wonder of the Victoria Falls.

The country offers fabulous game viewing opportunities in remote, truly wild, game-rich national parks without the crowds. The beautiful South Luangwa National Park and the more remote North Luangwa National Park are two of the best wildlife-viewing areas, home to elephant , buffalo , lion and leopard . Game congregates along the the banks of the Luangwa River while vast pods of hippo wallow in the water. A number of sensational lodges and secluded rustic safari camps can be found along the river and its tributaries, providing a comfortable home from home, great food and guided wildlife safaris on foot or by 4WD.

The Lower Zambezi National Park bordering the vast and powerful Zambezi River, is another mecca for wildlife. Intimate and stylish camps offer guests a range of guided activities including game drives, walking safaris, river cruises, fishing and canoeing. Canoeing safaris are a particular highlight and offer guests a completely different perspective as you search for wildlife along the banks of the Zambezi River.

It is often said that Zambia is where the walking safari was born.

A Zambian specialty, walking safaris with a highly-trained, armed ranger will take you into the heart of the action. These guides are among some of the most highly qualified specialists in Africa. They will explain everything there is to know about the bush; from discovering different plants and their uses, to how to track animals and distinguish between the different bird calls.

Best places to go in Zambia

The Upper Zambezi lies far from tourist hubs, offering beautiful scenery, peaceful atmospheres and fantastic wildlife viewing.

Upper Zambezi

Called locally ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ (The Smoke that Thunders), Victoria Falls is one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and is a sight to behold.

Victoria Falls Zambia

South Luangwa National Park is Zambia's finest wildlife reserve and widely regarded as the birthplace of the walking safari.

South Luangwa

Zambia's Lower Zambezi National Park is very rich in big game. With no access roads, safaris in this wonderful wildlife reserve are exclusive and

Lower Zambezi

Best zambia safaris.

Explore some of the experiences that we can custom-design for you. All of our safaris and tours are tailor-made to suit your interests, budget and timeframe.

Classic Zambia

Discover classic Zambia, combining walking safaris in the wildlife-rich South Luangwa National Park, with the spectacular Victoria Falls.

Highlights of Botswana and Zambia

This trip combines Zambia's wild South Luangwa National Park and iconic Victoria Falls with Botswana's magnificent Okavango Delta and elephant-rich Chobe National Park.

Wild Zambia

Discover the very best of wild Zambia on this sensational safari which combines the unspoilt South Luangwa with the lush, lovely Lower Zambezi.

Zambia Highlights

Remote unspoilt wilderness.

Zambia is home to a wide variety of dramatic landscapes and game-rich national parks. The famous South Luangwa and the less-visited North Luangwa national parks offer differing vegetation zones, from miombo woodland and mopane forests to the rich riverine grasslands that line the Luangwa River attracting a wealth of wildlife. The Lower Zambezi National Park on the banks of the Zambezi River is dominated by the Zambezi Escarpment, providing an astoundingly beautiful backdrop for canoe safaris.

Walking & Canoeing

Few places can rival Zambia for walking safaris and expert guides will lead you on exciting morning and afternoon walks getting you close to the action. Rangers are armed and are among some of the most highly qualified specialists in Africa. Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park, on the Zambezi River is renowned for spectacular canoeing safaris – only rivalled by Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park which is located on the other side of the river!

Luxury accommodation in Zambia

Zambia offers a wide variety of sensational accommodation options, from remote, rustic camps to exclusive, sophisticated lodges. There are a number of ultra-luxurious lodges in the Lower Zambezi National Park along the banks of the Zambezi River that offer complete exclusivity with wide, riverfront views – such as beautiful Sausage Tree Camp. To the north, the South and North Luangwa national parks boast intimate bush camps accommodating as few as 4 guests. There are also a number of breathtaking lodges that have brought a new level of luxury to the parks, none better than Time + Tide Chinzombo.

Chindeni Bushcamp

At the edge of a permanent hippo-filled oxbow lagoon, Chindeni Bushcamp is named for the magnificent hills which provide the campsite with a breathtaking backdrop.

Chinzombo Camp

Award-winning Chinzombo Camp is set on 60 private, pristine acres with prime views over the Luangwa River whose banks teem with all manner of game.

Chongwe Safaris

One of the most reputable operators in Zambia, Chongwe Safaris owns and manages three acclaimed properties in the Lower Zambezi, the most famous being Chongwe River Camp.

Kaingo Camp

Kaingo Camp sits in the heart of prime gameviewing country - on the banks of the Luangwa River deep within the South Luangwa National Park.

Mchenja Camp

Mchenja Camp is a luxurious tented camp set on a very picturesque bend in the Luangwa River. It forms an ideal starting or end point for a walking safari throughout the pristine Zambian bush.

Potato Bush Camp

Set in the game-rich Lower Zambezi National Park, stylish Potato Bush Camp overlooks the mighty Zambezi River which fans out into a spellbinding mosaic of densely forested islands and channels.

Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma Lodge

Named after Dr Livingstone’s two most faithful friends, Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma Lodge is set beneath indigenous trees overlooking a scenic bend in the spectacular Zambezi River.

Sausage Tree Camp

Lavish Sausage Tree Camp in the Lower Zambezi National Park offers some of Zambia’s best gameviewing along with the highest standards in luxury and service.

Toka Leya Camp

Nestled on the banks of the iconic Zambezi River in the heart of Zambia’s scenic Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Toka Leya Camp is just 12km upstream from the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls.

Talk to one of our Africa Experts

Michael fitzgerald.

Senior Destination Specialist

Taleen Gaidzkar

When is the best time to visit zambia.

Like many other countries across Southern Africa, the best time to visit Zambia is from July to October. There is little chance of rain meaning wildlife sightings are at their best when animals congregate at precious remaining water sources. Sightings are particularly good between August and October when temperatures are regularly in the mid-to-high 30’s (Celsius).

December - March

April - may, june - october.

Zambia’s quietest time. There are only a handful of camps open for boating and walking safaris during the wet season. January to March is a great time to visit Victoria Falls when the falls are at their fullest. This time is also very popular for birdwatchers.

A few more camps start to open, however April still remains quite wet. The camps that are open are usually very quiet, and the low visitor numbers are a major positive for some travellers.

June is a nice time to visit when visitor numbers are still low, the ground is beginning to dry out and there is little rain. It marks the beginning of walking season in Zambia. From July, all camps are open and peak season is in full swing. September and October are peak dry season when animals are congregating around the remaining water sources.

Shoulder season between the end of the dry and beginning of the rainy season. The first few weeks of November can offer sensational wildlife viewing if the rains hold off.

Best walking safaris in Africa?

There is no better place for walking safaris than Zambia and it is often considered the birthplace of walking safaris. Some camps exclusively offer walking safaris, whilst Zambia boasts some of the most experienced, highly-trained walking guides on the continent. There are also opportunities to transfer between camps on foot!

Where can I do a canoe safari in Africa?

Zambia also boasts one of the best places in Africa to experience a canoe safari on the Zambezi River within the Lower Zambezi National Park. We offer a number of lodges and camps that specialise in canoeing, boating and fishing activities. Please contact us if you would like more details.

Find out more about our tailor made African safaris. Get in touch with one of our Destination Specialists.

Subscribe below to keep up to date, find out more about our tailor made african safaris, zambia overview.

Why should I travel to Zambia? Apart from being the site of the magnificent Victoria Falls, Zambia also offers game-rich wildlife parks that are relatively unspoiled by mass tourism. For the more adventurous, there are walking safaris and canoeing trips along the Zambezi River.

What is the climate like in Zambia? There are 3 distinct seasons – cool and dry from May-July (23°-25°C) but cold at night, hot and dry from August-October (30°-40°C), and warm and wet from November-April (28°-35°C).

What can I combine Zambia with? Zambia is best combined with its closest neighbours such as Botswana and Zimbabwe – which both offer amazing scenery and wildlife. South Africa is another option, where you can explore picturesque Cape Town, Table Mountain and the Cape Winelands.

How to get to Zambia? There are regular flights daily from Johannesburg in South Africa to the Zambian capital of Lusaka, where you can board connecting flights to a range of safari camps. There are also regular flights from Johannesburg into Livingstone, a large town close to the Victoria Falls.

USA – There are no direct flights to Lusaka from the United States. The best connections are via Johannesburg, UAE or Nairobi.

UK/EU – Again there are no direct flights into Lusaka from anywhere in Europe. The best connections are via Johannesburg, UAE or Nairobi.

