​Overview – Zambia

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip has traveled through Zambia several times and is the author of more than 20 guidebooks to various African destinations.

Philip is the Zambia expert for SafariBookings and author of more than 20 guidebooks to Africa.

Philip is our Zambia expert and author of more than 20 guidebooks to Africa.

Zambia is an undiscovered safari gem. Victoria Falls, in all its powerful splendor, is on many people’s bucket list. But delve deeper and you’ll find some of Africa’s most pristine and uncrowded wildlife havens. Top-notch parks such as South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi and Kafue National Parks are just waiting to be explored on game drives, as well as expertly guided walking, boat and canoe safaris.

Rates (USD) $187 to $937 pp/day
Best Time To Go May to September (Most parks)
High Season July to October (Victoria Falls and South Luangwa get busy)
Size 752,618km² / 290,587mi²

Pros & Cons

  • True wilderness experience
  • Small ecofriendly bush camps and low-density tourism
  • A chance to see Victoria Falls
  • Excellent guiding
  • One of Africa’s best walking safari destinations
  • Fantastic wildlife viewing
  • Few other attractions to supplement a safari
  • Relatively expensive safari destination

Zambia Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding

Wildlife

Across Zambia, you’ll find lots of safari favorites such as elephants, buffalo and zebras. Lions and leopards have a high profile and the country is one of the main strongholds of the endangered wild dog. Several waterways, including the mighty Zambezi River, host huge numbers of hippos and crocodiles. Elsewhere, big herds of lechwe thrive in wetland areas.

Weather & Climate

In the Dry season (May to October), days are mostly warm to hot and temperatures peak in October, just before the season changes. From June, mornings can get quite chilly and you’ll need warm clothing on early morning game drives. During the country’s Wet season (November to April), the rain can pelt down. Stifling heat and humidity is also an issue at this time of year.

Best Time To Visit

The rainfall that pours down during the Wet season (November to April) has a habit of cutting off road access in more remote areas, which can make it difficult to get around. For this reason, many of the country’s parks close during the rains – a notable exception being South Luangwa. Wildlife viewing is more productive in the Dry season (May to October), when there’s hardly any rain to be seen, and animals are easily found at local rivers and waterholes.

Premier Parks & Reserves

Want To Visit Zambia?

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Zambia Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
Most Helpful Expert Review
Expert
Philip Briggs  –  
South Africa ZA

Philip is an acclaimed travel writer and author of many guidebooks, including the Bradt guides to Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa.

Adventurer’s Africa
4/5

One of my top five experiences in more than 30 years of African travel was a canoe safari in Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park. This is a total wilderness experience, offering the exhilarating immediacy of being right there, in the...

Full Review

Latest User Review
Derek Addison  –  
United Kingdom UK
Reviewed: Oct 19, 2023
Vibrant, welcoming people
5/5

Superb stay at Wild dogs in Lusaka and crocodile camp in south Luangwa (mufwe).
Helpful and welcoming at all times, bush drives all good and couldn't fault.

Full Review