ZAMBIA SAFARIS – THE ULTIMATE GUIDE

ABOUT ZAMBIA

The Republic of Zambia is widely known for its beauty, untamed wilderness and exceptional fauna and flora as well as it’s warm and friendly people. It’s also a peaceful country that’s enjoyed political stability for a long time.
Zambia isn’t a wealthy country but it’s rich in valuable natural resources and offers travelers an outstanding safari holiday at the fraction of the cost of other premier safari destinations in Africa. It boasts one of the fastest-growing economies in southern Africa and is gaining traction as a sought-after tourist destination.

The best thing about a holiday in Zambia is that, for the moment, it’s still one of the best-kept secrets on the safari circuit. A large proportion of the country remains wild, underdeveloped and unspoilt. About 30% of its land surface is covered in water with 5 vast lakes, 3 major rivers, 17 magical waterfalls and an abundance of wetlands. This has also made Zambia one of the go-to safari destinations in Africa. 

Zambia is a landlocked country that shares a border with the DRC to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the East, Angola to the west and Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to the south.

For decades, Zambia’s economy was dominated by the copper mining industry but more recently the government has been pursuing an economic diversification programme to reduce the country’s reliance on copper. Zambia tourism is a major focus and the country has much to offer including the famous Victoria Falls lying on its southern border and a fine selection of outstanding national parks, mighty rivers and incredible lakes.

Lusaka is the capital city of Zambia and the economic hub of the country but Livingstone is the city that everyone is talking about. Together with the town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, Livingstone is known as the ‘Adventure Capital of Africa’ and is giving Jinja in Uganda a run for it’s money as the place to go for extreme outdoor sport and adventures.
Zambia is not only a beautiful Big 5 safari destination, it’s also a popular place to visit for fishing and birding safaris. It’s safe to travel to Zambia, the economy is stable and the political situation is peaceful; and best of all, Zambia is highly affordable if you have US Dollars or Euros to spend.

What more could you ask for if you’re looking for a safari tour in Africa for the whole family?

GEOGRAPHY OF ZAMBIA

Zambia is named after the mighty Zambezi River which rises in the north-west of the country and creates its southern boundary. It’s the lifeblood of the country both from an agricultural, fishing and tourism perspective.
Kariba Dam stretches along a large portion of Zambia’s southern border. It’s the largest man-made lake in Africa and the second-largest in the world. It’s about 280 kilometres long and 40 kilometres at its widest point.
Zambia lies on the watershed between the DRC and Zambezi river systems. The three great natural lakes of the country are located in the north; Bangweulu, Mweru and the southern end of Lake Tanganyika. They all form part of the headwaters of the Zaire River. Lake Tanganyika is the second deepest natural lake in the world.

Lake Bangweulu is drained by the Luapula River. Including the swamp area, Lake Bangweulu spans some 3 800 miles. It starts flowing south, turns west and then northward to pass through Lake Mweru on its way to the DRC.

THE HISTORY OF ZAMBIA

Early man in Zambia

The Great Rift Valley slices through the continent from the Lower Zambezi River in southern Zambia to the headwaters of the Nile in Egypt. It’s regarded as the one of the cradles of the human race with evidence that civilisation got underway along this expansive corridor at least 3 million years ago. Vast evidence of Stone Age and Iron Age inhabitants are found alongside the Zambezi River.
The most significant early Stone Age site unearthed in Zambia is found at the Kalambo Falls in the North and at Victoria Falls in the south. At the Kalambo Falls, there is evidence that primitive humans began using fire systematically some 60 000 years ago. At Victoria Falls, archaeologists have exposed a complex that showcases the development of skills from the most distant past. You’ll find this ‘dig’ at the Field Museum at Livingstone in Zambia.
The skull of Broken Hill Man dates back some 70 000 years and gives an indication of what humans of that period looked like.
Bantu era

In the 4th AD century, a wave of Bantu-speaking immigrants arrived from the north. They were farmers and made use of iron tools and weapons. They grew sorghum, beans, bananas and yams as well as kept livestock such as cows and goats.
The Bantu tribes did some hunting using iron-tipped arrows; otherwise they were self-sufficient living off the land. The used an archaic ‘slash and burn’ method which meant they moved on when they had exhausted the quality of the soil.
They lived peacefully alongside the bushmen for centuries.
Trading era

By the 12th century, long distance trade was flourishing. This included the trade of cotton, weaving, ivory carvings, metalwork as well as bracelets and crosses made from copper. The most important trading centre was called Inge-ambe-Ilede (the place where the cow lies) which was located near the confluence of the Zambezi River and the Kafue River.
The slave trade era

From the 7th century, the Arabs and Portuguese were sourcing slaves from Africa. They were offering such rich bounties for slaves that brutal attacks were made by tribes on other tribes to capture villagers to sell as slaves. The people of what is now Zambia had no direct contact with Europeans until the 19th century.
The Shaka Zulu era

The brutal reign of Shaka, the Zulu ruler, reached its climax in the early 19th century where he began conquering neighbouring countries and displacing whole African tribes across southern and central Africa. The effects were felt as far north as Zambia.
One tribe fled from their tribal lands in South Africa, crossed the mighty Zambezi River and trekked to an area north of the Victoria Falls. They marched further west and subdued the Lozi kingdom of the Upper Zambezi. They founded the Kololo kingdom (named after the tribal leader’s favourite wife). In the 1860s, the Lozi regained control of their territory and would later become the dominant people of Zambia.
The Ngoni fled Shaka’s domain in the 1820s, crossed the Zambezi and also headed further north to Lake Tanganyika. They settled in east Zambia and survived partly by raiding other tribes or trader’s caravans.
European arrivals

Dr David Livingstone is the first European to formerly record his arrival in what is now Zambia. He travelled through the region in 1851 as part of his quest to find the source of the Nile River. He visited the Kololo kingdom and was amazed to find the nobles wearing British cloth that had been sold to them in exchange for slaves.
Livingstone was the first European to see the Victoria Falls which he discovered on his return trip from searching for the source of the Nile. He was more of a missionary than an explorer and his original intention was to convert Africans to Christianity as well as put an end to the slave trade. His idea was to replace the slave trade with legitimate commerce.
Livingstone ambitiously hoped to persuade the African rulers to sell cotton and ivory to the Europeans in return for their goods instead of selling slaves. His mission to put a stop to slavery and increase commercial trade failed; largely because of the extreme difficulties involved in getting the export goods to Mozambique where a massive gorge and unnavigable river stood in the way.

British rule in Zambia

Zambia went on as usual for another 35 years between the time Dr David Livingstone departed and Cecil John Rhodes arrived. In 1889, Rhodes set up the British South African Company (SAC) to exploit minerals in southern and central Africa and at the same time, drove efforts to place Zambia under British rule.
Once the British South African Company started mining in Zambia, they gradually took over. It was a mutually-beneficial relationship for a long time where the British company established schools and medical facilities in rural communities and provided jobs in exchange for the rights to prospect for and mine minerals.
All was well for a time and then the country entered a period of conflict and socio-political turmoil. Resistance to ‘British rule’ (which was really the British South African Company) peaked when the British imposed a ‘hut tax’ where every able-bodied man had to pay tax and if someone defaulted, his village hut was burnt down and he was imprisoned.
Only small numbers of Europeans actually came to live in the new colony in Northern Rhodesia, as it was called at the time. Most European settlers lived on a strip of land alongside the railway that ran north to south through the middle of the country. However, many Indians came to work as traders and craftsmen and were considered as ‘middlemen’.
Crown Protectorate era
Livingstone was founded in 1905 when the famous Victoria Falls Bridge was built across the Zambezi. In those days, Zambia was divided into two parts; Northwest Rhodesia and Northeast Rhodesia (taking its name from Cecil John Rhodes). Livingstone was the capital of Northwest Rhodesia.
In 1911, the two halves were united to form one colony called Northern Rhodesia and Livingstone became the capital. Lusaka was founded in 1905 to serve a lead mine at Kabwe and Ndola was founded in 1904. Lusaka eventually became the capital of Zambia in 1935.
By 1923, attitudes towards the British South African Company had changed and ‘company rule’ was no longer acceptable to the British government. In the same year, Zambia was made a crown protectorate and by 1925 a legislative council was formed. However, the franchise effectively excluded Blacks.
The copper era

Zambia’s destiny changed dramatically in the late 1920s when rich underground deposits of copper and cobalt were discovered. By 1936, the town of Kitwe was founded as a copper mining centre and by 1939 Zambia was the world’s main supplier of copper. About 30 000 African miners and about 4 000 White miners were working and living in what would become known as Zambia’s Copperbelt region.
The number of African men working in the mines grew dramatically and it had the effect of weakening tribal bonds as they left their villages to work in the isolated mining areas.
There was a period of unrest from 1935 and strikes and riots were commonplace. The army was sent to suppress them and many miners lost their lives or were wounded. By 1948, the African miners had founded a proper trade union which became a major threat for colonial rule under the British South African Company.
Independence era
The winds of change started blowing through the British colony in Zambia and by 1930 the British had adopted a policy of indirect rule. African chiefs were given the role of local administration and by 1935 the government had formed urban advisory councils to give urban Africans an advisory role in the way their towns were run.
African provincial councils were formed in the early 1940s which were made up mainly of traditional chiefs. And finally in 1946, the African Representative Council was formed. The first real political party was established in 1949 called the African Nationalist Congress (ANC); it was formed from the welfare associations which first begun in the 1930s.
Years of political resistance ensued. African leaders fought to gain control over their country, the number of educated Africans increased and white settlers faced a losing battle to hang onto their power. World opinion was also turning against imperialism and by 1960, the British government realised that independence for African countries was inevitable.
On 24 October 1964, Zambia became independent of the United Kingdom and Prime Minister Kenneth Kaunda became the inaugural president. Kaunda’s socialist United National Independence Party (UNIP) maintained power from 1964 until 1991.
From 1972 to 1991 Zambia was a one-party state with the UNIP as the sole legal political party under the motto “One Zambia, One Nation”. Kaunda was succeeded by Frederick Chiluba of the social-democratic Movement for Multi-Party Democracy in 1991, beginning a period of social-economic growth and government decentralisation.
The years that followed saw a few successor’s coming and going with two Presidents dying in office. In January 2015, Edgar Lungu was elected as the 6th President of Zambia.
Today, the Republic of Zambia is a relatively peaceful and stable country with a democratically-elected government. Zambia is still a poor and socially-embattled country but it’s developing rapidly. In 2010, the World Bank named Zambia one of the world’s fastest growing economically reformed countries.
Copper mining remains the lifeblood of the country but the government is pursuing an economic diversification programme which has seen other industries gain traction in the country. This includes prospecting for and mining silver, zinc, cobalt and lead as well as a thriving agricultural industry and growing Zambia tourism.

THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA

The population of Zambia is estimated to be 17 million people; made up of 72 ethnic groups, most of which are Bantu-speaking. The main tribes are the Lozi, the Bemba, the Ngoni, the Tonga, the Luvale, and the Kaonde. It’s one of the few countries in Africa with very little tribal animosity; the existence of so many tribes has proved less of a political problem in Zambia than in many other African countries.
Zambia is also home to a thriving Asian community, predominantly of Indian and Chinese origin. It’s also home to a number of European expatriates; a large number of them being ex-Zimbabwean farmers who were invited by the local government to farm in Zambia after they were cast off their farms by rogue forces.
Zambia is a bold and dynamic country with a vibrant mix of cultures, traditions and people. It’s also considered by travellers to be one of the friendliest and most welcoming nations in Africa.

WHY VISIT ZAMBIA?

Zambia is the “overlooked cousin” of world-acclaimed safari destinations in Africa; living in the shadow of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park in Botswana and the iconic Kruger National Park in South Africa.
In some ways the fact that Zambia is not that well known as an outstanding safari destination is a blessing because much of the wild conservation areas remain untouched and unspoilt by tourist development.
The Zambian government has embarked on an economic diversification programme and safari tourism has been put on the top of its agenda. The visa application process for international tourists has been simplified using an electronic platform and the World Health Organisation has come to the party and declared Zambia a zone free of yellow fever.
The best time to visit Zambia is now before the global market catches on and realise what an incredible holiday they can have in Zambia at the fraction of the cost of the leading safari destinations in Africa. Zambia offers international travellers luxurious lodges in spectacular settings and outstanding wildlife encounters. Coupled with super-friendly people and a warm welcome, Zambia should be on your places to visit in Africa.
Zambia is famous for its pristine national parks, magnificent waterfalls, vast lakes, mighty rivers and outdoor adventure thrills. Zambia is the ideal holiday destination for a family because it combines a Big 5 safari tour with fun, outdoor activities ranging from bungee-jumping, gorge swinging and white-water rafting at Victoria Falls.
Zambia is a 2-in-1 destination; stay in one or more of the country’s fabulous national parks and follow it up with a fun-filled, adrenalin-packed trip to Victoria Falls in the south. The national parks of Zambia and Victoria Falls are easily accessible by air and by road via the two main international airports in Lusaka and Livingstone.
The top 5 attractions to visit in Zambia are:
• Victoria Falls for the world’s highest waterfall, adventure activities and Big 5 safari tour
• South Luangwa National Park for the best walking safaris
• Lower Zambezi National Park for canoe safaris and tiger fishing
• Lake Tanganyika for fishing and outdoor adventures
• Kafue National Park for predators in one the wildest and most remote corners of Zambia

FAST FACTS ABOUT ZAMBIA AND WHY YOU SHOULD BOOK A ZAMBIA SAFARI

The Republic of Zambia is a landlocked sovereign country in south-central Africa with 8 neighbours; the DRC to the north, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the east, Mozambique to the southeast, Zimbabwe and Botswana to the south, Namibia to the southwest and Angola to the west.
Zambia was formerly known as Northern Rhodesia from 1911 until independence in 1964. The new name was take from the mighty Zambezi River. Zambezi is thought to mean ‘grand river’ in the local Bantu language.
The Zambezi River is the 4th longest river in Africa after the Nile, Congo and Niger rivers.
Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world and lies on the southern border of Zambia with Zimbabwe on the outside. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The traditional name for Victoria Falls is Mosi-oa-Tunya which means the ‘Smoke that Thunders’.
Lake Kariba lies south-east of Victoria Falls. It’s the largest man-made lake in the world. It’s a major tourist attraction for Zambia and used for the supply of hydro-electric power for Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Zambia lies on the watershed between the DRC and the Zambezi river systems. Three great African lakes lie in the north of the country; Bangweulu, Mweru and the southern end of Lake Tanganyika as well as part of the headwaters of the Zaire River. Lake Tanganyika is the 2nd deepest natural lake in the world.
Zambia can lay claim to 7% of the surface area of Lake Tanganyika. It stretches north to south in Zambia for a distance of 677 kilometres and is about 50 kilometres wide in places. Its beautiful clear water is home to more than 350 recorded fish species and it’s renowned as the best fishing destination in Zambia.
Zambia is a Big 5 safari destination; which includes elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard. South Luangwa National Park is world-renowned for its incredible leopard sightings.
There are 740 recorded bird species in Zambia and its considered in ornithological circles as a premier birding destination.
By African standards, Zambia is well-known ornithologically; 740 bird species have been recorded in the country.
Same-sex public displays of affection and marriages are illegal in Zambia.
The official business and tourism language of Zambia is English. It’s taught in schools as a main language subject. The total number of languages spoken across Zambia is 73 with Bemba and Nyanja the main language spoken in the main cities and towns’.

Zambia holds 6% of the worlds copper reserves and is the 4th largest copper producing nation in the world. Zambia is also a major producer of emeralds, aquamarines, amethyst and tourmalines.
Zambia is a major producer of electricity which is thanks to its hydro-electric power sources and large coal reserves. Most of Zambia’s electricity is supplied from major hydro-power stations located in the Kafue Gorge, Kariba Dam and the Victoria Falls as well as smaller hydro-power stations in Lusiwashi, Musonda Falls, Chishimba Falls and Luzua.
Zambia is one of the lesser-known Big 5 safari destinations in Africa but despite this, about 1 million international tourists holiday in Zambia every year. The main attractions include a selection of 19 ecologically-diverse national parks and over 30 privately-managed game reserves, as well as Victoria Falls, Kariba Dam and Lake Tanganyika.

NATIONAL PARKS IN ZAMBIA

Zambia spans some 753 000 square kilometers and about a third of its land surface is reserved for protected wilderness areas. Zambia tourism revolves around its national parks which includes South Luangwa, Kafue and Lower Zambezi. These three national parks are ranked among the finest national parks in Africa.
National parks in Zambia that are off the beaten track and reserved for intrepid explorers and bird lovers who are keen to get off the safari circuit include:
• Luambe
• Lukusuzi Liuwa Plain
• West Lunga
• Sioma Ngwezi
• Nyika Plateau
• Isangano
• Lavushi Manda
• Lusenga Plain
• Mweru Wantipa
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is a quaint wildlife reserve located close to Victoria Falls but it’s more like a large zoo than a Big 5 safari destination. It’s ideal for tourists on holiday in Victoria Falls who want some time in the bush and a mini safari tour. It doesn’t have any predators but you’ll find good numbers of antelope, elephants, giraffe and rhino.
The newest park to be proclaimed in Zambia is Lusaka National Park which is located on the outskirts of the capital city. Again, it’s an ideal holiday destination in Zambia for a mini safari tour and suited to business people and travellers with not much time on their hand to get to Zambia’s best national parks.
The national parks of Zambia are administered by Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA).

SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK

South Luangwa National Park lies in the eastern region of Zambia in the Luangwa River Valley and is the jewel of Zambia. It’s famous for its breathtakingly-beautiful scenery and guided wilderness walking trails.
It’s located a 6-hour drive from Lusaka and isn’t the easiest national park in Zambia to get to but the beauty of that is South Luangwa doesn’t suffer from tourist congestion. Large swathes remain wild and unspoilt by commercial development.
Wildlife travellers regard South Luangwa National Park as one of finest protected wildlife sanctuaries in Africa. Spanning some 9 050 square kilometres, it’s renowned for its high concentrations and diversity of animals and its magnificent oxbow lagoons. It’s also been dubbed the ‘Valley of the Leopard’ because of its strong population of leopards.
The Luangwa River is the most intact river in Africa, and its tributaries and lagoons are the lifeblood of this region. The river teems with hippos and crocodiles and its floodplains are home to the Big 4 (lion are not found in the region), an abundance of antelope and predators and over 400 recorded bird species.
South Luangwa was proclaimed a national park in 1972. Norman Carr who was a former game ranger pioneered the concept of eco-tourism and introduced walking safaris in the national park after recognising the damage caused by hunting safaris. South Luangwa is now world-famous for its exceptional walking trails in remote areas that are unaffected by mass tourism.
Walking through the gorgeous Luangwa valley, you’ll see magnificent baobab trees as well as mopane, leadwood, winterthorn, tall vegetable ivory palm, marula and the striking tamarind tree. A highlight is South Luangwa’s vast ebony forests.
Among the more common trees in the valley are the mopane, leadwood, winterthorn, the tall vegetable ivory palm, the marula and the magnificent tamarind tree. The are some magnificent baobab specimens and a few large ebony forests to admire.
Proflight has seasonal flights to Mfuwe International Airport and it’s the recommended mode of transport to South Luangwa. You can drive to the national park in the dry season in a 4×4 vehicle but it’s a little more precarious to drive there in the rainy season.
Chipata is the closest town to Mfuwe Gate which is the main entrance to the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. The road from Chipata to Mfuwe is bumpy and rutted and it takes about 2 hours to get there. Chipata is connected by road to Lusaka in Zambia and Lilongwe in Malawi.