Want to know more about Zambia? Visit our FAQ page or call us:

Australia:   1300 363 302 United States:   +1 (213) 460 3364 United States:   +1 (646) 217 0354 United Kingdom:   +44 (20) 4518 8166

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Discover Africa

From the mighty Victoria Falls to safaris in the remote wilds of Busanga Plains in Kafue National Park, endless adventure awaits in Zambia.

VAST & UNTOUCHED

Explore an untamed Zambia safari

Discover the real version of Africa.

A safari in Zambia will see you travel from Livingstone, the country’s adventure capital where the Zambezi and Victoria Falls – or Mosi-oa-Tunya – provide endless thrills, to the exceptionally remote Busanga Plains in northern Kafue National Park. At 5.5 million acres, Kafue is one of the largest and oldest protected regions in Africa, and it is here you’ll thrill to encountering wildlife in the most natural, wild way.

Discover the mighty Zambezi

The Zambezi River is the perfect starting point for a Zambian safari. Do as the crocodiles do, and bask in the warmth on our river bank/beach, in the comfort of a plush bean bag. Let the sounds of the rushing river lull you into a complete state of relaxation. Set upstream of Victoria Falls, it’s the ideal place to share a sundowner with family, the sky turning as pink as the gin in your hand.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Zambia at a glance

Going off the beaten track comes with questions. When is the best season to view wildlife in Zambia? How cold does it get at night and what languages are spoken? To help you prepare for your journey, we have put together a few keys facts to encourage your adventurous spirit.

Zambia key facts

From the vast plains of Kafue National Park, to the Luangwa River, to adrenaline-fuelled Livingstone, a luxury Zambian safari has it all. Remote and untouched, Zambia’s wild areas are home to fascinating and rare wildlife – from prolific antelope sightings to unrivalled predator viewing. Explore one of Africa’s wildest and most remote destinations – adventure-filled and unforgettable.

POPULATION SIZE

18.9 Million

Zambian Kwacha (ZMK)

GEOGRAPHICAL SIZE

752,614 km²

BEST TIME TO GO

May to September

Perennial river

The magnificent Zambezi flows all year round.

Seasonal floodplains

Grassland that fills with water in the rainy season.

Miombo woodland

Sparse woodland forest in northern Zambia.

Seeing Africa’s largest predator is always a thrill.

Hippopotamus

Fiercely territorial hippos can be seen in pods of fifty or more.

Roan antelope

Africa’s second largest antelope, the roan is a handsome inhabitant.

African finfoot

Though elusive, the finfoot’s orange bill and feet make it easy to spot.

Zambia’s climate is pleasant and warm, in the rainy season and in the later part of the dry season. While it is mostly subtropical, it can get cold in the northern parts of the country between May and August.

SUMMER SEASON

December to April

May to August

Zambia experiences

ZAMBIA JOURNEYS

See your safari fantasy come to life

When we say we’re there every step of the way, we mean it, literally. From planning the perfect circuit. Arranging transfers on Wilderness Air and going through customs. We’re with you on-the ground, at-your-side, 24/7, from start to finish. Ready to take the road less travelled? Contact your travel designer to plan an unforgettable safari.

Explore regions & camps in Zambia

We operate in two of Zambia’s wildlife havens: on the banks of the Zambezi with access to World Heritage Site Mosi-oa-Tunya, and within Kafue National Park, a premier Zambian safari destination. Situated within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Toka Leya is a short drive from Livingstone, while seasonal camps Shumba and Busanga Bush Camp are located in Kafue, Zambia’s oldest and largest protected area.

What currency is used in Zambia?

Zambian Kwacha (ZKW)

What time zone is Zambia in?

Zambia shares the same time zone as the rest of Southern Africa, which is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) +2 hours, in the Central Africa Time Zone (CAT).

Can I use my credit card in Zambia?

Unfortunately not. Zambia does not have credit card facilities. This includes our Wilderness camps. However payment can be made in cash. Debit card transactions are permitted in Zambia.

What power socket do they use in Zambia?

The typical power sockets in Zambia are 230V and contain two round plugs or three round or rectangular prongs. If you are travelling from the UK or Europe, you may require an adapter for your devices, which our staff will be happy to provide for the duration of your stay.

What do I pack for a safari in Zambia?

Please remember that there may be luggage weight or size restrictions on your Zambia tour. Chat to your Travel Designer who can advise you best based on your personal itinerary. As a general rule of thumb, warm clothing is recommended for the cooler months, and light clothing for summer. Bright colours and white are not advisable.

When is a good time to visit Zambia?

There is no one specific time that is better than any other to safari in Zambia – however our camps in Kafue National Park’s Busanga Plains are operational only in the dry season, from June through to the end of October. The Victoria Falls are wonderful to see all year round, but are best viewed between February and May, when the water flow is at its highest volume after summer rains.

Is Victoria Falls in Zambia?

Is livingstone in zambia safe.

Being a small town, Livingstone is relatively safe. However visitors should be aware of petty crime, such as pick-pocketing. It is not advisable to walk around Livingstone at night. Better to get a taxi as there is a chance of encountering wild animals.

Do I need a visa to travel to Zambia?

Visas valid for 90 days can be obtained on arrival through any port of entry, or visitors can apply for visas online ahead of time. It is also possible to get a single entry or day visa to visit the Zambian side of Mosi-oa-Tunya if travelling from neighbouring Zimbabwe or Botswana.

Vaccinations

What is the covid protocol for travelling to zambia.

In line with the latest recommendations from leading authorities like the World Health Organisation, our protocols ensure safe environments and experiences throughout your stay with us in Zambia. Please check the latest travel advisory to ensure that you are prepared for all COVID travel requirements in Zambia or speak to your Travel Designer for updates.

Do I need a yellow fever vaccination to visit Zambia?

A yellow fever vaccination is only required if arriving in Zambia from a yellow fever-affected country.

Do I need to take malaria tablets when visiting Zambia?

Please consult with your Travel Designer or travel clinic a few weeks before your departure. Some courses of medication may need to be started in advance before your visit to Zambia?

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Let’s plan your next journey

When we say we’re there every step of the way, we mean it, literally. From planning the perfect circuit, to private inter-camp transfers on Wilderness Air, and easing you through Customs. We’re with you on the ground, at your side, 24-7, from start to finish. Ready to take the road less travelled? Contact our Travel Designers to plan an unforgettable journey.

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TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

5 Best Safari Tours In Zambia, Africa

• Activities and Interests
• Destinations
• Outdoor Activities

Zambia has been my home for over 30 years and one of the things I love most about the country is its amazing safari destinations. With its pristine landscapes, diverse wildlife, and exceptional conservation efforts, Zambia has emerged as one of Africa’s best safari spots. Whether you’re looking for the Big Five or just seeking the unspoiled African wilderness, Zambia has it all. 

Let’s head on an adventure together, through the heart of Africa, and explore five of the country’s top safari destinations. Prepare to be captivated by the beauty of Zambia. 

1. Lower Zambezi National Park

Game drives, fishing, and canoeing .

The Lower Zambezi National Park is one of Africa’s greatest wildernesses featuring 2,542 square miles of unspoilt nature. With no paved roads, it’s rare to encounter another safari vehicle, and night time here is all about sitting out by the fire, under a sky full of stars. 

The Zambezi, Africa’s fourth longest river, forms the boundary of the Lower Zambezi National Park.  The area is an incredible wildlife sanctuary — herds of elephants, buffalos, lions, leopards, wild dogs, and over 400 different bird species. Most of the wildlife is concentrated along the river, so a great way to experience the park is to board a boat, or drift silently past the riverbank in a canoe. You’ll see plenty of hippos peeking curiously above the water’s surface. Look out for the magnificent carmine bee-eaters who nest in the riverbanks from September to November. The river is also home to the coveted tiger fish — highly prized by serious sport fishermen. 

Where To Stay: Sausage Tree Camp is the epitome of bush chic, set in a stunning location along the Zambezi River right in the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park. The guides are friendly and knowledgeable; the rooms are well designed, opening onto private plunge pools that overlook the river; and the cocktails are so good you may never want to leave!

2. South Luangwa National Park

Game drives.

The 3,500-square-mile South Luangwa National Park is renowned as one of Africa’s greatest wildlife destinations, with 60 animal species and over 450 different species of bird. Often referred to as “The Valley of Leopards,” the main predators here are leopard, lion, spotted hyena, and wild dog — with the leopard population among the densest in the world. Expect to see large herds of elephants, sometimes up to 70 strong. South Luangwa is also home to the endemic Thornicroft’s giraffe, Cookson’s wildebeest, and the near-endemic Crawshay’s zebra.

