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​Best Time To Visit – Zambia

Philip has traveled through Zambia several times and is the author of more than 20 guidebooks to various African destinations.

Philip is the Zambia expert for SafariBookings and author of more than 20 guidebooks to Africa.

Philip is our Zambia expert and author of more than 20 guidebooks to Africa.

You’ll see lots of wildlife in Zambia during the middle and end of 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 August. A Wet season safari (November to April) is much more challenging, as most parks and camps shut down because of heavy rain. The exception is the Mfuwe section of South Luangwa National Park, which has a small circuit of all-weather roads.

May to October – Dry Season – Winter

• Animals are easier to spot
• There’s hardly any rain, and there are fewer mosquitoes
• June through August is the best time to see Victoria Falls
• October gets very hot, especially in South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi
• Morning game drives in winter are chilly, so bring warm clothing

Wildlife Photos

November to April – Wet Season – Summer

• The landscape is green
• January and February are good months to see Victoria Falls
• You can see newborn animals
• This is the best time for birding, with migrants present
• The rain mostly falls as short showers in the late afternoon
• It’s low season, which means lower rates
• Most parks and camps close down – but South Luangwa remains open
• 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 trickle on the Zambian side

Best Time To Go by Major Park

For the best wildlife viewing in the main parks (South Luangwa, Kafue and Lower Zambezi), visit in the dry winter months (July to October). This coincides with the best opportunities for great photos of Victoria Falls – from June to August. Most camps close in the rainy season and washed-out roads make travel difficult. However, the landscape is beautiful and bird watching is superb at this time.

• Kafue National Park Kafue National Park Poor "> Jan J Poor "> Feb F Poor "> Mar M Fair "> Apr A Good "> May M Good "> Jun J Excellent "> Jul J Excellent "> Aug A Excellent "> Sep S Excellent "> Oct O Good "> Nov N Poor "> Dec D
• Lower Zambezi NP Lower Zambezi National Park Poor "> Jan J Poor "> Feb F Poor "> Mar M Fair "> Apr A Good "> May M Good "> Jun J Excellent "> Jul J Excellent "> Aug A Excellent "> Sep S Excellent "> Oct O Good "> Nov N Poor "> Dec D
• South Luangwa NP South Luangwa National Park Poor "> Jan J Poor "> Feb F Poor "> Mar M Fair "> Apr A Good "> May M Good "> Jun J Excellent "> Jul J Excellent "> Aug A Excellent "> Sep S Good "> Oct O Good "> Nov N Poor "> Dec D

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12-Day Luxury Zambia Safari & Waterfalls Holiday

$15,110 to $17,983 pp (USD)

Zambia: Private tour Luxury Lodge & Tented Camp

You Visit: Lusaka (Start) , South Luangwa NP, Lower Zambezi NP, Victoria Falls, Livingstone (End)

Wayfairer Travel

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10-Day Romantic Zambia Honeymoon Safari

$7,243 to $7,867 pp (USD)

You Visit: Lusaka (Start) , South Luangwa NP, Victoria Falls, Livingstone (End)

15-Day Off the Beaten Path Zambia Safari

$15,340 to $19,181 pp (USD)

Zambia: Private tour Mid-range Lodge & Bush Camp

You Visit: Lusaka (Start) , South Luangwa NP, North Luangwa NP, Lower Zambezi NP, Victoria Falls, Livingstone (End)

Best Time to Do a Zambia Safari

• Best time: May-September
• Best weather: April-May, September
• Worst weather: October (hot), December-March (wet)
• High season: July-October
• Low Season: November-April

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Zambia - Best Time To Visit

• Destinations
• Best Time To Visit

• Travel Safety Tips
• Weather and Climate

The landlocked country of Zambiain southern Africa is bordered by an impressive eight countries – Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Namibia and Botswana. The majority of Zambia is covered by plateau, which tempers the temperatures throughout the country.

During the wet summer season (November to April), the weather can be muggy and hot, and in some remote areas, the rainfall can make travelling difficult. Ideally, to get the best out of your wildlife safari, May to October is the best time to travel to Zambia, during the dry months when the temperatures are pleasant and access is good. At the end of the dry season, the temperatures increase and it can be very hot in October in some places, before the rains arrive.

In order to plan a trip to Zambia, you need to know the best time to visit the specific safari destinations spread throughout the country. We’ll start by sharing the best time to visit Zambia’s five popular safari destinations.

