A luxury Zambia safari

Zambia has a number of superb luxury tented camps and lodges, located in some of the most remote, unspoiled wildlife areas in Africa. Private, all-inclusive luxury packages are available from between $600 and $1200 a day, which is good value compared with luxury safaris in Botswana and South Africa. At the lower end of this rather wide price range, the quality is still of a very high standard and it’s this, along with its exceptional wildlife and relatively quiet national parks, that makes Zambia an extremely competitive luxury safari destination.

Most of Zambia’s luxury lodges are concentrated in South Luangwa National Park and in the Lower Zambezi National Park, along the banks of the Zambezi River. Lodges along the Zambezi offer unforgettable canoe safaris and sunset boast cruises, with excellent bird life and large populations of elephant, buffalo and hippo. South Luangwa National Park is famous for its walking safaris and wilderness trails, with all of the Big Five, except rhino, in abundance.

For more affordable luxury, try Victoria Falls and Kafue National Park, or for the ultimate in exclusivity head northwest to Liuwa Plain National Park for Africa’s second largest wildebeest migration. Liuwa Plain has only one permanent camp inside the park, offering one of the most luxurious private lodge experiences in Zambia.

Zambia vs Namibia

Zambia and Namibia are two of Southern Africa’s best safari destinations, but in many ways, they couldn’t be more different. Both have vast, isolated wilderness areas where intrepid travellers can find themselves entirely alone. But where Zambia offers a more traditional safari experience of lush, sprawling parks and abundant wildlife, Namibia is far more desolate, with breath-taking…

Zambia in February

February in Zambia is much the same as January, with short, fierce afternoon thunderstorms, swollen rivers and washed-out roads. It can be a difficult time to visit in Zambia, unless you’re flying into a specialist lodge that operates throughout the season. These usually offer their best safari deals from January to April and will sometimes have discounts for families and children.…

Kasanka National Park

Kasanka National Park is Zambia’s only privately managed park, run by the Kasanka Trust charity in partnership with the local community. At slightly less than 400km2, it’s also one of Zambia’s smallest, lying just south of the Bangweulu Wetlands near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With its wonderful papyrus marshes, swamp forests and miombo woodland it’s one…

Walking safari in Zambia

For a more active holiday, try a walking safari. Zambia is arguably the best country in Africa for guided game walks and is widely recognised for its enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable field guides. Now widespread throughout Southern Africa’s major parks, the concept was first introduced in the Luangwa Valley, which remains the county’s top walking safari destination.…

Solo holiday in Zambia

As Zambia’s road and transport infrastructure continues to develop, even its more remote regions will become exciting options for solo travellers. For the time being, however, the country’s more isolated corners are best explored in company, and ideally with an extra vehicle as backup if you’re planning to self-drive. In general, solo travellers will have the best experience by…

Zambia vs Botswana

So, should you go to Zambia or Botswana? The choice depends entirely on the type of holiday you prefer. Both countries are extremely safe and have excellent wildlife and national parks, but each is suited to a slightly different type of traveller. Botswana is perhaps the best self-drive safari destination in Southern Africa, with good connecting roads, abundant wildlife, plenty of…

Popular Zambia Safaris

These popular itineraries can be customised to match your budget and travel dates