Zambia

Zambia - Tour Highlights & Travel Tips

You'll experience some of Southern Africa's wildest and most remote destinations but you'll be far from roughing it: a Zambia safari combines excellent big game viewing with luxurious lodges and some of the best guides in Africa. And although the raw beauty of Zambia’s vast reserves has long made them a favourite for safari connoisseurs, they don’t attract the crowds that cluster around sightings in the better-known parks in Africa - in fact the only bustle you’re likely to find is at the country’s most popular attraction: the spectacular Victoria Falls.

If when you think of Africa you think of safaris, a trip to Zambia is for you. Home to unparalleled natural beauty, including Victoria Falls (one of the seven natural wonders of the world), Zambia is full of untouched wilderness waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re looking for thrilling adventure (bungee jumping, anyone?) or luxurious camps and safari lodges, Zambia is the alternative traveler’s paradise.

Zambia - Tour Highlights & Travel Tips

• Take a safari tour through South Luangwa National Park for some of the continent’s best views of big game
• Swim the rapids from Livingstone Island to exhilarating Devil’s Pool on the cusp of Victoria Falls (if you dare!)
• Experience the serenity of the Zambezi River with a sunset cruise (or the party-like atmosphere, depending on your tour provider!)
• Sip on high tea with the zebras at the Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel
• Seek the ultimate thrill by bungee jumping off of Victoria Falls Bridge

Zambia - Travel Tips

• If spotting wildlife is your number one priority for your trip to Zambia, it’s best to visit during the dry season (between May and November). Avoiding the rainy season means safari camps are more likely to be open.
• Love trying new things? Try snacking on crispy caterpillars or worms - served grilled from street cars across the country.
• Zambians are conservative and most strictly adhere to the Christian faith. Don’t be surprised to find locals carrying Bibles around. Women should not wear revealing clothing, and same sex relations is not openly discussed.
• While most wild animals tend to be confined to Zambia’s national parks, do keep an eye out for snakes on your holiday in Zambia. Elephants are also known to roam into town (looking for mangoes) and startle easily.
• Petty crime (i.e. stealing) is pretty common in Zambia. Be sure to keep an eye on your belongings and, as always, keep your wits about you.

2. Wildlife & Animals – Zambia

Zambia is an excellent safari destination, and most of the high-profile animals are relatively easily seen. South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi and Kafue are particularly good for leopard sightings, but wild dog and cheetah are harder to spot. Black rhino is only present in North Luangwa and white rhino only in Mosi-oa-Tunya.

Zambia has several interesting, endemic sub-species including Thornicroft's giraffe, Cookson's wildebeest and Crawshay's zebra. The Kafue lechwe and the black lechwe are specials in specific swampy areas. Most lodges offer night safaris and Zambia is one of the best countries to see some of the nocturnal animals such as porcupine, genet and bushbaby.

The best wildlife viewing time coincides with the Dry season (May to October) when water is scarce, and animals congregate at waterholes and rivers. The bush is less lush at this time, and animals are easier to spot. From October until the rains, it can be unbearably hot. Some roads become impassable during the Wet season (November-April), and several parks and camps close at this time.

3. Best Time to Visit – Zambia

You have an excellent chance of seeing lots of wildlife in Zambia during the Dry season (May to October). This will fit in nicely with a visit to Victoria Falls, which is at its best from June to September. A Wet season safari (November to April) is much more challenging, as most parks and camps shut down because of heavy rain. The Mfuwe section of South Luangwa NP is an exception: you can drive its all-weather roads year-round.

May to October – Dry Season – Winter

• Animals are easier to spot
• There’s hardly any rain, the sky is clear, and there are fewer mosquitoes
• Although it’s high season, most of the parks won’t be crowded except for Victoria Falls
• June through September is the best time to see Victoria Falls
• October can get very hot, especially in South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi
• Morning game drives in winter are really cold, so bring warm clothing

November to April – Wet Season – Summer

• The landscape is greener; plus it’s low season, which means lower rates
• You can see newborn animals
• This is the best time for watching birdlife, including migratory birds
• The rain mostly falls as short showers in the late afternoon
• Some camps in South Luangwa stay open
• Most parks and camps close down – but Zambia’s most-popular park, South Luangwa, remains open
• The animals are harder to find because they no longer rely on rivers and waterholes to drink
• From October to December, Victoria Falls might just be a small stream on the Zambian side

4. Getting There – Zambia

Zambia's main airport is Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN), located 14km/9mi from the capital, Lusaka. From Lusaka, you can fly or drive between reserves. If your safari is combined with a visit to Victoria Falls, you will most likely fly in or out of Livingstone Airport (LVI), just outside of Livingstone and close to the falls. In most cases, your local tour operator will arrange pick-up from the airport and organize further transportation as part of your safari package.

Passport, Visa and Other Entry Requirements

Entry requirements can change, so please contact your local Zambia Embassy to verify the information below is current.

• A passport is required for all foreign visitors and has to be valid for at least six months.
• Passports must have at least three empty pages.
• Citizens of most countries can either obtain a visa upon arrival or don't need one. A list of countries whose residents can get visa upon arrivaland a list of countries whose residents don't need a visa is available from Zambia's Department of Immigration.
• When arriving from a yellow-fever-infected country, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required.