Zambia is a jewel in the African safari world and is regarded as the “REAL” Africa. Zambia is home to the walking safari, which many consider to the best way to experience the African bush. Being on foot amongst Africa’s big game is an experience that all safari goers should experience. The guides that take walking safaris are considered some of the best in Africa as their knowledge of the African bush is incredible – from the smallest insects, plants and tracks to dealing with big game.

Safaris to Zambia offer guests the chance to enjoy multi-day walking safaris where you walk from one camp to the next learning about the finer details of the bush. Guides will have you spellbound as they gather information from the “bush Newspaper”. This is what the tracks in the sand are referred to as the guides are able to tell the story of what happened the previous night, just by looking at the animal tracks left by the animals that passed the night before.

The South Luangwa is probably the most well known national park in Zambia and is where most guests enjoy a walking safari. The South Luangwa National Park is also renowned as one of the best places in Africa to see the elusive leopard. With plenty of prey species and good riverine habitat the area is perfect for the big cats.

North Luangwa is much more remote and trickier park to get to and with VERY little tourist infrastructure North Luangwa is for the hardcore safari goer wanting to really get away from it all. With very few roads, walking safaris are the only way to get around.

Kafue National Park, just north of Victoria Falls is a vast expanse of forests, grasslands and wetlands and is home to some of the rarer species like cheetah and roan antelope. One of the unique experiences of Kafue is the option to enjoy a hot air balloon over the Busanga Plains in the north of the reserve.

Opposite Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe, is the Lower Zambezi National Park. Backed by towering escarpments and fronted by the floodplains of the Zambezi River, this is a beautiful reserve home to good numbers of elephants, buffalo, lion and leopard. Guests to the Lower Zambezi National Park are able to enjoy walking safaris as well as canoeing safaris giving a different perspective on the standard safari!

Liuwa Plains National Park is home to one of Africa’s least known wildebeest migrations as over 40,000 animals move across the grassy plains in search of fresh grazing. There is only one luxury safari camp in Liuwa Plains making the area very appealing for the safari goer looking to really get off the beaten track on a Zambian safari.

Zambia is also home to the Victoria Falls which combines well with a safari in Zambia. The Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park on the upper Zambezi River is also one of the few places in Zambia where you can see rhino.

Combine your safari to Zambia with the Okavango Delta and a safari to Botswana or combine Zambia with the clear waters and sandy beaches of Malawi for an adventurous Honeymoon Safari.

Luxury Safaris to Zambia

We love safaris to Zambia as they are probably some of the most authentic safaris you can get. Many of the luxury safari camps and lodges in Zambia are privately owned and often run by the owners, so we know that our guests will be well looked after. When you think of a safari to Zambia, then you need to think of walking safaris as this is the home of the “walking Safari” in Africa. Most camps in Zambia offer walking safaris as one of their key experiences, getting guests onto the ground to really experience the real Africa. Have a look at some our Zambian Safari ideas and then get in touch and let’s start planning your dream safari to Zambia.

Where are the best areas to go on safari in Zambia?

The Best Safari Areas of Zambia

Zambia is regarded as one of the purest safari destinations in Africa with most of the safari camps being owner run ensuring only the best in personalized service and experiences. The camps are often small, intimate bush camps that pack up as the rainy season starts and only open again in May or June. Zambia is also regarded as the home of the walking safari and most guests staying in one of Zambia’s bush camps will get to experience a proper walking safari at least once during their stay.

The South Luangwa National Park
The South Luangwa National Park is Zambia’s number 1 safari destination with a wide range of small, intimate safari camps to choose from and some of the best game viewing in Africa. The habitats of the South Luangwa vary from riverine woodlands to grasslands, to wetlands and rivers making the park a haven for all kinds of animals. In particular, the South Luangwa is renowned as one of the best places in Africa to see the elusive leopard.

The South Luangwa is also known as one of the best walking safari destinations in Africa with several options to choose from when it comes to our favorite safari experience. Whether you are looking for a multi-day walking safari staying in rustic mobile camp that moves to a new location each day or if you are looking to stay in permanent bush camps, but to have the option to walk from one camp to the next. While staying at the camps you then have the choice to enjoy morning and afternoon game drives as well as walking safaris from the camp.

Lower Zambezi National Park
The Lower Zambezi National Park is a stunning park in the Zambezi Valley opposite Mana Pools in Zimbabwe. Located on the Zambezi River and with the escarpment as a backdrop, the Lower Zambezi is one of Africa’s iconic wildlife reserves. Dominated by large floodplains and towering Ana trees, the forests of the Lower Zambezi are mesmerizing as the light filters down through the canopy. The Lower Zambezi is an adventurer’s dream with some fantastic walking safari amongst Africa’s big game, canoeing down the Zambezi River and enjoying both day and night game drives. During the dry season large herds of buffalo and big elephant bulls congregate on the floodplain and islands in the Zambezi. Lion, leopard and wild dog make up the predators of the Lower Zambezi.

