What to do in Zambia

Whether you’re watching elephant crossing the mighty Luangwa River, home to one of Africa's largest populations of hippo, or enjoying the birds flittering above oxbow lagoons, Zambian safaris don’t get much better than in the South Luangwa. The park allows open vehicles, which should prick up your ears - it means 360° wildlife-spotting and incredible photography. Your safari is led by an expert guide, who knows every creature in the park and how to follow their trail. Most camps offer two drives a day (one early in the morning and one later in the afternoon, continuing into the night) allowing you to really get to grips with all the park has to offer, broken only by bonnet tea breaks or sundowners in a scenic location.

Gazing over the edge of the glorious Victoria Falls, it's no surprise to learn that its local name means, 'the smoke that thunders'. Spend the morning or afternoon exploring one of the Seven Wonders of the World, meander along the walking trails and stop off at each of the 4 view points to see the falls from every angle. As one of the world's largest waterfalls, there is no bad time to be there but it reaches a roaring zenith in May when 10 million litres of water cascades into Batoka Gorge. If you want to have a more involved experience then this can be booked as a guided activity and you can easily pop over to the Zimbabwean side to experience the falls from a different angle for an additional cost.

Bordered by the mighty Zambezi and Chongwe rivers, the Lower Zambezi’s 1500 square miles offer landscapes of pretty sausage trees and winterthorn woodlands, and some rather fabulous game viewing. Hop into a vehicle and explore the hidden corners on blissfully private safari drives from your camp, usually taken in the morning and again in the afternoon (with stops for a cooling drink to keep you going). Helmed by a knowledgeable and all-seeing guide, treats in store include herds of elephant and buffalo grazing on the tiny isles in the middle of the river, hippo forming islands of their own, and furtive leopard lounging in the trees.

Fed by the mighty Kafue River, the lush plains are loved and lived in by wildlife aplenty. We’re talking puku, spectacular herds of red lechwe, buffalo and wildebeest, the rare roan antelope, cheetah and, of course, the famous lions of Kafue. And with two safari drives a day from most camps (in the early morning and late afternoon), you should have the chance to see as much of it as possible. In the moments when your binoculars aren't affixed to your eyes, there'll be refreshing beverages to sip on as you gaze at this wild scene.

The South Luangwa might be the home of the walking safari, but the North Luangwa is where they really come alive. Here, there are no game drives, just your own two feet and truly excellent guides that know the wilderness like the back of their hands - and zero permanent lodges cluttering up the landscape! The walks aren’t designed to be route marches either - it’s all about taking in the epic wildlife and scenery and truly getting back to nature. Stroll beside languid waterways where hippos doze and the birdlife is incredible, watch the horizon for members of the Big Five and delight in the smallest details. That's what a walking safari is all about.

The birdlife in Liuwa is extraordinary, and it’s not unusual to spend hours at a single waterhole, simply watching the avian comings and goings. Depending on the time of year, expect to see hundreds of pelican, wattled or crowned crane, geese and smaller waterbirds. Other "specials" include pink-billed and clapper larks and white-cheeked bee-eaters, and the park is also home to grey crowned cranes, recently classified as Endangered due to population decline. Keep cameras ready for the raptors too, including bateleur and martial eagles and greater kestrel.

Pioneered by the legendary conservationist Norman Carr in the 1950s, South Luangwa is the birthplace of the walking safari. You'll be led by a park ranger and expert guide, trained to decipher the tiniest detail and predict an animal's movements, often leading to moments unique to a walking safari. And your guide has a bank of knowledge to go with every discovery. Along the way, you'll cross rivers in between herds of elephant and spy on leopard dozing in a tree, stopping occasionally to examine the handiwork of a dung beetle, admire the birds, or for a well-earned cup of tea. Seeing wildlife undisturbed and in their own element, from the smallest critters to the biggest, this is a walking safari in South Luangwa. Leave at first light to catch the animals at their most active and you'll be out for around four hours. For the most comfortable and lucrative conditions, June to September is the best time to go. Don't miss this Timbuktu favourite!

There are so many ways to see Vic Falls by day, but by dusk, there's only one contender - a sundowner cruise. Step aboard for a cruise along the glimmering Zambezi River. With an ice-cold sundowner in hand (and tasty kebabs to snack on), wind your way past basking hippo, deftly moving Nile crocodile and elephant who trumpet at the water's edge as African fish eagles soar overhead. Return to shore when night has truly fallen and don't forget to look out for the famous 'moonbows' that appear in the right conditions. Your best time to go is the dry season months of April to September when the river and wildlife are in overdrive.

