Taking its name from the Zambezi River that flows through it, Zambia is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Zambia has focused on low volume, positive impact ecotourism to protect its pristine natural resources and uplift local communities across the country. The tourism industry is a major and growing industry in Zambia. Zambia's tourism industry is one of the country's growth potential areas.
Its 73 ethnic groups highlight the country’s diverse cultures that are showcased through traditional festivals throughout the year. On a trip to Zambia, you’ll spend your days seeing "the Big Five" on safari in one or more of the country’s 20 national parks. You’ll never have to worry about long lines to take a picture of a lion like in other parks in Africa because Zambia’s parks offer near solitude.
Swim at the edge of the world’s most impressive waterfall or snorkel in clear waters in one of the world’s deepest lakes. Dance the night away in the capital city or discover Zambia’s next Picasso at a gallery. Here are the top things to do in Zambia to get to know Southern Africa a little better.
1. Experience the Majesty of Victoria Falls
Visit Livingstone, the tourist capital of Zambia, to frolic in the Victoria Falls, or Mosi-oa-Tunya as it’s known locally. The Victoria Falls is one of the ‘Seven Natural Wonders of the World’, and is a must-see highlight for most trips to Zambia. Known by locals as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ or ‘The Smoke That Thunders’, this magnificent waterfall straddles the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe at 108 metres in height (almost double the height of Niagara Falls). It's one of the largest waterfalls on Earth.
As the mighty Zambezi River crashes over a basalt rock ledge and drops 108 metres (354 feet) down into a powerful whirlpool, it forms the largest sheet of falling water on the planet: the Victoria Falls. Traditionally known as Mosi-oa-Tunya (which, aptly, means the ‘Smoke that Thunders’), the falling water's impressive roar can sometimes be heard from 40 kilometres (25 miles) away.
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During the dry months of July and August, take a dip in Devil's Pool - a natural infinity pool that forms at the edge of the falls. The Zambian side of the Falls offers thrilling activities for adrenaline junkies including swimming in the Devil’s Pool (those devil-may-care photos on the edge of the falls are extremely popular with Instagrammers) and guided tours of Livingstone Island.
Other adrenaline-inducing activities include white-water rafting on the Zambezi River, taking a 30-minute micro-flight over the falls, bungee jumping or walking the knife edge bridge to see the permanent rainbow. For a luxury experience, enjoy a five-course meal aboard the Royal Livingstone express train which passes through the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park with a pit stop at the Victoria Falls bridge.
Local tip: While in Livingstone, book a workshop in painting, drawing or ceramics with locally based artists Agness and Lawrence Yombwe who run Wayi Wayi gallery. Also pop into the Livingstone Art Gallery for an exhibition, or shop for leather Made in Zambia goods.
Want to get really close to the cascades of water? Then head to the Zambia side of Victoria Falls. During the low-water season, head down the footpath that leads to the Boiling Pot: a massive whirlpool at the base of the waterfall.
Expert tip: October is the hottest month of the year in Vic Falls (around 34°C / 93°F), and one of the very best months for safari. The animals don't stray far from the little remaining water, but the Falls' water levels are at their very lowest and the Zambian side will the completely dry.
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Between February and July, the mighty Zambezi River is in full flood and the waterfall is at its most thunderous - usually peaking between March and April. Dazzling clouds of mist can float 400 metres (1 312 feet) above the Falls!
Excellent visibility of Victoria Falls from Zimbabwe and Zambia sides - lower water levels mean less spray and mist. Devil's Pool is probably the most extreme infinity pool in the world. This natural rock pool sits at the very edge of Victoria Falls, only accessible when water levels are at their lowest, from about August to December.
It's a short boat ride to the island - the location where David Livingstone first set eyes on the sublime waterfall and famously articulated his encounter as, ‘scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels on their flight'. There are daily flights from South Africa's international airports to Livingstone Airport (LVI) in Zambia and Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) in Zimbabwe. A road transfer from VFA to Vic Falls Town will take you about 20 minutes.
Expert tip: There is nothing infallible about sitting on the edge of one of the world's highest waterfalls, so please listen to your expert guides who understand the water levels and currents.
Full day-trips to Chobe, Botswana's elephant kingdom, are available from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Zambia. You will have to go through border control, so don't forget your passport. Once again, your Africa Safari Expert can make all the arrangements. Known as the ‘Flight of Angels', this thrilling flip over the waterfall is a definite bucket-list activity.
