available in Zambia
offering Safaris
Reserves and Wildlife
Areas
Overview
A landlocked country in southern Africa, Zambia is endowed with rich forests, meandering rivers and a wealth of wildlife, as well as being home to one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls stretching along the border with neighbouring Zimbabwe. With its superb wildlife encounters, friendly people and spectacular scenery, as well as memorable highlights like walking safaris and night drives, Zambia really does offer a taste of the real Africa.
With vast tracts of remote wilderness and few tourists, a visit to Zambia offers genuine adventure. High quality guides will share their knowledge on game drives, night drives, walking and canoe safaris. A canoe safari on the Zambezi is not to be missed by the more adventurous and to really get under the skin of this lush land opt for a walking safari They were pioneered here so you’re in the hands of the very best and most experienced walking guides – and there’s no better feeling than coming within metres of big game on foot!
A world-renowned wildlife haven, South Luangwa National Park, in the eastern part of Zambia, is a fantastic option for walking safaris and is home to herds of elephants, buffalo, Thornicroft’s giraffe and endemic species of zebra and wildebeest. It’s a leopard hot spot with night game drives making the chance of seeing one good. Around the Luangwa River wildlife populations are among the highest in Africa with wallowing hippos, bathing elephants and plenty of crocodiles.
Off the beaten track, the little-visited Kafue National Park is enormous, with thriving herds on the plains including the majestic sable, stalked by lion, leopard and wild dog. Kasanka National Park sees the incredible spectacle of 10 million fruit bats migrating in Nov/Dec while in Liuwa Plains witness Africa’s second largest wildebeest migrationa – a spectacle which offers visitors the chance to see uncountable numbers of animals on the move. Liuwa Plains iis located in one of the country’s most remote areas so it’s a great off-the-beaten-track choice for those wanting something a little less well-trodden. It’s also an important home for more than 330 different species of birds, as well as famous predators such as the lion, wild dog and spotted hyena.
It’s in the Lower Zambezi National Park where a canoe safari is a exhilarating option as well as boating and fishing, all within beautiful riverine surroundings – there’s nothing quite like quietly paddling past a large elephant herd on ther river’s edge. The town of Livingstone is the gateway to the magnificent Victoria Falls, offering adrenalin-packed activities such as white water rafting, bungy jumping and helicopter flights over the Falls to more genteel boat cruises and sundowners on the river.
Travel Seasons
- Jul-Oct – High Season. Dry season and prime wildlife viewing with less vegetation and animals reliant on permanent water sources. During the winter months of Jun-Aug it’s cold in the mornings and evenings.
- Nov-Mar – Low Season. Wet season, many safari camps are closed and some areas are inaccessible by vehicle. Fruit bat migration (Nov), wildebeest migration (Nov-Dec) and a great time for birding. The landscape is at it’s most dramatic, lush and green – known at the Emerald Season. In March the Victoria Falls are at their fullest with huge amounts of spray in the air. This is a great value time to travel.
- Apr-Jun – Shoulder Season. Many of the camps re-open, game viewing can be challenging with long grass and trees in leaf, but the landscape is vibrant – an underrated but beautiful time to visit.
General Information
- Capital – Lusaka
- Currency – Zambian Kwacha, but US Dollars are widely accepted
- Languages – English, Bemba, Lozi, Nyanja, Tonga
- Size – 752,600 sq km – about three times the size of the United Kingdom
- Population – 16.59 million (2016)
Travel Insurance
- Travel insurance is essential for all international travel. Click below to find out more:
- The CDC recommends the following vaccinations for Zambia: hepatitis A and typhoid. Check with your doctor which other vaccinations you might need and make sure your routine vaccinations are all up-to-date.
- Malaria is present in Zambia – get medical advice on which prophylaxis to take.
- It is best to stick to drinking bottled water.
Pros
- Outstanding National Parks – 30% of the Zambia’s land has been allocated to national parks
- Specialist safari areas such as Bangweulu Swamps and Kasanka
- World class guiding – renowned for walking safaris
- Eco bushcamps and lodges
- Home of the Victoria Falls
- Low visitor numbers
- Great for families
Cons
- Prices can be quite high especially access to national parks, at luxury lodges and with charter flight transfers
- High season availability
Arriving in Zamiba
- The main arrival airports are Lusaka and Livingstone, often via the regional hub of Johannesburg.
- Some visitors fly into Victoria Falls airport in Zimbabwe, from here it is a short road transfer across the border into Zambia.
If you are self-driving then you can cross the border from:
- Botswana at Kazungula (on the car ferry)
- Zimbabwe at Kasane
- Namibia at Katima Mulilo
Getting Around
- There are a number of local airports from which light aircraft fly into safari areas, including Ndola, Mfuwe, Livingstone and Solwezi. Light aircraft are often the only way to access remote safari areas.
