Walking, Canoeing and Open Vehicles
Go out on open vehicle safaris by day and after dark when leopard and hyena venture out to hunt.
Then hop across to Victoria Falls at the end for and relax on the river bank, raft the river rapids, or even take a jaw dropping helicopter flight over the falls.
When you’re out on safari you can expect to see virtually no-one else so you have that feeling you have Africa to yourselves.
Then back in camp enjoy delicious meals, the company of the other guests and a good comfort level.
Your guide puts your safety first and his deep knowledge and enthusiasm makes every moment on safari a revelation.
The best time to travel is May to late October when the weather is bone dry and the great herds are gathering around the rivers and lagoons.
Zambia is a country of seemingly endless grasslands, raging waterfalls, mighty rivers, heaving herds of wildebeest, of big cats, rhinos, elephants and russet-red sunsets.
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite experiences to inspire your imagination.Zambia is a country of seemingly endless grasslands, raging waterfalls, mighty rivers, heaving herds of wildebeest, of big cats, rhinos, elephants and russet-red sunsets.
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite experiences to inspire your imagination.
When David Livingstone first spied the majesty of Victoria Falls, he is said to have exclaimed that “scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.” So, it is for those who take the opportunity to rise up and explore this wonder of nature by helicopter.
From the air, the full mile-long sweep of the falls, the thundering depths of the chasm, the bare basalt geology, the glorious rainbows, and the full African setting become apparent. You’ll also see the churning rapids of the Zambezi, the ambition of the Victoria Falls Bridge, and spot game from above the Zambezi National Park.
There’s a thrill to standing in the very spot where Dr David Livingstone first described the sight that he would name after his distant queen, but the real attraction of Livingstone Island is the stupendous location right at the heart of this wonder of nature. From here, you will stand amidst the accelerating waters as they plunge more than 100m into the gorge below: it’s a heart-thumping, soaking, noisy and powerful place, yet in amongst the rage there are serene rainbows.
From the island, you’ll take a soak in the Devil’s Pool, often described as the world’s best infinity pool, from which you can peer over the very edge of the falls. This is undoubtedly the most incredible way to feel the force of one of the world’s greatest landforms.
Quietly creeping, listening for sounds, smelling the air, feeling the textures, watching for hand signals from your expert guide, calmed by the presence of an armed guard: these are some of the features of a walking safari. You’ll be shown the difference between lion and leopard prints, how to sense wind direction as you follow elephant, which plants are medicinal and which are to be avoided, even small-scale wonders of animals such as termites and the predatory antlion.
The unforgettable experience of a walking safari owes its origin to the legendary Noman Carr, who may well have trained the guide who is taking you through the Valley of the Leopard in South Luangwa. Countless people owe their most treasured safari experiences to the legacy of this place.
The seemingly endless golden grasslands stretch to the horizon across the remote and historic Liuwa Plain. It was here in the 1880s that King Lewanika of the Lozi tribe proclaimed a protected area of the place that sees the second largest wildebeest and zebra migration on the continent of Africa. And along with the prey, come the predators, so the Liuwa Plain is also host to a flourishing cheetah population, the famous Lady Liuwa pride of lions, and hyenas that throng in groups of 50 or more.
In the wet season, the grasslands are transformed into a huge watery and verdant wonderland of shallow lagoons, home to abundant fish, reptiles and wading birds. It’s at that time of year, with rumbles from enormous storms in the leaden skies, that the current King and his court move regally along the river to higher grounds during the Kuomboka festival.
Rivers are the arteries of life, and there is no better way to appreciate this than to glide down the tranquil waters of the Zambezi River in a place such as the Lower Zambezi National Park. You can quietly paddle your wide Canadian canoe yourself or relax and let your guide do the work so that you can fully appreciate the water birds flitting around, the lilies, and the animals drawn to the banks to lap up the life-giving water.
From a picnic spot on an island, you can watch the water pass by on its constant journey of replenishment. As the locals will tell you, this is the realm of the river god Nyaminyami: it certainly has the feeling of the divine.
The Zambezi is a languidly powerful force of nature and a ribbon of life as it passes through the Lower Zambezi National Park. When you stay on its banks in the unfenced and intimate camp of Old Mondoro, you’ll appreciate the draw of the river, for it’s a place that you literally share with the animals.
From your deck overlooking the river, you will see an endless procession weaving through the shade to the lure of the cooling and essential water. You’ll find that some of the most frequent traffic comes in the form of elephants, keen to slake their thirst and perhaps pick the occasional fallen pod from the roof of your chalet. Some may cross over the islands, past snorting hippos towards the Zimbabwe bank.
Imagine an Africa without the richness of its incredible ecosystems, without rhino or elephants, without lions and leopards, without stately giraffes grazing the umbrella acacia, or the herds of zebra and wildebeest nibbling the plains. There could be a future like that, but not if conservationists have anything to do with it.
An immersive visit to the headquarters of Conservation Lower Zambezi will enable you to see first-hand their many-pronged approach to sustainable development which not only conserves wildlife but also improves the lives of the people who live alongside it. You’ll see wildlife protection through anti-poaching measures, environmental action in schools, community empowerment projects, along with wildlife medicine and research.