The best way to see South Luangwa’s wildlife is on a morning or afternoon game drive from your lodge. Expect early wake-ups as most morning drives set off at around 6 a.m. You’ll return to camp for a middle-of-the-day siesta and then head out again in the afternoon; the animals are more active at these cooler times of day.

Where To Stay: Shawa Luangwa is a small, eco-friendly bush camp overlooking the Luangwa River in one of the park’s most untouched areas with excellent year-round game viewing.

3. North Luangwa National Park

Walking safaris.

The remote, 2,880-square-mile North Luangwa National Park is synonymous with walking safaris. The beauty of this park is the opportunity to experience Africa as it once was — wild and untouched. No game drives are permitted in a majority of the park and access is primarily for walking safaris. You’ll leave the four-by-four game-drive vehicle at camp and set out on foot with your guide and an armed park ranger. You’ll walk among elephants, antelope, zebras, and even the occasional predator, always maintaining a safe distance from the magnificent wildlife. In addition to strong populations of buffalo and elephants, there’s a number of black rhinos, making it the only Big Five park in Zambia.

Where To Stay: Remote Africa Safaris operate two camps that specialize in guided walking safaris. For the more adventurous, the Samala and Ituba Community Camps offer self-catering, and for the intrepid, there’s the Amatololo Experience , a self-drive camping route.

4. Kasanka National Park

Bats and beyond.

Kasanka National Park is one of Zambia’s smallest national parks. But it’s one of the country’s hidden treasures and has an incredible 480 bird species and 114 mammals; there is a lot for you to see.  

Kasanka is best known as home to the annual migration of straw-colored fruit bats — the largest bat migration in the world and, in fact, the world’s largest mammal migration. From October to December each year, about 10 million bats descend on a tiny patch of forest in the park. They migrate from thousands of miles away, some from as far away as West Africa. The migration is one of the natural world’s best-kept secrets; even scientists don’t know exactly where the bats come from or where they go when they leave the park. 

Beyond the bats, Kasanka gives you excellent opportunities to find and photograph one of Africa’s rarer antelopes, the shy, secretive, and semi-aquatic sitatunga. The park is home to more than 500 of them, making it Africa’s densest and most visible population of sitatunga! The elusive blue monkey and the little-known Kinda baboon also call Kasanka home. It’s unlikely you’ll encounter either of these species anywhere else in southern Africa.

Where To Stay: Kasanka has two basic lodges — Wasa and Luombwa — and a seasonal self-catering tented camp.

5. Liuwa Plain National Park

Wildebeest migration.

The 2,274-square-mile Liuwa Plains National Park in Zambia was once the traditional hunting ground of the Litunga (King) of the Lozi people. Liuwa Plain is home to the second largest wildebeest migration in Africa but yet it’s hardly known. Each year in November, with the start of the rainy season, massive herds of blue wildebeest, 45,000 strong, migrate to Liuwa Plains, often mingling with zebras along the way. It’s an incredible sight to witness.

Other unusual antelope found here include oribi, red lechwe, steenbok, duiker, tsessebe, and roan. Predators include wild dogs, lions, and hyenas. The bird life is abundant and the dramatic lightning and storms at the start of the rains make for spectacular views and fantastic photography opportunities.

Where To Stay: King Lewanika is the only permanent camp in Liuwa Plain National Park. It has six stylish, open-front safari tents that are the epitome of luxury.

As a safari destination, Zambia is one of Africa’s best-kept secrets — an amazing, game-rich, unspoilt destination. On safari in Zambia, you’ll get a taste of the real Africa: wild and untamed.

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, before moving to Africa at the age of 21, Sarah Kingdom is a mountain climber and guide, traveler, yoga teacher, trail runner, and mother of two. When she is not climbing or traveling she lives on a cattle ranch in central Zambia. She guides and runs trips regularly in India, Nepal, Tibet, Russia, and Ethiopia, taking climbers up Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro numerous times a year.

11 Best places to stay for Safari in Zambia

Planning a safari in Zambia ? This is your guide to the best accommodations in the heart of Africa . With the thundering Victoria Falls, the enchanting Lower Zambezi National Park, the untouched Kafue, and the untamed wilderness of South Luangwa National Park and the remote North Luangwa, Zambia is one of the most inspiring and beautiful countries for a safari in Africa.

The places you choose to stay can make or break your safari trip in Zambia. In this guide, I share my hand-picked accommodations across Zambia, ensuring that you will leave Zambia in awe with lasting memories of some of the best safari experiences in Africa.

Find the best places to stay for Safari in Zambia here:

Wild Dogs Lodge in Lusaka

After a short 2-hour flight with Proflight Zambia from Johannesburg to Lusaka Airport, you can reach Wild Dogs Lodge in Lusaka within 15-20 minutes. The lodge offers an airport transfer at 20 USD per vehicle. Roads in Lusaka are pretty good, but for the last 8 minutes over a dirt road you will get the ‘African massage’.

The first word that came into my mind when entering Wild Dogs Lodge was peaceful. It's a peace of the African bush in the middle of Lusaka city and therefore a great start for your safari in Zambia.

Family-owned African-style Lodge

It’s an intimate (german-owned) lodge with only 10 African-style rooms under 4 thatched chalets hosting up to a maximum of 20 people.

All cottages - that have fruit names like Mango, Pawpaw, and Guava - face the peaceful garden and the swimming pool with a few sun loungers. The 18-meter-long pool is perfect to cool off on a hot day and to swim a few laps.

Beautiful shady bird-rich garden

The cottages are in a beautifully decorated green garden with amazing Lozi & Jacaranda trees offering enough shady spots. Ernest, the gardener, loves to show you around the garden where you can find several Mango and Avocado trees.

Birds also favor Wild Dog’s garden, for example, the Blue Waxbill, Woodpecker, Woodland Kingfisher, and the always present BulBul. Waking up, and hearing the sounds of these birds, is a very peaceful feeling.

Delicious food with fruits and veggies from their garden

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are on the terrace surrounding the pool. They have a 24-hour coffee/tea station available for guests and the food was good. For breakfast, you can choose eggs of your choice. I loved their light lunch; a salad with chicken strips. For dinner, I had their delicious beef filet in garlic, onion, and champignons with various vegetables.

Wild Dogs Lodge also has their vegetable garden where they grow green pepper, lettuce, spinach, eggplant, and so forth.

Best place to stay in Lusaka

In summary, I couldn’t think of a better green place to stay in Lusaka . An excellent location in a wonderfully decorated garden with good healthy food options and the friendliest professional team; the best place to start your safari in Zambia. Wild Dogs Lodge also offers a two-deck conference area. Book your stay at Wild Dogs Lodge .

Pioneer Camp in Lusaka

If you’re a bit more on a budget, check out Wild Dogs Lodge’s rustic sister camp, named Pioneer Camp with accommodations ranging from a camping place, and basic thatched tents to higher standard safari and miombo chalets with ensuite bathrooms. It’s also a great place for birding!

The most convenient and fastest way to get from Lusaka to the best places for a safari in Zambia is by airplane. Proflight Zambia offers scenic flights to most safari destinations in Zambia like Kafue National Park, Lower Zambezi National Park, South Luangwa, and North Luangwa.

Mukambi Safari Lodge in Kafue

A 4 to 5-hour drive from Lusaka takes you to Mukambi Safari Lodge , on the doorstep of Kafue National Park . Driving down to Kafue, also known as Zambia’s untouched treasure, you don’t see any souvenir stalls or small markets which shows that the masses did not yet discover the park. You only see a few rural villages and a few vegetable and fruit stalls.

The closer you get to Kafue, the more ever-beautiful and picturesque Baobab trees are showing up in the landscape. The last few kilometers, the landscape is turning into a more densely vegetated area and once you turn off from the main road, you will most likely see the first antelopes, like Impala or Puku.

Enchanting viewing deck

The first thing you notice when entering Mukambi Lodge is that this wonderful place is located right on the banks of the Kafue River with an upper and lower viewing deck to watch hippos and an occasional crocodile. The surrounding plants also attract many birds. If you close your eyes, the only thing you hear is the sound of a shrike or a bulbul and the flowing water of the river.

Room with a view

Mukambi Lodge has 10 rounded en-suite chalets (rondavels) and 4 luxury tents overlooking the Kafue River. They are a few meters apart from each other to ensure privacy.

The beds are very comfortable, and you will definitely enjoy the view of the river from your private terrace while local wildlife passes by your rondavel, including puku, impala, baboons, and monkeys. And not to forget about the birds singing their songs. After having a resident hippo that unfortunately died, Mukambi Lodge also has a resident wild cat !