Best Time To Visit Zambia: National Parks And Game Reserves

The table below denotes the best months to visit some of Zambia’s popular safari spots.

Zambia Through The Months

April to october (dry winter season).

April to May is the end of the rainy season and these months offer visitors a chance to explore Zambia’s verdant vegetation which is lush after the rains. The thicker vegetation and replenished water sources does lessen the chances of spotting wildlife, so it’s not ideal month for avid wildlife spotters but it’s the very best time for birders as well as the most scenically beautiful time of year. Head to Blue Lagoon National Park, a birding paradise.

April to May is the flood season for the Zambezi river and therefore a great time to visit Victoria Falls , which has the highest volume of water after the rainy season. Visitors should be cautious walking along the slippery pathways and you will get wet on the walk from all the spray! The view is of the Victoria Falls plunging into the gorge is magnificent, with huge amounts of spray creating rainbows when the sun is shining.

June and August are also great times to see the Victoria Falls as there is less spray but it’s still an awesome sight. From September to November the falls are at their lowest level and can be completely dry in some parts on the Zambian side, leaving behind dry rock walls. September to November is a good time for white-water rafting, which takes place on the rapids below the Victoria Falls, during these low water months.

From June to August , the vegetation starts drying out, making it the best time to view Zambia’s wildlife. During these months, visitors can plan a trip to the South Luangwa National Park , Lower Zambezi National Park or Kafue National Park, which all offer excellent game viewing experiences. In addition, South Luangwa National Park is known for its walking safaris, while Lower Zambezi National Park offers fishing experiences, canoe trips and river cruises along the Zambezi River.

September and October also offer good wildlife viewing opportunities. In September, birdwatchers can head over to the banks of the Zambezi River to spot the colourful conflagration of carmine bee-eaters that arrive and nest on the river banks. The temperatures spike in October, so the ideal time for game viewing is either early morning or late in the evenings.

November to March (Wet Summer Season)

November to March is the rainy summer season throughout Zambia. The rainfall replenishes the park’s water sources, which makes the animals spread out to the far corner of the national parks. They are also hidden by the growing vegetation, making them harder to spot. The rains can make roads impassable in remote areas and some safari camps are closed during these months.

October to December offers visitors one of the world’s greatest spectacles in Zambia, the Great Bat Migration – the world’s largest mammal migration . Around eight million straw-coloured fruit bats arrive at Zambia’s Kasanka National Park from the Congo.

November to April are the best months for birdwatching and to experience both Zambia’s resident birdlife and migratory species. During these months, migratory birds fly to Zambia’s renowned birding destinations such as Bangweulu Wetlands, Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage, Ishiba Ng’andu Nature Reserve, Lochinvar National Park, Nkanga River Conservation Area, Nyika National Park, and South Luangwa National Park.

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Best Time To Visit Zambia

Zambia safari holidays, month by month guide of when to go.

Zambia’s weather has two distinct seasons, a hot and rainy summer, usually starting in mid-November and lasting until the end of March. From April through to September is remains dry and much cooler, before temperatures start to rise in October and there is a chance of rain, especially in the afternoons and early evenings.

When to visit very much depends on what you are looking to do as the best time varies for safari, birding and visiting Victoria Falls.

Below is a short summary of the best times to visit or scroll to the bottom for a full month by month guide.

Safaris in Zambia are generally seasonal, with most lodges opening between April and May as the temperatures cool and rainfall drops, remaining open through the dry winter months until the middle of November when the rains arrive and they close for the summer.

The dry period between April to September is especially good for safaris, and if you can brave the heat of October, you will be rewarded with fantastic game viewing as animals cluster around limited water sources and the short grasses make them easy to spot.

Best for safari: June to September - brilliant game viewing, dry and cooler.

Best for birders: November to May (green season)

Bat Migration: November

Peak season: July and August

Where you can go and what you can do in Zambia is very much dictated by the rains, as some parks and lodges are rendered completely inaccessible in rainy weather (mid-Nov - March).

Certain parks, namely the North Luangwa and Luambe National Parks don’t even open during the rainy season owing to the challenges of access and getting around once you are there, and the style of accommodation in Zambia, with many camps being rustic “bushcamps” or tented camps makes operating during the rainy season more challenging.