KAFUE NATIONAL PARK

Kafue National Park is the largest, oldest and most accessible national park in the country and a favourite for a Zambia safari tour. It’s the best safari destination in Zambia to see lion and second-best for leopard after South Luangwa National Park.
Kafue National Park was proclaimed a national park in the 1950s and although it’s renowned for its incredible scenery and abundance of wildlife, it remains relatively unknown and unaffected by mass safari tourism. It’s a comfortable 2-hour drive from Livingstone in southern Zambia which makes it a good add-on safari destination if you visit Victoria Falls.
Spanning some 22 400 square kilometres, Kafue National Park is home to the Big 5. It’s renowned for its large herds of buffalo and blue wildebeest; and strong populations of elusive species such as the blue and yellow-backed duiker, red lechwe, puku antelope and roan antelope.
Sightings of wild dog, spotted hyena and cheetah are common throughout the year. Interestingly, Kafue National Park is one of only two areas in Zambia that are home to cheetahs; the other area is the Liuwa Plains. Lion are not commonly found in South and North Luangwa or the Zambezi National Park.
There are over 490 recorded bird species in Kafue National Park, many of them rare and endangered species. The vast floodplains attracts flocks of pelican, open-billed storks and egrets of many species.
The Busanga Plains are located in the far northwest of the national park and is the most popular place to visit in Kafue. The wide open spaces are covered in a network of rivers which flood seasonally and generate a vast expanse of lush grazing for the large herds of antelope, buffalo, zebra and blue wildebeest.
The Busanga Plains are also one of the few known breeding sites for the endangered wattled crane and it’s also quite common to see the crowned crane in the same region.
The Kafue River runs on a course that stretches some 960 kilometres and is the lifeblood of both the national park and the Kafue surrounds. It supports a vast array of wildlife as well as serves as a valuable source of water for rural farmers as well as for large-scale irrigation and hydro-electric power systems. Starting in the Congo, the Kafue River is the largest and longest river in Zambia and a major tributary to the Zambezi.
The Kafue River is also popular for a canoe safaris which is literally the best way to view game in Africa. You get up close to the most incredible wildlife sightings and it’s heaven for birders. The animals and birds of Kafue also congregate along the main river tributaries which include the Lufupa and Lunga rivers in the north, the Luansanza River in central Kafue and the Musa River in the south.
The dominant vegetation in the Kafue National Park is called ‘miombo’. It’s a semi-deciduous woodland interspersed with vast floodplains which become lush grazing grounds after the seasonal floods.
The floodplains of Kafue National Park are called ‘dambos’ and they’re a critical component of the Park’s ecosystem because they hold water like a sponge well into the dry summer months. The ‘dambos’ areas teem with game in the winter months.
A trip to Kafue National Park usually includes a drive to Lake Itezhi-Tezhi which is vast hydro-electric dam built in the 1970s to generate power for the region. You’ll find a wonderful collection of animals and birds congregating on its shoreline, in particular migrant birds who’ve flown a long way to escape the freezing European winters.
You can get to Kafue National Park by road from Livingstone in the south on well-graded roads so you don’t need a 4×4 vehicle. The drive from Livingstone to Dundunwezi is approximately 3 hours. A better option is to fly in with Proflight.

LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK

Lower Zambezi National Park is located in southern Zambia. It lies opposite the famous Mana Pools Reserve in Zimbabwe so the whole area on both sides of the Zambezi River is an enormous protected wildlife area. It’s relatively undeveloped and better known for its outstanding beauty than its diversity of animals.
The river bank is a thick riverine fringe which includes ancient ebony and fig trees. Inland, the floodplain is flanked by a dense mopane forest with scatterings of winterthorn trees and giant acacias. Although the Lower Zambezi National Park covers an area of 4 092 square kilometres, most of the wildlife is concentrated along the valley floor. The escarpment along the northern end acts as a physical barrier to most of the wild animals in the reserve.
What makes the Lower Zambezi National Park unique is most game viewing is done on canoe safaris or boat cruises on the Zambezi River. You’ll see large herds of elephant along the river bank, some up to a 100 strong; and good populations of buffalo, lion and leopard. The familiar cry of the African fish eagle reverberates through the Zambezi valley.
Several areas in the Lower Zambezi region have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites mainly because of its remarkable concentration of wildlife.
Lower Zambezi National Park was declared a national park in 1983 but it mainly served as a private park for the president of Zambia. Because it was kept private for so long, much of its pristine wilderness is untamed and unspoiled by development. It isn’t overtaken by tourists and you can find wild and remote areas to explore. The roads aren’t paved and you’ll come across very few safari vehicles while game viewing.
Accommodation in the Lower Zambezi National Park are small and intimate lodges that are positioned along the banks of the mighty Zambezi River. Canoe, fishing and birding safaris are popular as well as the famous sunset boat cruises on the mighty Zambezi Rivers.
The Lower Zambezi National Park is one of the most spectacular safari destinations in Zambia and worth a visit purely for its untamed natural beauty. The best time to visit Lower Zambezi for a safari tour is during the dry season between July to October.
Proflight runs scheduled flights from Lusaka International Airport to Jeki airstrip which is located in Lower Zambezi, close to Katengahumba Island. Driving time from Lusaka to Lower Zambezi National Park is approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.
NORTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK

North Luangwa National Park is a remote conservation area located in the northern territory of the Luangwa region. It covers an area of 4 636 square kilometres and is renowned for its spectacular scenery and incredible biodiversity.
It’s a wild and untamed part of Zambia which is not open to the public and thus, unaffected by mass tourism. It’s regarded as one of the finest wilderness areas in the country. There are no permanent lodges in the small national park and only one safari operator has a license to conduct guided walking safaris in North Luangwa National Park.
The small national park lies on the western bank of the Luangwa River and bordered on the other side by the majestic Muchinga Escarpment which rises over 1 000 metres above the Luangwa valley floor. A number of important tributary rivers run through North Luangwa including the Mwaleshi River which cascades down the escarpment in a series of waterfalls.
The vegetation in North Luangwa National Park ranges from mopane woodlands and riverine forests to open grasslands and acacia thicket. Common tree species include the sausage tree, vegetable ivory palms, red mahogany and leadwood.
LIUWA PLAIN NATIONAL PARK

The Liuwa Plain National Park is largely known for hosting the second-largest blue wildebeest migration in Africa. Like North Luangwa National Park it’s located in a very remote and untamed part of the country; lying in the western corner of Zambia in the floodplains of the mighty Zambezi River.
The small national park is also known as Lady Liuwa in honour of the only lioness living in the Park until she too was killed by poachers. Lions have been successfully reintroduced into Liuwa Plain National Park but it’ll be a long time before visitors see strong numbers of this magnificent big cat.
Proflight runs flights from Lusaka to Kalabo airstrip in the Liuwa Plain area.
KASANKA NATIONAL PARK

Kasanka National Park is famous for fruit bats. Every year between October and December, up to 10 million fruit bats migrate to the woodland forests in the Kasanka National Park. They feed on ‘masuku’ which is an abundant fruit found in the area. Once they’ve replenished their energy reserves, the fruit bats continue on their journey to the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Other than swarms of fruit bats, Kasanka National Park is home to unique antelope species such as the puku, sitatunga, reedbuck and waterbuck.
As an alternative to a classis game drive in an open safari vehicle, you can ride a bike to Fibwe Hide or walk to Wasa Lake where you’ll find fairly large herds of elephant and you can do the Luwombwa Loop in a canoe.
The Kasanka National Park is located in the Serenje district in central Zambia. It’s a 6-hour drive from Lusaka to Kasanka but most visitors prefer to fly there on a chartered flight.
MOSI-OA-TUNYA NATIONAL PARK

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is a small stretch of protected wilderness area located along a 12-kilometre stretch of the Upper Zambezi River. There are no large predators in the game reserve but you’ll see elephant and buffalo and an array of antelope and other small game.
It only covers an area of 66 square kilometres and a game drive in the park follows a circular route which takes you alongside the Zambezi River for a while. It’s perfect for a quick safari tour, particularly if you have young children or have limited time in the area.
You can pop in for a few hours or you can spend a night or two in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. It’s the perfect base because it’s only a short drive from the main attractions in Victoria Falls. What more could you ask for than riverside seating on the mighty Zambezi River.
NSUMBU NATIONAL PARK

Nsumbu National Park is a small and intimate protected wildlife area and one of the most scenic in Zambia. It lies on the western shore of Lake Tanganyika on the southern tip of the great lake. It only covers an area of about 2 000 square kilometres which is made up of sandy beaches, lush valleys, swamps and the Itigi forest.
The Itigi forest was once home to the black rhino but this species has been eradicated in the region through rampant poaching. You’ll see decent numbers of elephant, buffalo and buffalo as well as large pods of hippo in Lake Tanganyika. You may also have a rare sighting of the endangered blue duiker.
Nsumbu National Park has about 80 kilometres of shoreline which includes four beautiful bays; Kasaba, Kala, Nkamba and Sumbu, as well as Nundo Head Peninsula.
Proflight runs flights from Lusaka to Kasama airstrip.
LUSAKA NATIONAL PARK

Lusaka National Park opened the eastern district of the capital city of Lusaka. Spanning some 46 square kilometres, it is more like a large zoo than a national park. It mainly serves a wildlife sanctuary for a handful of white rhino as well other endangered species such as the pangolin and axis deer.
Lusaka National Park is located 30 kilometers from the city center. You can catch a taxi there or book a morning tour with a reputable tour operator in Lusaka.

PLACES TO VISIT IN ZAMBIA

Zambia is famous for its outstanding selection of Big 5 national parks as well as its mighty rivers and vast lakes. It’s an awesome destination for birding and fishing as well as the perfect place to go on holiday for fun and adventure with the whole family.
Whether you’re white-water rafting at Victoria Falls and tiger fishing on the Zambezi River or walking through Big 5 country in South Luangwa National Park and eyeing the bushveld for elusive leopards and the endangered shoebill stork; Zambia offers travellers a warm welcome.
VICTORIA FALLS

Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and everything you dream it will be when you’re standing on the edge of the terrifying abyss and all conversation is drowned out by the thunder of falling water. Without a doubt, it is one of the most spectacular sights you’ll see on a safari tour of Africa.
Long before the first European explorer recorded its existence; it had been named Mosi-oa-Tunya by the Makololo tribe, meaning ‘the Smoke that Thunders’. When the water is high, over 950 cubic metres of water plummets over an almost 2-meter wide edge every minute; dropping over 100 meters into the Zambezi Gorge and creating the largest curtain of water in the world.
David Livingstone described Victoria Falls waterfall as “a scene so lovely it must have been gazed upon by angles in their flight”. Today, the sight of the mighty falls is no less awe-inspiring than it was in 1853 when Livingstone rounded the bend on the Zambezi River with his weary river guides and saw a towering column of spray and heard the terrifying roar of the raging water. He named the world’s largest waterfall Victoria Falls in honour of the reigning Queen of the British Monarchy at the time.
The Victoria Falls, the surrounding national park and much of the town has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The major attractions fall within a national park that spans some 24 square kilometres.
Victoria Falls has earned itself the reputation of being the “Adrenalin Capital of Africa” and offers an exciting array of head-rushing activities; from bungee jumping 100 plus metres off a railway bridge to white water rafting through the Batoka Gorge and sitting on the precipice of the mighty falls in Devil’s Pool.
What is special about Victoria Falls is there is something for everyone. The iconic waterfall is obviously the main attraction but there is so much more to see and do on a trip to Victoria Falls. You have the choice of adrenalin-pumping activities like abseiling down gorge cliff faces or ziplining across the Batoka Gorge; leisurely boat cruises down the Zambezi River, fly-fishing for ferocious tiger fish; game drives in pristine bushveld; eating crocodile curry and zebra burgers at vibey restaurants; or having High Tea on the same balcony the Queen of England once sat on.
One of the first question tourists ask when planning a trip to Victoria Falls is which side is best to see Vic Falls: Zimbabwe or Zambia? In our opinion; both, if you have the time.
Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe side