Activities Mukambi Safari Lodge

Apart from game drives and walking safaris , you can also opt for a fishing trip or a sunset boat cruise on the Kafue River .

We opted for a walking safari and a game drive in Kafue National Park. Our first walk in Zambia treated us with a bachelor herd of 3 elephants. We watched them from a safe distance to not interfere with their daily lives.

The Kafue area is beautiful with various shrubs and trees, including beautiful Baobab trees and Lala palm trees.

After your morning safari in Kafue National Park, the infinity pool is the perfect place to relax and cool off or treat yourself to a relaxing massage.

When coming back from your sundowner safari in the afternoon, join the campfire to gaze into the fire and see the milky way unfold. A perfect ending of a day spent in the African bush.

Safari Tour Kafue National Park

Mukambi Lodge is the perfect gateway to Kafue National Park with several areas worth exploring. If you have enough time, plan a minimum of 2 to 3 nights in each of the camps that are part of Mukambi Safaris: Busanga Plains Camp (July to October), Fig Tree Bush Camp (May to November), and Mukambi Safari Lodge (All year round). This way, you will have the best experience of all that Zambia’s untouched gem offers.

Book a 6-day safari tour in Kafue National Park or the 8-day (shared) Full Kafue Experience that includes all the camps of Mukambi Safaris and experience the best Kafue has to offer. Another option is a 12-day safari tour Best of Kafue National Park and South Luangwa .

Wonderful team and knowledgeable guides

Mukambi Safaris is a Dutch family-owned business since 2002. Mukambi’s knowledgeable guides rotate in all the camps and Busanga Plains is among their favorite areas to guide because it’s known for special wildlife sightings.

The team at Mukambi is lovely. I forgot my Apple Mouse at the lodge and they did everything in their power to transfer it from Kafue to South Luangwa. Just perfect. Zikomo Robyn and staff! I will be back to explore more of Kafue National Park.

Chiawa Camp in Lower Zambezi

After a 35-minute scenic flight with Proflight from Lusaka to Jeki Airstrip it’s another hour to the family-owned multi-award-winning Chiawa Camp,  but a surprising scenic ride! First, you hop on a short game drive through the Jeki area welcomed by many Lilac Breasted Rollers, baboons, and various antelopes.

Then, a small motorized boat takes you in 40 minutes to Chiawa Camp cruising the Zambezi River, with amazing sightings of elephant crossings, many hippos, and incredible views of the Zambezi River and its channels.

The pioneer in Lower Zambezi National Park

Once you arrive at the camp, you are already smiling from ear to ear and the friendliest staff is waiting at the deck to welcome you with open arms. A great first impression of Chiawa Camp , which is the first camp to settle on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River.

Safari experience of a lifetime

Lower Zambezi National Park is one of Africa’s most scenic wildernesses offering some of the best safari activities in Zambia and Africa.

Apart from the wildlife-rich game drives led by high-quality guides, Chiawa Safaris also offers unique walking safari experiences through the magical winter thorn forest and along the lagoon with lots of elephant encounters.

The activities that make Chiawa Camp even more unique are the water-based Lower Zambezi safari activities, like a canoeing trip through the Zambezi channels with amazing wildlife sightings that include up-close vistas of crocodiles, hippos, elephants, many birds, baboons, and several antelope species while peacefully floating on the water, listening to the sounds of nature.

Ending your canoe safari  with a sundowner overlooking the Zambezi River that reflects the orange colors of the setting sun is magical.

Because of the strict regulations, I assure safari lovers of seeing very little to no human activity while paddling the waters of the Zambezi River which provides that extra exclusive feel of being the only ones on the river.

Other things to do on safari in Lower Zambezi National Park are night game drives, boat safaris using stable pontoon boats, and tiger fishing. What I loved about Chiawa’s night game drive was the use of a red filter on the spotlight and car to not disrupt the animal’s behavior. It was the only place in all of Zambia where they used this red light.

Elephants & Buffalo visit Chiawa Camp

You don’t have to drive far to see wildlife. And even better, elephants visit Chiawa Camp daily as the camp is in the middle of a prime wildlife zone within Lower Zambezi National Park.

Other wildlife to spot (even within the camp) are lion, leopard, buffalo, waterbuck, hippos and crocodiles. I had a buffalo grazing next to my tent one evening and enjoyed viewing the elephants from my private veranda.

Quality food on beautiful locations

Chiawa’s food is delicious, and I like their effort to prepare different spots to enjoy lunch.

They serve breakfast on the bank of the river at the fire while you can enjoy the slowly rising sun. One day, we had a champagne lunch on the boat while enjoying the river views and another day we sat on the upper deck.

Just before they serve dinner from their main dining area, the staff gathers to sing a song or two to invite us for dinner; a proper choir with regular rehearsals and their album which you can buy at the lodge to support them.

Luxury Safari Tents with plunge pool

The 100 square meters safari tents are very spacious with a comfortable super-king sized bed, a lounge area, and an enormous bathroom plus an extra outdoor ‘waterfall’ shower for that extra bush feeling.

Via a sliding door, you enter your private shaded veranda that includes a dining table, leather safari chairs, and ‘bench wallow’; a sunken lounge area and an on-demand plunge pool . I also loved the hammock to chill in between the  Lower Zambezi safari activities.

Reusable water bottle

Chiawa Camp wins the prize for the best water bottle gift. Several camps are offering reusable water bottles to their clients which is a great way to reduce the use of plastic water bottles but I found Chiawa’s water bottle the most convenient and appealing. It’s not only a gift to take home, but a gift to nature in an effort for a cleaner and healthier environment.

Travel Tip for your Safari in Zambia : not all camps provide reusable water bottles or a water bottle to take home as a gift, so please bring your reusable water bottle that keeps your filtered water cold instead of asking for a plastic water bottle.

Best place to stay in Zambia

Chiawa Camp is my number one pick as the best place to stay in Zambia and Lower Zambezi National Park became one of my favorite new wildlife parks in all of Africa. Want to include Chiawa Camp in your Zambia Safari Tour? Check out the 15-Day Luxury Zambia Safari & Waterfalls Holiday .

Old Mondoro Lower Zambezi National Park

Old Mondoro , part of Chiawa Safaris, is a wildlife photographer’s paradise offering a more intimate and rustic option to enjoy Lower Zambezi National Park. With only 5 chalets, this is the perfect place to stay for that authentic raw African bush feeling with incredible wildlife encounters.

Old Mondoro Camp is within a winter thorn forest and elephants are always present which means the staff has to drive you to your chalet. It’s also the place with one of the best toilet views in Africa.

Chindeni Bush Camp in South Luangwa

Chindeni is a lovely luxurious tented camp on the edge of an oxbow lagoon in South Luangwa National Park in Zambia with the N’Chindeni Hills providing a wonderful backdrop. I love the fact that this stylish but rustic bush camp is in a remote area of Zambia’s Honeypot in the middle of the bush, where the magic happens.

You can reach South Luangwa from Lusaka by road or by air with Proflight Zambia . From Mfuwe airstrip, it’s a 45-minute drive to the Bushcamp Company’s main lodge, Mfuwe Lodge ; famous because of the elephants passing the reception hallway to feed on their wild Mango tree. From Mfuwe Lodge it’s another 2,5 hour drive to Chindeni Camp.

Intimate bush camp offering prime wildlife viewing

With only 4 luxurious tented chalets, raised on decks with a private veranda overlooking the lagoon, it gives you the perfect intimate feel. The main area is a huge wooden deck surrounded by Ebony trees with the same magical views of the lagoon where elephants pass to drink, hippos wallow around, or wild dogs run along the tree line.

These special views never get boring and the sunrise at Chindeni Camp is simply stunning.

Things to do at Chindeni Camp

At Chindeni Bush Camp, you can do several safari activities , that include walking safaris, scenic sundowners, game drives, and night drives.

Prince was the perfect guide. He had a wealth of knowledge about all things nature; also the smaller things.

I enjoyed going on game walks with him, but also the afternoon drive was fun and very informative.

Walking Safari is King

South Luangwa is the pioneer of walking safaris . Foot safaris differ from game drives as you will see so much more, for example, leopard scratches on a Natal Mahogany, rubbings of elephants along the bark of several trees, aardvark droppings, remains of animals, and sunbirds drinking the nectar of the sausage tree flowers.

