ZAMBIA PRICE GUIDE

There are generally two main travel seasons when going on safari in Zambia, the Dry Season (high season) and the Wet Season (low season), with Shoulder Season months offering a valuable in-between for travelers seeking fewer crowds and better rates.

 

Dry Season – May to October (High Season)

This is the peak safari season in Zambia. Clear skies, virtually no rainfall, and increasingly dry landscapes concentrate wildlife around rivers and waterholes—especially in parks like South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi, and Kafue.

Best for:

• Game viewing (especially big cats and elephants)

• Walking safaris (a Zambian signature experience)

• Canoe safaris in Lower Zambezi

• Photographic conditions (dry air, golden light)

Wildlife Highlights:

• Large herds of elephant and buffalo

• Predator action near waterholes

• Carmine bee-eater colonies (Sept–Oct in Luangwa)

 

July–October is the driest stretch, offering exceptional game viewing, though it is also the most expensive and popular time to travel.

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Wet Season – November to April (Low Season)

Zambia's wet season, also known as the Emerald Season, transforms the bush into a lush green paradise. While game becomes harder to spot due to vegetation and water abundance, the birding is outstanding, and the scenery is dramatic and beautiful.

Best for:

• Birding (especially migratory species)

• Lush landscapes and dramatic skies

• Photographers and solitude-seekers

Challenges:

• Many remote camps close (especially in Lower Zambezi & Kafue)

• Some roads become impassable due to rains

• Wildlife disperses due to abundant water

 

January–March often sees limited safari operations, except for select lodges in South Luangwa which offer Emerald Season experiences by vehicle or boat.

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Shoulder Season – May to June & November

These transitional months offer excellent value, improving wildlife visibility, and fewer tourists. Vegetation is still green and beautiful after the rains, and many lodges reopen in May.

Best for:

• Great game viewing with fewer crowds

• Good availability and lower rates than peak season

• Dry conditions improving daily from May onward

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November is a unique window: the first rains begin, triggering impala births and migratory birds start to arrive. Wildlife is still easy to spot, but prices start to drop.

 

We have put together this Price Guide to give you a general sense of the average costs when considering a Safari to Zambia. We have used the shoulder season as a benchmark which we believe provides a balanced view between low and high season pricing. While rates can vary between properties and travel partners, we hope this serves as a helpful tool while considering the budget and standard of your safari journey, but please do reach out to us we are here to help you every step of the way!

 

It is important to note that this guide is meant only as a reference, as it does not reflect the quality of service, accommodation standards, or the richness of any of the experiences. Rather, we have designed this to give a broad overview of pricing across the different categories. Many outstanding stays exist across all price points!

 

Prices are based on per person per night sharing - in most cases, children under 12 receive a discounted rate when sharing with adults.

Single travelers often incur a single supplement charge, depending on the specific itinerary, accommodation and time of travel.

 

The Price Guide excludes cost for:

• Private Guides and Private Vehicles

• Private Vehicles which may be mandatory in some camps and lodges due to children's ages

• Additional activities not included in the accommodation rate (most properties we offer are fully inclusive but it is worth noting this)

• All transfers, both road and light aircraft travel

• International and regional air travel

• Visa fees