ZAMBIA
Our Travel Guide

Nestled in the heart of Southern Africa, Zambia remains one of the continent's best-kept secrets. This landlocked country offers extraordinary wildlife experiences, stunning landscapes, and vibrant cultural heritage without the crowds found in more popular African destinations.

For travelers seeking authentic safari experiences and meaningful cultural encounters, Zambia provides a rare glimpse into an Africa that exists beyond the typical tourist circuit—wild, unspoiled, and profoundly moving.

What makes Zambia truly special is the combination of exceptional wildlife diversity, the absence of mass tourism, the pioneering of walking safaris, and the genuine warmth of its people.

Here, visitors can track leopards in South Luangwa, canoe alongside elephants on the Zambezi River, witness the thundering Victoria Falls, and participate in living cultural traditions.

Photo by Dave Christensen

Zambia represents Africa at its most authentic and captivating—a destination that rewards travelers with experiences impossible to replicate elsewhere. What truly sets Zambia apart:

Untouched Wilderness

Unlike more commercialized safari destinations, Zambia offers genuine wilderness experiences where encounters with wildlife feel intimate and privileged. The absence of mass tourism means game drives often occur without another vehicle in sight, creating a profound sense of discovery and connection with nature.

The Birthplace of Walking Safaris

Zambia pioneered the walking safari—a transformative way to experience the African bush that engages all senses and creates a deeper understanding of ecosystems. Walking in landscapes where humans are visitors, not masters, fundamentally changes one's perspective on the natural world.

Water-Based Adventures

Few African destinations offer Zambia's variety of water experiences—from canoeing past hippos on the Zambezi, to boating through channels in the Lower Zambezi, to witnessing the thundering power of Victoria Falls. This aquatic dimension adds unique variety to the safari experience.

Living Traditions

Unlike places where cultural experiences feel staged for tourists, Zambia's traditional ceremonies and village life continue with authentic vigor. Visitors can witness age-old ceremonies that maintain the same significance they've held for centuries, offering rare windows into African cultural heritage.

Extraordinary Guides

Zambian safari guides are renowned worldwide for their knowledge, passion, and storytelling abilities. Their interpretive skills transform game viewing from mere wildlife spotting into immersive education about entire ecosystems.

Conservation Success Stories

From the recovery of Liuwa Plain's lions to the protection of Kafue's vast wilderness, Zambia showcases conservation models that successfully balance ecosystem protection, community benefits, and tourism. Visitors directly contribute to these efforts through their presence.

The Warmth of Zambian People

Perhaps most memorable of all is the genuine warmth and hospitality of Zambians. The national motto—"One Zambia, One Nation"—reflects a society where visitors are welcomed with authentic kindness that transforms a journey into a homecoming.

To visit Zambia is to experience Africa as it should be—wild, soulful, and transformative. It's a place where sunsets seem more vivid, stars shine brighter, and wildlife encounters leave permanent imprints on your soul. Whether tracking leopards through South Luangwa's ebony groves, drifting silently past elephants on the Zambezi, or standing awestruck at Victoria Falls as rainbows dance through the mist, Zambia offers moments of transcendent beauty that remind us why wilderness matters—and why we travel at all.

In an increasingly homogenized world, Zambia remains gloriously, authentically itself: a destination not just to visit, but to feel deeply and remember forever.

Official Name: Republic of Zambia
Capital: Lusaka
Population: Approximately 20 million
Area: 752,618 km² (290,587 sq mi)
Language: English (official), alongside more than 70 indigenous languages including Bemba, Nyanja, Tonga, Lozi, and Kaonde
Currency: Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)
Time Zone: Central Africa Time (CAT), UTC+2
Climate: Tropical with three distinct seasons: cool and dry (May to August), hot and dry (September to November), warm and wet (December to April)

South Luangwa National Park

Often called the "Valley of the Leopard," South Luangwa is Zambia's premier wildlife destination and one of Africa's finest safari parks.

Highlights:

Extraordinary leopard sightings—among the best in Africa
Large elephant herds and buffalo
Endemic Thornicroft's giraffe subspecies found nowhere else in the world
Unique Crawshay's zebra with distinctive stripe patterns
Over 400 bird species
Pioneered walking safaris in Africa—the birthplace of this immersive experience

Unique Features:

The Luangwa River forms the park's eastern boundary, creating a life-giving waterway that attracts incredible concentrations of wildlife. The park's oxbow lagoons act as magnets for game, especially during the dry season when thousands of hippos crowd into remaining water sources. The dramatic light on the Luangwa's ebony groves creates magical photographic opportunities found nowhere else.

