Adventure activities in Zambia beyond just game drives

Zambia might be best known for its remote bush camps, walking safaris and spectacular leopard sightings, but there’s another side to this wild and wonderful country that’s every bit as thrilling. Think rushing rapids, plunging gorges and soaring helicopter (or microlight!) flights, all wrapped up in scenery so staggering you’ll wonder if it’s real.

At the heart of it all lies Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and the undisputed adventure capital of southern Africa. But Zambia adventure travel doesn’t stop at the edge of the iconic waterfall. From canoeing down hippo-filled channels in the Lower Zambezi to walking among big game in South Luangwa, Zambia’s activities offer the perfect blend of adrenaline and awe. Ready? Hold on tight…

Victoria Falls: the adventure capital of Zambia

Victoria Falls is a certified hub for thrill-seekers in Zambia. Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, the “smoke that thunders,” this incredible curtain of water plunges into the Batoka Gorge with a roar that can be heard for miles around. But beyond gazing at the falls in awe, there are plenty of exhilarating adventures to get stuck into.

White-water rafting on the Zambezi

This is Zambia white-water rafting at its finest. The Zambezi River (below the Falls) is one of the best stretches of commercially run white water in the world, with a rollercoaster of Grade 4 and 5 rapids where adrenaline is the name of the game. Expect names like “Stairway to Heaven” and “Oblivion,” and prepare to paddle hard as you hurtle through the spray.

The best time for rafting is during low water season (roughly August to December), when the river is wildest – and you’ll leave with memories and bragging rights to last a lifetime – but high-water season (January to March) offers a different kind of thrill. At this time of year, when the river is fuller and rapids blend into long, churning wave trains, rafting is less technical but just as wild. The river guides are experts at reading the river and tailoring the route, so whether you’re tackling the rapids for the first time or have done it plenty, you’ll still come away buzzing.

Bungee jumping & gorge swinging

If you’re not content with a little white-water rafting, take the plunge (literally!) and leap from the iconic Victoria Falls Bridge that links Zambia and Zimbabwe. At 111 metres high, the bungee is one of the most spectacular in the world, launching you headfirst towards the Zambezi before springing back with your heart firmly lodged in your throat. For a different angle, try the gorge swing, where you’ll freefall before swinging out over the Batoka Gorge. It’s not for the faint-hearted, but the views are worth every second.

Helicopter & microlight flights: the Flight of Angels

Take to the skies in a different way with a helicopter flip over the Falls. From the air, you’ll take-in jaw-dropping panoramas of the cascading water and the snaking Zambezi beyond, while a microlight flight brings the drama even closer. On clear days, you might even spot shimmering rainbows arcing through the spray, adding a touch of magic to an already spellbinding ride. From above, it’s easy to see why David Livingstone described the Falls as “scenes so lovely [they] must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.”

Swimming at Devil’s Pool & Livingstone Island

For the ultimate bucket-list experience, head to Devil’s Pool, a natural rock pool right on the edge of the Falls. In the dry season (August to December), when water levels drop, you can swim in relative safety just metres from where millions of litres thunder over the edge. Reached via Livingstone Island, it’s equal parts terrifying and awe-inspiring, and guaranteed to set your pulse racing.

Canoeing & river safaris

Upstream from the falls, the Zambezi takes on a gentler pace, but the adventure still continues. Canoeing trips and river safaris let you paddle quietly past pods of hippo, stealthy crocodiles and a dazzling array of birdlife, with elephants often coming down to drink at the water’s edge. It’s a chance to catch your breath after the high-octane thrills and soak up the serenity of the river.

Other active adventures

If you’re still craving more, Victoria Falls delivers: zipline across the gorge at breakneck speed, abseil down sheer cliffs, or explore the surrounding bush on horseback. Whether you’re chasing a pure adrenaline hit or a more laid-back taste of adventure, there’s no shortage of ways to experience the mighty Falls beyond simply admiring the view.