That said, a number of lodges in parks such as the South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi and Kafue remain open throughout the year, taking advantage of their locations next to the Luangwa, Zambezi and Kafue rivers to offer both access to the lodges via water taxi and game viewing options by boat, as well as fishing. Visiting during this time will ensure you avoid the crowds, offers brilliant value with fantastic birding and walking opportunities.

Visitors with specific interests in birding will delight in being able to visit the more northerly Kasanka National Park and Bangwelu Wetlands throughout the year.

Low season: November to April (many camps close during this time).

• Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is accessible throughout the year with the weather following a similar pattern to the rest of the country, but with water levels varying greatly from month to month. Broadly speaking water levels start to rise in December, peaking in March or April when the plume of spray from The Falls can be seen from miles away as you fly in. From May the water levels drop rapidly until there is no water at all flowing over the Zambian side come September or October. Local rains arrive in the latter part of October and continue into November which does start to fill the river

Peak water level: March or April (depending on the rains) - this is when they are at their most impressive!

Best for activities: July and August - lower water levels mean you can do white water rafting and swim in Devil's Pool. This is the peak time to visit the falls.

Best avoided: October - November - the water levels can dry up completely on the Zambia side at this time of year.

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The peak of Zambia’s summer rainy season, January is often ignored as a time to go on safari in Zambia, but those who do venture here, especially to the South Luangwa National Park are rewarded with some spectacular experiences. The handful of camps that open at this time focus on river journeys, with guests able to explore the swollen Luangwa River in flat-bottomed boats with their guides. Huge herds of buffalo roam the floodplains, hippo frolic in the shallows and crocodile laze high on the banks of this immense river. It is an incredible time of year for birding and the lush green bush is a spectacular backdrop for photographs. The Victoria Falls are starting to fill up thanks to localised rains as well as those thousands of miles upstream.

Image: Elephants crossing Luangwa River

The rains are starting to subside across the country, but access means most camps remain closed, although the camps easily accessed by river in the South Luangwa National Park offer amazing game viewing and breathtaking landscapes to enjoy. It is also a great month for fishing, on a catch and release basis, in the Lower Zambezi National Park, so keen anglers will want to consider an extended stay in this beautiful part of the country. More adventurous travellers can cast their eyes west to the mighty Kafue National Park which offers excellent game viewing in the region around the Kafue River. Water levels at Victoria Falls are starting to rise towards their peak.

Image: Luangwa River Water Taxi

March sees water levels at Victoria Falls reach their zenith, with 500 million litres of water crashing over the precipice every minute, making it a truly incredible spectacle to witness. Of course, there is plenty more to enjoy in the area, including canoeing, fishing trips, sundowner boat cruises, helicopter and microlight flights as well as game drives in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Water levels on the floodplains of the South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi National Parks are starting to drop with the activity of opening camps for the new season starting in earnest. Out in the west of the country, it is a great time for canoe safaris in the Liuwa Plain National Park as the water levels continue to drop.

Image: Victoria Falls

As the weather starts to cool across Zambia, safari conditions improve with more and more camps opening their doors for the season, notably in the South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi National Parks. Visitors to Liuwa Plain may have the chance to witness the fabled Kuomboka Ceremony as the local Lozi people move their king from his summer to winter home in a series of elegant boats. Victoria Falls continues to run at its peak, with the plume of spray that is thrown up seen from miles around and remains an especially dramatic sight to witness from above. Keen birders can also take advantage of the subsiding water levels by getting off the beaten track in the Kasanka National Park and Bangwelu Wetlands.

Image: King Lewanika from the Lozi Tribe

The start of May really sees Zambia’s safari season kick into gear as the majority of the camps in the Lower Zambezi start to welcome doors and all but the most remote camps in South Luangwa do the same. Likewise, the more eastern camps in Kafue open with access to superb game viewing around the Kafue River and the cooling temperatures mean it is a great time to visit Liuwa Plains. There is a noticeable drop off in the water levels at Victoria Falls, but it is still a superb time to visit either before or after a safari, with the cooler temperatures making it ideal for longer days out on the river, including fishing and canoeing trips.

Image: The mighty Zambezi river

Days start to become noticeably cooler and rainfall drops to zero which means it is a superb time of year to be on safari, even before peak season kicks in next month. Predator sightings become more common as the cooling temperatures in the South Luangwa mean they spend more time out in the open whilst the dropping levels of the Luangwa River mean pods of hippos in the pools become much larger. Visitors to the Kafue National Park will delight in the fact that the more northerly Busanga Plains have now drained of summer rainfall sufficiently to allow camps operating in this wildlife wonderful to open up to gusts bringing in a whole new range of experiences.

