{"id":10480,"date":"2020-02-04T12:50:56","date_gmt":"2020-02-04T12:50:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/?p=10480"},"modified":"2025-06-24T13:28:40","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T13:28:40","slug":"zambia-safari-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.timbuktutravel.com\/blog\/zambia-safari-guide","title":{"rendered":"Zambia Safari Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Too far north to be southern Africa, too far west to be East Africa, and not quite central Africa either, Zambia is not only a geographical anomaly when it comes to safari countries, but also completely and utterly, wonderfully, charmingly different. The country may have popped on to your radar thanks to its excellent walking safaris<\/a> but there\u2019s so much more to be discovered too \u2013 wonders of the world<\/a>, mammal migrations<\/a>, exquisite bush camps<\/a> and of course, the people (who have the biggest smiles in Africa, hands down). So, if you think you\u2019d like to get to know the country a little better, have a read of our Zambia safari guide<\/a> and familiarise yourself with the hotspots, how to combine them and what to expect on safari.<\/p>\n

\"Zambia<\/a>

Walking safaris in the South Luangwa<\/p><\/div>\n

South Luangwa National Park<\/h2>\n

The first park in our Zambia<\/a> safari guide is, of course, the South Luangwa<\/a>. A true hidden gem, its biggest claim to fame is as the home of the walking safari<\/a> and boy are they fabulous. But it\u2019s not just ground-pounding explorations on offer here. The park is one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries on the continent and has an outstanding population of leopard, good numbers of lion and other large mammals, and herds of springing antelope around every corner. Add to that the picturesque floodplains, the lovely Luangwa River, and the outstanding accommodation and you\u2019ve got one of the finest and most authentic safari experiences you could wish for.<\/p>\n

How do I do it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The South Luangwa<\/a> fits snugly into just about any Zambia safari itinerary. As the wildlife star of the show, there are plenty of flight connections to allow this and some people even drive in from Lusaka<\/a> (if you\u2019re coming by road, bring a sense of humour and a few spare hours too!). Once there, you could happily spend a week walking between bush camps along the river, perhaps with a night at a larger lodge at the beginning or end. These multi-day walking safaris<\/a> are a South Luangwa speciality and by combining the camps and lodges of one company, you might even find yourself saving a few pennies too (our first Zambia country guide tip). Try Luwi<\/a>, Nsolo<\/a> and Kakuli<\/a> bush camps and end with a night of luxury at Chinzombo<\/a>, or head south to Chindeni<\/a> and Chamilandu<\/a>, followed by sister property Mfuwe Lodge<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Where do I start?<\/strong><\/p>\n

If this is all sounding rather lovely, there are plenty of itineraries to choose from when planning a South Luangwa safari. The Best of the South Luangwa<\/a> trip is focused on rustic bush camps and exploring on foot \u2013 experiment with adding a night under the stars<\/a> for maximum adventure \u2013 whilst Zambia\u2019s classic safari destinations<\/a> allows you to combine your walking with time at Victoria Falls<\/a> and in the Lower Zambezi<\/a>. If you fancy visiting in the emerald season and boating into the hidden corners of the park, have a look at the trip Zambia\u2019s green season gems<\/a>\u2013 and if you\u2019re not sure when you\u2019d like to visit on a Zambia safari, then have a look at our month-by-month guide to the weather<\/a> instead.<\/p>\n

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\"South<\/figure>
South Luangwa<\/div>
Learn more<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div>\n
\"Zambia<\/a>

Sundowners in the Lower Zambezi National Park<\/p><\/div>\n

Lower Zambezi National Park<\/h2>\n

If the South Luangwa<\/a> is the home of the walking safari, then the Lower Zambezi<\/a> definitely takes the title for the most varied activities on any Zambia<\/a> safari. Located in the central-southern part of the country (sounds strange, but have a look at a map and you\u2019ll see what we mean), the park is bordered by the mighty Zambezi River to the south and is a mix of beautiful leadwood and fig forests and rolling grass plains. This section of the river is broad and free flowing allowing for fabulous canoe safaris<\/a> and boat safaris<\/a> as well as the opportunity to fish for the fearsome Tiger fish<\/a> alongside traditional game drives<\/a> and walking safaris<\/a>. Wildlife-wise, game often congregates on the banks<\/a> (buffalo, lion, plains game) and swimming elephant are not unusual. The big cats are also well represented but there are no cheetah.<\/p>\n

