The Ultimate Guide To A Zambia Safari: Major Attractions, Top Destinations, Things To Do, And More

Zambia has the perfect blend of world-class parks full of amazing wildlife combined with low densities of tourists. This allows you to get that authentic wilderness experience that you may crave once you've been to the much more popular destinations with high tourist traffic.

This country is like Africa's hidden secret. Its wilderness areas rival many of Africa's most celebrated safari destinations in both the abundance and species diversity of wildlife they contain, yet they receive relatively little publicity. Kafue National Park for example, which is slightly bigger than Kruger in South Africa, has 21 different antelope species! This is more than any other African park. Liuwa Plain National Park hosts Africa's second-largest wildebeest migration, and Kasanka National Park is the site of the largest mammal migration on earth.

Zambia's geographic position, right in the tropics, means that it receives a lot of rain during its wet season, and this has led to some of Africa's most impressive wetlands. These include wetlands that form the headwaters of the gigantic Congo River - the world's deepest river and world's second-largest river by volume (only surpassed by the Amazon).

Africa's fourth-longest river, the Zambezi, also flows partly though Zambia. And along the Zambezi River, on the border with Zimbabwe, lies Victoria Falls, which is Africa's largest waterfall by height and width. One of the Zambezi River's largest tributaries, the Luangwa River, which flows entirely within Zambia, is also said to be the most intact and untamed river system in Africa.

This special country is a true gem in Africa's safari crown. Anyone who loves African wildlife and exploring its most untamed wilderness areas would certainly have an unforgettable safari experience in Zambia.

Here we have provided an overview of Zambia as a safari destination in order to give you some insights that will help you plan your trip.

If you'd like to request a free Zambia safari recommendation that fits your specific needs, click here.

Major Attractions In Zambia

Some of the biggest attractions for safari-goers in Zambia include:

• The Big 5 - Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino (both black rhino and white rhino).
• African wild dog - South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi, and Liuwa Plain National Parks are all renowned as some of the best places to see the endangered African wild dog.
• Unique and endemic wildlife - There are several interesting species and subspecies of animals only found in Zambia and nowhere else. These include the Luangwa giraffe, Bangweulu tsessebe, black lechwe, and Kafue lechwe.
• World's largest mammal migration - Although many people know the Great Migration of East Africa's Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, Zambia plays host to a much larger migration that dwarfs that of the Serengeti wildebeest. This is the migration of over 10 million African straw-coloured fruit bats to Kasanka National Park every year, between October and December. It is the largest mammal migration on earth, surpassing even the recently-discovered Great Nile Migration of antelopes in South Sudan and Ethiopia (which is the world's largest land mammal migration). The bats are believed to come primarily from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and possibly other parts of Africa too. It is a breathtaking spectacle to witness but one that gets little publicity as bats are not exactly the most popular of animals. Relatively little is still known about this incredible phenomenon as not much in-depth research has been done on it.
• Victoria Falls - This is Africa's largest waterfall by height and width, and one of the largest in the world. It is located on the Zambezi River, along the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe, and never fails to leave visitors breathless the first time they lay their eyes on it.
• Great birding - Zambia has varied birdlife and some amazing birding safari destinations, including Bangweulu Swamp which is known as one of the best places to see the imposing Shoebill.

Top Safari Destinations In Zambia

Luangwa River Valley

The Luangwa River is the third-largest river in Zambia after the Zambezi (which it is a tributary of) and the Kafue. It is said to be the most intact and untamed river system in Africa. It supports a great abundance of wildlife, including the largest concentration of hippo in the world.

There is also a unique subspecies of Masai giraffe, known as the Luangwa or Thornicroft's giraffe, that is only found in the Luangwa Valley.

South Luangwa National Park is the top-rated wildlife safari destination in Zambia and offers a fantastic window into the incredible wildlife of the Luangwa River. Here you can see the Luangwa giraffe and a wide range of other charismatic African species in great numbers, including amazing sightings of African wild dog and 4 of the Big 5 (rhinos are absent). Many safari experts also rank this park as the second-best place in Africa for leopard viewing, after the Greater Kruger in South Africa. This park is great for game drives and walking safaris, plus night game drives are offered too.

