What are you looking for?

Hello traveller!

It's in Cape Town now.

We're sorry. Our safari planners aren't available now. Our office hours are 08:00 - 19:00 (GMT+2).

Call us to speak to an experienced safari planner.


Alternatively, we recommend...

travel-form-icon

Complete our travel enquiry form to connect with a safari planner

ENQUIRE TODAY
Email us
(optional)

Wildlife in Zambia

Africa's best authentic tailor-made safaris

Technically, Zambia has all the Big Five, but rhinos are extremely rare and confined to the Mosi-oa-Tunya (Victoria Falls) and North Luangwa National Parks. Elephants, buffalo, and lions are common across multiple parks; however, Kafue, South Luangwa, and the Lower Zambezi are all well-known for leopards.

Look beyond the Big Five, and you’ll find Zambia full of fascinating rare and endemic species such as Black lechwe, Crawshay’s zebra, and Thornicroft’s giraffe. Liuwa Plain National Park hosts Africa’s second-largest wildebeest migration in November each year, and Kasanka National Park’s 10 million fruit bats take to the skies from October to December.

Zambia is one of the wettest countries in southern Africa, and the rivers and lakes offer excellent fishing alongside thriving populations of hippos and crocodiles. The Zambezi River is famous for its tigerfish, and numerous fishing lodges can be found throughout its length.

May to October is the best time for wildlife viewing when the weather is drier, and the vegetation is at its thinnest. This makes the animals easier to spot, and the lower winter temperatures are also more pleasant.

By mid-October, however, it’s already getting scorching, and when the rains arrive in November, they can make the roads in the more isolated regions completely impassable. For this reason, many camps close their operations completely between December and March, with April, May, and November considered the lower-rate shoulder season.

Ready to plan your tailor-made safari?

Murielle Vegezzi, Destination Expert

Craft your journey with the expertise of our dedicated Africa Safari Experts

Start Planning

What Our Guests Have to Say?

Read recent reviews from travellers who have planned and booked their trips with us
Was the Safari of lifetime.
Excellent service and support!

8 Day Safari, Cape Town and Golf Review

Michelle, United States
20 May 2025
Home from a great trip to South Africa

Cape Town and Botswana Lodge Safari Review

John, United Kingdom
08 Mar 2025
We contacted Discover Africa Directly...

Southern Africa Safari Getaway Review

Alex Haege, Australia
31 Jan 2025
What a trip and experience!

An unforgettable Tanzanian adventure

Anne, United States
17 Dec 2024
We will certainly use Discover Africa for planning another African safari!

17 Day Highlights of Southern Africa

Cathy Malcolmson, Canada
23 Nov 2024