As with most of Zambia’s camps and parks, the Lower Zambezi closes during the rainy season. The black cotton soils of the Lower Zambezi make it impossible to drive in the park during the rainy season.

There are some beautiful bush camps that we work with, including Old Mondoro inside the park and then Tusk and Mane’s Chula Island Camp and Kutali Camp.

Victoria Falls
Located on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia, the mighty Zambezi River plunges 120 meters into the Batonka Gorge below. At the peak of waterflow, the Victoria Falls are a mile of falling water, one of the greatest sights in the world. Knowing when to visit the Victoria Falls is key when planning your safari to Zambia, so the below guide should help with this.

The catchment area for the Zambezi is in the highlands of Zambia which means it takes a couple of months after the rains to see the full effect of the floods. From January through to April the falls are rising as the water from rains start to flow into the Zambezi in bigger volumes. From May through to about July the falls are at the highest and the best place to see the falls in all their glory is from the air. Get up in a helicopter over the falls to fully appreciate the sheer size and volume.

Seeing the falls from the ground is exciting as you get drenched by the spray, but the sound and power is felt as you walk along the soaked walkways and viewpoints, but don’t expect to see the falls as the spray is intense.

From August the floods subside, and the falls start to dry up with September and October the lowest months with a few trickles. The Zimbabwean side is the best at this time as the main falls are still flowing. A unique activity during these months is the opportunity to swim in the Devil’s Pools on the Zambian side of the Falls and peer over the edge of the falls, 120meters down into the gorge below.

Accommodation on the Zambian side is more about luxury, all-inclusive safari style camps on the banks of the Zambezi River upriver from the falls.

Kafue National Park
One of the biggest parks in Zambia, Kafue National Park is a vast wildlife reserve on the western side of the country. Due to its vast size, Kafue National Park has a vast habitat which attracts a variety of wildlife. We focus on the game rich areas in the northern part of the park around Lufupa and Busanga Plains. The area around Lufupa is more about the riverine woodlands and floodplains, making it great for leopards, lions and other big game. As you head north to the Busanga Plains, the scenery opens to vast open grasslands and floodplains making it ideal for cheetah and large buffalo herds. The Busanga Plains is also renowned for its large herds of lechwe, puku, buffalo and roan antelope. These large herds of buffalo and antelope attract lions, and this has given Busanga Plains a bit of legendary status when it comes to lions. Like most other parks in Zambia, Kafue closes during the rains as the roads become impassable. As the rains start the Kafue River floods into the Busanga Plains flooding the plains. As the dry season intensifies so the floods recede leaving behind lush vegetation which attracts the large herds of herbivores.

North Luangwa National Park
The northern sister park of the South Luangwa National Park, but completely different and much more remote with only 2 rustic safari camps. The park is a true adventure traveler’s dream with very few roads within the park, meaning the best way to explore is on foot. Tracking large game is what North Luangwa is all about. This is also one of the few places in Zambia where you have any chance of seeing the Big Five. A separate area within the park is fenced and this is where several black rhinos live under 24hour guard. Because of the focus on walking safaris in North Luangwa, the camps in the park only open in June as the vegetation is open enough to enable guests to walk safely.

There are only 2 camps up in the North Luangwa that we use. Mwaleshi Camp and Takwela Camp are both rustic camps with both focusing on walking safaris throughout the park.

Liuwa Plains National Park
One of the success stories of Zambia’s conservation work in partnership with Time & Tide and African Park, Liuwa Plains National Park is a remote has been raised from the clutches of years of poaching. Liuwa Plains National Park is home to Africa’s second largest wildebeest migration. Up to 45,000 wildebeest move between the northern and southern plains as the rains come and go. Following the wildebeest are the resident lions and plentiful cheetah. What makes Liuwa Plains so special, is that there is only 1 permanent camp up here, meaning you are almost guaranteed having the whole park to yourself. King Lewanika Camp is the only luxury Camp in the park and offers world class guiding and experiences within the Liuwa National Park. The camp is only open several months a year when the migration is in the southern area of the park, making it more accessible.

Bangweulu Wetlands
Bangweulu means “where water meets the sky” which is a fitting description as the vast lake seems to blend perfectly with the sky. Uniquely, the Bangweulu Wetlands is a community-owned protected area and is home to 50,000 people who are allowed to sustainably harvest some of its natural resources. Unfortunately, over years, this has been exploited and many of the animals and birds have been killed. Today, African Parks have taken over the management of this special ecosystem and together with a safari operator in Zambia are slowly turning the park around. Black lechwe (endemic to the area) can now be seen in good numbers, as can the rare sitatunga that lives in the reeds around the edges of the wetland. One of the main draws for people to come up to the Bangweulu Wetlands is the chance to see the Shoebill Stork. Between May and August, shoebill storks are seen from canoes.