North Luangwa National Park has all the Big Five and is home to the only black rhino population in Zambia. The Luangwa giraffe is however absent. North Luangwa is a more remote wilderness area than South Luangwa, with a poorer road network, fewer accommodation options, and more wary animals. It is better suited for walking safaris than game drives and makes a great addition to a South Luangwa safari, especially for those with an adventurous spirit

Luambe National Park is a much smaller park located between North and South Luangwa. The Luangwa giraffe is present here too plus decent numbers of wildlife, including 4 of the Big 5 (rhinos are absent). It is much less visited than the other two parks in the Luangwa Valley and is much smaller, at only 254 sq. km (98 sq. mi). Game drives (including night drives) and walking safaris are offered. There is a luxury camp inside the park

Another park known as Lukusuzi National Park is also in the Luangwa Valley but it is much less attractive as it is poorly managed. There is not much wildlife, due to poaching, and only one game drive track, which is in a bad state. There are also no accommodation options in the park.

Liuwa Plain National Park

Liuwa Plain is home to the second-largest wildebeest migration after that of the Mara-Serengeti. Over 35,000 wildebeest, thousands of zebra, and various antelope migrate through this vast open floodplain. The park received few visitors, allowing you to enjoy sightings with little disturbance.

Since 2003, it has been managed by African Parks, in partnership with the Zambia Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and the Barotse Royal Establishment. African Parks is renowned for its world-class conservation management practices and successful restoration of degraded parks all over Africa. The park's wildlife had been decimated in the 1990s and early 2000s due to excessive hunting (including the lion population going down to just 1 lioness) but is now making a strong recovery thanks to African Parks' management.

Kasanka National Park

Kasanka is best-known as the site of the breath-taking bat migration - an annual phenomenon that sees over 10 million African straw-coloured fruit bats converge in a small area of woodland within the park every year from October to December. They can here to mate and to feed on fruit. This is the largest mammal migration on earth. The bats are believed to come from DR Congo and possibly other parts of Africa as well.

Kasanka NP also hosts many special Zambian bird species and is great for birding safaris. Although there aren't many large mammals here, there are some interesting species including Kinda baboon, sitatunga, and puku. Game drives, walking safaris, canoe safaris, and cycling safaris are available. Kasanka can make a great add-on to a safari in the Luangwa Valley, as it is not too far away.

Kasanka National Park is the sole national park in Zambia managed entirely by a private entity. A non-profit organization, the Kasanka Trust, oversees its operations, with all profits reinvested into conservation efforts and supporting the local communities.

Bangweulu Swamps

Bangweulu means "where the water meets the sky" in the local Bembe language. This vast wetland is one of the largest marshes on earth and is an important catchment for the Congo River (the world's deepest and second-largest river by volume).

It is a community-owned conservation area that is best-known as a great birding destination, as it is one of the best places to see the majestic shoebill. It is also home to two antelope subspecies that are found nowhere else on earth - the black lechwe (a subspecies of the southern lechwe) and the Bangweulu tsessebe (a subspecies of topi/tiang/tsessebe).

Canoe safaris in search of the shoebill, black lechwe, Bangweulu tsessebe and other wildlife such as sitatunga, roan antelope, elephant, and cheetah are a great way to explore this wetland paradise. Game drives are also available but the circuit is limited.

The local community practices bee-keeping and traditional fishing in the wetland and guests have a chance to interact with them to learn about their way of life. This area is also under the management of African Parks, in partnership with Zambia's Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and 6 Community Resource Boards. 

Blue Lagoon National Park

This fairly small park, along with the similar-sized Lochinvar National Park, protect about 1,000 sq. km (386 sq. miles) of the Kafue Flats - a lush seasonal floodplain.

The Kafue Flats are home to yet another antelope subspecies found nowhere else on earth - the Kafue lechwe (a subspecies of southern lechwe).

The area has no large dangerous animals so unguided walking is permitted. The birdlife is vibrant and anyone keen on birding would enjoy a day spent here.

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park

"Mosi-oa-Tunya" is what the local Kololo people call the Victoria Falls. The term means "the smoke that thunders". This park protects the world-famous Victoria Falls, Africa's largest waterfall by height and width, on the Zambian side.

The other side of the river, in Zimbabwe, is also a national park (Victoria Falls National Park). White rhino, elephant, giraffe, and several other animals are present in Mosi-oa-Tunya, and game drives or walking safaris to track them are available. There are no big cats or other large predators.