Change your game-viewing perspective with a Zambezi canoe safari. Take to the water with a local guide and paddle expert to help you navigate the river, home to hippo, crocodile and flocks of birdlife. Meander downstream using the current as your engine before mooring on the riverbank for a cup of tea and a muffin. As other sources dry up from May, the life-giving waters of the Lower Zambezi attract herds of elephant, buffalo, zebra and, if you're lucky, a big cat or two. Scan your eyes along the tree-line to catch the flicking tail and stealthy gaze of a leopard. And nothing quite compares to a stare down with an elephant bull from the water!

As Zambia's largest park, Kafue may seem more suited to all-day game drives, but walking safaris are one of its hidden gems...Picture strolling across the flood plains in the early morning light without another soul around for miles, heaven! With your seasoned guide leading the way, put your walking boots to good use as you explore this exquisite wilderness, spying huge herds of red lechwe, cheetah speeding to catch their prey and learning to read the signs these creatures leave behind. Without the rumble of an engine or clues given over walkie-talkie, you'll get back to the roots of a safari. The best time to see the most wildlife is, of course, the dry season (May to October) and September is especially good for avid birders.

The honey-coloured grasslands of Liuwa Plains are vast, and undoubtedly best explored by vehicle under the wing of a seasoned guide. As happens at most Zambian camps, you’ll head out on drives twice a day, one early in the morning and one in the afternoon. As you traverse the land, keep your eyes peeled for the ever-present predators including lion, cheetah, leopard and the famous packs of 50-plus hunting hyena. And don’t forget the blue wildebeest, zebra, red lechwe, eland and tsessebe either….

Luambe is simply made for a walking safari, be it an active morning leg stretch or a gentle afternoon stroll. When you step off the vehicle, it’s time to learn about the smaller creatures of the bush, the way they interact and what happens behind the scenes. And believe us, there’s a lot to learn and it’s endlessly fascinating.

You may have heard tales of just how elusive leopard are, but South Luangwa isn't called the 'Valley of the Leopard' for nothing...it's home to some of the highest numbers in Africa. If it's your mission to see these spotted beauties in the wild, set out in the early morning (returning for brunch) or late afternoon - sundowners included, as they take up residence in an ebony tree or slink down to join the hunt. Night drives are especially good and with the expertise of your guide, you'll have the chance to meet their arresting gaze glowing under a spotlight, perhaps having dragged their kill into a tree. On safari, there are few things that come close...

This is your chance to conquer the thundering waters and burbling rapids of the impressive Zambezi River on an inflatable raft in the experience of a lifetime – and one to tell the grandkids about. Choose a full day of rafting to experience all 21 ferocious rapids (or 25 if in high water season) with a stop for lunch in between, or opt for the more gentle (!) half-day experience. The morning trip takes in rapids 1 – 10, ending with lunch and drinks, whilst the afternoon experience starts at rapid 11 and continues to 21, ending with drinks. And with the rapids aptly named things like ‘The Gnashing Jaws of Death’ and ‘Devil’s Toilet Bowl’, those drinks might just be needed…!

On the lower sections of the Zambezi River, where the water flows slow and wide, creating pretty bays, inlets and eddies, one of Africa’s greatest fighting fish lies in wait. The tigerfish is one of Africa's most powerful freshwater species and it can weigh up to a whopping 15 kilograms. The Zambezi has become known as the best place to take on this ferocious fish in Southern Africa, attracting travellers from all over the world for a spot of catch-and-release fishing. Join them from August to November for the chance to net one of these beauties yourself (maybe with a helping hand from an expert…).

Zambia is home of the walking safari, and exploring Liuwa Plains on foot will certainly not disappoint. Wander along glittering streams, through shady patches of forest and across the vast plains as the sun pops its head above the horizon. A walking safari here isn’t so much about chasing animals, but about enjoying your surroundings, taking it slow and simply "being" in nature.

Unlike the activities allowed in many national parks across the continent, night safaris are permitted in Zambia and provide a fabulous opportunity to spot some of the more elusive nocturnal creatures. In Luambe, night drives continue for a couple of hours after sundowners, and you should keep your eyes peeled for porcupine, honey badgers, serval and even the well-camouflaged leopard.