Most people opt to stay on the Zimbabwe side in the town of Victoria Falls. It’s geared for tourism although it has taken a big economic hit over the last decade due to political strife in the country and tourists staying away from Zimbabwe in general.
On the Zimbabwe side, you get an iconic view of the main falls which is the one most of us have seen in photobooks. The water flows over the edge of the fall all year round, although it’s greatly reduced in the dry season.
Zimbabwe has the best vantage points as three quarters of Vic Falls lies within the country. Walk down the Victoria Falls National Park’s footpath and meander through the damp rainforest until you come to the edge where you are greeted by one of the most spectacular sights in Africa.
The town of Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe side is a hive of tourism activities and has a wide selection of accommodation from backpackers’ dormitories to 5-star luxury safari lodges. The falls are in walking distance from most hotels and guest lodges in Victoria Falls and you’ve got a great choice of restaurants, bars and craft markets in town. The best tour and activity operators for Victoria Falls are based on the Zimbabwe side.
Victoria Falls on the Zambia side

On the Zambian side, you can get exceptionally close to Victoria Falls. If you’re brave enough, you can swim in Devil’s Pool during low-water season and have a great photo taken of you lying on the lip of the falls. At the right time of the year when the water level is low, you can visit Livingstone Island which is where Dr David Livingstone parked his fleet of canoes in the mid-1800s.
During the low-water season, you can join a guided walk down to the Boiling Pot in Second Gorge. It’s an incredible opportunity to experience the sheer magnitude of Victoria Falls from the bottom of the gorge.
The town of Livingstone is an economic hub rather than a tourist town. It’s suited to the more mature set who’re looking to escape the busy crowds of in the town of Victoria Falls. It’s not the best side to be in if you’re young and prefer a party town with lots of vibey pubs and hangouts.
One advantage of staying on the Zambian side is you’re a short drive from Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park which is a small but delightful wildlife nature reserve. You can also pop into the Livingstone Museum for more on the history of the local people and David Livingstone’s epic expeditions.
Both sides if possible

Regardless of which side you stay on when visiting Victoria Falls, you can easily see the falls from both sides by crossing the famous bridge. If you’re white-water rafting, gorge swinging or bungee jumping; your tour operator will organise the transfers and get you to where you have to be on whichever side of the Zambezi River.
Don’t forget you need a passport to cross over into Zambia or into Zimbabwe.
Best time to visit Victoria Falls

The best time to see the Victoria Falls waterfall is in the high-water season which is from February to July. This when you’ll experience the most spectacular view of the falls and get soaking wet in the spray.
Low-water season is from August to January, and generally known as the dry season in Zimbabwe. It’s not the best time for the falls themselves but it’s the best time for white-water rafting and for swimming in Devil’s Pool.
Peak safari season in Zimbabwe and Zambia is from June to October which is the dry, winter period. The grass is low and thinner which is ideal for game viewing.
The two best months to visit Victoria Falls and combine it with a safari tour of Botswana is June and July, possibly stretching into August. It’s also the busiest tourist season in southern Africa so you have to book well in advance for safari tours and accommodation in Victoria Falls.

LAKE KARIBA

Lake Kariba, or Kariba Dam as the locals call it, lies halfway between the source of the Zambezi River and its mouth. It’s the largest man-made dam in the world by volume; stretching some 226 kilometres in length and up to 40 kilometres wide in some places. It lies 200 kilometres downstream of the mighty Victoria Falls on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Kariba Dam provides electric power from a hydro-electric scheme to both Zambia and Zimbabwe and supports a commercial fishing industry as well as a thriving tourism industry. It’s world-renowned as a fantastic Big 5 safari destination as well as an outstanding tiger fishing and birding destination.
The water is held back by a towering double-arch dam wall which curves both vertically and horizontally. It stands 128 metres high, 617 metres long and is 13 metres wide at its crest and 24 metres wide at its base. The dam wall spans the Kariba gorge, creating a border crossing between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The name Kariba comes from the local word ‘Kariva or karinga’ meaning “trap”. It refers to a rock that was thrust out of the swirling water at the entrance of the gorge where the dam wall was to be built.
Creating Kariba Dam involved a massive translocation operation called Operation Noah. More than 22 000 people moved out of the Kariba valley into Zimbabwe and a further 35 00 moved into Zambia. Its estimated over 6 000 animals were captured and translocated to national parks in both countries.
Operation Noah took 6 years to complete and it took another 5 years for the dam to assume its present-day dimensions. In the late 1960s large shoals of kapenta (small sardines) found their way from Lake Tanganyika into Kariba Dam which was the beginnings of Kariba’s commercial fishing industry. The indigenous tiger fish thrived on the kapenta and this in turn was a boom for Kariba Dam as a popular fishing destination.
One of the best things to do on a holiday to Zimbabwe or Zambia is to book a few nights stay on a Kariba houseboat. There’s a vast range of houseboats to choose from, although most of them operate from the Zimbabwe side. Each houseboat on Kariba Dam is fully equipped and chartered by a boat captain and assistants. It’s the ultimate Big 5 safari experience because you see the most incredible game and bird life while moored on the lake shoreline.
Lake Kariba is a brilliant fishing destination, particularly if you’re visiting Zambia for tiger fishing sport. The great lake is home to a fine selection of fish species including the famous tiger fish, tilapia bream, catfish and the vundu.
The best time to visit Kariba Dam is every month of the year. It experiences a tropical climate which is perfect all year round. November to December can be scorching hot and there’s a chill in the year in winter between June and July. Keep out of the sun in the heat of the day in summer and always use sun block.
Fascinating facts about Kariba dam
Kariba Dam covers an area of nearly 6 000 square kilometres and is fed by the mighty Zambezi River which begins its 2 700-kilometre journey in north-west Zambia and reaches the Indian Ocean travelling via Mozambique.
Andre Coyne was the chief designer of the Kariba Dam Wall. He was a well-known French engineer and inventor who went on to design 70 dams in 14 countries globally.

The filling of Lake Kariba between 1958 and 1963 caused more than 20 earthquakes of greater than 5 magnitude on the Richter Scale. This created the local legend of the Zambezi River God or Zambezi Snake spirit.
Legend of the Nyami Nyami
Otherwise known as the Zambezi River God or Zambezi Snake spirit, the Nyami Nyami is one of the most important gods of the Tonga people. The mythical snake is believed to protect the Tonga people who have resided in the Kariba valley for decades and gives them sustenance in difficult times.
The Nyami Nyami is depicted as having the body of a snake and the head of a fish. Elaborate traditionally-carved walking sticks depicting the Nyami Nyami and its relationship with the valley’s inhabitants are popular with Zambia tourists and have historically been gifts to prestigious visitors.
The Nyami Nyami is said to reside in the Zambezi River and controls the life in and on the river. The spirits of Nyami Nyami and his wife reside in the Kariba Gorge and are regarded as the God and Goddess of the Kariba valley.
The Tonga people believe the building of the Kariba Dam deeply offended Nyami Nyami and separated him from his beloved wife. The regular flooding and many deaths during the dam’s construction were attributed to the wrath Nyami Nyami. After the Dam was completed the Tonga believe that Nyami Nyami withdrew from the world of men.
LAKE TANGANYIKA

Lake Tanganyika is the longest fresh water lake in the world and the second deepest after Lake Baikal in Russia. It’s essentially a landlocked sea; reaching a depth of 1 433 metres which is an astounding 642 metres below sea level.
It was bought to the world’s attention in the mid-1800s by the English explorers Richard Burton and John Speke who originally mistook it as the source of the Nile. Arriving at its shores in 1858, Burton and Speke realised that the Ruziz River in the north which they thought to be the Nile flowed into Lake Tanganyika and not out the lake.
Lake Tanganyika’s waters lap Tanzania, Burundi, the DRC and Zambia. In years of heavy rain, the great lake overflows into the Lukuga River which in turn feeds the Lualaba River in the DRC. Zambia can only lay claim to 7% of its surface area but it’s still one of the most popular tourist attractions in Zambia.
The crystal-clear waters of Lake Tanganyika host more than 350 recorded fish species which include well-known aquarium fish as well as excellent angling fish. Most of them are endemic to Lake Tanganyika.
Lake Tanganyika’s water is so clear you can see beneath the surface up to 20 metres. It’s a visual wonder below the surface of massive boulders, stunning drop-offs and a shell-covered bottom. A strange phenomenon is the temperature of the lake is almost perfectly uniform. The lower regions of Lake Tanganyika are only a mere 3°C colder than the surface.
Like Lake Malawi, the great lake is extremely old and the combination of its age and ecological isolation has led to the evolution of unique fish populations. Lake Tanganyika hosts more than 350 recorded fish species and the large majority (95%) are endemic.
New fish species are discovered continually; earning Lake Tanganyika international repute for having the highest proportion of endemicity. Most of this is concentrated in the waters on the Zambian side of the lake.
Notable species found in Lake Tanganyika include the giant Nile perch and small Nile perch which are important commercial and sports fishing species; goliath tiger and the English fish or Lake Tanganyika yellow-belly which are important angling species prized as good eating fish; kapenta which is an important source of fish-protein in Zambia, the rare Bichir and a great variety of endemic Cichlids.
Two significant battles played out at Lake Tanganyika during World War I. Several naval engagements were made between the British and Germans where the intention was to secure control of Lake Tanganyika because it offered the armed forces a strategic positioning. German units had dominated it since the start of the war.
Getting to Lake Tanganyika while on holiday in Zambia is quite a mission. You best bet is to book a chartered flight from Lusaka to an airstrip at Kasaba Bay.
The drive from anywhere in Zambia to Lake Tanganyika is a long haul; the network of dirt roads have undergone a major reconstruction so it’s not a arduous as it was in the past. There is now a bridge that crosses the Kalungwishi River between Kawambwa and Mporokoso.
THE ZAMBEZI RIVER

The iconic Victoria Falls wouldn’t exist without the mighty Zambezi River feeding thousands of cubic metres of water every day. Combined, Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River draw thousands of tourists to the region and contribute significantly to the local economy.
The Zambezi River is the 4th largest river in Africa after the Nile, the Congo and the Niger rivers; spanning some 1 400 000 square kilometres and travelling 2 700 kilometres from its source in Zambia to the river mouth on the Indian Ocean in Mozambique.
Over 2 million years ago, the Zambezi River flowed through what is now known as the Makgadikgadi Pan in Botswana but the river shifted eastwards as a result of a massive tectonic uplift.
It flows through six countries; Zambia, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It spends the most time in Zambia and the least time in Botswana. It forms the border of Zambia and Namibia, Zambia and Botswana, and Zambia and Zimbabwe.
There are only a few bridges over the Zambezi River despite it being such a long river. The most impressive is the iconic Victoria Falls bridge; others include Otto Beit Bridge at Chirundu in Zimbabwe; the Katima Mulilo Bridge between Namibia and Sesheke in Zambia; and the Tete Suspension Bridge in Mozambique.
There are two massive man-made lakes on the Zambezi River and both are used to generate hydro-electric power for Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa. The bulk of Lake Kariba is located in Zimbabwe and the Cahora Bassa Dam is found in Mozambique. Kariba Dam as the locals call it is spectacular and world-renowned for fishing and safari tours and houseboat holidays. It’s the largest man-made lake in the world.
A popular thing to do on the Zambezi River is white-river rafting. It’s an extreme sport and not for the faint hearted. The river boats carry its brave passengers from just below the Victoria Falls through 24 scary rapids. These rapids are graded from 3 to 5; the latter being the highest commercial grading possible.
The Victoria Falls white-water rafting tour guides have given the rapids excellent names such as the Gnashing Jaws of Death, the Devil’s Toilet Bowl, Oblivion and the Ugly Stepsisters. Be warned! White-water rafting at Victoria Falls is not a leisurely river cruise; prepare to be challenged in every sense.

