Zambia may be more than half again the size of Botswana, yet it is still relatively unknown as a safari destination. A vast and largely unspoilt land, Zambia is home to 19 National Parks, the Victoria Falls (which it shares with Zimbabwe), and some breath-taking scenery – including 5 lakes and 17 waterfalls.
Safaris are becoming more and more of interest - and the country is renowned for walking safaris in the South Luangwa National Park, which also boasts some of the best guides in Africa, and an abundance of wildlife in general. The Lower Zambezi National Park is the newest addition, and sits across the Zambezi floodplain from Zimbabwe’s famous Mana Pools.
Kafue National Park, Zambia’s biggest, is getting more exposure, and is also well worth a visit, although still a highly seasonal destination. Of recent years, Zambia has also become known for its adventure activities, centred on the town of Livingstone, at the Victoria Falls. Here, visitors can experience the wildest one day rafting in the world, bungee jump off the bridge that spans the Zambezi River gorge, abseil, canoe, kayak……Many areas are also excellent for fishing – tiger in particular being popular.
There is an excellent network of flights connecting the major centres, and National Parks, which makes for some exceptional and diverse Safari arrangements. You can connect to the Capital, Lusaka, for onward arrangements to most of the National Parks.
Safaris are becoming more and more of interest - and the country is renowned for walking safaris in the South Luangwa National Park, which also boasts some of the best guides in Africa, and an abundance of wildlife in general. The Lower Zambezi National Park is the newest addition, and sits across the Zambezi floodplain from Zimbabwe’s famous Mana Pools.
Kafue National Park, Zambia’s biggest, is getting more exposure, and is also well worth a visit, although still a highly seasonal destination. Of recent years, Zambia has also become known for its adventure activities, centred on the town of Livingstone, at the Victoria Falls. Here, visitors can experience the wildest one day rafting in the world, bungee jump off the bridge that spans the Zambezi River gorge, abseil, canoe, kayak……Many areas are also excellent for fishing – tiger in particular being popular.
There is an excellent network of flights connecting the major centres, and National Parks, which makes for some exceptional and diverse Safari arrangements. You can connect to the Capital, Lusaka, for onward arrangements to most of the National Parks.
Zambia Safari Areas
Zambia has a network of National Park and Reserve areas, some better known than others. The South Luangwa National Park, is, arguably the best known, and perhaps most visited. Although not the largest Park, it is relatively easy to access (by aircraft or vehicle) from Lusaka, and is best known for its excellent walking Safaris.
The Lower Zambezi National Park, the country's newest, is also relatively easily accessed by aircraft and vehicle, and is surprisingly close to Lusaka. As one of the Park's main borders is formed by the Zambezi River, visitors have the added enjoyment of canoeing.
Kafue is Zambia's largest and oldest National Park, and, of recent years, has started to enjoy something of a come-back, with an increasing number of Lodges and Camps, offering a good variety of accommodation. Although many of Zambia's Parks are somewhat seasonal (rainy season is from November to March), parts of Kafue are more affected, as there are extensive floodplains (Busanga) in the north, making for a shorter safari season - often only from June onward.
Livingstone, across the Zambezi River from the town of Victoria Falls, has enlarged in terms of tourist offerings in the last few years, and now competes very successfully with its perhaps better known neighbour. The towns are literally across the Victoria Falls from each other. Livingstone also boasted a much improved Airport, and good access to neighbouring Botswana. The town is also well known for its diversity of activities and excursions, making it very attractive for the adrenalin ''junky''!
The Lower Zambezi National Park, the country's newest, is also relatively easily accessed by aircraft and vehicle, and is surprisingly close to Lusaka. As one of the Park's main borders is formed by the Zambezi River, visitors have the added enjoyment of canoeing.
Kafue is Zambia's largest and oldest National Park, and, of recent years, has started to enjoy something of a come-back, with an increasing number of Lodges and Camps, offering a good variety of accommodation. Although many of Zambia's Parks are somewhat seasonal (rainy season is from November to March), parts of Kafue are more affected, as there are extensive floodplains (Busanga) in the north, making for a shorter safari season - often only from June onward.
Livingstone, across the Zambezi River from the town of Victoria Falls, has enlarged in terms of tourist offerings in the last few years, and now competes very successfully with its perhaps better known neighbour. The towns are literally across the Victoria Falls from each other. Livingstone also boasted a much improved Airport, and good access to neighbouring Botswana. The town is also well known for its diversity of activities and excursions, making it very attractive for the adrenalin ''junky''!
More information on the most popular Safari areas is given under the links below......
Safari Suggestions
Zambia is becoming better known as a Safari destination with every season that goes by. Access to certain areas has also improved, making it more convenient to combine different areas. However, it is also possible to do an entire Safari in one Park, particularly the South Luangwa, if you are interested in Walking Safaris. You can spend a good number of days waking between Bushcamps with a world-class guide, really taking in the Wilderness.
Lower Zambezi also lends itself to an extensive Safari, as you can combine lodges in the Park with those in neighbouring Game Management areas. Canoeing stretches of the Zambezi between camps is also a wonderful way to see the area and enjoy its wildlife.
Kafue is so big that you can make an extensive itinerary in the Park alone. However, if you have the time, you can also enjoy a combination of these Parks, and other areas, making for a unique and exciting Safari experience. The hub for the light aircraft flights to the Parks is Lusaka, which is also easily combined with Livingstone, to give you a chance to see Victoria Falls and perhaps enjoy some of the areas adventure activities.
Our Safari suggestions are just that... they give you an idea of what can be arranged and experienced, but you are free to amend where desired.
Lower Zambezi also lends itself to an extensive Safari, as you can combine lodges in the Park with those in neighbouring Game Management areas. Canoeing stretches of the Zambezi between camps is also a wonderful way to see the area and enjoy its wildlife.
Kafue is so big that you can make an extensive itinerary in the Park alone. However, if you have the time, you can also enjoy a combination of these Parks, and other areas, making for a unique and exciting Safari experience. The hub for the light aircraft flights to the Parks is Lusaka, which is also easily combined with Livingstone, to give you a chance to see Victoria Falls and perhaps enjoy some of the areas adventure activities.
Our Safari suggestions are just that... they give you an idea of what can be arranged and experienced, but you are free to amend where desired.
Accommodation
Zambia offers a good variety of accommodation for your Safari holiday. Many lodges and camps are set within the boundaries of National Parks and Reserves, but there is also a good selection on the borders. Below are links to a selection of lodges in the four main areas - South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi, Kafue and Livingstone. You may also wish to look at our Zambia website for more information....