How do I do it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The best way to reach the Lower Zambezi<\/a> is to fly from Lusaka<\/a>, Victoria Falls<\/a> or Mfuwe (the South Luangwa airstrip). It\u2019s a well-connected sort of place that\u2019s easy to add in to most safari itineraries and the quirky selection of activities<\/a> is a good distraction from norm. Most camps offer two activities a day (morning and evening) so a three-night stay would allow at least four opportunities to experience all that\u2019s on offer, but you could squeeze it into two nights if the flight timings are in your favour. For something a little bit different, Tusk & Mane<\/a> offer excellent mobile safaris \u2013 a relatively new concept for the Lower Zambezi<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Where do I start?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our tried and tested Zambia safari itinerary is to sandwich your time in the Lower Zambezi<\/a> with a couple of nights at Victoria Falls<\/a> and then South Luangwa<\/a>, as showcased here<\/a>. If you fancied something a little extra, experiment with adding time in the North Luangwa<\/a> at the end (this walking safari itinerary<\/a> would be a good place to start), or hop over to Lake Malawi<\/a>, Zambia\u2019s answer to the \u2018beach\u2019, for sun, sea and plenty of R&R.<\/p>\n

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\"Lower<\/figure>
Lower Zambezi<\/div>
Learn more<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div>\n
\"Zambia<\/a>

The watery wildlife of Victoria Falls<\/p><\/div>\n

Victoria Falls (Livingstone)<\/h2>\n

It wouldn\u2019t be a Zambia<\/a> safari guide without mention of the world-famous Victoria Falls<\/a>. Every minute, 650 million litres of water plunge into the Batoka Gorge creating a spectacular waterfall that tops many a bucket list. Adrenalin seekers arrive in their droves to bungee, gorge swing, white-water raft and microlight above and below (and in!) the water, but those looking for a quieter pace of life aren\u2019t forgotten, with tranquil boat cruises, island picnics and genteel Afternoon Teas to enjoy too.<\/p>\n

How do I do it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Livingstone<\/a> is the name of the town on the Zambian side of the Falls (Victoria Falls<\/a> is the town on the Zimbabwean side) and, as you may expect, it\u2019s pretty easy to access from most other parts of the country. The lodges here are beautiful, making the Falls a good place to decompress after a long flight and ease into the Zambia safari way of life, or indeed, indulge in some R&R after all those early mornings. If you\u2019d like to be in the heart of the action, have a look at Thorntree River Lodge<\/a> or the Royal Livingstone Hotel<\/a>\u2013 both are within minutes of the waterfall itself and offer super-quick and easy access. If, however, you\u2019re using Vic Falls for a spot of relaxation before or after a safari, splash out with Royal Chundu<\/a> (it\u2019s a Relais & Chateuax – you won\u2019t want for anything!) or Tongabezi<\/a> for ultimate romance.<\/p>\n

Where do I start?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our favourite way to add Victoria Falls<\/a> to a safari itinerary is to start or end here \u2013 and pretty much all of our Zambia safari itineraries<\/a> reflect that. Vic Falls is also easy to add to a multi-country trip around southern Africa; either drive in from Botswana<\/a> (spend a few days in Chobe<\/a> and then head up) or take a direct flight from Johannesburg<\/a> to Livingstone. Have a look at our trip All in One<\/a> for a dreamy bush, beach and waterfall combination, or Classic Botswana<\/a> for ideas on how to combine Zambia and Botswana<\/a> in one trip.<\/p>\n

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\"Victoria<\/figure>
Victoria Falls<\/div>
Learn more<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div>\n
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\"Zambia\"Zambia<\/figure>
Zambia<\/span>
Design your own trip<\/div>\n Choose a destination, pick your properties and we'll do the rest<\/span>\n
Design a trip<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div>\n
\"Zambia<\/a>

Flying high above Kafue National Park<\/p><\/div>\n

Kafue National Park<\/h2>\n

Next up for our Zambia<\/a> safari guide is the Kafue National Park.<\/a> Covering an area the size of Wales, it\u2019s a magical landscape but one that receives substantially less attention than both the Lower Zambezi<\/a> and the South Luangwa<\/a>. It\u2019s probably fair to say that the wildlife viewing isn\u2019t as action packed as its counterparts, but if you\u2019ve got a little bit of patience (and appreciate the beauty of solitude), Kafue<\/a> could be the place for you. The park does in fact has a larger variety of species than anywhere else in Zambia, including cheetah, sable antelope and the elusive roan, and it\u2019s the only area where hot air ballooning<\/a> is possible. We like the sound of that!<\/p>\n

