Zambia

THE REAL AFRICA...

Zambia’s wild, untamed beauty, spectacular wildlife, mighty rivers and wonderful, welcoming people have made it one of the fastest-growing safari destinations in Southern Africa. Its nickname – “the real Africa” – came about thanks to Zambia’s ability to offer a range of authentically African experiences, especially where its national parks and wide variety of safari lodges and intimate, exclusive bush camps are concerned. 


Zambia lends itself to a “slow safari” where visitors are encouraged to stay longer, unpack their suitcases and actually relax, immersing themselves in where they are, interacting with both nature and local culture and absorbing the spirit of wild Africa at their own pace. It’s also the traditional home of the walking safari, which has its roots in the beautiful South Luangwa National Park.


Zambia’s reserves and landscapes are perhaps the epitome of wild Africa, being remote, pristine wilderness areas that are home to a magnificent array of wild fauna and flora intersected by majestic rivers whose floodplains are filled with life. From the endless expanses of Liuwa Plain National Park to the breathtakingly beautiful Lower Zambezi Valley, the richly wooded banks of the South Luangwa and the spectacle of the Victoria Falls, Mother Nature reigns supreme.


Zambian culture is equally varied, with 73 different tribes spread across 10 provinces, each vibrant and colorful and with its own, unique dialect. From the Lozi people of the South West to the Tonga who live in the south along the mighty Zambezi River and the Bemba in the north, Zambia’s heritage is rich and diverse.


Named for the Zambezi, which has its source in the north-west of the country and flows for most of its length through the country, Zambia has a deep connection to this important river that forms a natural southern border with neighboring Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe before exiting into Mozambique where it eventually flows into the Indian Ocean. Major tributaries include the Luangwa and Kafue.


The national parks that have been formed around these rivers are as special as the waterways themselves, adding to the allure of this wonderfully wild country.


So let’s look at some of the truly special places in Zambia that are deserving of inclusion on a Zambian safari…

Lower Zambezi Valley

THE PERFECT WILDERNESS


In the south of the country, forming a natural border with neighboring Zimbabwe, the mighty Zambezi River slices through a pristine wilderness that's a natural extension of both the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site at Mana Pools.


This is the Lower Zambezi Valley, where the river becomes wide and lazy thanks to being dammed upstream at Kariba and downstream at Cahora Bassa in Mozambique. 


Dotted by wide sandbanks and islands large and small, this wonderful river is framed by the soaring peaks of the Zambezi Escarpment that rise over the Lower Zambezi National Park - one of the country's premier safari destinations.


Scenically breathtaking, the Lower Zambezi is home to huge herds of elephant and buffalo that regularly cross stretches of the river to graze on the islands in the middle of it. It's also renowned for its lions and leopards, as well as a wide variety of plains game. 


With a host of activities taking place on the river itself, from boat-based game viewing to fishing for tiger fish and sundowner cruises, this is a truly special part of Zambia and one that's deserving of inclusion in your Zambian safari itinerary.



Lower Zambezi Valley

THE PERFECT WILDERNESS


In the south of the country, forming a natural border with neighboring Zimbabwe, the mighty Zambezi River slices through a pristine wilderness that's a natural extension of both the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site at Mana Pools.


This is the Lower Zambezi Valley, where the river becomes wide and lazy thanks to being dammed upstream at Kariba and downstream at Cahora Bassa in Mozambique. 


Dotted by wide sandbanks and islands large and small, this wonderful river is framed by the soaring peaks of the Zambezi Escarpment that rise over the Lower Zambezi National Park - one of the country's premier safari destinations.


Scenically breathtaking, the Lower Zambezi is home to huge herds of elephant and buffalo that regularly cross stretches of the river to graze on the islands in the middle of it. It's also renowned for its lions and leopards, as well as a wide variety of plains game. 


With a host of activities taking place on the river itself, from boat-based game viewing to fishing for tiger fish and sundowner cruises, this is a truly special part of Zambia and one that's deserving of inclusion in your Zambian safari itinerary.


South Luangwa National Park

AN AFRICAN EDEN


The "home" of the walking safari, the South Luangwa is one of Southern Africa's most pristine wilderness areas, filled with a wealth of wildlife and some of the most spectacular topography in Zambia.


The wide floodplains of the Luangwa River are known for their unique, endemic species like Crawshay's zebra and Thornicroft's giraffe as well as leopard, lion, cheetah and the wonderful painted wolf (African wild dog). 