Image: Lion in South Luangwa

This is when the safari season really kicks in as the temperatures drop to their winter lows and rainfall remains non-existent, meaning all animals stay out in the open much longer and the lack of water means wildlife congregates around the river areas. This is the last month until October when the Liuwa Plain National Park remains open as the wildlife moves further north away from the camp. Kafue remains a superb spot for wildlife viewing and the camps can still offer boat safaris on the Kafue River. The North Luangwa National Park becomes a viable option in July, so great for those really looking to escape the crowds.

Image: Leopard relaxing in the trees

Water levels at Victoria Falls really drop, meaning Livingstone, that delightful picnic spot on the edge of The Falls, and the Devil’s Pool are fully open offering an increased range of unique experiences that visitors to the area enjoy. The game viewing remains outstanding in the South Luangwa, with the dry underfoot conditions making it perfect for walks from the more remote bush camps in the north and east of the park. It is also a superb time to head up to the North Luangwa, especially for visiting the rhino sanctuary found there. The Lower Zambezi is a delight at this time of year with a huge range of activities on offer for visitors to enjoy.

Image: Relaxing at Devil's Pool

Visitors to the Kafue National Park can enjoy hot air balloon flights from selected camps in the Busanga Plains region in September – a truly unique experience and one certainly not to be missed in the area. The Victoria Falls remain almost dry – certainly not a reason to avoid visiting in September, but one to bear in mind as it does change the activities on offer. It remains a great time to be in the more traditional areas of the Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa, with the sleepout safaris offered from a number of South Luangwa camps especially popular on these cool, dry nights.

Image: Luangwa Bush Camping Walking Safari

A definite change of seasons is in the area as October arrives, with days and nights becoming noticeably warmer and the threat of heavy rain hanging in the air some days. Despite the sometimes oppressive heat, especially in the Zambezi Valley, it is regarded by guides as the very best time for game viewing, especially for predators who revel in the easy hunting conditions. The more remote bush camps in the core parks, as well as those in remote areas such as North Luangwa and Kafue are starting to wind down their operations with a viewing to closing for the summer. Water levels remain low at Victoria Falls so a huge range of activities are still on offer.

Image: Lion in Luangwa

Summer, with its associated hot days and heavy rainfall, is very much upon Zambia come November, with many camps closing by the middle of the month, although more accessible camps in South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi and Kafue usually remain open until the middle of the month and beyond. Ardent safari-goers can still enjoy Zambia as the Liuwa Plain National Park becomes a viable option once again as the summer rains attract huge herds of wildebeest down on to the plains. Victoria Falls remains an excellent destination, with water levels just starting to creep up but a full range of activities remains on offer. Visitors to the Kasanka National Park will also be able to witness up to 10 million straw-coloured fruit bats who migrate to the park each year.

Image: Wildebeest in Liuwa Plain National Park

As summer reaches its peak the options for safaris in Zambia do become somewhat limited, but it remains as popular a time as ever to visit the iconic Victoria Falls. The South Luangwa has a number of camps, mainly those close to the river or in better-draining areas that stay open and guests keen on fishing can spend time in the Lower Zambezi National Park. Eastern Kafue remains a possibility for those who don’t mind the heat and visitors to Liuwa Plain can enjoy the excellent predator sightings that stem from the herds of wildebeest giving birth to their young. Of course, Christmas is celebrated with a great deal of enthusiasm in those camps that remain open.

Image: Helicopter over Victoria Falls

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Best Time To Visit Zambia

An overview of Zambia’s seasons

Zambia country has a sub-tropical climate with pleasant temperatures due to its high altitude. The temperatures average around 68°F in the highlands and around 75°F in the valleys. The cool, dry season, from May to August, is considered the best time to visit Zambia.

Best Time To Visit

We recommend.