Visas
- Tourist visas are required by many nationalities and are available at major borders and airports or in advance via the E-visa >>
- If you are visiting Zambia and Zimbabwe, there is a joint visa for both countries available at all major ports of entry into Zambia and Zimbabwe – find out more here >>
- Check all details before you travel Zambia Visas >>
Zambia Safaris
10-Day Kasanka Bat Migration & Lower Zambezi Safari
- 10 Days
This adventure takes you into the remote northern territory of Zambia to Kasanka National Park, where...
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Country:Zambia,
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Departures:Array
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Length:10 Days
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Start/end:Start in Lusaka, end in Lusaka
Best of Southern Africa
- 10 Days
On this safari explore South Africa's fairest Cape?s winelands, landmarks and countryside including Table...
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Country:South Africa, Zambia,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:10 Days
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Start/end:Start in Cape Town, South Africa, end in Livingstone, Zambia
10-Day Liuwa Plains & Kafue Mobile Safari
- 10 Days
Your safari will start at Livingstone Airport where on arrival you will be met by a member of our safari...
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Country:Zambia,
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Departures:Array
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Length:10 Days
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Start/end:Start in Livingstone, end in Lusaka
12-Day Northern Zambia Mobile Safari
- 12 Days
This safari is great for repeat Zambian visitors as it explores the little known highlights of Northern...
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Country:Zambia,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:12 Days
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Start/end:Start in Lusaka, end in Lusaka
9 Days South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi Luxury Safari
- 9 Days
This safari combines two of the best wildlife destinations in Zambia: South Luangwa National Park and...
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Country:Zambia,
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Departures:Array
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Length:9 Days
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Start/end:Start in Lusaka, end in Lusaka
12 Days Victoria Falls, Kafue, South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi Safari
- 12 Days
Discover some of Zambia's amazing wildlife hot spots as well as the magnificent Victoria Falls. Head...
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Country:Zambia,
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Departures:Array
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Length:12 Days
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Start/end:Start in Livingstone, end in Lusaka
4-Day Livingstone and Elephants Safari
- 4 Days
Staying in the Zambian town of Livingstone, see the magnificent Victoria Falls, experience the beautiful...
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Country:Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:4 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Livingstone or Victoria Falls
Rhino Game Drive
- 3 Days
Take a game drive in Zambia's Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park with a knowledgeable guide. Known for its small...
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Country:Zambia,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:3 Days
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Start/end:Start/end in Livingstone
29-Day Luxury African Fly-in Safari
- 29 Days
A luxury safari giving you the very best that Africa has to offer while in ultimate comfort. Visit Zanzibar,...
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Country:Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia,
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Departures:Year Round
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Length:29 Days
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Start/end:Start in Nairobi, end in Luangwa
Elephant Mobile Safari
- 15 Days
Camp in some stunning wilderness areas on this safari adventure, including scenic spots on the Chobe...
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Country:Zambia, Botswana, Namibia,
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Departures:Array
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Length:15 Days
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Start/end:Start in Kasane, end in Livingstone or Victoria Falls
Partners offering Safaris in Zambia
Countries in the same Region
Botswana
- 12 Partners
- 34 Tours
Botswana safaris are sought after for those seeking incredible untouched wilderness; the beautiful Okavango Delta, elephant paradise Chobe National Park, green savannah of Savuti and much more.
South Africa
- 7 Partners
- 20 Tours
Home to some of the richest biodiversity on earth, South Africa has a wealth of scenic gems for visitors to experience, from mountains, lakes and oceans to winelands, national parks and deserts.
Namibia
- 8 Partners
- 13 Tours
This remarkable country is home to an array of breathtaking safari areas; the Namib Desert with its red sand dunes, Damaraland, home to unique desert-adapted species and Etosha National Park with its wildlife and salt pan scenery.
Zimbabwe
- 7 Partners
- 21 Tours
Zimbabwe still rates as one of the greatest Southern African safari destinations. Despite its recent troubles, it offers a superior safari experience and is home to some of the very best guides in the business.
Swaziland
- 2 Partners
- 2 Tours
Despite being the smallest country in the southern hemisphere, the Kingdom of Swaziland packs a punch with everything it has to offer, brimming with colourful rich culture, laid-back friendly locals, natural beauty and amazing wildllife.
Mozambique
- 5 Partners
- 4 Tours
Mozambique is a tropical paradise that has so much to offer visitors; soft, dune-covered beaches and turquoise-coloured oceans, rich coral reefs and uninhabited archipelagos. Inland the vast wilderness is recovering from years of civil war. Situated in the southern end of the Great African Rift Valley, the Gorongosa National Park lies in the wild heart of central Mozambique.
Malawi
- 3 Partners
- 0 Tours
Malawi’s varied landscapes include green plains, mountainous areas, forests and river valleys. Despite its relatively small land mass for an African country, Malawi boasts a large number of national parks and open spaces making it ideal for a safari holiday.
Madagascar
- 3 Partners
- 8 Tours
Lying off the southeast coast of Africa, Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world and a unique ecological environment. The island split off from the ancient landform of Gondwana some 88 million years ago and has since remained an isolated landmass. This has resulted in the spectacular biodiversity for which Madagascar has become known, with an astonishing 90% of its wildlife unique to the island.