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Desire something a little more exhilarating than a helicopter? Known as the wildest white-water in the world, a rafting adventure on the Zambezi River is an adrenaline rush not to be missed. During low-water season, rafting is best between August and September.
Imagine a giant swing, 120m (393ft) above the water. Travel to an island right on the lip of the chasm where David Livingstone first gazed at the beauty and magnitude of Mosi-oa-Tunya.
The bridge that connects Zimbabwe and Zambia is a stunning feat of Victorian engineering and is used daily by all sorts of traffic.
Victoria Falls - One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World - Extended Scene | THE UNJUST & US
2. Dive into the Depths of Lake Tanganyika
Located in northern Zambia, Lake Tanganyika is the world’s largest freshwater lake and home to over 350 species of fish. Lake Tanganyika is the world’s longest freshwater lake and is also the deepest in Africa as part of the Great Rift Valley - stretching up to 670 km long and reaching a depth of around 1,433 metres, an astonishing 640 metres below sea level.
Angling is a popular activity, with a dedicated festival - the Tanganyika Angling Challenge - that takes place every March. Sport fishing is one of the lake’s main attractions with prize catches including the goliath tigerfish and Nile perch. A fascinating fact is that the bottom 1,200 metres of the lake is ‘dead’ - either too high in hydrogen sulphide or too low in oxygen to support life.
The warm, crystal-clear water makes the lake a great spot for snorkeling and scuba diving. Both activities take place through bookings with Ndole Bay Lodge, the only fully registered dive facility in Zambia.
Planning tip: While in the area, take the Nsumbu island sunset dhow cruise, which passes through the Nsumbu National Park: expect sightings of elephants, zebra and antelopes.
3. Immerse Yourself in Traditional Festivals
Zambia has a population of about 18 million people, who belong to one or more of the country's 73 ethnic groups. Each has an annual traditional festival. Some of the most vibrant include the Kuomboka of the Lozi people, which involves their leader traveling over the Zambezi River on an intricately decorated boat; the Likumbi Lya Mize of the Luvale, which features masked dancers; or the Kulamba festival of the Chewa, which features dancers defying gravity.
Planning tip: Most traditional festivals in Zambia take place from July to October, with the exception of Kuomboka which is at the end of the rainy season in March or April.
4. Revel in City Life in Lusaka
Lusaka, the capital city of Zambia, is usually overlooked and used mainly as a transit hub for visitors en route to Victoria Falls or going on a safari. The Zambian capital is hardly a tourist destination, but it's worth a stopover for travellers to the country. It's a city on the up, with tarmac roads and a few large high-rise buildings a symbol of development that has lifted thousands of Zambians out of extreme poverty in recent years.
But the town has lots of activities to offer. Highlights for visitors include the vibrant Sunday Craft Market.
Art lovers can support local artists by visiting galleries such as Chena, The Start Foundation and Lechwe Trust. For an in depth view of Zambian history and politics, visit The Lusaka National Museum and Chilenje House 394 - the former home of the country’s first president.
Lusaka National Park is home to an elephant orphanage where guests can drop in during feeding time. This includes performances by local artists of Zambian songs and covers of popular American music.
5. Savor the Flavors of Zambian Cuisine
Discover Zambia’s delicious cuisine by visiting local restaurants or markets. Expect to eat nshima, the staple meal made from corn that can be described as a thicker version of grits. It’s traditionally served with a protein stew and vegetables.
Other must-try items include goat meat stew, ifisashi (green vegetables cooked with a peanut sauce), ifinkubala (deep fried caterpillars) and chikanda (a vegetarian meal made from tubers). Wash it all down with munkoyo, a fermented beverage made from roots and corn.
For the best foodie experience in Lusaka, head to a spot known as Matebeto in the Thornpark area, which is a street lined with outdoor restaurants serving Zambian cuisine. There are also sit-down restaurants such as Twapandula and Mpoto Yathu.
6. Witness the Great Mammal Migrations
Every year, two of Zambia’s national parks host some of the largest mammal migrations in Africa. In late November, thousands of wildebeests appear in the Liuwa Plain National Park in western Zambia as they adapt to the changing seasons by migrating. Located in the far west region of Zambia, Liuwa is one of the oldest conservancies in the world, dating back to the late 19th century.
This is the second-largest wildebeest migration in Africa, after Kenya’s. The remote park is never crowded, making this a great alternative to the East African experience in Kenya.