• The water flow over the Victoria Falls is high around this time – head here to marvel at the thundering waterfall with spray that can be seen from miles away!
• The wet or green season is an excellent time for birdwatching, so depending on which parks are open during this time, you could head for a spot of birdwatching
• If you are planning to visit Victoria Falls around this time, spend time in the charming city of Livingstone
• View the magnificent Victoria Falls on a helicopter ride!
• This is the start of the fishing season in Zambia, so why not try your hand at catching some fish?
• Head to the remote Luambe National Park, which is rich in biodiversity
• This is the ideal time to visit Bangweulu to try and spot the rare shoebill stork
• Explore the wilderness that is South Luangwa National Park on a walking safaris
• Relax with a river cruise on the Zambezi followed by a luxurious stay on a private island on the river
• Explore the extensive landscapes, and encounter wildlife during your safari in Kafue National Park
• With the flow of the Zambezi river decreasing, August is a good month to go white-water rafting on the Zambezi!
• Embark on a walking safari in the remote North Luangwa
• Marvel at the colorful southern-carmine bee-eaters that swarm Luangwa River at this time
• Experience exciting wildlife safaris in the Lower Zambezi National Park
• Hike or go horseback riding in Shiwa Ngandu, a beautiful lake surrounded by a hilly countryside
• Head to nearby Chusa Falls for rafting and birdwatching
• December is excellent for birdwatching as the migratory birds return around this time!

Best time to visit Zambia by season

The cool, dry season, from May to August, is considered to be the best travel time for Zambia when temperatures are around 73°F. At night it gets relatively fresh, falling to about 42°F. The rivers and waterholes are filled by the rainy season and attract numerous wild animals. Particularly great animal observations are possible in June and August. Many roads to remote regions are only passable during the cool dry season. During the hot dry season, especially from October, the temperatures and also the humidity increase noticeably.

In mid-November, the rainy season begins, which is also called the Emerald Season or Green Season. During these hot, humid months, the country shines in green. Many remote areas can no longer be visited and some camps close. Nevertheless, this season has its own charm – and is wonderfully suited for bird watching.

The climate in Zambia is determined by three seasons.

Cool drying time:  May – August

Hot dry season:  September – November

Rainy season:  December – April (South) / October – April (North)

What to Pack for Zambia

The season you travel to Zambia will determine what you need to pack. Based on the time you choose, here is a list of things you should ideally carry: Rain gear including waterproof jacket and shoes, mosquito repellent especially during the rainy season, light clothes for day time and a jacket for cooler evenings, layers of clothing including warm jacket / fleece or jumper, gloves, socks and a scarf, light cotton or linen clothing with natural colors, light shoes and sandals, sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, swimsuit, light jumper for cooler evenings, long sleeved shirts and long trousers are useful for protection from the sun during the day and mosquitoes at night.

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Kafue National Park is a magical wilderness offering excellent game viewing, bird watching and fishing opportunities.

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Lower Zambezi National Park lies across the Zambezi River from the historically better known Mana Pools in Zimbabwe.

Lower Zambezi

Experience wild walks! South Luangwa National Park is tropical, wild, beautiful and one of the most stunning national parks in Africa.

South Luangwa

Embrace the remoteness! North Luangwa is a wonderful option for outdoorsy guests who really appreciate the genuine sense of intimacy of the bush experience.

North Luangwa

Smoke that thunders! That is what the Kolobo tribe who lived by the Victoria Falls two centuries ago once called this seventh wonder of the world.

Victoria Falls

Lusaka is one of the fastest-growing cities in central Africa, with a sprawling downtown area, high-walled suburbs, busy shanty towns, bustling markets and large industrial areas, bringing together people of many nationalities and making it a bustling center for economic, political and cultural activities.

Things To Do

From the stunning Victoria Falls to scintillating wildlife safaris and incredible river cruises – Zambia is waiting to be discovered! Follow to this link for an overview on the top ten attractions, activities and highlights in Zambia.

Travel Guide

Zambia is a relatively non-commercial safari destination, where you can experience intimate little camps in beautiful and remote reserves. Before you travel, discover all essential details, from visas and currency to health information.

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The best time to visit Zambia

We know the importance of weather when it comes to a safari, be it game driving in the South Luangwa , chilling out on the river in the Lower Zambezi , or streaking above Vic Falls in a chopper. Zambia has very distinct weather patterns that make defining safari seasons in the different parks quite easy. But, as ever, global warming seems determined to wreak havoc with the climate so there is an element of unpredictability. Read on for our general guide to the best time to visit Zambia, weather patterns and all (and if you’re still struggling to find the time to suit you, take a look at our comprehensive when to go guide for a month-by-month deep dive).