How do I do it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The central section of the Kafue<\/a> is easily accessible by road from Lusaka<\/a> and you can either drive yourself, or choose a safari company that will arrange a driver for you. Flights are also available, but tend not to be as frequent as those to other areas of the country. Another point to note is that the central area of the park (lodges like Kaingu<\/a> and Ila Safari Lodge<\/a>) are accessible year-round, but the beautiful Busanga Plains (Busanga Plains Camp<\/a> and Shumba<\/a>) are only possible to visit on a Zambia safari planned between June to October.<\/p>\n

Where do I start?<\/strong><\/p>\n

In order to make the most of Zambia and see all her different sides we recommend combining the Kafue<\/a> with the popular South Luangwa<\/a>. By doing so, you\u2019ll enjoy the iconic walking safaris of the Luangwa alongside the unusual activities of the Kafue \u2013 boat safaris<\/a>, night drives<\/a> and canoe safaris<\/a> to name a few. Victoria Falls<\/a> is also easy to add in – have a look at this Zambia safari trip<\/a> for the ultimate inspiration.<\/p>\n

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\"Kafue<\/figure>
Kafue<\/div>
Learn more<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div>\n
\"Zambia<\/a>

A landscape bursting with birdlife in Liuwa Plain<\/p><\/div>\n

Liuwa Plain National Park<\/h2>\n

It might not be a regular feature on a Zambia<\/a> safari guide, but we couldn\u2019t resist adding in a little something about Liuwa Plain National Park<\/a>. Located in the far west of Zambia, the vast open grasslands of the park are remote and impossibly handsome, and home to incredible numbers of animals (hyena, wild dog, buffalo) and birdlife<\/a> (crowned cranes, secretary birds and hundreds and hundreds of water birds). The grand drawcard is, however, the migration of blue wildebeest<\/a>, currently the second largest on the continent.<\/p>\n

How do I do it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

We won\u2019t lie to you and tell you how easy it is to safari here, but it\u2019s certainly the most accessible it has ever been. In 2020, there are two flights a week from both Livingstone<\/a> and Lusaka<\/a> (you\u2019ll have to overnight in both destinations, however, as the flight is early in the morning) and one permanent lodge in the park, the uber-sophisticated King Lewanika Lodge<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Where do I start?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Liuwa Plain<\/a> slots nicely into a Zambia safari itinerary either at the beginning of a trip (you\u2019re in Lusaka<\/a> already) or after a jaunt to Victoria Falls<\/a>. Have a peek at our Liuwa itinerary<\/a> to get you started; either keep it the way it is, flip it on its head – or pop us an email and we\u2019d be happy to help with the logistics!<\/p>\n

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\"Liuwa<\/figure>
Liuwa Plain<\/div>
Learn more<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div>\n
\"Zambia<\/a>

Local wildlife in Luambe National Park<\/p><\/div>\n

The North Luangwa and Luambe National Park<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re looking for a Zambia safari with that sense of absolute abandonment and exploring somewhere that not many others have, our advice would be to head north to Luambe National Park<\/a> and the North Luangwa<\/a>. Up here, roads are limited and the focus is on walking, soaking up the sounds of the bush and immersing yourself in the wilderness.<\/p>\n

How do I do it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the North Luangwa<\/a>, we love tiny Mwaleshi Camp<\/a>. Combine a few days here with a stay at sister camps Tafika<\/a> or Chikoko Tree Camp<\/a> in the South Luangwa<\/a> (you\u2019ll fly between them on a private charter) and really get to grips with the Luangwa Valley. Alternatively, add some time in Luambe<\/a> to your Zambia safari; the combination of Flatdogs Camp <\/a>and Luambe Camp<\/a> works well together, and the best news is that there\u2019s often a special running when you combine the two.<\/p>\n

Where do I start?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Ultimate Zambia Walking Safari<\/a> is the best option to get you started with the North Luangwa<\/a>. You can either combine the suggested camps above, or choose any camps you like and simply fly from Mfuwe, the main airport that services the South Luangwa<\/a>, up to the North. For Luambe<\/a>, this trip<\/a> is one of our favourites.<\/p>\n

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\"Luambe<\/figure>
Luambe<\/div>
Learn more<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div>\n
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\"Wizard\"Wizard<\/figure>
Not sure where to go?<\/div>\n Answer a few simple questions to get instant trip recommendations<\/span>\n
Start the wizard<\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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