The mighty Zambezi flows for 1,600 miles through six countries but is most famous for plunging into a basalt gorge forming the world’s greatest waterfall. It’s a place of boiling, swirling clouds and rainbows from which the river emerges once again to race down some of the most challenging rapids that rafters will ever encounter.
This is an experience not only of white knuckles and a raging pulse, of the buffeting of water and endurance, but also of human connection and teamwork as you play your part in negotiating the churning water under the expert instructions of your guide. The power of the water will put you firmly in your place, but you will learn that you can rise to the challenge and become invigorated by the sheer thrill of navigating the raging torrent.
With more than 150 species of mammal, and an area of more than 22,000 sq km, Kafue is Zambia’s largest and most diverse national park, it’s also officially Zambia’s oldest. With such an immense size, it has countless habitats to maintain its awesome levels of biodiversity; the bird list alone contains 492 species, which ranks second in Africa to the more thoroughly-recorded Kruger.
It’s a place where you can engage in day or night drives, walking safaris, boating, canoeing, and even ballooning over the immensity of the landscape. We recommend reclining on a bean bag whilst sipping a long cold drink in the treehouse hide of Musekese Camp, overlooking the aptly named Eden Lagoon.
The most human of gestures is to hold hands, and it is in Tongabezi Lodge Trust’s school that we find out that this is more than just a physical experience. Known by the local Chitonga name of Tujatane – which literally means ‘Let us hold hands together’ – the school is a place where everybody, from teachers to students, to volunteers, donors and guests at the lodge, hold hands metaphorically to empower children.
For more than 25 years, the school has grown and flourished from the select 15 excited children of the first year, to an incredible 280 today. A direct spinoff of Tongabezi Lodge, this is the perfect example for you to witness how you and your fellow travellers are helping the next generation.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing retreat, or an action-packed safari experience, Chiawa Camp has it all.
King Lewanika is far from the beaten track in an incredibly remote location, but you can appreciate Zambia’s diverse wildlife at your own pace in this unique haven, enjoying the comfort of secluded, luxurious accommodation.
Islands of Siankaba is a luxurious way to enjoy Zambia away from the crowds of Victoria Falls.
Puku Ridge inhabits a remote world of its own, watching the ancient patterns of life and survival while treating its visitors to enjoyably civilised hospitality. This small and intimate camp is built unobtrusively overlooking a vast floodplain where the Puku antelope after which the camp is named can be seen grazing throughout the day.
There are no fences at Lion Camp, so elephant, buffalo, and antelope come and go as they please. You can watch them from your private deck or the board walk, and they may well be watching you as you swim in the pool. The camp prides itself on its support for conservation and local community development initiatives, including Conservation South Luangwa and the Chipembele Wildlife Education Centre.
Shumba Camp boasts breathtaking views from a tree covered island in the middle of the Busanga Plains.
Welcome to Busanga Bush Camp, the perfect place to unplug and wind down in the heart of the Busanga Plains.
Tongabezi Lodge is the perfect place to enjoy Zambia at your own serene pace, and to relax at the end of the day.
Check in to the prestigious Royal Chundu Private Island Lodge, the only Relais & Châteaux property in Zambia, which is situated on an island in the Zambezi.
Situated at the far-eastern reaches of the park, Anabezi is characterised by the elephants which are drawn to the surrounding Winterthorn trees.
Situated under a canopy of Albida thorn trees Chongwe River Camp is family owned and managed and benefits from a friendly and informal atmosphere.
Mwaleshi Camp is the perfect escape for people looking to head off the beaten track and explore some of the more remote parts of Zambia by foot. Nestled on the banks of the Mwaleshi River, guests can stay in a comfortable chalet constructed out of natural materials and complete with en suite bathrooms that are open to the stars.
Simply designed, with a relaxing ‘back-to-the-bush’ ambience, this safari camp’s focus is to provide an authentic, intimate safari that concentrates on the wildlife and bush experience without forgoing any creature comforts or service.
Sausage Tree Camp was voted #1 on the BBC's Ten Best Luxury Destinations programme and is deserving of the accolade.
Mchenja, meaning "the ebony tree", is set beneath a magnificent grove of these trees on the banks of the Luangwa River. It is the most luxurious of the Norman Carr tented camps yet it is also designed to combine excellently with other more rustic bush camps.
Embark on an extraordinary safari journey through Zambia's remote wilderness. Discover luxurious accommodation amid untouched landscapes. Traverse untamed plains, witness incredible wildlife, and unwind in exclusive camps offering unparalleled luxury amidst the raw beauty of remote Zambia.
Indulge in a luxurious Zambian getaway. Start with the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, then venture into the wilderness for an exclusive safari, encountering Zambia's diverse wildlife while unwinding in stunning accommodations, creating an unforgettable African adventure.
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite experiences to inspire your imagination.
Three of Africa’s great rivers set the scene for your Zambia safari. The Zambezi, the Luangwa and the Kafue rivers are all of different character and have national parks named for them.