Affordable Zambia safari

Zambia offers the best value for money in its midrange and more luxurious deals, with all-inclusive safaris often significantly cheaper than equivalent packages elsewhere in Africa. Equivalence is difficult to measure of course, but the quality and exclusivity of Zambia’s midrange camps and lodges is hard to beat. All-inclusive safaris are also the easiest way to see Zambia’s most pristine wilderness areas and enjoy some of the best wildlife-viewing conditions in Southern Africa.

At the lower end of the price range, you’ll find short, fully-catered camping safaris from between $175 and $200 a day, providing you’re willing to join a group. Tours usually run from Lusaka or Livingstone with a few days in Kafue and/or one of the other nearby parks. Short safaris like this can be an excellent add-on to a more budget-conscious holiday, while longer, fully-catered safaris are also available from $1200 to $1800 a week depending on the number of lodge nights and activities included. Self-catering, private houses are also an option, usually located in wonderful game-viewing areas. Prices can vary wildly, however – anything from $400 to $4000 a night. This can still represent good value for families and groups of six or more, although food and wildlife activities are usually not included.

More exclusive, private safari packages start at around $350 a day and these will probably also include a few nights of comfortable, full-catered camping. Budget $450 to $600 a day for private, all-inclusive lodge or tented camp deals, and in this bracket, you can expect very high-quality guiding, exclusive, pristine wilderness areas and lodge and tented camp accommodation at near-luxury standards.

Wildlife in Zambia

Technically Zambia has all the Big Five, but rhino are extremely rare and confined to the Mosi-oa-Tunya (Victoria Falls) and North Luangwa National Parks. Elephant, buffalo and lion are common across multiple parks however, and Kafue, South Luangwa and the Lower Zambezi are all well-known for leopard. Look beyond the Big Five and you’ll find Zambia full of fascinating rare and…

Cash and payments in Zambia

The Zambian kwacha The currency in Zambia is the kwacha (K). Official regulations state that all payments within the country must be made in kwacha, but US dollars are widely accepted by many of the larger hotels, lodges and tour operators. Indeed, prices for visas at the border, import taxes, and national park fees are all quoted in US dollars, which confuses the matter even more. If…

Zambia in December

December is the start of Zambia’s rainy season – generally cooler than the previous few months, but nevertheless still hot and humid. Expect daytime averages of roughly 30°C and nights down to only around 20°C. Rainstorms can be fierce, with heavy downpours rapidly turning the dirt roads to mud. Camps and lodges without fly-in access close completely and many close anyway due to…

Languages in Zambia

Multiple ethnicity in Zambia mean a plethora of languages and dialects Zambia’s official language is English, but there are more than 70 different languages and dialects spoken throughout the country. Almost everyone will speak or understand some English and most Zambians living in the urban centres speak it fluently. Signs and official documentation are almost always in English…

Shopping and markets in Zambia

Arts and craft market in Zambia In Lusaka and Livingstone, you’ll find almost everything that’s available in western shopping centres, save perhaps for bespoke clothing brands. There are large supermarkets, pharmacies, fashion retailers and well-known fast food outlets, and a growing number of well-stocked strip malls are also popping up along the highways. Smaller Asian-owned…