Best Safari Destinations In Zambia
Discover the Unsung Gem of African Safaris: Why Zambia's Wilderness is a Top Choice for Authentic Wildlife Adventures
People tend to forget about Zambia when organising their safari. They think in terms of their more famous regional neighbours: Botswana, South Africa and Kenya with their iconic destinations of the Okavango Delta, the Kruger and the Masai Mara. Even Victoria Falls is seen purely as a Zimbabwean venue.
In our opinion, however, Zambia as a safari destination is easily one of the top five venues in Africa. Unique wildlife, game reserves and national parks as well as one of the most famous rivers and waterfalls in the world make this a safari destination second to none. Coupled with the fact that some of the areas within the country are still more difficult to access makes it a more pure safari experience which tallies with its marketing moniker of "the real Africa" as well as the home of the walking safari.
We love the Zambian safari experience and all that the country has to offer.
Top Zambian Safari Destinations
1. Victoria Falls
One of the old seven natural wonders of the world, Victoria Falls is without a doubt the most popular safari destination in the whole of Zambia and with good reason. With not only the Falls and the Zambezi River on offer, but there are also countless adventure activities to be had; from River rafting to bungee jumping and helicopter flights to canoeing all the way through to elephant back riding. Victoria Falls is without doubt as popular as Cape Town, the Kruger National Park or the Okavango Delta.
Getting there: Fly into either Victoria Falls or Livingstone airports, as part of a safari or self-drive.
Accommodation Options: Best Livingstone Lodges
2. South Luangwa
Undoubtedly one of the greatest wildlife centres in the world. There are very few national parks in Africa that come close to it in terms of wildlife numbers and sightings, it is truly a photographers paradise. You can find wildlife that is unique to this valley. For example Thornycroft giraffes, Cookson's wildebeest and Crawshay's zebra. For the birders out there, the South Luangwa offers a paradise all of its own with over 400 bird species to be found. The park itself covers 9050 square kilometres and interestingly only became a National Park in 1972.
Getting there: Fly from Lusaka to Mfuwe International Airport, as part of a safari or self-drive.
Accommodation Options: Best Luangwa Lodges
3. Kafue National Park
Kafue is Zambia's largest National Park, roughly the same size as Wales in the United Kingdom. For reasons more to do with marketing and less with experience, the Kafue National Park is not as popular as either the South Luangwa or Lower Zambezi National Parks and which consequently offers the visitor a more exclusive experience. The Busanga Plains found in the north of the park offer fantastic wildlife and birdlife along with luxury lodges, combining to offer a truly memorable safari adventure. The Busanga Plains are famous for their lion, leopard and cheetah sightings along with large herds of buffalo and antelope. We would highly recommend adding the Kafue National Park to any Safari itinerary within Zambia.
Getting there: Fly directly to the lodge as part of a safari.
Accommodation Options: Best Kafue Lodges
4. Zambezi River
Is the fourth-longest river in Africa, has its source in Zambia and flows through eastern Angola, along the eastern border of Namibia and the northern border of Botswana, then along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe and ends up flowing into the Indian Ocean in Mozambique. The river plays host to the mighty Victoria Falls, Lake Kariba and flows past the Lower Zambezi and Mana Pools National Parks. Activities that she offers include canoeing, whitewater rafting, some of the finest fishing in Africa, as well as superb wildlife and birdlife. All of the above locations are highly recommended by the Uyaphi team, as all are easily accessible when on a scheduled or tailor-made Zambian safari.
Getting there: As part of a safari, fly-in or safari vehicle.
Accommodation Options: Best Lodges on The Zambezi River
5. Lower Zambezi National Park
Other than the South Luangwa Valley, the Lower Zambezi National Park is, without a doubt, one of the top safari destinations that we have the privilege of offering to our clients. If you're looking for a remote safari location that offers exceptional wildlife and superb lodging with really exciting activities, this is the destination for you. The park is as wild as wild can get in Africa today. Most safaris will fly directly into this National Park due to difficult accessibility by road although there are a few self-drive options (not recommended especially in summer). Lower Zambezi National Park is best combined with a safari to the South Luangwa National Park; you will certainly not be disappointed with the amount of wildlife and photographic opportunities that abound.
