Zambia is a truly magical safari destination, often considered one of Africa's best-kept secrets. This Southern African country comprises all the best aspects of its more high-profile counterparts, like Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa. Endowed with several awe-inspiring natural wonders, an abundance of diverse wildlife, mighty bodies of water, and vast, untamed open spaces, Zambia offers a well-rounded safari experience in the raw African wilderness.
This beautiful country is the birthplace of the legendary African walking safari, as well as home to Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River. This popularity of Zambia as a safari destination can be largely attributed to the many tourist attractions the country has to offer. Jaw-dropping views of crashing waterfalls, rivers reflecting the gorgeous sunrise, and untamed wilderness that's home to a variety of wildlife are commonplace throughout Zambia. Not to mention that there are so many things to do in Zambia.
Beyond the excellent big game populations and breath-taking natural scenery, Zambia is also home to some of the most beautiful safari accommodations. The golden era of safari might have seen you roughing it in the wild with nothing but a canvas tent separating you from Zambia's wild nature, but a modern safari in this gorgeous Southern African country is akin to a 5-star holiday in Europe.
Zambia is an incredible and immersive African safari destination. It’s often thought of primarily for Victoria Falls and only secondarily as a safari destination. However, Zambia has been running safaris as long as almost any African country, and it’s beloved by safari purists for its wild, authentic nature. This authenticity, along with safety, a diversity of safari activies and camps, plus wildlife than rivals almost anywhere (except rhino) is finally putting the country on the map.
Unlike some other countries in Africa, Zambia has few private game reserves. However, the national parks are well-managed and operated somewhat like private reserves, with night drives and limited off-roading available.
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Walking safari, South Luangwa, Zambia
Zambia's National Parks and Safari Regions
Zambia boasts several national parks, each offering unique experiences:
- South Luangwa National Park: Located in eastern Zambia, it covers 2.2 million acres along the Luangwa River. Known as the birthplace of the walking safari, the park offers exceptional wildlife viewing. There is an extremely high density of leopards, and large herds congregate near the river during the dry season.
- Lower Zambezi National Park: Situated along the Zambezi River, it spans one million acres. Arguably Zambia's most popular safari destination, the Lower Zambezi National Park lies opposite Zimbabwe's Mana Pools National Park, with nothing but the mighty Zambezi River separating the two. During your visit, indulge in day and night game drives, guided nature walks, river cruises and fishing expeditions.
- Kafue National Park: Kafue National Park stands as Zambia's largest conservation area and the second largest in the entire world. It covers 5.5 million acres in western Zambia. Yet it remains wild, diverse, and less visited than other major parks.
- Liuwa Plain National Park: Located in remote western Zambia, Liuwa Plains covers 832,000 acres of open grassland that was once the traditional hunting ground of the Lozi kings. The park is home to Africa’s second-largest wildebeest migration, with vast herds moving across the honey-colored plains.
- Bangweulu Wetlands: Located in northern Zambia near Lake Bangweulu, this community-managed conservation area covers approximately 1.5 million acres of pristine wetlands.
- Kasanka National Park: Kasanka National Park covers 96,000 acres in central Zambia’s miombo woodland region.
Map of Zambia showing major regions.
Best Time to Visit Zambia for Safari
Like with most things in life, timing is everything. The best time to visit Zambia depends on where you want to go and what you want to do, as the optimal time to view the waterfall in Victoria Falls differs from the ideal time to see game in the national parks. Although there's an overlap where you can enjoy both experiences, it is a small window to see the two at their best in the same period.
Zambia’s weather can be divided into two distinct seasons - dry and wet. Clear skies start to return in April, marking the opening of many safari camps across the country. May and June are great for seeing the mighty power of Victoria Falls at full flow, but the wildlife viewing improves as the landscape dries out in August and September. Sightings get even better through October until the rain starts up again in early to mid-November. However, temperatures get increasingly hot, often pushing into triple digits.
When the summer rains begin to fall in November, the animals rejoice and disperse into the parks. Many camps will close during this time to rest and repair because the rain becomes more disruptive as you get into December. However, some lodges in South Luangwa will stay open to offer unique river safaris in an emerald landscape as the Luangwa River swells to its full size.
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Here's a breakdown of the seasons:
- May-June: If you're keen on a safari experience with little to no visitors about, then you should travel to Zambia in May and June. The ground is still a bit muddy and slippery after the rains, but camps and lodges begin to open again around this time.
