Zambia Safaris

Average temperatures in Zambia Map of Zambia

The remote wilderness areas of Zambia present an unparalleled opportunity to experience Africa in all its vastness. A safari in Zambia gives a taste of the real Africa and a feel for genuine adventure and exploration.

With several national parks which are game rich but scarcely visited by tourists, Zambia safaris offer a range of different activities. The best known are perhaps walking and canoe safaris where visitors travel at the gentle pace of the surrounding wildlife.

Zambia safari highlights include the Busanga Plains in the northern part of Kafue National Park, and the Luangwa Valley, home of the walking safari and one of Africa’s best wildlife regions. There’s the chance to canoe amongst hippo and crocodiles in the Lower Zambezi National Park and to try any number of adventurous options around the Victoria Falls.

Zambia Safaris - Travel Tips


  • Most safari camps in Zambia's Luangwa Valley and Kafue National Park only open during the dry months between June and early November.
  • Walking safaris and night drives are Zambian highlights, with leopard often seen.
  • A safari in Zambia combines well with time at Lake Malawi or a safari in Botswana.
  • Zambia is an excellent family safari destination.

Zambia Safaris - A Personal View

Jo NetscherLet me state first that I'm biased towards safaris in Zambia, having worked there in a game reserve and subsequently having travelled it extensively.

But why shouldn't I be biased as it's in Zambia I walked within 15 metres of a pair of lionesses, caught my largest tigerfish on the Zambezi River and saw African wild dogs saunter through camp whilst on a mobile walking safari in the northern reaches of the South Luangwa Valley.

I think Zambia offers the unique possibility of some of the best guiding in Africa with incredible game sightings in some of Africa’s most remote and unspoilt wilderness areas. To me it's truly real Africa.

Jo Netscher - One of Aardvark Safaris' Zambia safari specialists

Zambia Safaris - Ideas You Might Not Have Thought About

Zambia - Green Season Mating Plumage   Consider Going Green
The “Green Season” in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley from November to mid May is considered by some to be the most spectacular time of the year to visit the area. The bush is green, beautiful and lush; the Luangwa River is high and dramatic; moody skies can be filled with spectacular clouds; and much less dust gives excellent light for photography. In addition to these reasons, migrant birds in breeding plumage abound; and it’s the peak time for births so nursery herds of young impala, warthog, elephant and zebra are plentiful.

     
Zambia - Carmines from the hide  

Hippo and Carmine Hides
Visited by world renowned wildlife photographers and film makers, the unique photographic hides on the Luangwa and Mwamba rivers allow you to get close enough to the wildlife to take stunning photos in complete safety. The hippo hide is carved into the bank of the river where hundreds of hippos congregate and provides a fantastic opportunity to capture breeding pods yawning and fighting. Alternatively you can view huge colonies of carmine bee eaters nesting in the river bank, from a hide anchored on a boat in the middle of the river.

     
Zambia - Canoeing on the Zambezi River  

See Wildlife From The Zambezi
An overnight or two day canoe safari allows you to experience the sights and sounds that the Zambezi River has to offer. Accompanied by an experienced guide, you glide through the river almost unnoticed by the hippo, elephant and many birds in this game-rich area.

     
Zambia - Luangwa Safari House   Exclusive Safari Houses
Rent a stunning, private safari house and tailor-make a unique safari experience exclusively for your group of friends or family. Your distinct property is fully staffed with house manager, private chef and waiters. You can choose to track leopard at dawn with your own wildlife guide, take the private vehicle for a game drive, walk alongside a guide and game scout, or simply laze beside your private pool.
     
Zambia - Walking Mobile Safaris  

Multi Day Mobile Walking Safaris
Robin Pope Safaris’ mobile walking safaris are based in the far north of the South Luangwa National Park in an area with no permanent camps and few roads. They have come to be known as “the wilderness experience” of this area. Slowing down to the pace of the natural world you will learn the many facets of the bush, from ants to buffalo, a bird's nest to tracking a lion. At the end of a day following tracks and watching game, take a hot shower under a tree and savour your meal served under the open sky, in an extremely comfortable and well-equipped mobile camp.