Best Time to Visit: June to October for optimal wildlife viewing, with peak game concentrations in September and October. For bird enthusiasts, the emerald season (December to March) offers spectacular birding.

Lower Zambezi National Park

Set along the majestic Zambezi River opposite Zimbabwe's Mana Pools, this park offers an intimate wildlife experience in a stunning riverine environment unlike any other safari destination.

Highlights:

Unparalleled canoeing safaris alongside hippos and elephants—a signature Zambian experience
Large elephant herds often seen crossing channels between islands
Excellent predator sightings (lions, leopards) often at close range
World-class tiger fishing opportunities in the mighty Zambezi
Dramatic escarpment backdrop creating stunning photographic vistas
Unforgettable riverside camping under massive winter thorn trees

Unique Features:

The park remains relatively undeveloped, offering a genuine wilderness experience. The ability to experience wildlife from both land and water creates magical safari opportunities not possible in most other destinations. Many camps are situated right on the riverbank, allowing guests to watch elephants and other wildlife from their private decks—creating an immersive experience where the wild comes to you.

Best Time to Visit: May to October, with peak wildlife viewing in the driest months (August to October).

Kafue National Park: Africa's Best-Kept Secret

Zambia's oldest and largest national park, Kafue covers an area the size of Wales and contains incredible habitat diversity unmatched elsewhere in Africa.

What Makes It Special:

The Busanga Plains – a seasonal floodplain that transforms from wetland to savanna, creating one of Africa's most photogenic landscapes with misty dawns over red lechwe herds
Exceptional predator viewing with resident lion prides adapted to hunting in seasonal wetlands
Some of Africa's best cheetah sightings in an environment perfectly suited to their hunting style
Rare antelope species difficult to see elsewhere, including roan, sable, and the aquatic sitatunga
The incredibly remote northern sector with hippo-filled rivers and pristine woodlands
Over 500 bird species in incredibly diverse habitats

Unique Features: The park's vast size and varied terrain create distinct ecosystems within a single protected area. From the vast open Busanga Plains in the north—which resembles the Serengeti but with a fraction of the visitors—to the wooded miombo forests in the south and the meandering Kafue River creating riparian habitats throughout, this park offers unmatched diversity. The sensation of exploring truly wild Africa, with enormous areas still rarely visited, creates a pioneering experience increasingly rare in modern safari destinations.

Liuwa Plain National Park

One of Africa's most remote and undiscovered parks, made famous by Lady Liuwa, the last lioness.

Highlights:

Second-largest wildebeest migration in Africa
Large hyena clans and recovering lion population
Incredible birdlife including thousands of cranes and storks
Vast, open plains with dramatic skyscapes
Authentic cultural experiences with local Lozi people

Unique Features: The blue wildebeest migration here is second only to the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem. The park is also known for its wildflower blooms after the rains.

Best Time to Visit: November for wildebeest migration; May to July for clear skies and moderate temperatures.

Kasanka National Park

Though small, this park hosts one of Africa's most spectacular natural phenomena.

Highlights:

World's largest mammal migration: 10 million fruit bats arrive between October and December
Rare sitatunga antelope in the swamps
Diverse habitats including riverine forest, miombo woodland, and wetlands
Over 450 bird species

Unique Features: The annual bat migration creates an unforgettable wildlife spectacle as millions of straw-colored fruit bats darken the skies at dusk and dawn.

Best Time to Visit: Late October to December for the bat migration; May to October for general wildlife viewing.

Ethnic Groups and Living Traditions

Zambia is home to over 70 ethnic groups, each with distinct traditions, ceremonies, and artistic expressions that continue to thrive in the modern era. Unlike many destinations where cultural experiences feel staged for tourists, Zambia offers opportunities to witness authentic ceremonies and traditions that maintain the same significance they've held for centuries.

Bemba: The largest ethnic group, predominantly in the Northern and Luapula Provinces. Known for their complex political systems and rich oral traditions that preserve history through storytelling. Their ukusefya pa ng'wena ceremony celebrates the migration of the Bemba people.

Tonga: Primarily located in Southern Province, traditionally cattle herders with strong agricultural traditions. The Lwiindi Gonde ceremony gives thanks to ancestral spirits for good harvests and rains.

Lozi: Western Province's predominant group, known for the spectacular Kuomboka ceremony where the Litunga (king) moves from flood plains to higher ground in elaborately decorated barges accompanied by hundreds of paddlers and traditional music. This centuries-old ceremony adapts to annual flooding and represents one of Africa's most spectacular cultural events.

