Zambia might just be Africa’s most underrated safari destination: raw and ‘real’ blessed with jaw-dropping scenery and some of the best big game viewing on the continent. Truly exceptional in its safari offering and deemed unsurpassable for many safari aficionados once it has been experienced. Surprisingly it is often pitched as a second time safari-goer’s destination, behind the more ‘iconic’ options of the Masai Mara, the Serengeti or the Okavango Delta. However, Zambia is second to none and not to be missed is the stunning Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, on the southern border so the country lends itself to combining excellent wildlife, action & adventure and spectacular landscapes.
Zambia focuses on fantastic walking safaris in wonderful national parks like South Luangwa and the Lower Zambezi. In the latter, you can also do canoeing and fishing as well as the game drives and walks. Plus when you reach Victoria Falls, the largest waterfalls in the world and one of the seven wonders, you can go white water rafting down the Zambezi river, chock-full of crocs and hippos (it’s an amazing experience and one I would highly recommend(.
Best time:
June through September is winter time when it is dry and mild. It is peak season and ideal for game viewing.
October through January can be very hot
On safari in Zambia
From watching a herd of elephants quench their thirst at the riverside with hippos wallowing in the mud pools to catching a glimpse of a lioness with her cubs, a safari in one of Zambia’s national parks is truly magical. South Luangwa National Park in eastern Zambia has been heralded as one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world. With more than 60 species of mammals and 400 species of birds, it’s the perfect place for a walking safari. From the graceful giraffes, intriguing Cape buffaloes, to herds of elephants, hippos, zebras and lions, standing in the stillness and watching the wild creatures go about their day is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Nature lovers will also love the unspoilt wilderness of the Lower Zambezi National Park. It’s famous for its big game – elephants, buffaloes, crocodiles, as well as lions, leopards and the African wild dog. What makes this park a safari hotspot is the concentration of wildlife that congregate around the Lower Zambezi Valley and the Zambezi River. For up-close encounters with the animals you can enjoy a river cruise or even a canoe trip! It’s not unusual to come face to face with a pod of hippos peering cautiously above the water’s surface or drift silently past a buffalo as he cools off in the river. With a plethora of wildlife, vast savannahs and winding waterways to discover, Zambia is the perfect place for a safari holiday.
ZAMBIA SAFARI
Often referred to as one of Africa’s best kept secrets, landlocked Zambia is set atop a high plateau in Central Africa and is geographically defined by its great rivers and basins, of which the most famous is its namesake, the Zambezi. Despite being most widely known for the smoking and staggeringly beautiful Victoria Falls, there is an incredible range of topography and habitats throughout the entire country, and along with a tropical climate, this makes it the ideal safari holiday destination for the discerning enthusiast looking for a uniquely African safari experience.
Zambia gives you the chance to understand how the plains and landscapes work, with walking safaris taking you close to the action
Zambia Wildlife Highlights
o Elephants
o Big Cats
o Wild Dogs
o Bats
ZAMBIA
Top Tips & Destination Highlights:
- Drift along the Zambez Riveri – on a boat or in a canoe – and enjoy close encounters with giraffes, elephants, hippos and the abundance of wildlife at the water’s edge
- Marvel at the thunderous awe-inspiring Victoria Falls. One of the seven natural wonders of the world, it’s huge cascading presence is spell-bounding
- Enjoy an open-topped game drive to spot the Big Five in the South Luangwa National Park
- Take an adrenaline-pumping white-water rafting trip down the stunning Lower Zambezi River
Get off the Beaten Track: Enjoy a walking safari in South Luangwa National Park and discover Africa from the dust upwards…
Boating Cruises and Fishing: Always spectacular on the Lower Zambezi at sunset, or even in the company of hippos!
Distance Yourself from Modern Life: Take some time out to relax and absorb your incredible surroundings in the South Luangwa Valley.
Zambia Migrations: Visit Liuwa Plains National Park, one of Africa’s most pristine parks where thousands of wildebeest migrate from the northwest to the south each year.
Kasanka Bat Safari: Millions of straw-coloured fruit bats come to Kasanka to feast on the fruiting trees, starts at the end of October.
Relax and Unwind: Take some time out at one of the wonderful lodges on the Zambezi just upstream from Victoria Falls.
Why not see more of Africa in one trip by twinning your Zambia holiday with a visit to Cape Town or Zimbabwe?
WHY WE LOVE ZAMBIA
From breathtaking walking safaris and white-water rafting to seeing one of the world’s largest waterfalls, a holiday in Zambia bursts with adventure and natural beauty. A trip to Zambia isn’t complete without experiencing the thundering clash of its magnificent Victoria Falls. Touted as one of the world’s largest waterfalls, the tumbling cascading curtain of water that stretches along the Zambia and Zimbabwe border is truly spell-bounding. It’s also a fantastic playground for adrenaline sports such as white-water rafting, kayaking, river boarding and jet boating. Whichever way you choose to experience it, the famous Victoria Falls should be at the top of your Zambia holiday’s must-see list.
A beautiful country with astounding wildlife and vistas that is often overlooked when organising an African safari. Zambia is one of our favourites and rather an unsung hero!
Get close to the action: A walking safari means you can get up close with the bush and gain a real understanding of the land and how it works – it’s not just about the big animals.
Stunning wildlife: The wildlife here is amazing, varying from elephants, hippos and crocodiles, to lion, cheetah, and wild dogs.
Sense of Adventure: Aside from the wildlife, Victoria Falls is a hub for adrenaline action and a must-see during your time in Zambia!
HOME OF THE WALKING SAFARI
Tracking through the bush with an armed guide, who will track wildlife by some of the most unusual yet successful means, you will learn about the smaller things that you would otherwise miss in a vehicle, though it is not unknown to come across the large predators too! Night drives here can also be exhilarating and perfect for spotting some predatory action in the African bush. In the Lower Zambezi National Park, there is the added attraction of canoe safaris along the picturesque Zambezi river, ideal for an atmospheric sundowner, dodging hippos frolicking in the depths whilst elephants drink from the banks.
Zambia is home of the walking safari, getting away from the vehicle noise, and having the ability to smell, feel and hear the bush is a special experience that is not to be missed here.