On our first morning, we saw two lionesses that were part of a bigger pride of 7 lions, famous for hunting hippos. Also, special was seeing an Ant Lion (part of the small five), and trees that grow on top of a termite mound, showing how old the termite mound already is. Another great sighting was a flock of yellow-billed storks catching catfish while being chased away by an African fish eagle who stole their fish.

On our fruitful night drive, we saw for example a leopard, a leopard cub on its own, a serval, two genets and hippos grazing on the land.

Abundance of wildlife

Other animals we spotted on our walks during our 2 nights at Chindeni: leopards, elephants, hippos, a herd of buffalo, giraffes, wild dogs, a leopard with a kill, wild dogs with pups, kudu, crocodiles, and hyenas.

So you honestly can’t go wrong booking at Chindeni Camp as the surroundings of the camp offer an abundance of wildlife right at your doorstep.

Conscious Bushcamp Company

The Bushcamp Company has 3 lodges and 6 bush camps. What makes them special is that they are the only safari operator in the Southern section of South Luangwa National Park and they can pride themselves on the intimate nature of their small, exclusive bush camps in awe-inspiring and remote locations, far from other camps and tourists.

Check out this 9-day safari tour that includes Mfuwe Lodge and one of their bush camps to experience splendid South Luangwa and Zambezi Valley.

What I also love about Bushcamp Company is that they give every client a water bottle as a gift to take home . The message on the bottle says ‘Refilling this bottle reduces annual consumption of single-use bottles by up to 55,000’. A magnificent gift to the environment and the bottle keeps your water cool for a minimum of 12 hours!

Every client also receives an elephant keyring for conservation . The proceeds from the sale of these colorful key rings benefit elephant conservation in South Luangwa National Park and you get them in all the colors of the rainbow.

Chamilandu Bush Camp in South Luangwa

Chamilandu Bush Camp is not too far from Chindeni Camp, both owned by The Bushcamp Company. Chamilandu has a more rustic feel than Chindeni because their rooms are semi-open to the African bush. It's a great camp for the well-traveled Africa lover.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to experience the camp to its fullest because I arrived very late in the evening when it was already dark and we left the following morning very early for a walking safari to Chindeni Camp. However, I loved the setup and the views of the river while enjoying the early morning light.

Luangwa Bush Camp in South Luangwa

At Luangwa Bush Camp from Robin Pope Safaris , you go back to basics as you will be camping in the middle of South Luangwa's wilderness with views of the Luangwa River. While this is not a luxury lodge experience, you will find luxury in being disconnected from the world and fully connected to nature instead. It's at this place, where I felt I could recharge my battery.

Hearing the laugh of a Hyena or a Lion's roar while sleeping in a canvas tent is truly something special; a different kind of luxury. Even the hot bucket shower felt like a wonderful gift as I didn't expect to have hot water while camping in the middle of the bush, but Luangwa Bush Camp has all you need! Even their breakfast, lunch, and dinner are great as they get the food from their Nsefu camp.

From Tena Tena Camp we did a walking safari to Luangwa Bush Camp. This was a very exciting walk as we spotted a leopard roaming in the distance, discovered Aardvark tracks, found a tooth of a leopard, saw beautiful trees and elephants, and a skull.

After arriving at the tented camp, you can't do more than relax in your tent or watch birds and animals like hippos along the Luangwa River.

After lunch, we did another walk around the camping area with interesting sightings of a hippo carcass and giraffes that seemed very relaxed in our presence.

For a different safari experience, I highly recommend bush camping in South Luangwa National Park with Robin Pope Safaris.   This off-the-grid bush experience is one of the reasons this camping adventure is one of my top places to stay for a safari in Zambia.

Mwaleshi Camp in North Luangwa

Mwaleshi Camp is a rustic bush camp on the banks of the Mwaleshi River 10 km upstream of the confluence with the Luangwa River. It’s the only camp in the vast wilderness of North Luangwa National Park offering 4 chalets, operating from June 15 until the end of October. The camp is part of Remote Africa Safaris and the easiest way to get to the camp is by plane from RASAir , Remote Africa’s in-house Cessna 210. It’s a 40-minute flight from Mfuwe Airport in South Luangwa with scenic views of the Luangwa River.

Remarkable, remote, and rustic

The feel of the North differs from the South. There’s no distraction of other people or cars passing and Mwaleshi is one of the in total two camps inside the park. The other camp, Takwela, is also part of Remote Africa Safaris but that camp is in a different area of North Luangwa.

The camp is very rustic and might not be for everyone, especially if you’re a first-time Africa visitor but I rank Mwaleshi Camp and its surrounding nature as one of the favorite places I stayed in Africa .

The remoteness of the camp and the semi-open cottage built with natural materials only using local skills, is what makes it so exclusive. Also, the purity of the walks into areas with no roads adds to the exclusivity.

Only Black Rhino population in Zambia

The area along the Mwaleshi River offers a chance to see the Big Five (and wild dog) on foot and North Luangwa is a hotspot for lion, kudu, Zambia’s endemic Cookson’s wildebeest, elephant, wild dog, and black rhino .

Mwaleshi Camp is within a 120 km 2 black rhino sanctuary , another reason this hidden gem is worth visiting. According to Birdwatch Zambia, there are 416 species of birds and the Luangwa Valley is also one of the top 10 lion strongholds of Africa.

Pure Nature Connection

With no Wi-Fi, cell phone connection, or electricity it is purely a connection to nature here. Use all your senses to connect to nature and enjoy being present in the very moment. It’s the perfect place to recharge your battery and I recommend a minimum of 4 days to fully immerse yourself into this remote luxury for the best experience.

Waking up to the sun rising over the Mwaleshi River while having your breakfast around the fire and listening to the sounds of the birds is a perfect start of the day and a great way to prepare yourself for a 4-hour walking safari. In the afternoon, you go out for another 2.5 to 3-hour walking safari ending with a sundowner while watching the sun set over the Mwaleshi river.

Home-cooked cuisine

Back at the camp, you can enjoy a perfect candlelight dinner, cooked over a wood fire. They bake the  homemade bread with coals in the ground and their fresh vegetables come straight from their vegetable garden .

Most inspiring guide & camp manager

A guide can make or break your safari. Brent was honestly one of the most inspiring souls I have met . He’s extremely passionate about all things nature, sharing his knowledge philosophically.

A very interesting person to listen to with a pleasant voice; the perfect person for a TedTalk if you ask me. Brent is the kind of guide that makes you want to go back to that place.

Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls

The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls is a very expensive hotel part of the Anantara Hotel Group, so it's not for everybody. I haven't slept here myself, but I visited this luxury property a few times for lunch and a delicious high tea. This hotel has been included in the list of the best places to stay in Zambia because it serves as the departure point by boat to Livingstone Island for the Devil's Pool activity.

The Victoria Falls Waterfront in Livingstone

The Victoria Falls Waterfront is a much more affordable place to stay in Livingstone. It's close to Victoria Falls, overlooking the Northern banks of the Zambezi River, and is only 10km away from the famous Victoria Falls, the smoke that thunders. The lodge also has a swimming pool, braai facilities, and a lively bar.

Best places to stay for Safari in Zambia

Most of the best places to stay are intimate bush camps and exclusive safari lodges in Zambia's most pristine wilderness areas , such as Lower Zambezi National Park, Kafue National Park, South Luangwa National Park, and North Luangwa National Park. If you are looking for a real remote safari experience with an abundance of wildlife away from the crowds, choose Zambia as your next safari destination! It's one of Africa's underrated countries for safari but I'm 100% sure you won't regret traveling to one of the safest countries in Africa. Be ready for awe-inspiring natural wonders and Zambia's enchanting wilderness.

Here’s a summary of my 11 hand-picked favorite accommodations to stay for safari in Zambia :

•  Wild Dogs Lodge in Lusaka
•  Pioneer Camp in Lusaka
•  Mukambi Safari Lodge in Kafue National Park
•  Chiawa Camp in Lower Zambezi National Park
•  Old Mondoro in Lower Zambezi National Park
•  Chindeni Camp in South Luangwa National Park
•  Chamilandu Bushcamp in South Luangwa National Park
•  Luangwa Bush Camping
•  Mwaleshi Camp in North Luangwa National Park
•  Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls
•  The Victoria Falls Waterfront in Livingstone

Do you have tips for lodges that deserve to be part of this list too? Share your tips in the comments or invite me to visit your lodge. Check out this selection of Zambia Safari Tours to book your next safari in Zambia.

Luxury safaris in Zambia

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Absolute Zambia Safaris

We specialize in bespoke and private guided safaris in Zambia and Southern Africa, including Malawi, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. We are your agent during the planning and execution of your custom safari trip to Zambia and beyond, and we are fully independent and self-sufficient.