- July-November: July to November is high safari season in Zambia, with visitor numbers being at their peak. This time is also known as the dry season and is a popular time of year to enjoy a safari trip. Vegetation thins out significantly, making it much easier to spot animals in the bush. Additionally, several precious water sources dry up, and wildlife prefer not to move too far away from any remaining ones. July to November is also the best time to enjoy a walking safari in the legendary South Luangwa National Park. August is a particularly excellent time for walking safaris, with the drier bush being easier to navigate on foot.
- March-May: March, April, and May are great times to see Victoria Falls. After the rains seen at the beginning of the year, the flow rate of the Zambezi River increases, which in turn feeds the Falls. In May, the Falls are at their fullest and highest. This might sound like a good thing, but the large volume of water plummeting over the edge creates a huge amount of mist and a deafening noise (hence the name Mosi-oa-Tunya or the Smoke that Thunders), making it difficult to actually see or photograph the waterfall.
- January-March: January, February, and March are perfect for birdwatching. If you're an avid birder, Zambia offers some of the best birdwatching on the continent. The Southern African country is home to 860 species of avifauna, with South Luangwa, Kafue and Lower Zambezi supplying outstanding birding opportunities.
- November-April (Emerald Season): Rainy, green, or ‘emerald’ season begins in November and extends until April. This is low season: many of the parks and lodges are shut and washed-out roads can make travel difficult. But you can get some great deals on accommodation, there are fewer tourists, and the animals never disappear, they’re just more challenging to find.
For the camps that remain open, this increasingly popular-to-visit time is known as Zambia’s ‘Emerald Season’ as the surroundings take on a lush green appearance, and the light is perfect for photography. You will see the Luangwa River in all its glory and can go on walking safaris and game drives for a lower rate.
Safari Activities in Zambia
Another unique aspect of a Zambia safari is the different range of safari types. In East Africa you can spend all day in a jeep chasing the Big Five, while in Zambia's Lower Zambezi National Park you can see lions, elephants, buffalo and leopards, hippos and crocodiles on a canoe safari.
Game drives through wildlife-rich regions are awe-inspiring, but there is one safari type that outdoes the traditional - the walking safari. Born in one of Zambia's hidden gems, South Luangwa National Park, walking safaris offer a new twist on experiencing the African wilderness and the animals that reside within it. Revolutionary in its own right, walking safaris get you out of the confines of a game vehicle and set you right in the thick of all the action - getting you up close to Zambia's wildlife.
The length of your adventure is completely up to you. It can be as short as an hour's stroll to several days, stopping to sleep under starlit skies at remote lodges or tented camps along the way.
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Zambia Safari Camps and Lodges
Zambia has no shortage of outstanding safari lodges and camps. Whether you’re looking for the ultimate rustic camp with minimal walls and maximum bush ambience or a more traditional luxurious retreat with all the modern comforts, Zambia has plenty of options for everyone. Some of these camps are rustic bush camps made out of simple constructions by local builders who make clever use of thatch, wood and reeds. In this case the staff can literally dismantle the camp, take away all the furnishings and tented aspects of the construction, and rebuild it the following season.
Here are a few notable examples:
- Mukambi Safari Lodge: On the east bank of the Kafue River, it is an excellent springboard for exploring Zambia’s largest national park.
- Chundukwa River Lodge: Situated on the Zambezi River upstream of Victoria Falls, it stands on a large farm offering horseback rides, walking, running, and cycling.
- Kafunta River Lodge: One of the Luangwa Valley’s most luxurious lodges, it comprises stilted thatched chalets and suites along the Luangwa River facing South Luangwa National Park, a great base for walking safaris.
- Baines’ River Camp: Situated just outside Lower Zambezi National Park, this camp comprises chalet suites and a family cottage perched on the north bank of the Zambezi River, known for immaculate service and gourmet food.
- Toka Leya Camp: Part of the Wilderness group, it stands on the bank of the Zambezi River a short distance upstream of Victoria Falls, offering easy access to the falls and wildlife viewing.
- Mfuwe Lodge: It is the perfect base for safaris in South Luangwa National Park with chalets overlooking a lagoon that attracts thirsty animals.
- Busanga Plains Camp: This small seasonal bush camp is located in the middle of the Busanga floodplains in Kafue National Park, offering a rustic communal area around a campfire.
- Tongabezi Lodge: An award-winning ecolodge set in large leafy grounds that run down to the Zambezi River upstream of Victoria Falls, comprising individually decorated cottages and houses.