December to April: The green season

It might seem strange to start at the end of the year, but December actually marks the true beginning of Zambia’s green season that carries on through to March and April. It may be a little wetter than normal but this is one of the best times to visit Zambia. The parks are luscious and green, the light is phenomenal and there’s not a bit of dust in sight – a photographer’s dream. Many of the remote bush camps in places like the South Luangwa , Luambe and the North Luangwa will be closed but there are still a good number of lodges open, and at very competitive prices. For boating in the South Luangwa , time your visit for February or March; several of the bush camps re-open ( Time and Tide Kakuli Bush Camp  and Nsefu bush camps spring to mind) and are accessible only by water, making for a wonderful experience. Take a look at this green season itinerary if that sounds like your cup of tea. Down at Victoria Falls , the waterfall is in full flow and possibly at its most spectacular, but the high levels of water aren’t so good for white-water rafting.

April & May: the shoulder season

April and May (and November) are the ‘shoulder season’ months in Zambia . The rains are pretty much over – although anything could happen and it would be wise to prepare for a shower here and there – and the game viewing heats up as the grass recedes. It truly is a lovely time to travel and if you’re looking to save a few pennies, this is the best time of year to seek out excellent deals. Remember that lots of the remote bush camps in the South Luangwa , Lower Zambezi and Kafue are closed and walking isn’t at its best, but you’ll still have a good selection of accommodation to choose from. Victoria Falls are still a spectacular sight at this time of year with the water level of the Zambezi peaking, showcasing the falls in all her glory.

June to October: The peak season

The peak safari season, and traditionally the best time to visit Zambia , is from June to October. It’s actually winter, but perhaps not the same winter we northern hemisphere dwellers are used to! We’re talking clear blue skies, sunshine (and lots of it) and rarely a drop of rain. The coldest months are June and July, and mornings and evenings can be chilly but nothing a good jacket can’t solve. As the season progresses, it steadily heats up and becomes drier and October is hot, hot, hot – think an average of 36 degrees. But, if you can stand the heat, the game viewing is phenomenal across the main parks with animals congregating at the main water sources and predators taking full advantage of the mobile buffet.

If you choose to travel now, you’ll have the pick of the camps in the South Luangwa and the Lower Zambezi , and by mid-June, even the most far-flung bush camps will be open. If you’ve got your eye on the Kafue , get there earlier rather than later for the chance to boat around the Busanga Plains . For the Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa, walking safaris get better toward the end of June as the tall grass recedes.

At Livingstone and Victoria Falls , the water level actually goes down as the season progresses. From May to July/August, the water is pumping, throwing spray hundreds of metres into the air, just like the postcards. After August, the water level recedes making it the best time to visit for the Devil’s Pool and ‘low water’ white-water rafting, undoubtedly the most exhilarating! Contrary to some news reports, the Falls never dry up and even if you’re visiting towards the end of the season, they are still a sight to behold.

November: the Shoulder Season

November is rather like April and May. The chance of rain is quite high and the first storms of the season are dramatic and incredible to witness. The bush camps start to close and accommodation choices are fewer in many areas, but what that does mean is that you’ll have the parks (and the wildlife sightings) pretty much all to yourself. If you choose to travel now, you certainly won’t be disappointed.

And for the exception that proves the rule: Liuwa Plain . Unlike the rest of the country, the best time to visit Liuwa is in late November to December for the astonishing wildebeest migration (the second largest on the continent), or April, May and early June when the rains are over. Flights to Kalabo are seasonal, and there’s very limited accommodation in the park (the only permanent lodge at the time of writing is King Lewanika ), both of which dictate when you can and can’t travel, but if it fits into your plans – go, go go!

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The best safari in Zambia

An expert guide to zambia's best safari parks, camps & lodges.

Sarah Kingdom

• In this guide

South Luangwa National Park

North luangwa national park, lower zambezi national park, kafue national park, kasanka national park.

• Liuwa Plains National Park

Bangweulu Wetlands

• Mosi-oa-Tunya
• Best safaris
• Need to know

I fell in love with Zambia after my first safari, at the tender age of 15. A few years later I returned for what was initially supposed to be a six-week holiday... 30 years later, I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else.

As a travel journalist and guidebook author specialising in Zambia safari and wildlife, I’ve visited pretty much all of the country’s 21 National Parks, as well as many of its transfrontier parks, wildlife reserves, game management areas, RAMSAR wetland sites, forest reserves and Important Birding Areas.

For my money, a safari in Zambia is as good or better than anywhere else in Africa. But in a country this vast and difficult to navigate, travelling here comes with some potential pitfalls. In the following pages I’ll explain some of my best Zambia safari recommendations, as well as some of the things you should know before you book. Happy travels!