As of 2021, Shoebill Island Camp is the only option of accommodation in the area and together with African Parks are making sure the area is protected. Together, they have started re-introducing wildlife back into the area, including buffalo, zebra and cheetah.

South Luangwa National Park

Known as “Leopard Valley”

The South Luangwa National Park is Zambia’s top safari destination and rightly so. With some of the best privately owned and often owner run bush camps in Africa, matched by some of the best safari guides in Zambia, a safari to the South Luangwa will not disappoint. Game viewing in the South Luangwa is also some of the best in Africa with elephant, buffalo, lion, giraffe, zebra, impala, puku, wild dog and so much more. The South Luangwa is also known as the “Valley of leopards” due to its high density of leopards. Leopards are regarded as one of the most elusive animals to see on an African safari, yet in the South Luangwa, they are seen quite regularly on game drives and sometimes even on walking safaris.
The park landscape is very varied and so are the habitats which range from riverine woodlands, mopane woodlands to open grasslands and it is these broad habitats that mean a variety of animals thrive here. During a safari to the South Luangwa, guests can enjoy morning, afternoon and night game drives as well as walking safaris inside the park. Morning and afternoon game drives allow guests the chance the explore larger areas of the park and see the variety of animals, while night drives give guests a glimpse into the nocturnal creatures’ habits. Nighttime is also when the predators do most of their hunting, as leopard and lion become more active during the cooler nights.

Zambia and in particular the South Luangwa is renowned as the home of the walking safari, so there are few better places in Africa to enjoy our favorite African experience. Most safari camps within the South Luangwa will offer walking safaris as part of their activities. This usually means either walking directly from camp or driving out to an area and then exploring that area on foot. These walking safaris usually last 3 hours and are not very strenuous as guides focus on the smaller aspects of the African bush. Whether looking at tracks in the sand and interpreting what they mean or tasting and trying some of the edible and medicinal plants in the bush, walking safaris are fascinating experiences. For the more adventurous, some of the bush camps within the park offer guests the opportunity to walk between camps. Instead of taking a road transfer, guests set off with their guide and walk from one camp to the next, stopping for coffee breaks and sometimes even a bush breakfast along the way. The time it takes to get between camps varies depending on what camps you are staying at and also what you see along the way.

For the even more adventurous (our type of guests 😊), there are options to do multiday walking safaris staying in rustic (yet comfortable) mobile camps that move from one area to the next. Located in remote areas of the park with very few road networks, this is the best way to explore the area. Guests et off in the morning and walk to where the next camp will be setup. As guests are walking a team will pack up camp and move it to its new location, so by the time you get to camp it is all setup and ready for you. This is an incredible experience and is one of our all-time favorite things you can do in Africa.

As with most other parks in Zambia, most of the safari camps in the South Luangwa close during the rainy season and only open in April, May or June. This is because some of the smaller roads that link the rustic bush camps become flooded and impassable. Only a handful of luxury lodges remain open during this “emerald season”. This makes the best time to visit the South Luangwa National Park between June and the end of October which are the dry months. October is the very end of the dry season and the start of very hot summer months.

When is the best Season to go to on a safari to Zambia?

Zambia Seasons

​Zambia’s main safari areas follow a very similar weather pattern to that of other Southern African countries with the rainy season starting around November and lasting until March. Over this time of the year most of the smaller safari camps close as roads become impassable. Only a handful of lodges in some of the areas remain open for what is called the “Emerald Season” as rivers flood and the African bush turns bright green.

By April and May, the rains have subsided, and the surface water has started to dry up. The bush is still thick and green, and as the summer months fade away the nighttime temperatures start to drop to as low as 12°C (54°F). Daytime temperatures are a pleasant 25°C (77°F). Some camps open in April and May, while other remain closed until June.

By June the rains have pretty much disappeared and the bush has thinned out as the dry season takes it grip on the land. The small waterholes and pans have dried up and the animals start congregating around the permanent waterholes. The rest of the bush camps open in June and walking safaris start as the vehicles can now access the areas where walking safaris take place. As you head further into the dry season through July, August and September, the game viewing intensifies, and larger herds gather around the remaining water in the areas. Nighttime temperatures average 9°C (48°F) in the higher altitudes. In the lower warmer areas average nighttime temperatures are around 11°C (52°F), while daytime temperatures average 28°C (82°F).

October is the end of the dry season and is the best time to be on safari in Zambia as the bush is at it thinnest making it easier to see the animals and there is very little surface water around which means the animals are now congregated around the only evaporating waterholes. Daytime temperatures though climb to 36°C (97°F), but it can feel even hotter than that. Nighttime temperatures average 20°C (68°F) and as most of the camps in Zambia are small, rustic bush camps there is no aircon and it can get uncomfortable.