Chewa: Eastern Province's main group, famous for the Nyau secret society and masked dance performances where dancers embody spiritual beings. The Kulamba ceremony brings together Chewa people from across borders to pay homage to their paramount chief.

Ngoni: Descendants of Zulu warriors who migrated north in the 19th century, maintaining distinctive military traditions and dance characterized by dramatic foot stamping and synchronized movements.

Annual Ceremonies: Living Cultural Heritage

Zambia's traditional ceremonies offer visitors profound insights into cultural heritage that continues to thrive in the modern era. Unlike staged performances in many tourist destinations, these ceremonies maintain authentic spiritual and cultural significance:

Kuomboka (Lozi, March/April): This spectacular ceremony marks the Litunga's movement from the flooded plains to higher ground. The royal barge Nalikwanda, topped with a giant black elephant figurehead, is paddled by hundreds of oarsmen in synchronized rhythm while traditional musicians perform. This centuries-old adaptation to annual flooding represents one of Africa's most colorful cultural spectacles.
Ncwala (Ngoni, February): The first fruits ceremony celebrating harvest and kingship features warrior dances derived from the Ngoni's Zulu heritage. The dramatic foot-stomping, shield-bearing performances honor ancestors and military traditions with raw energy and precision.
Mutomboko (Lunda, July): This vibrant ceremony commemorates the Lunda migration into Zambia with the Mwata Kazembe (king) performing the mutomboko dance in royal regalia passed down for generations. The ceremony blends historical commemoration with spiritual connection to ancestors.
Shimunenga (Ila, October): This ceremony in Namwala celebrates the Ila people's deep connection with their cattle and ancestors. Traditional herdsmen display their wealth and prowess as cattle swim across the Kafue River—a spectacular sight accompanied by traditional singing and dancing.
Likumbi Lya Mize (Luvale, August): One of Zambia's most dramatic ceremonies features the emergence of Makishi masked dancers from their initiation camps. These masked figures represent ancestral spirits returning to the community, with elaborate costumes and movements that connect the living with their ancestors.

Art and Craft

Zambia has a rich tradition of handicrafts and artistic expression:

Intricately carved wooden sculptures and masks
Basketry, particularly the tightly woven Tonga baskets
Pottery with geometric designs
Textile arts including colorful chitenge fabrics
Copper jewelry and ornaments reflecting the country's mining heritage

Living Museums and Cultural Villages

Kawaza Village (near South Luangwa): Offers authentic stays with the Kunda people.
Nsongwe Village (near Livingstone): Provides insights into traditional Toka-Leya culture.
Mwandi Village (Western Province): Showcases Lozi traditions and lifestyle.

Victoria Falls and Livingstone Island

Victoria Falls (locally called Mosi-oa-Tunya, "The Smoke That Thunders") stands as one of Africa's most spectacular natural wonders and offers visitors experiences impossible to replicate elsewhere.

Unique Features:

The falls create a permanent rainforest ecosystem on its edges, sustained entirely by the constant spray
Devil's Pool—a natural infinity pool at the very edge of the falls where brave swimmers can peer over the 108-meter drop (August-January)
The lunar rainbow phenomenon during full moons—one of few places on earth to witness this rare night-time rainbow
Spectacular gorges downstream offering world-class white water rafting
The ability to experience the falls from multiple perspectives: helicopter flights ("Flight of Angels"), walking paths, boat cruises, and even bungee jumping

What Makes It Special: The Zambian side of Victoria Falls offers more intimate experiences with the falls compared to the Zimbabwean side. During lower water seasons, visitors can walk to Livingstone Island and swim in Devil's Pool—an experience that combines extreme adventure with natural beauty in a way that exists nowhere else on earth. The variety of adventure activities concentrated in one area makes this a perfect complement to wildlife experiences elsewhere in Zambia.

The Eastern Highlands

Rising along the border with Malawi, these highlands include the Nyika Plateau and Mafinga Hills (Zambia's highest point at 2,339m).

Unique Features:

Rolling montane grasslands
Unique flora including rare orchids
Cool climate distinct from the rest of Zambia
Excellent hiking opportunities
Spectacular viewpoints across the Great Rift Valley

The Northern Circuit

The northern region includes Lake Tanganyika (the world's longest freshwater lake) and the dramatic Kalambo Falls, Africa's second-highest uninterrupted waterfall at 235m.

Unique Features:

Pristine beaches along Lake Tanganyika
Excellent fishing opportunities
Remote wilderness areas
Unique aquatic ecosystems with endemic fish species
Prehistoric sites at Kalambo Falls

Bangweulu Wetlands: A Water Wilderness Like No Other

This vast, seasonally flooded ecosystem in northern Zambia creates one of Africa's most spectacular and least-visited wildlife habitats.