LUSAKA

Lusaka is the capital city of Zambia which as undergone somewhat of a boom in recent years. New office buildings and shopping malls have sprung up and the sprawling suburbs now boast upmarket residential estates.
The capital city is spread out of some 70 square kilometers and is one of the fastest-growing cities in central Africa. Its population has almost trebled post-independence and continues to grow with the influx of rural people moving to the thriving economic hub in search of work. This has brought together people from the many different tribal groups and created a multi-cultural city.
Lusaka lies at the junction of the main highways to the north, east, south and west. Lusaka International Airport links it to the major tourist destinations in Zambia and the rest of the world.
For international travellers, there’s a wide range of accommodation in Lusaka and a fine collection of upmarket restaurants, bars and upmarket night clubs. Roadside shebeens are popular with the locals and a great place to stop off and experience the cultural diversity of the vibrant city.
LIVINGSTONE

Livingstone is the tourist city of Zambia, located a short drive from the main Victoria Falls tourist attractions. It’s taken off in recent years with the collapse of Zimbabwe and shares the title with the town of Vic Falls as the ‘Adventure Capital’ of southern Africa because of all it has to offer for adrenalin junkies and outdoor adventure lovers.
The town was named after the famous Victorian missionary explorer, Dr David Livingstone, who was the first European to record the existence of the iconic waterfall. Livingstone accidently discovered the mighty waterfall on his return trip from trying to find the source of the Nile. He named the waterfall after the reigning Queen of England at that time.
Livingstone Town was established in 1905. It was formerly the capital of Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) and a major European settlement being so close to the Zambezi River. Many of its historic buildings are remnants of the Victorian style of architecture used in those colonial days.
Lusaka was declared the capital city of Zambia in 1935 and Livingstone became a quiet town servicing the fledging tourism. Zimbabwe’s downfall has been a blessing for Livingstone and it’s rapidly becoming the best place to stay for a holiday in Zambia.
You’ll find a selection of excellent hotels and safari lodges in Livingstone as well as reputable tour operators that offer exciting holiday packages that include all the main attractions at Victoria Falls. Livingstone is also ideally positioned for a safari tour to popular national parks in the area as well as Chobe National Park in Botswana.
Visitors fly directly from Lusaka to Livingstone Airport. It’s about a 5-6 hour drive from Lusaka to Livingstone. Getting around Livingstone and to the main attractions in Victoria Falls is easy. There are a number of shuttle services operating in the town and most of the upmarket hotels in Livingstone offer a private transfer service.
Make time on your holiday to Zambia to visit the Livingstone Museum. It’s the biggest and oldest museum in Zambia, dating back to the 1930s. It’s divided into different sections which includes the archaeology gallery, ethnography and art gallery, history gallery and natural history gallery.
The Railway Museum close to Chishimba Falls showcases Zambia’s railway heritage and includes examples of old steam locomotives and vintage coaches as well as railway memorabilia and old photographs which capture the pioneering days of old.
Livingstone also has an 18-hole golf course complete with clubhouse, restaurant, ProShop and gym. There’s also a popular reptile park in town which is great for kids and the Central Market and Mukuni shopping centre for souvenir shopping.

THINGS TO DO IN ZAMBIA

A Zambia holiday is all about wildlife, beautiful scenery and fun-filled adventures. The people are warm and welcoming, and it’s one the safest countries in southern Africa to visit. With so much to see and do in Zambia at a fraction of the cost of other Big 5 destinations in Africa, it’s not surprising that Zambia is experiencing a boom in tourism.
BIG 5 SAFARI TOUR IN ZAMBIA

Zambia is growing in popularity as an excellent safari destination and you’ll hear the national parks of Zambia mentioned more often now than you did in the past. The reason for this is you can see game by canoe and on foot as well as by open safari vehicle; and you get so much more for your money at the luxury safari lodges in Zambia than you do elsewhere.
Zambia boasts 20 national parks and 35 privately-managed conservation areas. It’s starting to gain traction amongst high-end clientele for its fine selection of luxury accommodation and is featuring in travel circles as an excellent alternative to the more expensive and more tourist-congested safari destinations in countries like Tanzania and Botswana.
WALKING TRAILS IN SOUTH LUANGA

Norman Carr who worked as a ranger in the South Luangwa National Park pioneered the guided walking safari in the 1950s as a way to stop hunting tourism. It’s still the best nature reserve in southern Africa to experience the thrill of tracking the Big 5 on foot through an outstanding wilderness area.
It offers a completely different perspective on a safari tour because you get as close as you possibly can to incredible wildlife sightings and learn more about the smaller mysteries of the wild African bushveld. A guided walking safari in South Luangwa gets the adrenalin pumping, particularly knowing you could walk into any one of the Big 5.
There’s a raw edge to ‘The Valley’ as they call South Luangwa. It’s wild and untamed because it’s unaffected by mass safari tourism. There are places to visit in South Luangwa that are so remote and untamed, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time to the old pioneering safari days.
Guided walking safaris in South Luangwa are slow and not strenuous; and there are enough creature comforts and hearty bushveld meals provided to make it a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
To participate, you need to be 12 years and older and reasonably fit. Each walk lasts from 3 to 5 hours, depending on what you see. The guide sets an easy pace with frequent stops beneath shady trees.
BIRDING SAFARIS IN ZAMBIA

In birdwatching circles, Zambia is renowned as an exceptional birding destinations. The reason the country’s so popular for birding safaris is it has one of the highest species concentrations in Africa.
A very special way to see birds is on a canoe safari or sunset boat cruise on the Zambezi River. You float silently down the river and can get as close as you possibly can to some of the most incredible water birds and bush birds in Zambia.
A prized spot for birding in Zambia is the Lochinvar National Park which is a small wildlife area located on the Kafue floodplains. It spans some 450 square kilometres and boast more than 428 recorded bird species. That’s almost a different bird species per square kilometre.
Of course, the other national parks of Zambia are all great birding destinations and you’ll find an outstanding selection of birds at the great lakes such as Kariba Dam and Lake Tanganyika. They’re easy to spot if you’re on a houseboat on Kariba or enjoying a wonderful fishing trip in Lake Tanganyika with your friends.
Most of the luxury lodges in Zambia have expert guides on hand who’ll either share their knowledge on a guided walking trail or take guests on specialised birding safari.
PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARIS IN ZAMBIA

Photographic safaris come hand in hand with outstanding Big 5 safari tours in Zambia as well as birding safaris. In particular, the popular walking trails in South Luangwa National Park are excellent destinations for experienced and novice wildlife photographers.
They call South Luangwa the ‘Valley of the Leopards’ so you should get awesome shots of this incredible big cat and you’ll find a selection of well-positioned photographic hides in the Zambia national park for other wildlife photographs.
You need a good lens for a wildlife safari tour; preferably 200 meters or longer. Carry your camera equipment in a well-padded heat and dust-proof case because the roads in the national parks of Zambia are not as smooth as those found in the Kruger National Park and other popular national parks in southern Africa.
HOUSEBOAT HOLIDAY ON KARIBA DAM

A houseboat holiday in Kariba Dam is one of the best things you can do on a trip to Zambia and Zimbabwe. It’s an incredible way to experience the wild African bushveld; you have outstanding sightings because you can get so close to the animals and birds lurking on the shoreline.
You’re spoilt with the help of a boat captain and crew who take care of everything for you including cooking meals. Sit back and relax and enjoy one of the best safari experiences in Africa that’s delivered with all the charm and warmth that the people of Zimbabwe and Zambia are known for.
If you’re staying in a guest lodge in Zambia, the closest houseboat hub is Binga. It’s also a great place to stop if you’re driving from Zimbabwe to Zambia to see the Victoria Falls.
Binga is the fishing and administrative centre for Kariba Dam on the Zambian side. It was created for the Tonga people who were moved out of the Zambezi valley when Lake Kariba was created. You can reach it via a decent tar road which turns off the main Bulaway-Victoria Falls road near Hwange National Park.
The main Kariba houseboat tourism business is run from the town of Kariba in Zimbabwe but there are a few Zambian operators who have decent Kariba houseboats for hire. There is also a selection of fishing lodges you can stay in close to Binga that run fishing safaris.
People either self-drive to Binga or can fly to Lusaka or Harare where they’ll be collected by a private transfer company and driven to Kariba Dam.

