Two weeks in Zambia – a holiday itinerary

Hailed as the home of the walking safari, Zambia is one of Africa’s premier wildlife destinations, boasting impressive numbers of flora and fauna.

If you’d like to experience an authentic safari, then a trip to Zambia should top your travel wishlist. Here’s a handy two week itinerary for a Zambia safari.

Spend four days in the Mosi Oa Tunya National Park

Best time to go: Different seasons will provide different experiences. Sometimes the cost of safaris varies per season. The peak flood season around March  – giving you the best chance to see the thundering Victoria Falls in all it’s glory.

The Mosi Oa Tunya National Park is mentioned in UNESCO’s World Heritage List for being home to the place where the Zambezi River takes a two kilometre plunge – known as the Victoria Falls. In fact, the mist from the raging waters can be seen from a distance of more than 20 kilometres away.

What to see in the Mosi Oa Tunya National Park

The Mosi Oa Tunya National Park is not a big park. However, this has its advantages. According to Zambia Tourism there is a high diversity of wildlife and due to the size of the park, they’re easy to spot. While going on a game drive along the river you might see numerous antelope species, giraffe, warthog, zebra, elephant and a high variety of birds.

If you’re a daredevil at heart, you should definitely take the chance to swim in the Devil’s Pool, a pool just on the edge of the falls where the water drops. Swimming in Devil’s Pool is only possible during the drier months from August to January.

Where to stay in Mosi Oa Tunya National Park

The Royal Livingstone, Mosi Oa Tunya National Park

The Royal Livingstone is located on the banks of the Zambezi River, close to where the water drops, providing you with spectacular views of the Victoria Falls.

Sanctuary Sussi and Chuma, Livingstone and Victoria Falls

On the bend of the Zambezi River, in the Mosi Oa Tunya National Park, is where you’ll find Sanctuary Sussi and Chuma. Named after Dr. David Livingstone’s faithful friends Sussi and Chuma, the lodge is located in one of the most beautiful parts of the Zambezi?.

Spend three days in the South Luangwa National Park

Best time to go: The park is closed between November and May each year but the opening coincides with the best time of year for game viewing

South Luangwa National Park one of the most impressive parks in Zambia. In fact, it’s estimated that there are 60 different animal species and over 400 different bird species which can be found in the park.?

What to see in the South Luangwa National Park

The South Luangwa National Park has a high variety and density of animals. While on a game drive you might spot impala, puku, giraffe, buffaloes, leopards, elephants and hippos.

A great way to explore the park is by doing the famous walking safari one of the finest way to experience the African wilderness.

Where to stay in South Luangwa National Park

Sanctuary Puku Ridge Camp, South Luangwa National Park

The Sanctuary Puku Ridge Camp is located in the South Luangwa National Park overlooking a floodplain. The camp provides you with excellent game viewing opportunities.

Mfuwe Lodge, South Luangwa

The Mfuwe Lodge boasts thatched buildings arranged around the banks of two lagoons where an endless stream of wildlife will keep you enthralled as you lounge on the open deck or take a dip in the swimming pool.? Keep an eye out for the elephants that are not adverse to walking into the lodge; without making a booking.

On safari in South Luangwa, Zambia. People sometimes ask me how close you get to the wild animals. It can be this close. We’d been watching lions from a vehicle similar to this one. When these people turned up we moved on to give them space. I snapped this shot as we departed. #safari #southluangwa #wildanimals #wildlife #animalelite #animalpolis #wildlifephotography #igscwildlife #wildlife_perfection #africanamazing #adventurevisuals #loves_africa #lonelyplanet #travelphotography #traveling #travelling #travel #instatravel #9vaga_world9 #nature #natgeo #natgeotravel #natgeocreative #natgeoyourshot #natgeohub #natgeowild #african_portraits #earthpix

A photo posted by Anne Downing (@annedowninng) on May 7, 2016 at 7:49am PD

Spend three days in the Lower Zambezi National Park

The best time to visit is in between July to October, this is when the dry season occurs. The bushes thin out which makes it easier to spot the wildlife.

The Lower Zambezi National Park is situated opposite the famous Mana Pools Reserve in Zimbabwe, covering 4092 square kilometres. Most of the game is concentrated along the valley floor or at the edges of the Zambezi River. In fact, huge herds of up to 100 elephants can be seen here.?

What to see in the Lower Zambezi National Park

To get the best out of your safari in this park, you should head to the flood plains or along the river. While on a boat trip you might spot the highest density of wildlife.

In the park you can find the elephant, puku, impala, zebra, buffalo, bushbuck, leopard, lion and cheetah. Next to that, more than 400 bird species have been recorded.

Where to stay in Lower Zambezi National Park

Anabezi Luxury Tented Camp, Lower Zambezi National Camp

The Anabezi Luxury Tented Camp is located at the lower end of the Zambezi National Park offering absolute luxury with complete rustic authenticity?.

Sausage Tree Camp, Lower Zambezi National Park

Along the Zambezi River, at the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park is where you’ll find the Sausage Tree Camp. It’s close proximity to the Zambezi River bank gives elephants to amble in between the tents every now and then.

On the banks of the Zambezi. #zambia #hippo #lowerzambezi #ig_africa #safari

A photo posted by @meeskuiper on Oct 29, 2015 at 7:33am PDT

Spend four days in the Kafue National Park

Best time to go: The best time to go on a game viewing safari to the Kafue National Park is during the dry season from April to October.

A great way to end your two weeks in Zambia is with a safari to the Kafue National Park. Kafue is Zambia’s largest park and one of the biggest of the world, covering more than 22,500 square kilom?etres.

What to see in the Kafue National Park

The Kafue National Park is a great place for game drives. However, in Kafue, it is not about the number of wildlife you’ll see, but rather about the diversity of the wildlife on show.

A must-see place in the Kafue National Park is the Kafue River, home to great numbers of hippos and some of the largest crocodiles in Southern Africa.

Where to stay in the Kafue National Park

Busanga Bush Camp, the Kafue National Park

The Busanga Bush Camp located ?in the heart of the Busanga Plains. Hidden on a tree-island of sycamore fig trees, the camp has four well-appointed en-suite tents each with a hammock on the veranda.

Kafue National Park, combined with its surrounding Game Management Areas, comprises one of the largest remaining wildlife strongholds in Africa. The park is the largest protected area within Zambia and, as part of the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, is a crucial part of one of the world’s largest protected ecological networks. This wonderful shot, taken by our Kafue National Park study site manager and research team member @caz.sanguinetti, depicts a young Kafue lion enjoying the apparent comfort of some sturdy tree limbs.

A photo posted by Zambian Carnivore Programme (@zcp_org) on May 3, 2016 at 11:06am PDT

If any of these incredible destinations sound like a safari dream to you, we’ll help you create your own package according to your budget.