Zambia

Luxury Zambia Safari Tours

Nowadays, it’s possible to go on safari without sacrificing an ounce of comfort; however, staying in luxury safari camps and lodges with polished marble and enclosed glass walls can sometimes defeat the purpose of immersing yourself in the African bush. For those adventurous travelers who want to go back to the basics of true safari, Zambia is the place.

Large concentrations of wildlife, active adventure, and exclusivity define a Zambia safari. It is the last of the great old-school African safari experiences, successfully combining comfort and service with terrific game viewing in varied and beautiful landscapes.

Zambia is a down-to-earth experience and can include walking trails, canoeing, and boating alongside crocs and hippos. Adrenaline activities such as rafting and bungee jumping are widely available to an intrepid explorer. Zambia is a destination of immense beauty and opportunity—soul food for all who arrive with an open heart.

Explore what a Zambia safari has to offer

Zambia is a paradise for guests wanting to immerse themselves in the wilderness. The wildlife experience is incredible and we recommend it as much for first-time safari-goers as seasoned veterans. Enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the wild without the interference of civilization or crowds. You can interact with local owners, trackers, and rangers on a personal basis and get a feel for the real Zambia.

Many travelers are drawn to Livingstone, home of the UNESCO World Heritage Victoria Falls. It offers magnificent views of the Falls and is the spot for adrenaline sports and a host of fun activities.

For those looking for a more active safari experience, Zambia’s system of bushcamps in South Luangwa and North Luangwa means that travelers can walk from camp to camp to fully immerse themselves in the original safari experience. In the Lower Zambezi, water activities like canoeing, boating, and fishing, are great additions to traditional game drives and bush walks.

Check out all of our favorite accommodation in Zambia here.

Where to go on a Zambia safari

South Luangwa predominantly features game drives and walking safaris. Starting from a main camp near Mfuwe gate, guests either drive or walk to and between smaller bushcamps (many with only four to six chalets) nestled deeper in the remote parts of the park. Some Zambia safari bush camps have limited road access which is highly appealing to those seeking the purist experience. Other activities do exist at select camps like star beds at Luwi Bush Camp and mountain biking at Tafika Camp. You’ll find some great cultural experiences from the main camps near Mfuwe.

In the Lower Zambezi, all the fun beyond the game drives is on the river where you can go tiger fishing, canoeing, or enjoy a gentle sundowner cruise. In the Kafue you can go on a balloon safari August-October.

Livingstone is geared toward active people and adrenaline junkies, but there are activities for any type of traveler. You can bungee jump from a bridge over Victoria Falls, fly over the Falls in a microlight, paddle through Category 5 rapids whitewater rafting down the Zambezi, take a dip in the Devil’s Pool at the edge of Livingstone Island, savor a sundowner boat cruise, savor a fine dining meal aboard a vintage steam train, nibble on high tea at the historic Victoria Falls Hotel or take a helicopter ride over the Falls.

When to visit Zambia?

The Zambian dry season stretches from mid-April to mid-November after which many camps become inaccessible. October is great for elephant viewing, but beware that it gets hot. Air conditioning is almost non-existent in many of the camps.

We recommend July to September as a good time to travel because the land is dry and game viewing is good during this peak season.

If you have a sensitive budget, the shoulder season (May/June) offers lower rates and great value for money. The green season, December to April, is terrific for birdlife. Many of the more remote bush camps are closed during these months due to inaccessibility, but there are still plenty of options.

The best whitewater rafting times are straight after the rainy season (March-May) and guests are assured of a longer river run and high water.

Wildlife you will see

Visitors to Zambia will get to see crocodiles, hippos, baboons, monkeys, buffalo, lions, elephants, leopards, hyenas, wild dogs and cheetahs as well as many antelope and a variety of birds. You will not see cheetahs in Lower Zambezi or South Luangwa. Rhinos were declared extinct in Zambia in 1998. Thornicroft’s Giraffe and Crawshay’s Zebra are endemic to the area and you may also get to see badgers, civets, porcupines, and genets, plus countless other animal species on a safari in Zambia.