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Zambia offers incredible adventure, majestic waterfalls and truly wild and remote wildlife sanctuaries.
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Extraordinary Zambia Safaris and Tours
Zambia, a landlocked country in southern Africa really offers the real Africa. Here are even more reasons to place it on your luxury African safari bucket list.
Livingstone
A Colonial Historical Town, Thundering Water and the Devil’s Pool
Livingstone lies on the northern bank of the Zambezi River at the Zimbabwe border, just north of Victoria Falls. This charming colonial town, named after the legendary Victorian missionary and explorer Dr David Livingstone, was once the bustling capital of Zambia.
Today, Livingstone acts as Zambia’s adventure gateway, as it is conveniently situated near the mighty Zambezi River and the breath-taking Victoria Falls. The relaxed and friendly town of Livingstone, set just under 7 miles (11km) from Victoria Falls, is a fantastic base for visiting the Zambian side of the natural world wonder. With its international airport, Livingstone is also the premier gateway to the rest of Zambia’s luxury safari destinations, including Kafue National Park, Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa.
For a unique (seasonal) adventure activity, we recommend a trip to Livingstone Island, an island situated in the Zambezi River, 2 or 3 feet from the top of the Victoria Falls on the Zambian side. You will have the opportunity to stand in shallow water, 2 inches (literally) from where the water gushes over the edge of the falls, and swim in Devil’s Pool, a reasonable current-free pool a couple of feet from the top of the falls, close enough to lean over the edge.
Rhino Tracking in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is situated on the edge of Livingstone town and provides the perfect environment for unique wildlife encounters and activities along the Zambezi River just above the Victoria Falls. The Park runs from the Victoria Falls, and up 12 kilometres along the Zambezi River. It is the smallest national park in Zambia but is important as it was created to help conserve the wildlife which go back and forth across the Zambezi River, and is home to big game such as buffalo, elephant, giraffe, as well as zebra, antelope, warthog and various plant and other animal species.
Less than ten of the rare white rhinos are also present in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, which are guarded 24/7 by rangers. During a rhino tracking safari, guests are provided the rare opportunity to meet up with these rangers and the white rhinos they are guarding and to get close to these gentle giants.
Lower Zambezi
Big Game & Safari Tranquility Along the Mighty Zambezi River
Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park – a luxury Africa safari destination where animals roam the unfenced safari camps, where Africa’s most unspoilt nature stretches out in front of you, where traces of people are hard to find and where night-time is about sitting under an incredibly black sky, dotted with countless stars.
Not just the park, but the entire region is a true wildlife sanctuary. On the opposite bank is Zimbabwe’s famous Mana Pools National Park, and the park itself is surrounded by a much larger game management area. Because there are no fences between the park and the GMA, animals can roam free across the area and will frequently do so. The best part of the Lower Zambezi Park and its surrounding GMA is the true remoteness.
What makes this park a great destination for a luxury Africa safari is the concentration of wildlife around the water. The Lower Zambezi covers a vast area of 4,092 square kilometres, but most of the African wildlife is concentrated along the valley floor. Expect some terrific photo-opportunities as enormous herds of elephants, some up to a hundred strong, gather at the Zambezi River’s edge to quench their thirst and splash around.
Step on board on a boat or drift silently pass the riverbank in a canoe for the best wildlife viewing, since most wildlife is concentrated around the Lower Zambezi Valley and the river. During a canoe safari on the river, you might face ten or more hippos, peeking curiously above the water surface. Also, ‘island hopping’ buffaloes – there are several rocky islands in the Zambezi River – and waterbucks are commonly seen, not to mention the prolific birdlife and fishing experiences. Here you will also see the most impressive blanket of stars, including mind-boggling views of the shimmering Milky Way.
Kafue
Zambia’s truly iconic off-the-beaten-track wildlife haven.
Kafue National Park is Zambia’s largest wildlife reserve and one of the largest in Africa. It covers more than 22000km² (2500km2 more than South Africa’s Kruger National Park), and the terrain varies greatly from north to south. Seasonal floodplains and far-reaching, wildlife-rich wetlands dominate northern Kafue and as the Kafue River flows south, the surrounding area becomes increasingly drier.