• Where would you like to visit? Bengweulu Wetlands Botswana Kafue National Park Livingstone / Victoria Falls Liwonde National Park Lower Zambezi National Park Lusaka City Malawi Namibia North Luangwa National Park South Africa South Luangwa National Park Zambia Zimbabwe
• What kind of Safari? Canoe Classic Family Luxury Photography Walking

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Your itinerary will be 100% tailor-made and designed to your unique requirements.

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Responsible Travel

Zambia and Southern Africa is a beautiful place & we want to do our bit to keep it that way.

Our Top Safari Destinations

Zambia is recognized as one of the most secure and friendliest countries in Africa combined with its perfect and personalized safari experience, make it a unique and memorable holiday for vacationists.

One of the famous the 7 Natural Wonders of the World is found in Zambia, the Victoria Falls, and some of Southern Africa’s most beautiful national parks. Which includes include North and South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi and Kafue.

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Botswana has a richness of natural beauty. From the Okavango Delta to saltpans of the Makgadikgidi and the awesome Kalahari grasslands – all are a treat for visitors.

Malawi has the most awesome scenery in all of Africa. The Lake Malawi is one of the most famous attractions of the country that you can enjoy when you book a safari.

A Namibia safari can not only allow you to experience the amazing wildlife of this country; you can also visit some of the great places like the Sossuvlei sand dunes.

South Africa

South Africa, without a doubt, is a rainbow nation with a rich diversity of landscape and wildlife. There is so much to see when you book a South Africa safari package.

The Victoria Falls, the Limpopo and the Zambezi rivers beckon you to a Zimbabwe safari. A vast variety of wildlife is available in the parks in Zimbabwe.

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Featured Itineraries

Best of zambezi & luangwa safari, ultimate south luangwa & victoria falls safari, zambia, unique bat migration safari in kasanka national park, zambia, discover zambia’s iconic south luangwa national park safari, the best of south luangwa luxury safari, the best of lower zambezi safari, breathtaking safari in lower zambezi, zambia, classic safari in hwange national park, zimbabwe, mana pools, hwange & victoria falls, zimbabwe, why choose absolute zambia safaris.

Absolute Zambia Safaris is a specialist in bespoke and private safaris in Zambia. Through our large safari operators, we proudly assist our guests in designing custom-made safaris.

Different Ways To Experience Safaris

We provide half-day and full-day canoe safaris, as well as multi-day canoe safaris, ranging from two to five days in length, with overnight stays.

We provide tours and travels services, along with the best safari tours to all the top destinations in Africa. We can provide private tours and safaris for our esteemed guests.

One of the most popular safaris that we offer is our Zambia Family safari. This is the typical perfect holiday trip where the entire family can enjoy the beauty of nature.

We provide all types of safari tours for our guests. Our Zambia walking safari is a unique experience that offers you an opportunity to walk in the wild and learn small things that you dont pay attention while on the 4x4 Safari. Our walking Safari are led by some of the best exprinced and knowledgable in africa accompanied by a wildlife game ranger.

Photography

Zambia and all other places in Africa are a haven for photography lovers. Nature photographers can get some of the most perfect photos during an African photography safari. Whether it is the beautiful landscape and scenery or the most beautiful animals in the world, a photographer can shoot them all on his camera.

Our Photography safari is a great experience. Whether you are an amateur photographer or a professional.

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Sausage tree camp, potato bush camp.

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For an Eco-Motivated Twist on the Classic Luxury Safari

A little inspiration for your dream safari holiday

So, you are planning your dream African safari. You may not be certain of the details yet, but we bet you have a wish list of experiences in mind. With seven luxury properties within Green Safaris, each in a hand-picked location and tailored to showcase the best of Zambia and Malawi, we are sure to have an African escape you couldn’t have designed better yourself.

From Natural Wonders to secluded island paradises, Nest rooms to electric river cruises, walking safaris to lounging safaris, we want you to have it all. Our team or your favourite Travel Professional will always be available to tailor-make the journey of your dreams.

Meanwhile, we have put together a few simple Green Themes and Green Safari Itineraries in Zambia and Lake Malawi to get you thinking...

From Natural Wonders To Secluded Paradises

We know that it’s always easier to start with a bird’s eye view, so here is an illustrated map to give you a better idea of where our properties are and how best to move between them.

Our Itineraries

From 14 days of ultimate safari experiences to a quick 7-night sojourn from Victoria Falls to the Kafue National Park, our itineraries are designed by experts to make the most of your safari experience.

Which Safari Is Right For You?

The Swahili origins of the word ‘safari’ allude to a journey. The spirit of a safari, we believe, is about exploring, connecting, and immersing yourself in Africa in all her many forms, feelings, and spaces. There is no one recipe for a true safari, so perhaps our itineraries aren’t exactly what you are looking for.

In that case, tell us what you are looking for, and we’ll tell you which of our properties are right for you!

South Luangwa

Bubble baths, sundowners on the river, Silent Safari adventures, dinner under the stars, fireside chats... a romantic safari in Africa is already going to be one of the most unforgettable chapters in your love story. With Green Safaris, you can be sure to become a part of an even greater love story, one between you and our precious wild spaces.

We have a range of family rooms and private houses, expert guides and immersive safari and lakeside activities, flexible menus and unforgettable locations. More importantly, our teams will go above and beyond to create your dream family safari holiday.

It’s not often that you can claim a slice of paradise all for yourself. Most of our properties can be booked exclusively, along with private guides, chefs, and vehicles, so why not experience a luxury safari that is only yours?

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Mosi-oa-Tunya: Exploring the Beauty of Victoria Falls

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Adventure Travel Around the World—10 Thrilling Experiences

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Adventure Africa: Sustainable & Quiet

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Sausage Tree Camp: Our Luxury Safari Camp in Zambia

Africa Beat - Get to Know Vincent from Green Safaris

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Startup.info - Starting Your First Safari

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Conde Nast - Bright Ideas in Travel 2023

21 september 2023.

Travel Essence - Interview with Tongabezi Lodge Manager

20 july 2023.

Upscale Living - Discover Zambia & Fall in Love

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Tourism News Africa - Sausage Tree Camp & Potato Bush Camp Now Part of Green Safaris

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Getaway - 8 Adrenaline Activities to do in Zambia

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Harpers Bazaar - The 19 Best Honeymoon Destinations in 2023

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The Points Guy - How to Choose a Sustainable African safari

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Lightfoot Travel - The World's Best Lake Houses

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Travel Weekly - Silent Safaris

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Exalt Africa - Africa is for Lovers

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MSN - 30 Hotels You Have to See to Believe

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Travel Africa - A Positive Environment

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Green Safaris News: Specials, Openings & Incoming 

27 march 2024.

Property Spotlight: Tongabezi, Sindabezi & Livingstone Island

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Solo Travel For Women: The Green Safaris Way

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A Look At Ila Safari Lodge's New Boma

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Sipping for Survival: How Wine is Protecting White Rhinos in Zambia

20 february 2024.

Green Safaris Indaba: A Milestone Gathering at Ila Safari Lodge

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Our Most Romantic Safari Experiences 

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Sindabezi Island Gets Its Own Launch Site 

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Happy Christmas from Green Safaris

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Rebuilding Ila Safari Lodge

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Wings and Wheels Special: A New Era for Safari Journeys

12 december 2023.

SAUSAGE TREE CAMP: OUR LUXURY SAFARI CAMP IN ZAMBIA

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African safari and beach holiday: The ultimate adventure and relaxation combo

Introducing the World's First Electric Dhow at Tongabezi Lodge

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A Successful Ila Safari Lodge Shuffle

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5 Zambian Safari Experiences that Reveal the Magic of the African Bush

01 july 2023.

Going on an Epic Safari in the Lower Zambezi National Park

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A Hard Day For Green Safaris: Ila Boma Fire

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Sausage Tree Camp & Potato Bush Camp join the Green Safaris collection!

15 june 2023.

Sausage Tree Camp & Potato Bush Camp Integration FAQs

Unleash Your Angler Spirit on the Lower Zambezi River

10 june 2023.

New Proflight route connects Lusaka to Cape Town for the first time.

28 may 2023.

Exploring Kafue National Park: the Winter Wonderland of Zambian Wildlife Safaris

05 may 2023.

Kusamalira: An African Conservation Story

02 may 2023.

Discover the Best Time to Visit Lake Malawi

30 march 2023.

Meet Luxury African Destination Wedding Ambassador, Mwai Yeboah

10 march 2023.