- Time + Tide King Lewanika: The only catered accommodations in Liuwa Plain, King Lewanika has solar-powered canvas and wood cottages with immense interiors furnished in vintage safari style, offering guided game drives, bush walks and canoe safaris.
- Ila Safari Lodge: Ila Safari Lodge offers luxury tented accommodations in Kafue National Park. The tents seamlessly blend into the wild surroundings while offering sweeping views of the Kafue River. However, Ila’s main claim to fame is its minimal carbon footprint and outstanding eco-credentials.
- Kuyenda Bushcamp: The Kuyenda Bushcamp is located on the Manzi River and is an oasis set in the Luangwa River Valley. This bush camp aims to offer guests an authentic bush experience and is comparatively more rustic than some of the other camps in the area.
- Chamilandu Bushcamp: Hugging the banks of the South Luangwa River, Chamilandu Bushcamp is one of Zambia’s prime river locations. With four-poster beds in stilted thatch bungalows, Chamilandu offers guests a luxurious experience.
Planning Your Zambia Safari
Preparation is key for any holiday, but especially for a safari in Africa. If it's your first time in Africa or on safari, consider combining Victoria Falls with one of Zambia's national parks, like South Luangwa, to get the best of both worlds. But if this isn't your first rodeo and you've already experienced Southern Africa's most popular safari destinations, then you might want to enjoy an adventure off the beaten track.
The length of all trips to Zambia depends on how many destinations you want to visit. It's suggested that you try to spend at least two to three nights at each destination on your itinerary to get a well-rounded experience. Keep in mind that the distances between destinations are usually long and most require a light aircraft to get from place to place. Aim to have as many full days as possible in a destination.
A good exercise before you start planning your safari is to nail down your must-sees and must-dos. These refer to activities, sightings, experiences, or accommodations that are top priority for you and must be on your itinerary. Knowing your interests or preferences makes it much easier to plan a tailor-made trip, as it's unlikely that you'll be able to do and see everything that Zambia has to offer - well unless you have unlimited time and deep pockets.
It may sound excessive, but it's advised that you begin planning your safari about a year in advance - especially if it's to a popular tourist destination like Victoria Falls. The best accommodation is limited and fills up quickly. For safari destinations that are a bit more under the radar than Zambia's heavy hitters, you have a bit more breathing room.
Transportation within Zambia
Driving in Zambia is a challenge. The distances between the various safari areas and national parks are huge and the roads are often poor. While many of the roads are getting an upgrade, in most cases the easiest is still to fly between parks in light aircraft. Many routes offer fixed schedules, but if you intend to travel away from the main parks, you’ll need to fly on a charter plane.
When transferring from one camp to another, within the same national park, you’ll usually be transferred by 4WD (effectively like a bonus game drive). If you are intending to drive, avoid travelling after dark and be aware that potholes, pedestrians and animals occur at random and other drivers can be erratic.
If you’re booking a safari tour that’s longer than six or seven days, your itinerary will likely include multiple national parks with domestic flights between them. A good question to ask your operator is whether these are scheduled flights via Lusaka, or if they’re direct flights between the national parks.
Cost of a Zambia Safari
As Zambia has gained in popularity, rates at Zambian safari camps are comparable to those elsewhere in Africa. We suggest budgeting a minimum of $700 per person per night for your safari.
The nature of planning tailor-made safari itineraries makes it difficult to provide one single figure when it comes to the cost of safaris to Zambia. Every traveller has different expectations for their trip - it's rare for two people to have the same wants and needs when visiting Africa. Variables, like the time of year, length of stay, and level of comfort or luxury of accommodation, all affect the final amount. This is why most operators forgo the one-package-deal-fits-all approach.
The figures below are an average estimate for per person sharing a room, per night. These amounts exclude international flights, visas, and optional activities. Additionally, it's important to keep in mind that conservation fees, levies and permits are all subject to change.
| Safari Level | Price Per Person Per Night (USD) |
|---|---|
| Budget | $350 - $500 |
| Mid-Range | $500 - $800 |
| Luxury | $800 - $1,200+ |
All-inclusive safaris cover meals, most drinks, park fees, game drives, guided walks and taxes are covered in the rate for accommodation to ensure that you don't get any surprises when checking out. The bigger your budget, the more options available to you. But not to worry, you don't need to have deep pockets to enjoy a Zambia safari. If your budget is modest, there are still ways of having a great trip.
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