Add to the mix elephant, buffalo, more than 400 bird species and some of the highest concentrations of hippo in Africa who jostle for position as the Luangwa dries to a trickle and a few extremely crowded muddy pools each year before the arrival of the life-bringing rains which bring the river back to full strength.


The dry season is always the best for both walking and traditional safaris as the game concentrates around the river and other permanent water sources and the bush thins out making game viewing easier. Most lodges and camps offer morning walks (always the best time to walk because of the heat) but some also offer proper multi-day walking trails with overnighting in beautiful fly camps. 


Sleepouts along the Luangwa are an incredible way to experience the magic of the wilderness and come highly recommended!



South Luangwa National Park

AN AFRICAN EDEN


The "home" of the walking safari, the South Luangwa is one of Southern Africa's most pristine wilderness areas, filled with a wealth of wildlife and some of the most spectacular topography in Zambia.


The wide floodplains of the Luangwa River are known for their unique, endemic species like Crawshay's zebra and Thornicroft's giraffe as well as leopard, lion, cheetah and the wonderful painted wolf (African wild dog). 


Add to the mix elephant, buffalo, more than 400 bird species and some of the highest concentrations of hippo in Africa who jostle for position as the Luangwa dries to a trickle and a few extremely crowded muddy pools each year before the arrival of the life-bringing rains which bring the river back to full strength.


The dry season is always the best for both walking and traditional safaris as the game concentrates around the river and other permanent water sources and the bush thins out making game viewing easier. Most lodges and camps offer morning walks (always the best time to walk because of the heat) but some also offer proper multi-day walking trails with overnighting in beautiful fly camps. 


Sleepouts along the Luangwa are an incredible way to experience the magic of the wilderness and come highly recommended!


Livingstone

GATEWAY TO THE FALLS


Named for the Victorian explorer Dr David Livingstone - the border town of Livingstone is the gateway to one of the wonders of the natural world - the Victoria Falls. Livingstone was the first European to set eyes on the fabled "Mosi oa Tunya" (the Smoke that Thunders) - the world's largest body of falling water where the Zambezi plunges into the Batoka Gorge. He named the waterfall for his queen and left a historic legacy in the town that bears his name.


Today's Livingstone is one of Africa's great adventure capitals, offering a range of exciting activities, most of which are centred around the falls and the Zambezi River. From microlighting to helicopter flights, white-water rafting to sunset cruises and jet boating to gorge swinging, Livingstone is filled with things to do and see.


Besides viewing the falls themselves, you can explore the river upstream on boat-based safaris and elegant sunset cruises, watching life on the banks as it passes by. In the dry season when the river is low, you can tour Livingstone Island and swim in the infamous Devil's Pool, right on the edge of the falls' main cataract.


With its assortment of beautiful safari lodges and luxurious hotels, Livingstone also has some wonderful local restaurants and bars, as well as the Royal Livingstone Express train that evokes the golden era of travel while offering a wonderful trip and dinner in this restored luxurious steam train.



Livingstone

GATEWAY TO THE FALLS


Named for the Victorian explorer Dr David Livingstone - the border town of Livingstone is the gateway to one of the wonders of the natural world - the Victoria Falls. Livingstone was the first European to set eyes on the fabled "Mosi oa Tunya" (the Smoke that Thunders) - the world's largest body of falling water where the Zambezi plunges into the Batoka Gorge. He named the waterfall for his queen and left a historic legacy in the town that bears his name.


Today's Livingstone is one of Africa's great adventure capitals, offering a range of exciting activities, most of which are centred around the falls and the Zambezi River. From microlighting to helicopter flights, white-water rafting to sunset cruises and jet boating to gorge swinging, Livingstone is filled with things to do and see.


Besides viewing the falls themselves, you can explore the river upstream on boat-based safaris and elegant sunset cruises, watching life on the banks as it passes by. In the dry season when the river is low, you can tour Livingstone Island and swim in the infamous Devil's Pool, right on the edge of the falls' main cataract.


With its assortment of beautiful safari lodges and luxurious hotels, Livingstone also has some wonderful local restaurants and bars, as well as the Royal Livingstone Express train that evokes the golden era of travel while offering a wonderful trip and dinner in this restored luxurious steam train.


SAFARIS IN ZAMBIA

It's easy to combine all of Zambia's safari hotspots on one safari itinerary thanks to an excellent network of locally linked flights.


Or perhaps consider including a few days in either the Lower Zambezi or South Luangwa on your Southern African safari adventure.


To find out more about Zambian packages and itineraries we offer, click on the button below...

ZAMBIA SAFARIS
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