Zambia Safari

Go on a Zambia Safari adventure!

If you’re looking to experience nature as never before, Zambia is the place to go. Think magnificent natural wonders, an abundance of wildlife, vast pristine wilderness and more.

Home to the famous Victoria Falls, the mighty Zambezi River and some of the most legendary safaris in Africa, Zambia is one country you don’t want to miss.

Recognised as one of the safest countries to visit in Africa (and in fact the world), Zambia is known for its friendly and welcoming people who are more than happy to share with you some of the world’s finest nature experiences that can be found on their doorstep.

Here is our list of not-to-be-missed highlights on your Zambian adventure:

> Explore the  largest waterfalls in the world!
> Safari by boat and canoe on the mighty Zambezi River.
> Track wildlife on foot during spectacular walking safaris.
> Float silently in a hot-air balloon over the Kafue National Park.  

Zambia Safari Leopard
Zambia Safari Bushbuck
Zambia Luxury Safari - Elephant Low Zambezi

Zambezi River

The lifeline of Zambia

‘Zambezi River’ means ‘Great River’ in the local Tonga dialect, and rightly so.

The Zambezi is the fourth longest river in Africa, flowing through six countries on its journey from its source in northwestern Zambia to the Indian Ocean. It’s less developed than other rivers in terms of human settlement (many areas along its banks are protected), and remains one of the most pristine rivers in the world. While its sheer beauty attracts travellers from around the world, it also offers a myriad exciting watersport as well as game viewing opportunities. Its power, of course, is also what fuels the famous Victoria Falls.

Victoria Falls & Livingstone

The worlds’ largest waterfalls & one of the seven natural wonders!

Forming the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, the mighty Victoria Falls presents an awe-inspiring display of natural beauty that earned it the reputation of ‘the greatest curtain of falling water in the world.

At the height of the rainy season, over five hundred million cubic metres of water per minute plummet over the edge of the falls into a gorge over one hundred metres below. Watching this take place from the safety of one of the many strategic vantage points is yet another of the many humbling experiences that Zambia has to offer.

To visit the natural wonder, you can stay nearby the falls in Livingstone, Zambia. The town around the falls on the Zambia side, named after the first white man to put eyes on these falls, the famous explorer David Livingstone. Or you could also easily stay on the other side of the boarder in the town Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

Staying just outside of town in one of the amazing lodges and camps available along the upper Zambezi river is also a fantastic option to go for.

Victoria Falls, Livingstone, Zambia Safari
Zambia Safari Park

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park

Right next to the worlds’ largest waterfalls!

Along the upper Zambezi River is Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that plays host to the mighty Victoria Falls.

A nature lover’s dream, the area is marked by tall riverine forest, miombo woodland and thick grassland. While relatively small (66 square km), it’s home to numerous antelope species, giraffe, warthog and a variety of birds and smaller animals, as well as crossing elephants.

As there are no predators in the park, the animals are very relaxed and can be observed up close.

The impressive mammals and rich birdlife of the park make land-based game drives a treat, while water-based explorations include sunset or game viewing river cruises revealing an abundance of hippo and crocodile, as well as other river-dwelling species.

Lower Zambezi National Park

Safari along the mighty Zambezi river in a 4×4, boat or canoe!

The sheer wilderness of this park is what makes it an absolute must-visit. It’s still relatively underdeveloped, and its raw wild state leaves many a visitor in awe. As it’s situated opposite the famous Mana Pools Reserve in Zimbabwe, the entire area on both sides of the Zambezi River is one spectacular wildlife sanctuary.

Nature lovers will be awe-struck by the park’s combination of thick riverine forest, stretching floodplains, rolling hills and magical woodlands.

While the diversity of wildlife isn’t as wide as some of the bigger parks in the area, the opportunities to get up close to wandering game in and out of the Zambezi channels are many, as most of the game is concentrated along the valley floor.

Most famous are the huge herds of elephant often seen at the river’s edge. Buffalo and waterbuck are also common, with decent populations of lion and leopard also calling the park home.

Wild Dogs Zambia Safari
Zambia Safari Lion
Zambia Safari South Luangwa Atelier Africa

South Luangwa National Park

The original walking safari destination!

One of the great remaining unspoiled areas of Africa and a highlight of eastern Zambia, this impressive park covers about 9050 square kilometres of the Luangwa Valley Floor. Known to locals simply as ‘the South Park’, it offers dramatic topography as well as an abundance of wildlife.

It was here that the pioneer safari explorers started to take their guests on walking safaris. With the large open spaces and big trees, it is perfectly safe here to go out with a professional walking safari guide and fully emerge in the African bush! Experience what it feels like no to be on top of the food-chain 🙂 

South Luangwa’s concentration of animals is in fact one of the most dense in all of Africa. Everything from predators like the famed African wild dog (also known as Painted Wolf), majestic lion and elusive leopard to big game favourites like elephant, buffalo and hippo can be spotted.

The park also offers some unique wildlife sightings, including Zambia’s famous Crawshay’s zebra herds, 14 different antelope species, and the elusive bushbuck.

Add to this 400 species of birds and you’ve got a safari lover’s dream.

TIP! > From our personal experience we know South Luangwa is one of the best locations in Africa to find Leopard!  

Kafue National Park

The Okavango Delta of Zambia

Kafue National Park is 3 x the size of South Luangwa, 
 it is the oldest park in Zambia 
 with only three lodges here, this is a very exclusive safari destination.

Set in the heart of western Zambia, Kafue National Park is the country’s biggest and oldest National Park. Three rivers form the lifeblood of the reserve namely the Lufupa, Lunga and Kafue rivers with the annual summer flood of the Lufupa creating an impressive floodplain delta.

The floodplains, rivers, and woodlands support an impressive array of animal and birdlife and a number of private lodges make this remarkable reserve easier to visit.

Visitors can look forward to catching a glimpse of the hippos swimming in the waters of Lake Itezhi-Tezhi, viewing abundant birdlife and a variety of game on the northern Busanga Plains such as zebras and lions; and in the more remote southern Nanzhila Plains antelopes and elephants can be spotted.

A must do here: Float high above the plains in a hot air balloon, the best way to see this scenic and remote ecosystem while looking out for wildlife below. End with a champagne breakfast!

Kafue National Park Zambia Safari
Kafue Zambia Safari Lion

FAQ about Zambia

Zambia’s climate is sub-tropical, and defined by a marked wet and dry season rather than summer and winter. The best time to go for game viewing is during the dry season from May to October. The best time to visit the Victoria Falls in particular is at the end of the rainy season (between March and May), when the Zambezi River is in full flood.

We will guide you, we will plan a personal guide or driver for you. Or you can also make use of the many local connection flights available inside Zambia. so you can hop from one place to the next and we’ll make sure the lodge is expecting you on the other side.

Fly to Lusaka – you get here fast via Addis with Ethiopian Airlines!

Zambia Luxury Safari - Elephant - Luangwa

Our favourite lodges & camps in Zambia

Download our sample Safari in PDF format here. 

We created a well illustrated sample safari around Zambia,
combining the highlights and national parks described above.

This tour starts in Victoria Falls and ends in Lusaka.
Covering the Lower Zambezi, South Luangwa and optional also Kafue National Park.
As always, we gladly custom design the exact details of this trip for your expectations.

This simply is a good sample to start planning your next adventure!

Zambia Sample Safari