The largest of Zambia’s conservation areas, Kafue National Park offers its visitors a rare and unusual safari experience: excellent big game viewing with barely another vehicle in sight. The sheer size of Kafue means that there are countless untouched wild forests, endless plains and lakes. Here you will find rich wildlife roaming the land in search of food, spectacular landscapes for as far as the eye can see, and safari experiences unlike anywhere else. Kafue National Park is Zambia’s wild and rugged hidden gem still protected from mass tourism. Come experience a luxury safari in Kafue for an authentic Zambian safari experience amongst some of the wildest animals in Africa.
Busanga Plains of Plenty
Misty Mornings and Huge Numbers of Antelope and Predators
In the far North of Kafue National Park, the Lufupa River flows into the Busanga Swamps. During the rains, this floods out over the adjacent Busanga Plains. Later, around May, when these waters recede, they leave behind a carpet of lush vegetation – which is irresistible to many herbivores.
The highlight of a Kafue safari, these grassy seasonal floodplains are the grazing grounds for huge numbers of red lechwe and puku antelope as well as herds of buffalo and wildebeest, all of which are preyed on by cheetah, wild dog, spotted hyena and lion. Along with great game viewing, part of the magic of Busanga lies in its scenery: expect spectacular pink sunrises punctuated by the silhouettes of antelope feeding in the early morning mist.
South Luangwa
Zambia’s Premier Wildlife Destination for Africa’s Best Walking Safaris
South Luangwa National Park is the luxury safari highlight of eastern Zambia and one of the great remaining unspoiled regions of Africa. South Luangwa National Park is a place that still feels relatively untouched by modern humans and is therefore uniquely able to provide an unpredictable and exhilarating luxury Africa safari experience.
The impressive park covers an area of about 9050 square kilometres of the Luangwa Valley floor. With its western and north-western edge bounded by the Muchinga Escarpment, and the southern border lined with the meandering Luangwa River, there is no shortage of dramatic and fascinating topography in this stunning game-rich Africa Park. The Luangwa River is the most intact river in Africa, and its tributaries and lagoons are the lifeblood of this region. And the changing seasons, from the ‘dry’ season in the winter to the ‘emerald’ season of the summer months, make this a vibrant and charismatic part of the world that you do not want to miss.
Very few places in Africa can offer the unique combination of South Luangwa National Park’s open, grassy plains and mature, mesmerizing woodlands, crowned with the pristine, impressive Luangwa River. This area’s reputation for abundant wildlife and unspoiled vegetation is well earned, so whether driving around or walking through, the intense beauty calls to you from every corner.
Africa’s Best Walking Safaris in Big Game Country
It was in South Luangwa National Park, that the now famous ‘walking safari’ originated, when Norman Carr, who was originally a ranger in the game reserves in the 1940s, began to operate wilderness safaris in the area.
Sometimes, your own two feet are the best way to experience the wild wonders of the African bush. Walking along the banks of Zambia’s Luangwa River, watching the antics of kingfishers and African fish eagles over the water, all while following a guide tracking giraffe prints… this is what a wild African safari entail.
South Luangwa is the perfect place to get out there, awaken your senses and really experience Africa…on foot. When you walk in the wild, you become a part of your environment and enjoy an authentic African safari experience. Depending on the time you have, your fitness level and your need for modern creature comforts, you can choose between a classic multiday walking safari, sleeping in luxury tents in temporary camps in the middle of the bush, or short nature walks between other safari activities.
Watching animals on foot at a safe distance, is a primal experience and your own instincts and excitement will kick in, heightening the experience emotionally. Although you may be able to travel further in a vehicle, on foot you can reach places that a 4×4 vehicle cannot. You will also be closer the tapestry of smells, sounds and signals of the bush, like noting where a porcupine dragged its quills during the night, where frogs have spawned or how dung beetles tackle their crucial task so diligently. Walking safaris also provide you with a freedom incomparable to any other safari activity. Once on foot, you are not constrained by roads and can go almost anywhere you like. The guides each boast an extensive knowledge of the flora and fauna in the area, and you will learn more on foot about Africa’s smallest and greatest creatures and plants than when driving in a vehicle.
Know When to Come
The best time to visit Zambia is between May and November, when the weather is dry and the wildlife watching is sensational. In May, you’ll see the Victoria Falls at their most spectacular, when its tumbling torrent is spectacularly full but not producing too much spray. March, meanwhile, is a treat for birdwatchers.
Zambia has a sub-tropical climate and its weather is defined by a marked wet and dry season rather than summer and winter.
