Zambia
Home to the mighty Victoria Falls and some of Africa's finest walking safaris. Zambia is raw, authentic, and uncrowded — a destination for travellers who want to experience the real Africa.
Photo by Henning Borgersen on Unsplash
About Zambia
Zambia is where the real Africa begins. While its neighbours attract the headlines, Zambia quietly delivers some of the continent's most authentic and intimate wildlife experiences. The country invented the walking safari — and South Luangwa National Park remains the best place on Earth to do one, tracking leopards and elephants on foot with expert guides.
Victoria Falls is the star attraction, and the Zambian side offers a more up-close experience than the Zimbabwe side — you can stand on the very lip of the falls at the famous Devil's Pool during low water season. But the falls are just the beginning. The Lower Zambezi offers canoe safaris along one of Africa's great rivers, with elephants and hippos as your companions. Kafue National Park — one of Africa's largest — is wildly underrated, with the Busanga Plains delivering a Serengeti-like experience without the crowds.
Lake Kariba, the enormous man-made lake on the Zimbabwe border, is a world unto itself — sunset cruises, tiger fishing, and houseboat stays that feel a million miles from anywhere. Zambia rewards the traveller who wants depth over breadth, silence over spectacle, and the feeling of having a place to themselves.
Explore Zambia
In-depth guides to the destinations that define a trip to Zambia.
The Smoke That Thunders
Victoria Falls
One of the seven natural wonders of the world, Victoria Falls is twice the height of Niagara and one and a half times as wide. The Zambian s…
The Birthplace of the Walking Safari
South Luangwa National Park
The valley where guided walking safaris were invented in the 1950s — and where they remain the best in Africa. South Luangwa offers extraord…
Canoe Safaris on Africa's Great River
Lower Zambezi National Park
A pristine 4,000-square-kilometre stretch of the Zambezi floodplain, where elephants wade in the river and canoe safaris glide past hippos a…
Top Highlights
Lake Kariba
One of the world's largest man-made lakes, straddling the Zambia-Zimbabwe border. Famous for its surreal landscapes of drowned trees, spectacular sunsets, and tiger fishing. Houseboat safaris offer a completely different perspective on the African bush.
Kafue National Park
Zambia's largest national park and one of the biggest in Africa. The Busanga Plains in the north are the highlight — a seasonal floodplain that attracts huge herds of lechwe, puku, and buffalo, along with lions, wild dogs, and cheetahs. Wildly underrated and wonderfully uncrowded.
When to Visit Zambia
Dry Season
May — October
The best time for safari. Vegetation thins out, animals congregate around rivers and waterholes, and the weather is dry and sunny with cool mornings. Victoria Falls is at its most powerful from May to July.
Green Season
November — April
The rains transform the landscape into lush green. Birding is exceptional with migratory species arriving. Prices drop significantly and lodges are less crowded. Some remote camps close due to flooding.
Shoulder Season
April — May
The rains taper off, the landscape is still green, and wildlife viewing starts improving. An excellent time to visit for a mix of green scenery and good game viewing at lower prices.
Getting to Zambia
Zambia has two main international airports: Kenneth Kaunda International in Lusaka and Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International in Livingstone (for Victoria Falls). Regional flights from Johannesburg, Nairobi, and Addis Ababa are the most common entry points. Internal flights connect Lusaka to Livingstone, Lower Zambezi, South Luangwa, and Kafue.
Main Airports
- Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (Lusaka)
- Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (Livingstone)
Visa Information
Many nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival or an e-visa before travel. The KAZA UniVisa covers both Zambia and Zimbabwe for 30 days and costs $50 USD — essential if you plan to visit Victoria Falls from both sides.
From Neighbouring Countries
Overland crossings are straightforward from Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls bridge), Botswana (Kazungula bridge), Tanzania (via Nakonde), and Mozambique. The Kazungula bridge, opened in 2021, is the newest and most modern crossing.
Travel Tips for Zambia
Explore More — Zambia
More in Southern Africa
South Africa
Capital: Pretoria
A world in one country — from Table Mountain and the Garden Route to Kruger National Park and the vibrant streets of Johannesburg. South Africa offers wildlife, wine, culture, and adventure in equal measure.
Zimbabwe
Capital: Harare
From the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls to the ancient ruins of Great Zimbabwe, this is a country of extraordinary natural beauty and deep cultural heritage. Hwange and Mana Pools deliver world-class safari experiences.
Botswana
Capital: Gaborone
The jewel of Southern African safari. The Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, and the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans make Botswana one of the most sought-after wildlife destinations on Earth.
Namibia
Capital: Windhoek
A photographer's paradise of towering red dunes, shipwreck coastlines, and vast desert landscapes. Namibia is one of Africa's most visually striking countries, with excellent self-drive routes and unique desert-adapted wildlife.
Mozambique
Capital: Maputo
Africa's Indian Ocean paradise. With over 2,500 kilometres of coastline, Mozambique offers pristine beaches, coral reefs, and island archipelagos that rival anywhere in the world. Perfect for combining with a Southern African safari.
Eswatini
Capital: Mbabane
Africa's last absolute monarchy is a small but culturally rich kingdom nestled between South Africa and Mozambique. Known for its vibrant traditions, nature reserves, and the spectacular Umhlanga Reed Dance.