TIGER FISHING IN ZAMBIA

Fishing in Zambia is fantastic. The most popular places to fish in Zambia is anywhere along the Zambezi River and at the biggest likes such as Lake Kariba, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Bangweulu and Lake Mweru. And the most popular fish to catch is tiger fish.
Sport fishing for the ferocious tiger fish in Zambia on the Zambezi River is one of the best things you can do in the country is you’re an avid fisherman. It’s also something you can do at Lake Kariba and Lake Tanganyika.
Tiger fish and bream are plentiful in all three areas but the Zambezi River is the ‘Capital of Tiger Fish’ in southern Africa. There’s a section on the Upper Zambezi river that stretches about 100 metres from Katima Mulilo to Impalila Island that is called ‘tiger country’. It’s where Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe meet.
The best time to go tiger fishing in Zambia on the Zambezi River is from April to January. Good fishing in general in Zambia on Lake Kariba and Lake Tanganyika is the summer months from September through to May.
ZAMBEZI RIVER CANOE SAFARI

The Zambezi River is famous for its river canoe safaris; either on the Upper Zambezi above Victoria Falls or Lower Zambezi. It’s a unique experience and a totally different way to see the Big 5 in Zambia and its outstanding fauna and flora.
Canoe safari companies have been operating in Zambia for about 30 years and attract hundreds of adventure seekers to the Zambezi River. The minimum age is 15 years; there’s no maximum age but you do need to be reasonably fit to join a river canoe safari. No previous experience is needed for a Zambezi River canoe safari.
They’re led by a professional guide through the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia or the Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. Mana Pools is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an absolutely gorgeous place in southern Africa to visit.
The longest Zambezi River canoe safari is 10 days and covers the entire 230 kilometre stretch of river between Kariba and the Zimbabwean/Mozambique border. The shortest Zambezi River canoe safari is 3-4 days and is perfect as an introduction to the Zambezi floodplains and its highly-concentrated game populations.
There are two types of canoe safaris:
Participatory canoe safari where you camp in the wild, carry all your own equipment and provisions and cater for yourself
Luxury canoe safari where a team set up temporary camps, look after you, prepare your meals and offer additional Zambia game drives and guided walks. You can also opt to visit local villages for a cultural experience.

ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES IN ZAMBIA

With Zimbabwe tourism collapsing, Zambia caught the world’s attention as the best place to visit for exhilarating outdoor activities and extreme sports. Livingstone is a short drive from all the major attraction at Victoria Falls and is a nicer place to base yourself if you want to escape the tourist masses in the town of Vic Falls.
Livingstone is a 3-in-1 destinations. Firstly, there’s the iconic waterfall and everything to see and do in Victoria Falls. Then you have a fine collection of safari destinations within a comfortable drive from Livingstone including Stanley & Livingstone Nature Reserve, Hwange National Park, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and the famous Chobe National Park in Botswana. Lastly, you have easy access to the mighty Zambezi River which is famous for its spectacular canoe safaris and sunset boat cruises.

TOP 20 THINGS TO DO IN VICTORIA FALLS

1. THE FLIGHT OF ANGELS
An ideal way to grasp the scale of the Victoria Falls is to see the ‘Wonder of the World’ from the sky in a helicopter. The more adventurous can brave a flight over the Zambezi National Park in a microlight. The flight is exhilarating as it zig-zags the length of Batoka Gorge.
You have the choice of a 12 minute helicopter flight over Victoria Falls which takes you straight to the waterfall or a longer 25 minute flight which takes you to the waterfall and further up the Zambezi River and over the Zambezi National Park.
Helicopter tour prices range from R2 000 to R4 000, depending on the amount of time you’re in the air. The Victoria Falls Flight of Angels can be booked through Shearwater. It includes pick up from your hotel or guest lodge and a travel guide who’ll point out important and interesting features.
2. CRUISING THE ZAMBEZI RIVER
A leisurely sunset boat cruise down the Zambezi River is the perfect way to end an exciting day at Victoria Falls. It’s idea for game viewing as late afternoon and early evening is the best time to see game in the African bushveld.
If you’d like a more personal or romantic Victoria Falls experience, you can join a guided tour in a 2-person canoe. This is also an excellent option for birding enthusiasts who might want to linger longer on the river if they spot a bird that they’ve been looking forward to seeing on a Zambezi getaway.
3. BUNGEE JUMPING OFF VICTORIA FALLS BRIDGE
This is one of the adrenalin-packed activities Victoria Falls is known for and is on the bucket list of every adrenalin-loving tourist. Some say it’s the best bungee jump in the world. It’s not the highest in Africa; that honour goes to Bloukrans Bridge in South Africa. But it’s one of the most spectacular purely because of its location and the magnificent backdrop of Vic Falls and the massive free-fall experience into the Batoka Gorge.
The only company allowed to operate the bungee jump activity on the Victoria Falls Bridge is Zambezi Adrenalin Company which is an affiliate of Shearwater Victoria Falls. The company has been running a safe and reputable operation for many years and their approach to safety is outstanding.
If you’re a first-time bungee jumper, you can opt to do a tandem jump with an instructor or a jump buddy. Most people do a head-first dive the first time they jump but the experienced jumpers do all sorts of backflips and tucks.
4. WHITE-WATER RAFTING ON THE ZAMBEZI RIVER

One of the first adrenalin-packed activities to take off in Victoria Falls was white-water rafting on the Zambezi River. Shearwater Victoria Falls started taking people down the river over four decades ago and it’s still one of the flagship activities for the group.

The Zambezi River below Victoria Falls is regarded as one of the very best white-water rafting destinations in the world. Canoeist travel through the deep Batoka Gorge and face rapids that are classed between Grade 3 and Grade 5; the latter being the highest grade of rapids and the most extreme. You can catch your breath and steel your nerves in the tranquil pools that intersperse the rapids.

Your white-water rafting experience differs depending on whether you are visiting Victoria Falls in the high- or low-water season. The lower the water level, the more ferocious the rapids. Fortunately, Shearwaters Victoria Falls has built a cable car facility which takes you out of the steep gorge at the end of the day. Before, it was an extremely exhausting walk out of the gorge.

5. ZIPLINE & GORGE SWING

Another exhilarating adrenalin-packed experience at Victoria Falls is ziplining over the mighty Zambezi River. It’s the longest zipline in the world; taking visitors across a 425 metre stretch over the Batoka Gorge. If you’re doing it during the high-water season, you’re drenched by the spray that rises from the waterfall.

The gorge swing is just as exciting. You free-fall some 70 metres into the Batoka Gorge before your rope tightens and you start swinging across the gorge. These activities are managed by Shearwater Victoria Falls who have years of experience so it’s a safe but incredibly exciting activity.

6. SWIM IN DEVIL’S POOL

This is one of the special things to do in Victoria Falls if you’re brave and enjoy a large dose of adrenalin. It’s the most extreme infinity pool in the world and not for the faint-hearted. It can only be done when the water is low during the high season and under supervision of an experienced tour guide who knows the perils of Devil’s Pool.

It involves wading into the Zambezi River on the Zambian side, swimming across a short distance and being gently swept into Devil’s Pool which is a natural rock pool created by erosion over the centuries. The water must be low enough that the rock wall sticks out above the water at the lip of the waterfall to create a natural rock ledge.

You’ll look like the bravest person in town in photos as you peer over the edge into a 100-metre chasm but it’s actually very safe as long as you follow your guide’s instructions.

WARNING!

Never swim in Devil’s Pool in the rainy season when the water is high. You won’t live to tell the tale!

The best time to visit Victoria Falls if you want to swim in Devil’s Pool is during the low-water season which is from August to December.

You need to book a place on the boat that leaves for Livingstone Island from the Royal Livingstone Hotel in Zambia. It’s a short boat ride to the island and the tour package includes a guided walk on Livingstone Island which is famously where David Livingstone first set eyes on the magnificent waterfall which he later named Victoria Falls in honour of the reigning Queen of the British Monarchy at the time.

A tour of Livingstone Island and a swim in Devil’s Pool takes up half a day. If you have time, plan to have lunch or high tea at the Royal Livingstone Hotel in Zambia. The luxury hotel boasts one of the most incredible settings on the Zambezi River and it’s pure decadence to spend a bit of time there.

7. FINE DINING ON A STEAM TRAIN
For a fine dining experience that’ll take you back in time; book a dinner reservation on the Royal Livingstone Express train. The train has been lovingly refurbished and boasts two wood-paneled dining cars and a lounge car fitted with deep leather armchairs and an open observation carriage which is pulled by a steam locomotive.
The Royal Livingstone Express train chugs through the town of Victoria Falls and through the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. You are served delicious hors d’oeuvres paired with sparkling wine, followed by a decadent 3-course dinner prepared by chefs from the 5-star Royal Livingstone Hotel.
It’s a fancy affair so you need to dress in your finest and you can look forward to the whole romantic experience with candlelight glinting off hand-cut crystal glasses and polished silverware and delicate fine-dining meals served with excellent wines from premier wine estates in South Africa.
8. DRUMMING & DINNER UNDER THE STARS

Treat yourself to an authentic African barbeque at The Boma, Place of Eating. The dress code is super casual and the locals wear a chitenje which is a brightly-coloured cotton wrap. Food is served buffet-style and you have the choice of dishes of warthog, kudu and smoked crocodile. If that doesn’t grab your fancy, there are delicious servings of chicken and beef dishes.

Entertainment is a vibrant display of Ndebele dancers and singers with a sangoma (traditional healer) throwing the bones for good measure. Before you know it, you’ll be beating your own drum and joining in the local festivities.

9. LUNAR RAINBOWS OF VICTORIA FALLS
One of the best kept secrets of a Victoria Falls tour is the lunar rainbows or what the locals call moonbows. They occur when the bright glow of a perfect full moon hits the mist that rises up from the Victoria Falls waterfall.
Lunar rainbows are visible for three nights a month during the high-water season when the sky is cloudless. This season is between January and May. It’s Zimbabwe’s version of the Northern Lights and a spectacular sight to behold.
The best spot to see lunar rainbows is from Victoria Falls Hotel and The River Club on the Zimbabwe side of Vic Falls. There is no guarantee you’ll see a ‘moonbow’ because it requires a special combination of high spray, no clouds and a bright full moon.
10. ZAMBIA SAFARI DAY TOUR
Victoria Falls is surrounded by beautiful natural vegetation which falls within the Zambezi National Park. You’ll see an array of wildlife and the birdlife is prolific. For a truly authentic safari tour, book a day tour to one of the two large national parks located just over an hour’s drive from Victoria Falls.
Hwange National Park is the largest national park in Zimbabwe and 104 kilometres from Vic Falls. It’s home to the Big 5 which includes buffalo, elephant, rhino, lion and leopard and an incredible array of other wildlife and bird species.
Chobe National Park is in Botswana and 162 kilometres from Victoria Falls. You need a passport for a day tour to Chobe as you have to go through border control. It’ll be a very early start to get to Chobe National Park from Victoria Falls but well worth it.
Chobe National Park in Botswana is world-renowned as a premier safari destination and for its large herds of elephant and Cape buffalo which you’ll find gathered along the Chobe riverfront in the dry months. It’s also home to the rest of the Big 5 and a spectacular selection of wildlife that inhabit the woods and lagoons around Linyanti Marsh. The floodplains of the Savuti Marsh teem with game including large numbers of migrating zebras.
Another option for a delightful safari tour is a drive around Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. It’s a small stretch of bushveld located along a 12-kilometre stretch of the Upper Zambezi River. There are no large predators in the game reserve but you’ll see elephant and buffalo and an array of antelope and other small game.
Great safari reserves to combine with a visit to Victoria Falls include:
• Hwange and Mana Pools in Zimbabwe
• Kafue and Lower Zambezi in Zambia
• Chobe National Park in Botswana
• Kruger National Park in South Africa
There are daily flights from OR Tambo International Airport in South Africa to Victoria Falls Airport in Zimbabwe and Livingstone Airport in Zambia. Your tour operator will organise all road transfers from Victoria Falls Airport and the town of Victoria Falls or Livingstone and the safari tour destinations listed above.
11. ELEPHANT SAFARI TOUR

It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend time with Africa’s majestic giants at the Wild Horizons Elephant Orphanage. It was established in 1992 as a sanctuary for orphaned and injured elephants and has since become a safe haven for orphaned cheetah.