Our Favourite Forecasted Travel Trends of 2023

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Myth-Busting Green Season Safaris in South Luangwa

29 august 2022.

African Print Designs Dazzle in Black Panther Inspired Wedding

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Kaya Mawa Revamp Brings More Magic to Your Malawi Holiday

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29 june 2022.

Introduction to the Zambian Carnivore Programme

Introduction to Panthera

Introduction to Project Luangwa

Introduction to By Life Connected and the Green Safaris Conservation Foundation

Why Zambia? Ethical Travel is Unforgettable

Why a Safari is the Perfect Choice for a Sustainable Honeymoon

13 june 2022.

Great News! Zambia Travel Restrictions Lifted

07 june 2022.

Busanga Plains: Where There are More Lions than Beds for Guests

10 may 2022.

An Easter Story of Community Development in Zambia

14 april 2022.

2022 Is The Year of The Hippo

08 april 2022.

Experience Our Private Safaris in Africa

15 march 2022.

Showing our Love for Wildlife Conservation Projects in Zambia

03 march 2022.

6 of the Best Things About an African Pyjama Safari

01 march 2022.

The Best Sustainable Safari Moments of 2021

14 january 2022.

Green Safaris 12 Days of Thankfulness

21 december 2021.

Highlights from our Team’s Zambia Safari Tour

07 december 2021.

Ila Safari Lodge: The Sustainable Safari Camp Blueprint

04 november 2021.

Condé Nast 12th Best Resort in Africa: The Tongabezi Guests Do It Again!

20 september 2021.

Luxury Treehouse Holidays for Lovebirds

30 august 2021.

Let’s Make Africa More Accessible for Travellers with Disabilities

03 august 2021.

Vaccinating the Tongabezi Team

24 may 2021.

Is Sustainable Travel Possible?

10 may 2021.

What is a Silent Safari?

06 may 2021.

Our Eco-friendly Safari Camps Open in Busanga Plains & South Luangwa

23 april 2021.

Meet the Team

12 march 2021.

Green Safaris Is Planning For Happiness

30 november 2020.

Dangling off the Edge of Victoria Falls from Livingstone Island, by Dani Rose

26 october 2020.

Talking Tujatane this World Teachers’ Day

05 october 2020.

Disgruntled Honeymooners Of 2020, This Is For You...

01 october 2020.

Why The Tongabezi Handshake Projects Matter, According to their Team Leaders

29 september 2020.

Meet The 'Tongabezi Handshake' Team Leaders

18 august 2020.

The 'Tongabezi Handshake' Community Projects

A Luxury Wellness Retreat on the Zambezi River

27 may 2020.

Covid Kindness: Supporting Our Village Elders

19 may 2020.

An Ankara Fashion Collaboration at Tongabezi

24 april 2020.

Tongabezi Joins the Green Safaris Family 

09 february 2020.

From Netherlands to Likoma Island, Lake Malawi

01 february 2020.

Good Karma at Kaya Mawa Lodge in Malawi

01 december 2019.

We Put Vincent Kouwenhoven (Founder of Green Safaris) In The Spotlight

01 november 2019.

Tongabezi Voted 9th Best Resort in Africa

11 october 2019.

Green Safaris

01 october 2019.

Green Safaris Conservation Foundation

30 august 2019.

Rise and Fall of the Zambezi

24 april 2019.

The Lunar Rainbow: A Unique Way to Experience Victoria Falls

Walk, Swim and Feast: a Livingstone Island, Victoria Falls Adventure

15 october 2018.

A Nelson Mandela quote for every year he spent in prison in the name of freedom.

18 july 2018.

Condé Nast 2018, Tongabezi takes Gold 

14 february 2018.

Stay up to date about developments happening within our community and conservation projects as well as new offerings and specials at our properties.

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• Complete Kafue Safari
• Great Valleys of Zambia
• Great Zambian Circuit
• Zambezi Waterfalls, Kafue and Barotse Safari
• Northern Zambia Safari
• Tailor Made

The most experienced mobile safari team in Zambia

We run mobile safaris in the popular National Parks and hidden corners of Zambia.

Get close to nature

Safari like the good old days, have the freedom to explore, struggling to find the perfect safari, ready to experience a true zambian safari, the 3 advantages to choosing a mobile safari.

Why would you choose a mobile safari over a permament camp?

The nightly rate of your mobile safari tends to be lower than the permanent camps which means your budget goes further.

Mobile safaris take you into remarkable places that the normal tourist routes don’t reach. Your private adventure is not only unique by design but also very exclusive. 

You will have a very personal and memorable time with our experienced team. The ZSC team take care of your every need. Camp setups, great meals, hot showers and ice cold drinks are the order of the day! Boasting excellent cuisine, great guiding and the best quality camping gear in the country. So, for those of you not opting for an accommodated tour, you will also be super comfortable in our mobile bush camp set up. 

“The Zambia Safari Company organised our first safari in Zambia and we’ve been traveling with them ever since! Paul has a deep understanding of wildlife and Africa in general, his work with the community is inspiring, he’s excellent company and great fun to be with.”

– dr rick squires, nottingham uk, we offer 3 types of mobile safaris in zambia.

You can decide what type of mobile safari you want to experience 

1. Pre-Set Routes

Choose from our 5 set mobile safari packages through Zambia. 

2. Tailor Made Safaris

Let us create your own unique safari, tailored to your preferred destinations and wishes in Zambia. Exclusive & Private.

3. Semi-Permanent Bushcamps

Our bushcamps are setup in specific locations to witness a unique wildlife event.

Still not sure a mobile safari is the right option for you?

Walking Safaris in Zambia

The capability to walk within all National Parks makes Zambia hard to beat on two feet, with the Luangwa and the Kafue being particularly rewarding.

• Best Time To Go
• Experiences
• Top Parks & Areas
• Itineraries

About Zambia Walking Safaris

Walking with wildlife is a completely different experience to driving. Even if you are just looking at an impala, you get to appreciate the small but very interesting things that you would totally miss in a vehicle.

Many camps in Zambia will offer daily walking activities from the camp in the mornings or evenings, in addition to game drives and possibly boat trips. These are normally a couple of hours, not very strenuous ambles. If you’re looking for more in-depth walks then there are a couple of excellent options that you should look at.

For those determined to spend as little time in a vehicle as possible, you can opt for mobile walking safaris that spread over a few days in the bush. Here you will spend each night in a different spot, walking between the camp-sites as the camp moves ahead of you each day. The walking will be a bit more strenuous (but you certainly don’t have to be an athlete to participate) and you’ll spend more time on the trail. However this is a wonderfully liberating way to experience Zambia’s wilderness.

• Visit the home of walking safaris
• Ideal landscape, great game and specialist guiding
• An intense safari experience up close to big game

A print anthology of safari and wilderness travel with over 220 pages of travel inspiration.

Highlights of a walking safari Zambia

Often the best safaris involve looking beyond the obvious highlights. It’s about the exhilarating encounters that will make your heart sing. These are encounters that nobody could ever predict, but that make your safari genuinely unique.

BEST TIME FOR ZAMBIA WALKING SAFARIS

The walking season in Zambia runs from the beginning of June to the end of October, although it is possible to walk a little earlier (April and May) as well as later (November).

This coincides with the dry season when the bush has thinned out enough to get through safely, and when animals congregate around the last remaining water sources. It is also when the seasonal “bush camps” operate – often deep within the parks far from track and traffic, a prerequisite for a high quality walking safari experience. 

As a rule it gets hotter and drier as the dry season progresses, with temperatures peaking in the low 40’s  celsius in low lying parts of the country (Luangwa and Zambezi Valleys – the Kafue is higher and cooler) in October. Although the game is more dispersed, due to more water available, the cool months of July and August are truly lovely times to be out on foot. 

Talk to our Experts

They’ll be happy to let you in on their travel secrets, and help you plan a tailor-made trip that’s truly unforgettable.

Top walking safari Experiences in Zambia

Walking Safari in South Luangwa

Walking Safari in Kafue National Park

Top parks & areas for walking safaris in zambia.

• Strike out on a walking safari
• Take your camp with you on an authentic mobile safari
• Colourful carmine bee eaters
• Great for leopard

• Balloon safari across the Busanga Plains
• Vast, wildlife and remote park
• Good numbers of elephants
• Great for walking

• Big numbers of elephants
• Life on the river: boating, fishing & canoeing
• The leopards of Lower Zambezi
• Great choice of beautiful camps & lodges
• June – October

Big game & wilderness in Zambia

Fly camping.