What Makes It Special:

Home to the prehistoric-looking shoebill stork—one of Africa's most sought-after bird sightings
Enormous black lechwe herds (over 100,000) found nowhere else on earth
Floating villages and traditional fishing communities with ways of life adapted to seasonal flooding
Dramatic seasonal transformations as water levels change by several meters
Community-led conservation success story with local fishermen becoming wildlife protectors
Marshland canoe safaris through channels and lagoons teeming with waterbirds

Unique Features: The Bangweulu (meaning "where the water meets the sky") creates an ecosystem that blurs the line between land and water. Traditional villages built on elevated mounds become islands during peak floods, with locals using dugout canoes for transportation. The combination of extraordinary wildlife, unique landscapes, and authentic cultural encounters makes this remote area one of Africa's great undiscovered treasures.

Western Barotseland

The traditional homeland of the Lozi people features the vast Barotse Floodplain along the upper Zambezi.

Unique Features:

Annual flooding creates a temporary inland sea
Traditional lifestyle adapted to seasonal flooding
Distinctive canoe culture
Royal ceremonies and traditions dating back centuries
Mongu sand dunes overlooking the floodplain

Regional Highlights

Livingstone and Victoria Falls Area

The tourism hub of Zambia, offering adventure activities, wildlife, and cultural experiences that combine to create the perfect introduction to Zambia.

What Makes It Special:

Victoria Falls (best viewed from Zambia June-December) with unique access to Livingstone Island and Devil's Pool
Opportunity to see the lunar rainbow during full moon nights—a rare natural phenomenon
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park offering close encounters with white rhinos on foot
The widest range of adventure activities in Africa concentrated in one area (bungee jumping, white water rafting, helicopter flights, zip-lining, gorge swinging)
Living cultural experiences in authentic Toka-Leya villages
Colonial history preserved in Livingstone Museum and architecture

Best For: Adventure travelers, first-time visitors to Africa, honeymooners seeking a balance of adventure and luxury

South Luangwa Region

Zambia's premier wildlife destination combines exceptional game viewing with authentic cultural experiences and pioneering conservation efforts.

What Makes It Special:

World-renowned leopard sightings in natural settings
The birthplace of walking safaris with Africa's finest walking guides
Stunning oxbow lagoons creating wildlife magnets during dry season
Endemic subspecies including Thornicroft's giraffe and Cookson's wildebeest
Community-owned enterprises like Tribal Textiles supporting local development
Authentic village experiences in Kawaza and other communities

Best For: Wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, travelers seeking authentic safari experiences

Lower Zambezi Valley

This remote riverside wilderness offers water-based safari experiences impossible to replicate elsewhere.

What Makes It Special:

The only major park in Zambia where you can canoe among elephants and hippos
Camps situated directly on the riverbank with wildlife viewing from your deck
Exceptional elephant viewing as herds cross between islands
World-class tiger fishing
Night drives offering leopard sightings
Dramatic backdrop of the Zambezi Escarpment

Best For: Adventure seekers, fishing enthusiasts, wildlife lovers who appreciate water environments

Dry Season (May-October): Prime wildlife viewing as animals concentrate around water sources. Cool to hot temperatures with virtually no rain. Peak season for safaris.
Emerald Season (November-April): Lush landscapes with dramatic skies. Bird watching is exceptional. Lower visitor numbers and rates. Some remote areas become inaccessible due to rains.
Victoria Falls: Water volume is highest March-June (spectacular but misty views). Better visibility and Devil's Pool access August-January when water levels are lower.

Most visitors require visas for Zambia
Single-entry tourist visas available on arrival at major entry points
KAZA Uni-visa allows access to both Zambia and Zimbabwe, ideal for Victoria Falls visitors
E-visas available online through the Zambian Immigration website

We will provide supporting documentation for your visa process, however, while we do our best to share the most current information, visa and passport regulations can change at short notice. Obtaining the correct visa is the responsibility of each traveler. We suggest you check with your consulate or embassy for current visa and passport information.

Walking Safaris: A Zambian Innovation

Pioneered in South Luangwa, walking safaris represent Zambia's signature contribution to African wildlife tourism. Unlike game drives, these guided walks focus on tracking skills, smaller creatures, plant life, and ecosystem connections often missed from vehicles. Walking through landscapes where humans are visitors, not masters, fundamentally transforms one's relationship with nature.