The South Luangwa isn’t known as the 'Valley of the Leopard' for no reason – and what better time to try and spot these beautiful cats than on a night safari? Head out after dinner with your guide and power up the spotlight to search for those elusive nocturnal creatures. Your seasoned guide knows just how to do that while remaining undetected, following the subtle snap of a branch or, most excitingly, alarm calls. South Luangwa is one of the few parks where a night drive is possible and it more than lives up to its reputation with plenty of foraging hippo, big cats on the hunt and, if you're lucky, the rare aardvark.

On this trip, you’ll take a boat out to Livingstone Island, the spot where Dr David Livingstone first glimpsed the mighty Victoria Falls and the launch point for the Devil’s Pool. The boats leave from the Royal Livingstone hotel and take around 5 – 8 minutes to reach the island. After a guided tour of the island it’s time for the swim of your life and you’ll inch across the Zambezi before plunging into the ultimate, natural infinity pool. Once in the frothing ‘Jacuzzi’, swim up to the brim for a once-in-a-lifetime view of the water tumbling down to the rocky gorge below. Phew! Depending on the time of your visit, light refreshments (or lunch) and drinks will be served on the island.

You'll see plenty of the Lower Zambezi from your trusty Land Cruiser, but to truly get under the hide of this beautiful and wildlife-filled area, a walking safari is in order. In Zambia, every guide is well-versed in the secrets of the bush and they'll gladly share them with you. Step out in the morning for a good leg stretch as you examine the tracks and catch up on the night’s activities of a shy serval or leopard on the prowl, or take a stroll in the afternoon and discover a new-found respect for dung beetles, sausage trees and the guides who decipher it all.

Considering its size and sheer power, the Kafue River is remarkably serene, and a morning or afternoon boat cruise along its glassy surface is a real treat. Navigate your way through scaly crocodiles and yawning hippo, catch elephant coming down the grassy banks to drink or splash their way across, and watch kingfishers darting in and out of the shallows. For a touch more romance, set sail at sunset and watch as the waterscape begins to look like a vibrant oil painting - with a cold G&T in hand, of course...

It’s not termed the "Small Serengeti" for nothing – Liuwa Plains does in fact host the second-largest Great Migration on the continent, when the wilderness throngs with between 40,000 and 50,000 harrumphing blue wildebeest. Combined with the vast, china-blue skies and waving grasslands, you could be excused for thinking you really were in the Serengeti, although perhaps a rather more wild and remote version, without the hordes of people.

Birdwatching in Luambe is a lovely way to spend a morning or afternoon. Embark on a proper birding safari (on wheels or on foot) with one of the expert guides, and tick off everything from African fish-eagles to vivid Lilian’s lovebirds, or get comfortable in camp and watch our feathered friends straight from the veranda. Time your visit for September or October to visit the large colonies of carmine bee-eaters creating a storm of colourful activity along the banks of the Luangwa – magical.

There’s something about sleeping under the stars that’s utterly magical. And a sleep-out safari in the South Luangwa isn’t any old camping! You’ll be spoilt with dinner cooked over the campfire, soak up safari tales told by some of the greatest guides on the continent, then curl up under your mosquito net and nod off to the sounds of the Zambian night. You might just be woken by the sounds of a herd of elephant passing by at midnight, but no need to worry as there is an armed scout on watch throughout the night. The following morning, it’s bacon and eggs with the sunrise and a walking safari back to camp. Fly camping is at its best towards the end of the dry season (July to September) when the temperatures are warmer and there are fewer mosquitoes.

As the mighty Victoria Falls tumbles into the Batoka Gorge below, let your helicopter pilot swoop you up into the heavens for the most epic view of the Falls available. It’s a perspective usually reserved for birds and a helicopter flight will give you a truly unique view of this great Wonder of the World. The short, 15-minute flight will take you over the Falls and the Zambezi River with plenty of opportunities to flash your camera at the views, before returning to the airfield. Longer, 30-minute flights begin in the same way with the addition of scenic flight up the Zambezi and over the scattered islands to rapid 26.

It's safe to say the Zambezi River needs little introduction...And what better way to experience the crocodile-steeped waters, incredible birdlife and animals lining the banks in their hundreds than from the river itself? Swap your 4x4 for something slightly more mellow and float down the Zambezi by boat. By day, motor between the tiny islands and keep your eyes peeled for splashing elephant and colourful waterbirds. By night, mix G&Ts with a pastel-hued sunset and you’ve got the ultimate sunset river cruise. With most lodges offering trips on the water, this is an essential part of any Lower Zambezi safari.