The dry season runs from May to October and is when to go to Zambia for the best game viewing along with pleasantly mild daytime temperatures (although September and October get extremely hot). The rainy season (December to April) is commonly called the “Green Season” as the bush is beautifully thick and green. This however makes game viewing less easy as the vegetation is so dense plus many animals move away from dry season water sources. Also note when planning your Zambia safari that some lodges close during the rainy season due to flooding.
The best time to visit Victoria Falls on the Zambia side is at the end of the rainy season (March – May) when the Zambezi River is in full flood and the falls are at their most spectacular. Be prepared to get drenched by the spray!
If you travel during the dry season (especially in October and November) there may be no water coming over the Zambian side of the falls, in which case you’ll need to cross over to Zimbabwe to see the main falls. Certain activities such as white-water rafting are only on offer when water levels are low, and this is also the time to take a dip in the Devil’s Pool – a natural rock pool right on the edge of the falls.
Effortless Travel to Zambia
All visitors to Zambia need to be in possession of a passport valid for at least six months from their date of departure.
Citizens of South Africa and Zimbabwe can obtain Zambian visas upon arrival for free; for all other nationalities, tourist visas are available at all major borders, airports and seaports.
Generally, Zambia visas are priced in four different brackets, depending on the length of stay: 7-day transit visa; single-entry visa; double-entry visa or multiple-entry visa. As of 2022, the Zambia visa fees have been discounted by 50%.
A Zambian visa can also be combined with a Zimbabwe entry visa (name the KAZA Uni-visa), at a discounted price, offering access to both countries.
Understand the Zambian Culture
The background of the national flag is green, symbolic of the country’s natural beauty, with three vertical stripes in the lower right corner. The three stripes are: red, symbolic of the country’s struggle for freedom; black, representing the racial makeup of the majority population; and orange, symbolic of the country’s copper riches and other mineral wealth. A copper-colored eagle in the upper right corner symbolizes the country’s ability to rise above its problems.
A country comprising some 70 ethnic groups and as many languages, Zambia is one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most highly urbanized countries: almost half of its 13.5 million inhabitants live in Lusaka and Copper Belt towns leaving much of the country sparsely populated.
It’s a deeply religious country – close to 90% of Zambians are Christians – but one that mixes traditional beliefs with formal worship.
Used in commerce and in schools, English is Zambia’s official language but Nyanja and Bemba are the most commonly spoken African languages – travellers who make the effort to say a few words in a local language are always appreciated by the locals!
A country noted for its pottery, carving, weaving and music, Zambia has a long tradition of festivals and ceremonies; the Lozi tribe’s ‘Kuomboka’, when their king is transported on a river barge, is one of the most spectacular.
Learn More About Zambia
What is in a Name? Zambia derives its name from the Zambezi River. The river runs across the western and southern border and then forms Victoria Falls and flows into Lake Kariba and on to the Indian Ocean.
In size, the country is roughly equivalent to the state of Texas, about 290,585 square miles (752,615 square kilometers). The capital city is Lusaka. Bordering neighbours are the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola.
It is a landlocked country with several large freshwater lakes, including Lake Tanganyika, Lake Mweru, Lake Bangweulu, and the largest man-made lake in Africa, Lake Kariba.
English is the official language as the country was once an English colony (1924–1964). While many people speak English, in rural areas tribal languages are spoken, in addition to a few other vernacular languages. Each of the seventy-five tribes living in the country has its own dialects and language. The main vernacular languages are Bemba, Lozi, Luanda, Luvale, Nyanja, Tonga, and Tumbuka.
The history of the national flag features green, representing the nation’s lush landscapes, and includes three horizontal bands at the lower right edge. These bands are: red, signifying the nation’s fight for liberation; black, denoting the predominant racial composition of its inhabitants; and orange, illustrating the nation’s abundance in copper and various minerals. Above these bands, a copper-hued eagle stands to the upper right, embodying the nation’s capacity to overcome its challenges.
Greetings are very important in Zambia. One greets another by saying “hello” and “how are you?” Then come inquiries into one’s family, the crops or the weather. It is rude to come directly to the point; conversations may go on for several minutes before the point of the conversation is broached.
There is hand etiquette as well. The right hand is for eating—which is traditionally done without utensils—greetings, and exchanges of money. It is impolite to use your left hand when interacting with another person. Washing of one’s hands before eating is very common, with a bowl of water passed around as one sits at the table. The guests are given the honour of going first.
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