Beyond the Falls: other adventure regions in Zambia

Victoria Falls might take centre stage, but Zambia adventure travel stretches well beyond Livingstone. Head deeper into the country and you’ll discover river safaris, hot air ballooning, walking trails and wild frontiers that make a perfect contrast to the adrenaline of the Falls.

Lower Zambezi: adventures on the water

For water-based Zambia activities, nowhere beats the Lower Zambezi National Park. Here, the river runs wide and slow – and the best way to explore is to swap four wheels for a canoe. Paddling quietly between pods of hippo and watching elephants swim across the channel is an adventure like no other.

Otherwise, fishing for feisty tiger fish (catch-and-release) will keep adrenaline levels high. Known for their razor-sharp teeth and ferocious fight, tiger fish are considered one of the world’s greatest freshwater game fish. Whether you’re a keen angler or not, just feeling the strike on the line is enough to get the adrenaline pumping. And if fishing isn’t your thing? The boat trip itself, with crocodiles sunning on sandbanks and herds of buffalo watching from the shore, is half the fun. It’s less about speed and more about immersion, but the adventure is just as fabulous.

Kafue National Park: hot air ballooning

In Kafue, Zambia’s largest and most varied park, adventure comes with a bird’s-eye view. The seasonal Busanga Plains are the only place in the country where you can take to the skies in a hot air balloon, drifting peacefully over red lechwe, wildebeest and, if luck is on your side, prowling lions. Sunrise is the magic hour. As the balloon drifts silently above the plains, no roads in sight and only the hush of the burner for company, it will feel as though you’ve got all of Kafue to yourself.

On the ground, night drives and boat trips add variety, but it’s the vastness of Kafue that makes it such an adventure. You’ll get a real sense of exploring a wilderness that few others ever see in this off-the-beaten-track park.

South Luangwa: walking safaris

South Luangwa might be famous for its wildlife, but it’s also the birthplace of the walking safari – and nothing gets your pulse racing like tracking big game on foot. Led by some of the best naturalists and guides in Africa, a walking safari isn’t just about spotting big game and the guides take pride in pointing out the tiny details too. They might show you how elephants browse on bark, which plants can be used as natural toothbrushes, or how to follow the fresh spoor of a leopard through the dust. For the truly adventurous, end your walking safari with a night under the stars on a sleepout, with only a mozzie net and the crackle of the fire between you and the night. It’s adventure, Zambia-style: raw, authentic and unforgettable.

When to go for Zambia adventures

Like most things in Africa, timing is everything. The best time for Zambia white-water rafting at Victoria Falls is during low water season (August to December), when the Zambezi’s rapids are at their fiercest. Devil’s Pool is also open in the drier months, when it’s safe to perch on the very edge of the falls. Hot air ballooning in Kafue is possible from June to October, while South Luangwa’s walking safaris are at their best in the dry winter months (July to October), when wildlife congregates around the river.

The moral of the story? The best time for Zambia adventure travel depends on the activity. Whatever month you choose, there’ll be something epic waiting.

How to combine adventure & safari

The beauty of Zambia is that you don’t have to choose between adrenaline and wildlife, and it’s really quite easy to do both in one trip. Pair the thrills of Victoria Falls with a few days of river-based adventure in the Lower Zambezi, or combine them with walking safaris in South Luangwa for the perfect balance of pulse-racing and soul-soothing. Add in Kafue for something a little different, and you’ve got the makings of the ultimate Zambia adventure.

With Timbuktu, you can mix and match to your heart’s content. Whether you’re after heart-pumping Zambia activities or quiet encounters with wildlife, our tailor-made itineraries make it simple to design a trip that’s as adventurous (or as relaxed) as you like.

Zambia may be famous for its safaris, but look a little closer and you’ll find one of Africa’s greatest adventure playgrounds. From the thunder of Victoria Falls to the magic of a walking expedition, this is a country where every day brings a new kind of thrill.

Ready to start planning your Zambia adventure? Explore our itineraries and discover just how exciting life beyond the game drive can be…