Between October and December, about 10 million fruit bats turn the skies of Kasanka National Park black as they take part in the largest mammal migration in the world. You don't go to Kasanka for lions and rhinos, though elephants and leopards are known to inhabit this tiny 390-square-kilometre reserve. The real attractions in this heavily forested, swampy park are the bats.
Huge colonies of fruit bats, millions strong, can be seen erupting from their roosts to feed every dusk, and returning at sunrise to rest. It's a memorable experience to watch them take off in the fading light.
Planning tip: Combine a safari to Kasanka with other attractions in the area such as the Kundalila Falls and the Nsalu Cave, which features rock paintings dating back 20,000 years. Both sights afford expansive views of the Muchinga escarpment.
7. Embark on a Safari to Spot the Big Five
When it comes to wildlife, visitors to Zambia are spoiled for choice, with 20 national parks and 34 game management areas in the country. Spot species unique to the park, such as the thornicroft giraffe and the blue wildebeest.
South Luangwa is probably Zambia’s most iconic wildlife haven, known for its high concentration of animals with excellent chances of seeing Africa’s big cats such as leopards. Visitors can also enjoy guided game drives by day, night drives to spot nocturnal animals - and exquisite birdwatching, with over 400 species. The home of the walking safari, South Luangwa offers an unforgettable safari experience. The majority of our Zambia tours visit South Luangwa National Park, one of the most-visited reserves in the country.Less than half the size of its southern neighbour, but home to all of the Big Five (black rhinos were reintroduced in 2003), North Luangwa National Park is the only place in Zambia where lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo can all be seen. It's quite an exclusive reserve, geared mainly towards walking safaris.
As one of the largest national parks in Africa, Kafue is a vast wilderness area with diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife. One of the largest national parks on the entire African continent, Kafue covers more than 22,000 square kilometres of western Zambia, compared to 9,000 for South Luangwa. Despite this size, it is relatively unknown and neglected by travellers, with kilometre after kilometre of pristine bush intact. The Busanga Plains are known for its large herds of buffaloes and antelope and are an ideal habitat for cheetahs, ensuring great sightings.
See elephants and buffalo on the Zambezi River on a canoe safari in Lower Zambezi, which is also known as the world’s first carbon-neutral park. Africa’s fourth longest river, the Zambezi, offers a unique experience with its combination of land and water-based activities. Here, you can enjoy white-river rafting, gentle river cruises and canoeing, or even try your hand at catch-and release fishing for the famous tiger fish.
Make your safari sustainable and “silent” by visiting Kafue National Park’s Green Safaris lodges (Chisa Busanga and Ila) where the vehicles run on solar power. Hot air balloon safaris can also be arranged in the park though Wilderness.
While South Luangwa, Kasanka, Kafue and Liuwa parks are the most well-known, there are smaller and less popular parks that deserve a visit. These include Lavushi Manda, which is a hikers paradise due to its high elevation; Luambe in the Eastern Province of Zambia whose elephant population is rising steadily; and North Luangwa where wild dogs, black rhinos and elephants can be seen.
Planning tip: The most popular time to go on safari in Zambia is July to October which makes for easier sightings of wildlife due to the dry season forcing animals to congregate around water sources.
Birdlife enthusiasts should visit during the emerald season (November to March), which is also an opportune time to see newborn mammals. It is also the most affordable time to go on safari, although accommodation options are limited because a few areas of parks close because of the rains that make some roads inaccessible.
8. Step Back in Time at Shiwa House
The result of a long-held dream and ambition by its founder, English-born Sir Stuart Gore Browne, Shiwa House is an English manor in Muchinga Province. The colonial estate of Shiwa Ng'andu was established in 1914 by Englishman Stewart Gore-Browne, and his descendants still live on the site and conduct tours. Crowned by the grand mansion of Shiwa House, the estate couldn't look more out of place in modern Zambia, which gives it a kind of haunting appeal. Browne's descendants still live in the house, but it is available for tours and has an impressive library. A natural hot spring, Kapishya, is nearby on the estate, as well as an old post office.
| Attraction | Description |
|---|---|
| Victoria Falls | One of the largest waterfalls in the world, offering swimming in Devil's Pool and other adrenaline activities. |
| Lake Tanganyika | World’s largest freshwater lake, ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving. |
| Liuwa Plain National Park | Home to the second-largest wildebeest migration in Africa. |
| Kasanka National Park | Site of the largest mammal migration in the world with millions of fruit bats. |
| South Luangwa National Park | Known for its high concentration of animals and excellent opportunities for seeing Africa’s big cats. |
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