Zambia is the birthplace of walking safaris in the South Luangwa but its magnificent parks and reserves are not to be overlooked. This hidden gem quality is exactly why these parks have long been the favourite destination for experienced safari travellers, especially those looking for a more authentic wildlife experience with lower visitor numbers.
It may surprise you, however, to discover that Zambia is also an excellent choice for safari first-timers. Why? Because the big game viewing is consistently good, the local guides are some of the best in Africa, the parks of the Luangwa and Zambezi Valleys offer a diverse range of things to do – game drives, night drives, walking safaris, canoeing – and all of this is centered on the swirling mist and thundering water of the mighty Victoria Fall.
Below, we have compiled a top list of things to do while in Zambia.
For scenery, variety and density of animals, South Luangwa is the best park in Zambia and one of the most majestic in Africa. Impalas, pukus, waterbucks, giraffes and buffaloes wander on the wide-open plains; A guided walking safari is an opportunity to immerse yourself completely in this pristine wilderness. As your senses sharpen, so too does your understanding of how every part of nature fits together in this extraordinary ecosystem. Before long, you’ll identify different animal tracks in the sandy riverbeds, discover which plants are good to eat, and be amazed at how much information you can glean from the ubiquitous piles of animal dung.
The Lower Zambezi Park is an incredibly beautiful reserve stretching out along the shimmering waters of the wide, blue Zambezi River. There is plenty of big game here too. The best wildlife viewing is on the flood plain and along the river itself using a canoe. You’ll find that a canoe gives you a closer and more intimate perspective on creatures like buffalo and elephant, who ignore your quiet passage past them quite undisturbed by your presence as they drink their fill at the water’s edge.
Don’t think of a canoe safari as hard work: you drift more than paddle, floating past the twitching ears and snorts of submerged hippos and knobbly Nile crocodiles basking on the riverbanks. It’s both peaceful and undeniably thrilling! The guides are utterly attuned the animals’ habits and behaviour, and are completely at ease predicting their next moves.
Victoria Falls deserves its local name, Mosi-oa-Tunya, ‘The Smoke That Thunders’. Nothing prepares you for your first sight of the Zambezi River in full flood thundering over the drop – 500-million litres of water per minute crashing into a deep rocky gorge, throwing a cloud of mist and rainbow-lit spray high into the air.
Victoria Falls is a fantastic start or end point to a Zambian safari. If you have the time, We recommend a good three days to sample the many activities on offer in Livingstone. This little town is not called Africa’s adventure capital for nothing – you can take a scenic helicopter flip or even go white-water rafting on high-grade rapids.
The excellent Livingstone Museum is the oldest, largest and best museum in the country. It’s divided into sections covering archaeology, history, ethnography and natural history. Highlights include its collection of original David Livingstone memorabilia (including signed letters), tribal artefacts (from bark cloth to witchcraft exhibits), a life-sized model of an African village, taxidermy displays and coverage of modern-day Zambian history.
The main draw to the area is the surreal sight of Shiwa House, a massive English-style manor materialising seemingly out of nowhere in the middle of rural Zambia. Built in the 1920s, the decaying grand mansion built on a stately lawn is full of old family heirlooms, photographs and stories. There are guided tours of the estate (or there’s a self-guided option with booklet), which include a wildlife drive to spot the property’s 24 mammal species including puku, kudu, zebra and wildebeest.
Boasting the best barista in Lusaka (the winner of an international competition) as well as an enviable garden setting, the Deli is a good place to plant yourself for a few hours. The sophisticated kitchen turns out all-day breakfasts like eggs and French toast, speciality sandwiches like Asian pork meatball and classics like pastrami, wood-fired pizzas and homemade ice cream.
A popular shopping stop for tourists, this open-air market comprises thatch-roofed huts and stalls selling carvings, baskets, masks, drums, fabrics and more. Prices are cheap because you can buy directly from the workers who live here. There’s usually cultural performances (ZMW30) held on weekends around 2pm. It’s southeast of the city centre.
In addition to the above exciting tour sites, we also offer you the flexibility to customize your travel experience With this package, you get to select and plan your travel the way you like. Whether you want a location/activity outside areas highlighted on our website or you want an elongated trip to different countries, we got you covered. Use the button below to get in touch with us now.