Led by some of Africa's most qualified guides accompanied by armed rangers, these walks create heart-pounding moments when you track lions by their prints or stand downwind from a buffalo herd. The absence of engine noise means heightened senses, allowing you to hear elephants tearing branches or the warning calls of birds. Many operators offer multi-day walking safaris between fly camps—a truly immersive wilderness experience.

Canoeing the Zambezi: Africa's Premier Water Safari

Multi-day canoe safaris along the Lower Zambezi provide wildlife encounters from a unique perspective impossible to replicate elsewhere. Gliding silently in traditional canoes with expert guides, you'll paddle past massive hippo pods, watch elephants drinking at the river's edge, and observe countless birds in an environment where the animals remain genuinely wild.

The experience combines moments of serenity with bursts of adrenaline as you navigate channels between islands. At night, you'll camp on islands under the stars, falling asleep to the sounds of hippos grunting and the distant roars of lions—an authentic adventure that reconnects you with primal rhythms.

Devil's Pool and Livingstone Island

During low water season (August-January), brave visitors can swim in Devil's Pool—a natural rock pool at the very edge of Victoria Falls, with only a rock lip preventing a 108-meter drop into the gorge below. This heart-stopping experience combines extreme adventure with natural wonder in a way few destinations can match. The guided experience includes a boat ride to Livingstone Island, a short hike, and an exhilarating swim with views over the precipice that will feature in your stories for years to come.

Bat Migration at Kasanka: The World's Largest Mammal Migration

Witness an extraordinary spectacle as approximately 10 million straw-colored fruit bats gather in a tiny patch of forest in Kasanka National Park from late October to December. This little-known natural phenomenon surpasses the Serengeti migration in sheer numbers, creating sunsets where the sky darkens with bats streaming out to feed. Special viewing platforms allow visitors to watch this breathtaking emergence and return at dawn—a wildlife spectacle still undiscovered by mass tourism.

Kuomboka Ceremony: Living Cultural Heritage

If timing permits (usually March or April depending on flood levels), the annual Lozi ceremony offers one of Africa's most spectacular cultural events. Celebrating the movement of the king from flood plains to higher ground, elaborately decorated barges with massive elephant figurehead sculptures and hundreds of paddlers create a moving feast of color, music, and tradition. Unlike staged cultural performances found elsewhere, this centuries-old ceremony continues with authentic purpose, offering visitors a privileged window into living African heritage.

Tiger Fishing: Battling the Zambezi's Fiercest Predator

The Zambezi River offers world-class fishing for the aggressive tiger fish, known for acrobatic fights and razor-sharp teeth. These powerful predators (reaching up to 15kg) put up spectacular aerial battles when hooked, making them one of freshwater fishing's greatest challenges. Lodges along the Zambezi offer catch-and-release fishing expeditions with experienced guides who know the best channels and techniques—an adventure that combines sport with immersion in one of Africa's most beautiful river environments.

Zambia’s primary gateway is Lusaka, the capital and largest city, home to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport with international connections to Johannesburg, Nairobi, Dubai, and Addis Ababa.

Livingstone, near Victoria Falls, also has an international airport and is a key entry point for travelers exploring the Zambezi region.

Other important cities include Ndola and Kitwe, located in the Copperbelt—Zambia’s mining and industrial hub.

International Airports

Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN), Lusaka: The main gateway to Zambia with connections to major African hubs and some international destinations.
Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI), Livingstone: The primary access point for Victoria Falls and southern Zambia.
Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport (NLA), Ndola: Serves the Copperbelt region.
Mfuwe International Airport (MFU): Direct access to South Luangwa National Park.

Major Airlines Serving Zambia

International carriers: Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, South African Airways, Emirates (via Harare), Qatar Airways, RwandAir
Regional carriers: Airlink, Proflight Zambia, Fastjet

Zambia is celebrated for its unspoiled wilderness and authentic safari experiences.

As the birthplace of the walking safari, it offers immersive wildlife encounters in parks like South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi, and Kafue.

Zambia is also home to Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and shares its dramatic beauty with neighboring Zimbabwe.

The country’s warm hospitality, rich cultural traditions, and impressive water-based landscapes along the Zambezi and Luangwa Rivers make it a hidden gem in Southern Africa.

Vaccinations: Yellow fever certificate required if arriving from endemic countries. Recommend hepatitis A, typhoid, and routine vaccinations.
Malaria: Present throughout Zambia. Take prophylaxis and use insect repellent, especially during rainy season.
Water: Drink bottled or purified water only.
Safety: Generally safe for tourists, but exercise normal precautions. Wildlife areas require following ranger instructions.

ZAMBIA Our Travel Guide

ZAMBIA
Our Travel Guide