This park is however visited primarily not for its wildlife but for the spectacular views of Victoria Falls, which can be admired on the ground or from the air in a helicopter ride. Seeing this mighty waterfall from the air is an awe-inspiring experience you are unlikely to ever forget.

Another thrilling experience to be had at the falls is a swim at the very edge of the falls in either Devil's Pool or Angel's Pool, which are open when the water levels are low enough to swim. From these natural rock pools, you can lean over and look at the 354-foot drop below from the very top of the falls.

Things To Do On Safari In Zambia

The following are just some of the activities available to safari-goers in Zambia. The list is not exhaustive. Availability of specific activities depends on the destination you visit and/or the tour operator you travel with.

• Standard game drives - including morning game drives, afternoon game drives, and full-day game drives
• Night game drives
• Walking safaris
• Horseback safaris
• Cycling safaris
• Birding safaris
• Hot air balloon safaris
• Hide photography
• Boat cruises
• Canoe rides
• Visit Victoria Falls - walk along its width, take a helicopter ride over the falls, swim in Devil's Pool or Angel's Pool
• Water sports - including angling (several places), white water rafting (Zambezi River), and scuba diving (Lake Tanganyika)
• Remote camping safaris - including mobile camping and fly camping
• Bush breakfasts, bush lunches, bush dinners
• Sundowners
• Cultural tours

Best Times Of Year To Visit Zambia

Zambia is an all-year destination, but there are certain places that are only open to visitors during certain months of the year. Each area also has times of year that are more ideal to visit than others depending on what you want to see or experience.

Visiting during the dry season (May to October) tends to be best for game drives and general wildlife viewing, while the wet season (November to April) is the most productive for birding. If you want to see the Victoria Falls in full flood and at their most powerful, February to April is the best time to visit as the Zambezi River will have filled up from the rains. Note, however, that malaria risk is highest during the wet months.

Many camps in Lower Zambezi NP, Kafue NP, the Luangwa Valley, and other areas are seasonal, closing at the start of the wet season in November and re-opening in April, May, or June depending on how soon the rains subside. Some other areas are open to visitors year-round, such as the Mfuwe section of South Luangwa NP.

Unlike most parks, the best time to visit Liuwa Plain is after the first rains in November, not during the dry season (May to October). The large migratory herds arrive with the rains, providing a brief window for drive-in visitors before roads become impassable in December. Fly-in visitors can stay at Time + Tide King Lewanika Lodge, open from mid-October to mid-July.

The best time to visit Bangweulu Swamps for the black lechwe and shoebills is May to July, which is the start of the dry season, as  the lechwe are abundant on the floodplains at this time and the shoebills are easily visible on canoe rides. Later in the dry season (August to October), the lechwes retreat deep into the wetlands and the shoebills are on their nests, making both harder so see.

The rains fall in November to April and are at their heaviest in December to March, which is not a great time to visit as the area becomes mostly inaccessible. Game drives are only possible in the dry season, while canoe safaris are available year-round. For birders, the wet season is worth considering as the birdlife is very vibrant during this time (with resident birds breeding and the Palearctic migrants being present).

What To Carry On Your Zambia Safari

Here are some of the key things to pack for your Zambia safari.

• Sunscreen is useful to carry, especially in October just before the rains as the sun can be intense.
• A hat and sunglasses also come in handy.
• Wear comfortable clothing and anticipate mostly warm weather, but it can get cold in the evenings and early mornings so pack some warm layers too.
• Comfortable walking shoes and open shoes. Carry hiking boots if you plan to do a walking safari or a challenging hike.
• Insect repellent can also come in handy (although lodges, hotels, and tented camps have mosquito nets in the rooms).
• Some people also like to take anti-malaria drugs too - please consult your doctor.
• Any other medication you may need depending on your specific medical situation (please consult your doctor).
• You'll have plenty of great photographic opportunities so a camera is always great to have.
• Binoculars can help spot distant wildlife, and if you're a birder you already know these are a must-have for you.

Other Basic Facts About Zambia

• Size - 752,614 sq. km (290,586 sq. mi)
• National/Official Language - English 
• Official Currency - Zambian Kwacha (ZMW/ZK)
• Capital City - Lusaka
• No. of Ethnic Groups - 72
• Rainy Season - November to April

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