The herd at The Elephant Camp is habituated to humans and you’ll spend an incredible hour with the elephants; walking alongside and stroking them and feeding them delicious treats. The elephant sanctuary relies heavily on tourism to generate much-needed income to keep the establishment afloat and the elephants and cheetahs safe. A visit is not only an uplifting experience but you’ll also be supporting a very good cause.

12. HIGH TEA AT VICTORIA FALLS HOTEL
Victoria Falls Hotel is the ‘Grand Old Lady of the Falls’ and a throwback to a gracious era. Don’t miss an opportunity to enjoy a decadent afternoon enjoying its famous High Tea on the stately Stanley’s Terrace with a magnificent view of the waterfall.
The Victoria Falls Hotel is steeped in history and a visit to the gracious hotel is one of the more romantic things to do on a Victoria Falls getaway. It was built by the British in 1904 and originally used to accommodate British expats working on the Cape-to-Cairo railway line. It has always been an outstanding hotel and has been a member of The Leading Hotels of the World for many years.
The hotel is surrounded by verdant gardens with serene lily ponds and lush lawns. A private path leads guests to the Victoria Falls waterfall which is an scenic 10-minute walk from the hotel. The dramatic views of the waterfall and gorges are world-renowned and probably one of the most photographed vantage points in the area.
13. CRAFT MARKETS & SHOPPING
You can catch up on all your souvenir shopping at one of the many outdoor craft markets in the town of Victoria Falls. These markets are a hive of activity and showcase the local talent of artists and crafters. You’ll find the usual selection of African souvenirs as well as a selection of handmade jewellery and clothing.
14. LIVINGSTONE MUSEUM
Livingstone Museum showcases the rich cultural history of the region as well recordings of pioneering expeditions by the likes of the legendary David Livingstone. The exhibitions include a valuable collection of journals, photographs and drawings which document an era of intrepid travels and exploration.
In 1860, David Livingstone returned to Victoria Falls and made a detailed study of the waterfall with his friend John Kirk. Other European visitors who captured records of the might waterfall include Portuguese explorer, Serpa Pinto; Czech explorer, Emil Holub; and British artist, Thomas Baines.
Until the Victoria Falls Bridge was built and the railway line opened up trade and travel between Southern and Northern Rhodesia, very few people visited the region. The records exhibited at the Livingstone Museum provide a vital insight into the magnificence and awe-inspiring beauty of the region seen through the eyes of travellers in the 16th century.
15. VULTURE RESTAURANT
Visit the vulture ‘restaurant’ at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge and witness hundreds of vultures flying into feast on fresh meat that the hotel puts out for them every day. The fresh meat supplements their usual diet of bushveld carrion. It’s an exciting sight but also a valuable endeavour as vultures in Africa are under threat of extinction and this small act of support ensures their survival in the Victoria Falls region.
The vulture experience at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge got a facelift a few years ago with the introduction of a special hide. This provides guests with the opportunity to get extremely close to the spectacle of hundreds of vultures ripping apart raw meat and gives visitors a unique perspective on vulture behaviour.
16. VICTORIA FALLS BRIDGE WALK
The iconic bridge that connects Zimbabwe and Zambia is rich in history and a feat of Victorian engineering. A totally different experience is to view the bridge from underneath, standing high above the Batoka Gorge strapped in with a safety harness.
Using a system of carabiners, cables and walkways; visitors can walk under the bridge and learn all about the engineering marvel from a knowledgeable travel guide.
17. TIGER FISHING ON THE ZAMBEZI
If you’re an avid fisherman and long to catch one of Africa’s most voracious fish; then a Victoria Falls tiger fishing trip is something for your fishing bucket list. The tiger fishing season on the Zambezi River is from September to March when the fighting fish are more active.
There are over 75 fish species in the warm waters of the Zambezi River so you’re guaranteed a great fishing tip at Victoria Falls. Tiger fishing is rated by many sports anglers as the finest freshwater fighting fish in the world; it’s a swift and powerful predator that gives fisherman a run for their money.
From Victoria Falls, you have the choice of two amazing fishing locations and access to local professional fish anglers who can guide you on how to catch one of those beauties. The sport has introduced fly fishing tackle to catch tiger fish which makes the experience much more exciting.
It’s preferred by Victoria Falls tiger fishing enthusiasts that fisherman adopt a ‘catch and release’ policy but there is a local taxidermy in town that will handle trophy specimens and a freight service that will get your prized tiger fish to your home.
18. HIKE THE BATOKA GORGE
Hiking through the Batoka Gorge is a fantastic opportunity to see the mighty Victoria Falls from a different perspective. It also provides you with a glimpse of timeless African rural life.
The day begins early with a 40-minute off-road drive through the countryside past isolated settlements. The starting point of the Batoka Gorge hike is about 20 kilometres downstream of the Victoria Falls waterfall with a steep descent down to the Zambezi River.
A short trail through the bush takes you to an authentic Ndebele homestead. Hikers get to interact with the local headman of the settlement and his family while enjoying a light meal under the thatched shade of their decorated mud huts. Your gracious host explains their traditional culture and customs which have remained largely unchanged for centuries.
The Batoka Gorge hike can be enjoyed all year round. Your tour operator will pick you up at any hotel or guest lodge close to Victoria Falls, or from the Victoria Falls Airport.
19. CYCLE ACROSS THE VICTORIA FALLS BRIDGE
One of the cheapest and most enjoyable things you can do in Victoria Falls is cycle across the Victoria Falls Bridge. There are a number of cycle tour operators in town and it’s easy to pick up a bicycle to spend a leisurely few hours riding around the town and crossing over the iconic bridge.
You can rent a bike from Royalty Linkerz for under R100 an hour. The company is conveniently located on the main street.
20. VICTORIA FALLS NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY
The Victoria Falls New Year’s Eve party is legendary; it starts on 29 December and goes on well into the early hours of New Year’s Day. The atmosphere is electric; drawing locals and tourists across the spectrum. The party has a carnival theme; the music vibrates across the valley, bars teem with people young and old; and the entire sky is lit up by stage lights that flood the night sky with bright colours.

ACCOMMODATION IN ZAMBIA

You’ll find a wide selection of accommodation in Zambia. Many of the leading hotels and safari lodges offer luxurious accommodation in splendid settings in the popular national parks in Zambia. The list is long so we’ve selected the ‘best of the best’ safari lodges in Zambia for the discerning wildlife traveller.
Royal Zambezi, Lower Zambezi National Park
The Royal Zambezi is an iconic luxury safari lodge in Zambia, located in the spectacular Lower Zambezi National Park. It offers the ‘Royal Experience’ with deluxe suites overlooking the gorgeous Zambezi River.
Enjoy 5-star service and decadent gourmet meals with outstanding wildlife sightings from the comfort of your sofa in your private suite.
Chinzombo Camp in South Luangwa National Park
Chinzombo Camp is a new luxury safari retreat located in South Luangwa National Park. Offering luxury combined with natural elegance, the gorgeous safari camp is nestled in a grove of ancient trees that lie on the bend of the Luangwa River.
It’s an intimate affair with only 6 stylish villas sleeping up to 12 people. Each villa is a luxury safari tent that’s customised to offer an outstanding experience that’s authentic and thoroughly enjoyable.
Luangwa River Camp in South Luangwa National Park
Luangwa River Camp lies nestled in an ancient grove of ebony trees on the lush banks of the Luangwa River in Zambia. It overlooks an area rich in game known as the Luangwa Wafwa. Staying at Luangwa River Camp offers guests a private slice of the gorgeous river and the pleasure of a ‘sofa safari’ in the privacy of their chalets.
With only 5 deluxe chalets sleeping up to 10 people, Luangwa River Camp offers a private and exclusive safari experience. It’s one of a number of stunning luxury safari lodges in the Robin Pope Safaris collection.
Stanley Safari Lodge, close to Victoria Falls
Stanley Safari Lodge is only 3 kilometres from the iconic Victoria Falls. Situated on a hill bordering the small and intimate Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, it offers guests unrivalled views of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and outstanding views of the Lower Zambezi National Park.
Sleeping up to 20 guests, the 10 uniquely-designed chalets are a stylish combination of Zimbabwe teak and local stonework. It’s an elegant and luxurious place to stay in Zambia and part of the Robin Pope Safari portfolio.
Sausage Tree Camp in Lower Zambezi National Park
The luxury safari tented camp is located in a wild and remote corner of the Lower Zambezi National Park. It offers guests luxurious accommodation in a spectacular setting and promises of an outstanding safari experience in one of the most glorious parts of southern Africa.
Voted “Best Location in Africa”, Sausage Tree Camp is tucked away in a grove of mature sausage and mahogany trees on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River. Sleeping up to 10 guests in 5 ultra-luxury signature safari tent suites, guests enjoy panoramic views of the lush Lower Zambezi National Park and spectacular wildlife sightings from the comfort of the large outdoor deck.
Kigelia House at Sausage Tree Camp can be booked on an exclusive-use basis. It’s the ideal bushveld retreat in Zambia for small groups and families with 2 specious ensuite bedrooms, a comfortable lounge area, large wooden deck and a private pool.
Anabezi in Lower Zambezi National Park
Anabezi is a luxury safari lodge located in a magnificent setting in the lower end of the Lower Zambezi National Park. The name Anabezi is derived from where it is situated on the mighty Zambezi River and the many Ana Trees or Winter Thorns that surround the camp.
Featuring 11 luxurious and spacious safari tents set on raised timber platforms on the edge of the river bank, Anabezi offers guests spectacular game viewing and panoramic views over the Zambezi River and Mushika River flood plains.
The camp can be split into two where Little Anabezi is perfect for small friends and family groups booked on an exclusive-use basis.
Islands of Siankaba, close to Victoria Falls
The Islands of Siankaba is a luxury safari lodge located on two private islands situated in the middle of the mighty Zambezi. It’s ideally located to the Victoria Falls and offers a magnificent view of the bushveld surrounds and thundering mist of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Sleeping up to 14 guests, it is unashameably marketed to the discerning safari tourist wanting to escape the crowds of the busy town of Victoria Falls and enjoy the peace and tranquility of one of the most spectacular settings in Livingstone.
A unique feature of the Islands of Siankaba is a series of walkways and bridges that link the two private islands together. The luxury safari lodge is natural and authentic with lashings of elegance and sophistication in its design and décor.
Mayukuyuku Tented Camp in Kafue National Park
Mayukuyuku Tented Camp is located in a magnificent setting in the spectacular Kafue National Park. It’s not graded as a 5-star luxury lodge in Zambia but it offers high-end safari travellers an exemplary safari experience.
It’s renowned for offering some of the best guided walking trails in Zambia in areas that are so remote and isolated, you won’t come across any cars or people. Instead, you’ll see wonderful sightings of lions and leopards.

