In this article read about 5 BEST THINGS TO DO IN ZAMBIA. The still-cool morning air is filled with the buzzing and chirping of countless cicadas and birds. You’re walking single file along a dusty hippo trail when your guide gives the signal and you come to a halt: up ahead, a lioness comes into view, fixes you in the soft gaze of her amber-colored eyes, then slinks away silently into the surrounding bush with a flick of her tail.
The encounter is brief, but when she’s gone, you realize your heart is racing and you’ve been holding your breath. Your focus shifts outward, and you take in your surroundings with renewed vigor – the colors are brighter, the sounds are clearer, and the smells are more intense. Zambia is wild and untamed, and you’ve never felt more alive!
Shumba Camp South Luangwa National Park in Zambia is regarded as the birthplace of walking safaris, but the country’s other magnificent parks and reserves should not be overlooked. This hidden-gem quality is precisely why these parks have long been a favorite destination for experienced safari travellers, particularly those seeking a more authentic wildlife experience with fewer visitors.
However, you may be surprised to learn that Zambia is also an excellent choice for first-time safari visitors. Why? Because the big game viewing is consistently good, the local guides are some of the best in Africa, the parks of the Luangwa and Zambezi Valleys offer a diverse range of activities – game drives, night drives, walking and canoeing safaris – and it’s all centered on the mighty Victoria Falls’ swirling mist and thundering water.
Here are 5 BEST THINGS TO DO IN ZAMBIA
1. Explore South Luangwa on Foot
A guided walking safari allows you to fully immerse yourself in this pristine wilderness. Your understanding of how every part of nature fits together in this extraordinary ecosystem grows as your senses sharpen. You’ll soon be able to identify different animal tracks in the sandy riverbeds, learn which plants are edible, and be astounded by how much information you can glean from the ubiquitous piles of animal dung.
And, yes, you have a good chance of experiencing the thrill of a lion sighting, especially in South Luangwa, which is one of the best places in Africa to spot big game on foot. There are no guarantees, however: walking is not an activity for tourists looking to complete a list! The nights are spent in comfortable tents, with all of the necessities of camp provided by the experienced staff.
The best places to stay are in the heart of South Luangwa, away from other people, vehicles, and signs of civilisation. Don’t be put off by the name – you’ll be more than comfortable with high-quality linen, hot showers, delicious down-home meals, and ice-cold drinks served around the campfire under a starry sky. Remember that the world is changing if you want to go somewhere right now. So travel the world, book a Zambia or to any other country like Namibia . Live your best life today.
2. Game Drives
Safari vehicle on a game drive along the Luangwa River, Zambia, watching three elephants at Chamilandu Bush Camp. For good reason, the South Luangwa is Zambia’s most well-known park: the concentration of game around the Luangwa River is among the densest in Africa. You’re unlikely to see rhino here, which is a shame, but aside from that notable exception, there’s more than enough big game to fill many a camera memory card.
On foot, you feel like you’re a part of this remote wilderness, but a car allows you to cover more ground and see more wildlife. What is our recommendation? In this area known for its high density of leopard and lion, rumbling herds of elephant gathered at oxbow lakes, and endemic species such as Thornicroft’s giraffe and Crawshay’s zebra, combine your walking safaris with game drives.
One of the most admirable guiding practices is that the South Luangwa guides do not automatically radio each other whenever they come across a good sighting. This means that if you come across a big cat or even a kill, you will have the space and freedom to quietly observe the sighting, which is simply fantastic.
3. Float down the Lower Zambezi River
The Lower Zambezi is a stunning reserve that stretches along the shimmering waters of the Zambezi River. There is also plenty of big game here, and the lodges are more accommodating with their schedules, putting together a day of activities to suit your preferences, such as game drives, nature walks, or – a major highlight – canoe safaris.
Don’t think of a canoe safari as hard work: you drift rather than paddle, passing submerged hippos and knobbly Nile crocodiles basking on the riverbanks. It’s both peaceful and exhilarating! The guides are completely attuned to the animals’ habits and behavior, and can predict their next moves with ease.
A canoe allows you to get a closer and more intimate view of animals like buffalo and elephant, who ignore your quiet passage past them and drink their fill at the water’s edge, unbothered by your presence.
4. Get Up Close and Personal With Vic Falls Microlight flights over Zambia’s spectacular Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls is appropriately named Mosi-oa-Tunya, or “The Smoke That Thunders.” Nothing prepares you for the first sight of the Zambezi River thundering over the drop – 500 million litres of water per minute crashing into a deep rocky gorge, launching a cloud of mist and rainbow-lit spray into the air.
The main falls are in Zimbabwe (see our full Victoria Falls guide), but the Zambian side is equally impressive during peak flow months (February to May). The Knife-Edge Bridge, which takes you right up close to this thundering waterfall – be prepared to get soaked! – is one of our favorite Zambian viewpoints.
Victoria Falls is an excellent place to begin or end a Zambian safari. If you have the time, I recommend spending at least three days sampling the many activities available, such as a scenic helicopter flip or microlight flight, or even white-water rafting on high-grade rapids
5. Witness the World’s Largest Mammal Migration During Sunset in Kasanka National Park, Zambia
Every year from October to December, the skies above Kasanka National Park are filled with approximately 10 million straw-colored fruit bats. That’s right, the Great Wildebeest Migration in East Africa is not the world’s largest mammal migration!
While the sheer number of bats is impressive, it’s the atmosphere surrounding this phenomenon that’s the most exciting: huge birds of prey swoop through the dramatic skies, taking down bats for breakfast. In the morning, you can see the usual Kasanka specials, such as rare, swamp-dwelling sitatunga antelope grazing in the misty dambos (wetlands). This is an absolute must-do experience for true safari enthusiasts.
