Zambia is often called the Real Africa. It is a country where the wilderness feels raw and the experience feels authentic. There are no minibus crowds here. Instead you find remote bush camps, incredible guides, and a focus on walking and canoeing that gets you closer to nature than you ever thought possible.
The three great rivers of Africa define the landscape. The Zambezi, the Luangwa, and the Kafue act as lifeblood for the animals. Where there is water there is life. You will see huge pods of hippos, herds of elephants swimming across channels, and leopards hunting in the shade of mahogany trees.
Victoria Falls
Livingstone is the adventure capital of Africa. It sits right next to the Victoria Falls. The spray from the falls rises hundreds of metres into the air and can be seen from miles away.
You can view the falls from the knife edge bridge where you will get soaked to the skin. Or take a helicopter flight for an aerial view. For the brave there is the Devil's Pool where you can swim at the very edge of the falls during the dry season. The town of Livingstone has a relaxed colonial charm with excellent lodges along the river.
South Luangwa National Park
This is the birthplace of the walking safari. Decades ago legendary guide Norman Carr decided that the best way to see the bush was on foot. Today that tradition continues.
Walking through the South Luangwa is thrilling. Your senses wake up. You smell wild sage and hear the crack of a branch. You learn to track leopard prints in the sand. This park has one of the highest densities of leopards in Africa. It is almost guaranteed that you will see these elusive cats here, often during the day.
Lower Zambezi National Park
Opposite Mana Pools in Zimbabwe lies the Lower Zambezi. The park is sandwiched between the river and the escarpment. The game is concentrated on the valley floor.
The magic of this park is the water. You can swap your game drive vehicle for a canoe. Paddling silently past elephants feeding on the bank is a peaceful and humbling experience. Tiger fishing is also popular here for those who want a challenge. The camps sit right on the river bank offering views that are hard to beat.
Kafue National Park
Kafue is one of the largest parks in Africa but it receives very few visitors. It is wild and vast. The landscape ranges from riverine forest to the open Busanga Plains in the north.
The Busanga Plains flood every year and as the water recedes it leaves behind lush grass that attracts thousands of red lechwe and puku. The lions here are famous for climbing trees. Because it is so remote you will likely have sightings all to yourself. It is the perfect place for safari veterans who want something different.
The Safari Experience
Zambia is famous for its bush camps. These are small and intimate with often just four or five tents. They are rebuilt every year using natural materials.
This is not about gold taps and televisions. It is about simple luxury, great food, and sitting around the campfire under the stairs. The guiding standard in Zambia is widely considered to be the most rigorous in Africa. Your guide will not just show you animals. They will explain the connections between the soil, the trees, and the wildlife in a way that changes how you see the world.
When to Visit
The dry season runs from May to October. This is the best time for game viewing as animals congregate near the rivers. The walking season is at its peak from June to September when the grass is low for safety.
The Emerald Season from November to April brings rain and lush green landscapes. Many bush camps close during this time due to muddy roads but the main lodges stay open. It is a spectacular time for birding and photography with dramatic skies and baby animals everywhere.