TRAVEL INFORMATION FOR ZAMBIA

ZAMBIA WEATHER

Zambia has a sub-tropical climate that is generally moderate and pleasant due to the height and positioning.
There are three seasons in Zambia:
• cool and dry from May to August
• hot and dry from September to November
• warm and wet from December to April
The rainy summer season in Zambia is from November to April; and the dry winter season is May/June to October/November.
BEST TIME TO VISIT ZAMBIA

Zambia is a year-round destination; when you visit depends largely on what you want to see and do in Zambia.
The best time for game viewing at the national parks in Zambia is in the dry season when the bush is thinner and water is scarce. The ‘green season’ or rainy season between December and April is great for stunning scenery but not the best for game viewing. The vegetation is dense which makes it hard to spot game and because water is abundant, the animals move away from the permanent water sources.
The best time to visit Victoria Falls on the Zambia side is at the end of the rainy season from March to April. The Zambezi River is in full flood and the waterfall is spectacular. Be prepared to get drenched by the spray!
In the dry season between October and November, there may be no water coming over the waterfall on the Zambian side. You’ll have to cross over the Victoria Falls Bridge into Zimbabwe to see more water coming over the main falls.
The rainy season is not the best time for white-water rafting at Victoria Falls. The water level is too high and you don’t get the full effect of the rapids.

IS ZAMBIA SAFE?

Zambia is a safe country to visit for a holiday if you take the usual safety precautions as you would in any country in Africa, particularly in the cities of Lusaka and Livingstone.

Persistent problems with petty theft, credit card fraud and overcharging are common but then again, you’ll find these issues are prevalent in any major tourist destination in Africa. There are layers of security at hotels in Zambia as well as restaurants, banks, shopping malls and popular Zambia tourist attractions.

The safest place to be in Zambia is on safari tour. This is due to the measures the hotel industry and reputable tour operators go to ensure the well-being and safety of Zambia tourists. Security at the hotels in Zambia and the luxury safari lodges make the safety of their guests a priority.
Security is integrated into everyday life in Zambia and reputable operators offering Zambia safari tours will only select luxury lodges in Zambia that deliver on their promise of safety and security.
Is it safe to hitchhike in Zambia?
As in any other part of the world, hitching is never entirely safe and it’s not recommended in Zambia. Travellers who hitch should understand that they are taking a small but potentially serious risk.
Is Zambia safe for women travellers?
Female travellers in Zambia will generally not encounter gender-related problems any more than they might in other parts of the world. In fact, women travellers say that compared with North Africa, South America and many Western countries, Zambia is relatively safe and unthreatening; friendliness and generosity are encountered far more often than hostility.
Is it safe to use buses and taxis in Zambia?
The distances between popular tourist destinations in Zambia are long, buses are slow and some routes to popular tourist attractions in Zambia are potholed. Travelling around Zambia in a public bus or minibus can be exhaust and exasperating. It’s only really an option for backpackers and visitors travelling on a shoestring.
Several private companies run comfortable European-style express buses along the major routes; for example, between Lusaka and Livingstone. These fares cost about 25% more than the ordinary public bus fares but are well worth the extra kwacha.
Using a reputable and reliable taxi service in the main cities and towns is the most convenient and comfortable way of getting around. This also includes shuttle busses run by reputable operators. Just remember; always negotiate the rate with the taxi driver and settle on a price before departing.
Domestic trains in Zambia are unreliable, ridiculously slow and often risky. Conditions on domestic trains range from unkempt and dilapidated to ready-for-scrap. Domestic trains are not recommended for international tourists on a safari tour in Zambia.
If you’re travelling on US Dollars or Euro, it’s best to make your safety a priority and spend money on decent road transport or preferably scheduled or chartered flights to Zambia’s national parks and popular tourist attractions.
Same-sex relationships in Zambia
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons in Zambia face legal challenges. Same-sex sexual activity is illegal for both males and females and public displays of affection between same-sex partners can put you at risk of prosecution.
Zambia was formerly a colony of the British Empire and this archaic law was inherited from the colonial powers upon independence in 1964.
VACINATIONS NEEDED FOR ZAMBIA

The World Health Organization recommends that all international travellers should be up-to-date on their route vaccinations which should cover diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, polio and hepatitis B.
A yellow-fever vaccination certificate is not officially required to enter Zambia unless you are entering from a yellow-fever infected area. You need to check if you are required to get a yellow-fever vaccination.
HEALTH WARNNGS FOR ZAMBIA

Malaria
Zambia is a high-risk malaria country, particularly in the ‘Valley’ which is hot and humid. All national parks in Zambia are considered high-risk malaria areas.
The highest risk of contracting malaria in Zambia is during the rainy season from March to May and October to December. Malaria is a life-threatening disease and it’s unwise to assume you don’t need to take anti-malaria tablets in the colder winter months. It’s a year-round health risk.
It’s highly recommended you take anti-malaria tablets and other precautions to prevent contracting the life-threatening disease on your holiday in Uganda. Consult your GP or a travel clinic for advice on anti-malaria tablets.
Tap Water
Don’t drink tap water in Zambia unless it’s been boiled, filtered or chemically disinfected with iodine tablets. Don’t drink from streams, rivers and lakes. It’s also best to avoid drinking from pumps and wells.
It’s recommended that you drink bottle water bought from a decent shop. Bottled water is widely available in Zambia except in very remote areas. Safari lodges in the national parks should supply bottled water for their guests.
Healthcare in Zambia
If you become seriously ill, seek treatment in Lusaka at a private hospital in Lusaka. For a serious injury or medical emergency, international tourists are flown to better healthcare facilities in South Africa. It’s extremely important that your travel insurance provides cover for such emergencies.
Well-stocked pharmacies are found in the main cities and towns of Zanzibar. Always check the expiry date before paying for medicine at a pharmacy, especially in smaller towns.
HIV/AIDS in Zambia
Zambia is experiencing a generalised HIV/AIDS epidemic with a national HIV prevalence rate of 17% among adults aged 15 to 49. According to the 2000 Zambian census, people affected by HIV/AIDS in Zambia constituted 15% of the total population; amounting to one million, of which 60% were women.
There is a high risk of contracting HIV from infected blood transfusions. The BloodCare Foundation (www.bloodcare.org.uk) is a useful source of safe, screened blood, which can be transported to any part of the world within 24 hours.
Unprotected sex with strangers in Zambia puts you a serious risk of contracting HIV. Use protection or abstain from sexual relationships with strangers during your holiday to Zambia.

TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR ZAMBIA

Travel and medical insurance is highly recommended for a holiday to Zambia. This must be pre-arranged in their own country prior to leaving to cover any unexpected medical expenses and loss/theft of personal effects.
Find out in advance whether your insurance plan will make payments directly to providers or will reimburse you later for overseas health expenditures. Most doctors and clinics in the region expect upfront payment in cash.
It’s vital to ensure that your travel insurance will cover any emergency transport required to get you at least to Johannesburg in South Africa or preferably, back to your home by air and with a medical attendant if necessary.
If your policy requires you to pay first and claim later for medical treatment, be sure to keep all documentation.
GETTING TO LUSAKA

The major international airlines fly direct to Kenneth Kaunda (KK) International Airport which is located 15 kilometres northeast of the central business district of Lusaka. Formerly known as Lusaka International Airport, it was renamed in 2011 in honour of the nation’s first president.
The best way to get from the international airport in Lusaka to your hotel or guest house is by taxi. Be warned; only use a taxi service that is trustworthy and recommended by travel experts.
There is a mini-bus service that passes by the airport but it only serves a single route to the city centre via Great East Road.
Other options include hiring a rental car or booking a shuttle/transfer service with a local tour operator or you hotel or guest lodge in Lusaka.
GETTING TO LIVINGSTONE

Proflight has scheduled planes that run from Lusaka to Livingstone.
Kulula Airlines, British Airways and South African Airways offer daily flights from Livingstone to Johannesburg.
If travelling from Lusaka to Livingstone by road; it can be approached from three directions:
From Zimbabwe; cross the border at the town of Victoria Falls over the famous Victoria Falls Bridge, carry straight on this road for about 11 kilometres
From Botswana; cross the border at Kazungula by ferry and continue east for about 60kms
From Lusaka; Livingstone is 470 kilometres or a 5-6 hour drive; take the southbound Kafue Road out of Lusaka and just after the Kafue River Bridge, turn right towards Mazabuka. This road leads straight to Livingstone.

VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR ZAMBIA

If you are not a citizen of a country that is exempted from having to apply for a Zambia visa, then you need to obtain a visa either at the port of entry or at a Zambian Mission abroad.
Visit the Zambia Department of Immigration for information on visas and countries exempt from having to apply for a Zambia visa: http://www.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm/
Kaza Uni-Visa
The KAZA Uni-Visa is valid for 30 days and allows you multiple visits into Zambia and Zimbabwe with day passes granted for Botswana and Chobe. It’s available at all major ports of entry into Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The Kavango Zambezi Trans-Frontier Conservation Area (KAZA) is an initiative by Zambia and Zimbabwe aimed at granting tourists’ easy movement between the two countries; by allowing them to enter both Zambia and Zimbabwe using just one document.
The standard tourist visa that allows a visitor to stay in Zambia for up to 90 days is only applicable for the designated country.