Zambia is still best known for the Victoria Falls. But Zambia is also an outstanding safari destination, for the more adventurous travellers who want to experience safari “off the beaten track”.
Zambia is home to some magnificent national parks, including the Luangwa National Park, Kafue National Park and The Lower Zambezi National Park.
Not more than 30 minutes from the Victoria Falls, you can experience some of the most spectacular lodges in the country, i.e. the ultra-romantic Tongabezi Lodge.
There are daily flights from Johannesburg and Livingstone (Victoria Falls, Zambia and Lusaka, the capital.
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Victoria Falls
Livingstone, to where you can easily fly from Johannesburg several times daily, and even four times a week directly from the Kruger National Park area, is the perfect base from where to start your combination of a visit to the Victoria Falls and safari.
Said to be the largest waterfalls in the world and one of the seven natural wonders in the world, the Victoria Falls are a spectacular sighting at any time of the year. There is accommodation in Livingstone within the Mosi-oa- Tunya National Park, from where you can easily walk to the majestic falls.
For a considerable distance upstream from the falls, the Zambezi flows over a level sheet of basalt, in a shallow valley bounded by low and distant sandstone hills. The river’s course is dotted with numerous tree-covered islands, which increase in number as the river approaches the falls.
Experience the spectacular African wildlife through a number of safari options on the Zambezi River, a trip into the heart of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Wildlife Park ranging from boat cruises or canoe safaris and witness the game from within the waters, which is teeming with crocodiles and hippos.
Tiger Fishing is a favourite activity in the Victoria Falls area, but it is also well known for all its adrenalin activities, ranging from white water rafting to bungee jumping, to abseiling and many more.
Kafue National Park
Kafue National Park is the largest and oldest park in Zambia (the size of Wales) and one of the largest in the world.
Habitats in the Park are diverse, and include floodplains, miombo woodland and dambos. It has good concentrations of plains game and their predators as well as the largest species diversity in Zambia, including animals that are rare or non-existent in other southern African countries, such as Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, Roan antelope, Defassa waterbuck and Oribi. The birdlife is spectacular, consisting of 491 species.
In the extreme north of the Kafue lies the Busanga Plains – one of Zambia’s most significant wetland resources and one of the few areas in the world that remain untouched by development and human activity. Covering 750 square kilometres of breathtaking wilderness, it is considered the jewel in the Kafue crown. This is the best area in Zambia to see cheetah.
Luangwa National Park
South Luangwa National Park in eastern Zambia, in the valley of the Luangwa River, is a world-renowned wildlife haven. It supports large populations of Thornicroft’s Giraffe, and herds of elephant and buffalo often several hundred strong, while the Luangwa River supports abundant crocodiles and hippopotamuses.
It is one of the best-known national parks in Africa for walking safaris, one of the best ways of experiencing the African wilderness. Walking safaris opens up new sounds and smells, being on the same level as the animals without the humming of your vehicle.
The park has over 60 species of animal and over 400 different bird species. This is one of the premier wilderness areas in Africa, famed for its seclusion and natural beauty.