Getting there: Fly directly to the lodge as part of a safari is the recommended option.
Accommodation Options: Best Lower Zambezi Lodges
6. Kasanka National Park
This National Park hosts a unique wildlife event every year between November and December when millions and millions of straw-coloured fruit bats congregate during part of a migration. During the day the trees are thickly laden with Fruit Bats shoulder to shoulder, at sunset in the region of 10 million bats take to the sky in what can only be described as a living cloud. This particular safari is on our bucket list and we highly recommend it to you. Remember, this safari only runs between November and December of every year.
Getting there: As part of a safari, fly-in or safari vehicle.
Safari Option (tailor-made): The Best Kasanka Bat Safari
For more of the Best Safari Destinations In Zambia, see our Zambia Travel page
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Map of Lodges in and around Zambia
Lodges And Camps In Zambia
King Lewanika Lodge
King Lewanika Lodge is Time + Tide's tented lodge on the open grasslands of Liuwa Plain National Park in western Zambia. Six canvas-walled villas look over the plain from raised decks, including a two-bedroom family villa. Game drives by day and night, guided walks and seasonal canoeing take you out among the wildebeest, hyena clans and birdlife of this remote corner of Zambia.
Kaingu Lodge
Kaingu Lodge is an owner-run lodge on a remote stretch of the Kafue River in the Namwala Game Management Area, directly opposite Kafue National Park. A ten-minute boat ride takes you across to game drives in the park, while the lodge side of the river offers boat cruises, canoeing, fishing, birding and walks among the channels, rapids and islands.
Busanga Bush Camp
Busanga Bush Camp puts you right on the Busanga Plains in the far north of Kafue National Park, with herds of puku and red lechwe grazing in front of camp. It is a small, comfortable tented bush camp built around the wildlife: game drives across the floodplain by day, night drives to find the plains' nocturnal side, and birding that rewards anyone who packs binoculars.
Ila Safari Lodge
Ila Safari Lodge sits on the banks of the Kafue River inside Kafue National Park, a riverside base for exploring one of Zambia's great wildernesses. Wake to hippo calling from the water, head out on game drives through woodland and dambos, and return to a lodge built with sustainability at its core. A superb choice for the river half of a Kafue safari.
Fig Tree Bush Camp
Fig Tree Bush Camp is an intimate four-tent camp on the Shishamba River in central Kafue National Park, named for the giant fig that shades its dining boma. Each tent stands on a platform about 3 m high, looking over a sandy lagoon on one side and open grassland on the other. Expect game drives, guided walks and campfire dinners under the stars. Sister camp to Mukambi Safari Lodge.
Busanga Plains Camp
Busanga Plains Camp is a small, intimate tented camp out on the vast Busanga Plains in northern Kafue National Park. The floodplain around it carries red lechwe and puku, and the predators that follow them, so game drives are rarely short of drama. Sister camp to Mukambi Safari Lodge and Fig Tree Bush Camp, it pairs beautifully with a river stay further south.
Shumba Camp
Shumba Camp stands on a tree island in the middle of the Busanga Plains, in the far north of Kafue National Park, and takes its name from the lion prides that hunt the plains. Six tents raised on wooden platforms sit beneath fig trees with sweeping views, and a pool cools the heat of the day. Game drives, night drives, boat trips when water lies on the plains, and hot-air balloon flights round out the activities.
Mukambi Safari Lodge
Mukambi Safari Lodge sits on the banks of the Kafue River in Kafue National Park, a relaxed base where the river is as much a part of the safari as the bush. Choose between game drives, guided walks and sunset boat cruises, then unwind with an open-air bath under the stars. Sister lodge to Fig Tree Bush Camp and Busanga Plains Camp, it links easily with a stay deeper in the park.