Safari in Zambia: 5 incredible destinations
Most people don’t think of a safari in Zambia, but it’s actually widely ranked as one of the top five destinations in Africa. Unique wildlife, game reserves and national parks, as well as one of the world’s most famous rivers and waterfalls, make Zambia’s Safari destination second to none.
There are direct flights from Johannesburg and Europe to Lusaka, from there it’s a hop, skip and jump to some of the wildest places in Africa. Zambia has always been known as “the real Africa” as well as the home of the famous (and ever popular) Walking Safari.
1. Victoria Falls: One of the original seven natural wonders of the world, Victoria Falls is without a doubt the most popular safari destination in the country and for good reason. It’s not just the falls and the Zambezi River on offer, there are countless adventure activities; from rafting and bungee jumping to helicopter flights and canoeing to elephant riding. Victoria Falls is certainly as popular as Cape Town, the Kruger National Park or the Okavango Delta.
Get there: Fly into Victoria Falls or Livingstone airports, as part of a self-drive or safari package.
two. South Luangwa: This area is one of the largest wildlife centers in the world. There are few national parks in Africa that come close in terms of quantity of wildlife and sightings; South Luangwa is a true paradise for photographers. Within the valley there is a unique variety of wildlife species, including Thorneycroft’s giraffes, Cookson’s wildebeest and Crawshay’s zebra.
For bird watchers, South Luangwa offers a paradise of its own with over 400 species of birds to be found. The park covers 9,050 square kilometers and became a National Park in 1972.
Get there: Fly from Lusaka to Mfuwe International Airport, as part of a safari or self-drive.
3. Kafue National Park: Kafue is the largest national park in Zambia, roughly the same size as Wales in the UK. Kafue National Park is not as popular as South Luangwa or Lower Zambezi National Parks. The Busanga Plains in the north of the park offer fantastic wildlife and birdlife as well as luxury accommodations that combine to offer unique safaris that are truly unforgettable. The plains are world famous for their sightings of lions, leopards and cheetahs along with large herds of buffalo and antelope. Adding Kafue National Park to any Zambian safari itinerary is highly recommended.
Get there: Fly directly to accommodation as part of a safari.
Four. Lake Kariba: Lake Kariba is the largest man-made dam in the world and is located along the borders of Zimbabwe and Zambia. 220 km long and 40 km wide covering a total of 5580 sq. kilometres; the lake is perhaps more comparable to a sea. It is undoubtedly one of the best photographic areas in Zambia with classic African sunsets set against a stunning backdrop of water and African bush. One of the main attractions of Lake Kariba is the fantastic sport fishing on offer, complete with accommodation in local lodges or even houseboats, on the lake itself. For an authentic experience, staying on one of the many houseboats on offer is always recommended.
Get there: Choose this as part of a safari package, air travel or self-drive experience.
5. Zambezi River: The Zambezi is the fourth longest river in Africa, flowing through Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe and Zambia, its flow ending in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Mozambique. The river is home to Victoria Falls, Lake Kariba and passes through the Lower Zambezi and Mana Pools National Parks. The many activities on offer include canoeing, white water rafting and some of the best fishing in Africa, not to mention some of the most magnificent wildlife and bird sightings. All of the above locations are highly recommended and can easily be included in any scheduled or custom Zambia Safari.
Get there: Taken as part of a self-drive safari, flight or experience package.