Where to Go on Safari in Zambia

South Luangwa & North Luangwa

The Luangwa Valley in north-eastern Zambia is widely regarded as one of Africa’s finest walking safari destinations. Walks range from short guided explorations to multi-day journeys between camps, led by some of the continent’s most accomplished guides and trackers.

During the Emerald Season (November to May), the Luangwa River spills into lagoons and flooded ebony groves, transforming the landscape into a lush mosaic that can be explored by boat as well as on foot. South Luangwa National Park is a location where wildlife lovers keen to see leopard will find some excellent opportunities to glimpse these regal predators, while neighbouring North Luangwa offers a more remote and exclusive experience for seasoned safari travellers.

Lower Zambezi National Park

Framed by the Zambezi River and the escarpment beyond, Lower Zambezi combines water-based safari with exceptional game viewing. Canoe quietly past elephant on the riverbanks, track predators by vehicle, or explore on foot for a varied and immersive experience. Discreet riverside camps and private guiding allow for a highly personal stay — including the opportunity to spend time on a leopard-focused safari with a leading conservationist, gaining rare insight into their behaviour and the delicate riverine ecosystem they inhabit.

Kafue National Park & the Busanga Plains

Kafue is Zambia’s largest national park and one of Africa’s most diverse. In the far north, the Busanga Plains flood seasonally, attracting large herds of red lechwe, wildebeest and zebra alongside abundant birdlife. Remote camps and innovative approaches — including silent electric safaris — allow you to explore these open plains with minimal disturbance. The region rewards travellers drawn to space, varied habitats and lower visitor numbers.

Liuwa Plain

If you are searching for a pristine Africa of old, there is nowhere quite like Liuwa Plain: an immense wilderness of open grasslands blooming with wildflowers, home to the second-largest wildebeest migration on the continent. Endless skies stretch across flat horizons, with little but the magnificent wildlife and birdlife for company. This is Zambia for travellers seeking solitude and elemental beauty, where encounters feel entirely uncontrived.

Victoria Falls, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park & Livingstone

The mighty Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, marks Zambia’s southern boundary with Zimbabwe. Alongside Livingstone, the area combines natural spectacle with cultural insight and adventure, known as the ‘adventure capital’ of Africa.

Helicopter flights over the falls, white-water rafting on the Zambezi and village visits offer contrast to safari life upstream. Many journeys begin or end here, pairing river-based safari with one of Africa’s most dramatic landscapes. For a taste of culture, visit a traditional village and watch skilled artisans create beautiful handcrafted items.

Kasanka National Park

Kasanka is best known for one of Africa’s most remarkable seasonal events — the annual fruit bat migration. Between October and December, millions of straw-coloured fruit bats fill the skies at dusk, creating a spectacle unlike any other on the continent.

Bangwelu Wetlands

In north-eastern Zambia – one of Africa’s most astounding wildlife secrets – is a unique ecosystem that is home to over 400 bird species including the rare shoebill stork and over 100,000 black lechwe. Explore the wetlands by boat accompanied by an expert local guide.