Simple lightweight camps used to support walking safaris are one of the greatest pleasures in the wilderness.

Fly camping is minimalist camping par excellence. Above all, it’s about experiencing the sights, sounds and smells of the African night; myriad stars, the noise of elephants foraging near camp, the calls of hyenas, leopards and lions. Frills are restricted to the essentials: good simple food, cold drinks and a comfortable bed roll.

From Our Travel Guides

For the love of Zambia’s bushcamps

What is there to do in Victoria Falls?

About the Serengeti Plains Formation

Meet our travel experts.

It takes genuine local knowledge to craft trips that go beyond the ordinary. The Natural High team have unrivalled experience and will take your ideas and turn them into your trip of a lifetime.

Into The Wild Brochure

Need some more inspiration? Request a copy of Into The Wild, our comprehensive anthology of safaris and wilderness travel.

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

Fantastic Natural High

The service on the ground was provided by Zeph Elias of Wilderness WAYO and it was really excellent…

Alex, Rachel, Ewan & George

Well organized and efficiently executed trip. Would definitely use them again and recommend them to others….

Charles & Jo Mercey

Amboseli trip…fantastic

incredibly helpful whilst planning trip, then everything went smoothly when we were there, great accommodation, transportation, food, guides etc etc. …

Elizabeth Leece

When we weren’t laughing we were moved to tears – thank you!

From my first conversations with Vanessa and Catherine I felt the comfort of knowing I was in good hands and had connected to people with an evident p…

TRUSTED CUSTOMER

The very best travel company organising unique bespoke trips

Outstanding bespoke trip. Every tiny detail was taken care of. We stayed in a variety of lodges and the service was excellent throughout, as were the …

African vacation created with perfection!

We live in Canada and have relied on Vanessa Janion to plan and organize 3 trips to Africa for our family members. Without a doubt she has consisten…

Chris And Viviana

Best holiday ever

The Namibia safari, with Ultimate Namibia Safaris, introduced to me by Natural High Safari was by far one of the best organised holidays I have experi…

Angela Redman

A Dream come true.

Excellent service and trip….

Arranged an exctsafari with their regional partners. All in place perfectly with no exceptions….

Perfectly described and everything went as planned….

Great safari. Great sightings. Hiking. Had it all….

Thank you for organising an excellent trip. Your service was responsive and helpful. Occasional slip-ups in the written detail made me wonder how meti…

Brilliantly planned adventures in Uganda and Madagascar

Rod organised 2 excellent trips to Africa for me this summer – the first in June to Uganda and the second in August to Madagascar. Both trips benefit…

Saritha & Fionn

One of the most memorable Family Holidays – wonderful!

Simply first class on every level. Catherine Ronan was ‘on it’ from the start and built the most fabulous bespoke holiday for the family in Mozambiqu…

Murray & Amanda

Namibia 2023

We had wonderful four weeks in Namibia. Everything was really nice planned and we didn’t need to worry about anything. We made some incredible memor…

Vera & Tobias

Absolutely recommend natural high

Many trips, rod organized, all a azi g…

Don and Bernice

Natural High knows what it’s doing!

Natural High — in particular, Vanessa Janion, was invaluable in the planning of our safari, including the all-important decisions of where and when t…

Tony, Mary and Anna

Thank you Vanessa for planning our dream vacation! Everything suited our style perfectly. The accommodations, food, and activities were just right….

First time on safari

Our trip was planned by Catherine R from Natural High Safari. She was very respectful professional and pleasant to work with…

If you wish a trip of a lifetime then book with Natural High!!

Vanessa and her team at Natural High arranged a trip of a life time for us in Botswana and Mozambique. I cannot recommend more highly. Natural High is…

Terry and Rosemary

Based on 378 reviews

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Please fill in the form below and one of our specialists will be in touch with you, or alternatively contact us on:

• +44 (0) 1747 830950
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Animals Around the Globe

10 Best African Countries for Safari

Posted: December 19, 2023 | Last updated: December 19, 2023

#1 Botswana

Recommended Tours:

Thus, poachers are seen as enemies of the people. As a result, Botswana has come into view as Africa's most sought-after ecotourism destination. Starting from the Chobe National Park to the Moremi Nature Reserve, you'll be able to witness numerous gems all around the country.

Back in 2014, Botswana widely banned the hunting of wild animals and implemented strict laws which are still in practice. The country resumes its zero-tolerance for poaching and their very own environmental minister, Tshekedi Khama, has even launched a shoot-to-kill policy for poachers.

Botswana, with its wildlife conservation and natural parks, is a haven for nature lovers. It is currently in the top 5, as its approach to the protection and conservation of wildlife is worth the praise. As a country, it is very forward-thinking, some may even call it aggressively forward-thinking when it comes to its preservation and anti-poaching laws.

Its fertile land provides a safe and comforting home to around 200 mammal species. This includes elephants, hippos, monkeys and so much more. Along with 650 bird species and 5,500 plants. Even though the country is still underdeveloped and most of the population live in rural households, its national parks, and sight-seeing destinations are on the top 10 of our lists.

Even though many would face some difficulties in locating Malawi on a map, given how tiny it is, the country is home to the world-renowned Lake Malawi National Park. This is practically one-third of the country and is the most biodiverse lake in the world.

Most of the land in Namibia is occupied by the Kalahari and Namib Deserts. Along with that, the country also has 12 national parks and many other areas which are protected. So, if you go there for a safari, you'll have many rich areas to see and explore.

When it comes to countries with the least amount of population, Namibia is one of them. Which proves to be a good thing for nature. This is because most of the land in Namibia is still unspoiled by human filth or any sort of development, giving nature a chance to breathe.

In the country's Volcanoes National Park, you'll find 10 habituated gorilla families. Groups of 8 trekkers can visit them for one hour per day. But that's enough to get the best African safari experience. And as a nature lover, you'll enjoy the experience to the max.

If you've been around for some time, you'll be familiar with Rwanda's mountain gorillas. They were famously broadcasted and their fight for survival was shown on  National Geographic . This was all thanks to the late  Dian Fossey  back in the 1970s who advocated for the rights of these mountain gorillas throughout her life.

Considering the tragic history surrounding the mass genocide of the people of Rwanda back in 1994, it's truly a blessing what the country has achieved in the past 25 years. There have been countless investments in infrastructure. This has resulted in the country being a very fast-growing destination for ecotourism.

#6 South Africa

But given all the advantages, it's safe to conclude that South Africa also suffers from over-tourism. I mean, if you have so many great attractions, people will flock towards it. Chances are that you'll find yourself in the middle of dozens of unruly visitors who are not too keen on obeying the rules. This occurs mostly during the peak seasons.

Annually, the country has one million visitors. Its biggest attraction is the Kruger National Park with its enrichment in biodiversity. Visitors there also have the liberty to self-drive, thus, getting a first-person private but superb experience. 

For some time now, South Africa has been climbing the charts to become one of the most popular destinations for African safaris. Given its location, South Africa is a very convenient and cheap destination for people from the United States. Besides that, the country also boasts a well-developed infrastructure which makes it perfect for luxury travelers as well.

#7 Tanzania

One of the most popular locations would be the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The country is also a haven for 1100 different bird species. It's no wonder that Tanzania gets this much rep. Especially when the country boasts so many wonders.

We talked about Kenya being the top destination for Safari. Now Tanzania here takes second place in being the continent's most popular safari destination. And why shouldn't it? The country has 16 national parks and an extraordinary amount of wealth and wildlife wonders for the people to witness.

Some of its natural attractions include housing the highest mountain range in Africa. It also has the world's largest free-standing volcano and the second-largest freshwater lake. With its 30 national parks and other wildlife reserves, Uganda boasts many more sanctuaries which are worth the visit. Especially if you're a lover of nature and wildlife.

Often called "The Pearl of Africa", Uganda is certainly a great pick for an African safari. Its reputation as being one of the best ecotourism destinations comes from the country's natural attractions and wildlife.

Out of its 20 national parks, the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is home to many wildlife animals such as African elephants, Angolan giraffes, Cape buffalo, etc. Other than that, there are many private ownerships of National parks, notably the Kasanka National Park which is near the basin of Lake Bangweulu. It's a safe place where visitors can see 400 different avian species.

Zambia may be a bit far down the list of popular destinations for your African safari, but many consider it to be a destination for diversified and immersive safari experiences, and making a notable feature on our 10 Best African Countries for Safari guide. The country is steadily focusing on conservation as their president has shown a keen interest and is working on building the nation's economy as well as the infrastructure.

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