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Baboon standing guard in Luangwa

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Our experts' recommended safari parks & camps, victoria falls, mosi-oa-tunya national park, liuwa plain national park.

Walking safari in North Luangwa

North Luangwa is remote, hard to reach, and therefore blissfully quiet and crowd-free. A walking safari in North Luangwa is among my absolute favourite things to do anywhere in Zambia.

Game drives are not permitted in the majority of the park and access is primarily by walking safari. You’ll leave the vehicle in camp, setting out on foot each day with your guide and an armed scout, to walk among elephants, antelope, zebra and even the occasional predator, always maintaining a safe distance!

The last time I set out – always with a seasoned (and armed!) guide in the lead – we saw tracked elephants and antelope rustling in the bush.

A word of caution though: this is no armchair safari. Much patience is needed, and of course you’ll need to be reasonably fit to hike in the Zambian heat. If your idea of a safari is racing from place to place in a jeep trying to tick off all the Big Five, this one probably isn’t for you.

The best place for big cats

If it’s big cats you’re after, look no further than South Luangwa , nicknamed the Valley of the Leopards, with one of the densest populations of leopard anywhere. It's also home to lions and spotted hyena, along with an abundant wild dog population on team canine.

Some of my most memorable leopard encounters have happened in South Luangwa. Watching as a leopard, completely unaware of our presence, descended from a tree, only spotting us once she’d reached the ground, was an encounter to remember. Leopards love to drag their kills up into trees for safekeeping, so don’t forget to look up from time to time when you’re out on a drive.

My favourite way to see the wildlife in South Luangwa is on a walking safari. On a walking safari, you can see lions, leopards, elephants and learn about the flora of the park. It’s not all about big beasts however; a walking safari will allow you to get up close with a termite mound and learn about Zambia’s ecosystem.

Where to see everything in one place

Often overlooked in favour of Zambia’s smaller parks, Kafue is a sleeping giant. One of Africa’s oldest and largest parks and one of its wildest, it’s a place of vast, remote landscapes, spectacular rivers, open plains, woodlands and stunning scenery.

If you want to avoid too much domestic flying, Kafue National Park has everything you could want. You can spend at least a week here travelling from camp to camp.

This is the only park in Zambia where I have been lucky enough to see both aardvark and pangolin – two very rare safari sightings!

The Busanga Plains to the far north of the park are one of Kafue’s highlights. Accessible only during the dry season, I love heading out onto the plains early in the morning, to see puku and red lechwe, in their hundreds, visible in the early morning mist that cloaks the plain just before sunrise.

Equally special, but seldom visited are the Nanzhila Plains in the park’s south. This is a superb place for bird watchers. For me, the star of Nanzhila is the beautiful black-cheeked lovebirds, endemic to Zambia and only found in a small area in the southwest of the country. If you have the time and an accommodating safari operator, try to include both the far north and the far south of Kafue into your trip.

While Kafue doesn’t have the huge herds of game that can be found in some other Zambia safari parks, what it lacks in density it more than makes up for in diversity. There are at least 161 species of mammal, six cat species, and 22 species of antelope.

See the world's biggest mammal migration

You’ve heard about the famed wildebeest migration of East Africa , but for the biggest mammal migration on earth you can’t miss the spectacular fruit bats of Kasanka between October and December.

I love standing high on the viewing platform overlooking the tiny bat forest at Kasanka and peering into trees that drip with thousands upon thousands of straw coloured fruit bats. As dusk falls, they begin to depart, flocking into the sky and filling the air with their chatter. Millions of bats dart in and out of the trees, like a swarm of overgrown bees, before flying over your head and off to spend the night looking for food. By the time they’re done it's almost too dark to see the ladder down from the hide, so don’t forget to bring a torch!

Beyond the bats, Kasanka is home to one of Africa’s rarer antelopes, the shy, secretive, semi-aquatic sitatunga – the park is home to more than 500 of them, making it Africa’s densest and most visible population of sitatunga! The elusive Blue monkey and the little-known Kinda baboon also both call Kasanka home and it’s unlikely you’ll encounter either of these species anywhere else in Southern Africa.

Fishing on the Lower Zambezi

I’m definitely no fisherman, but every now and again it’s nice to take a break from the safari jeep and get out on the water. Serious sport anglers come from all over the world to try their hand at the Zambezi’s famous tigerfish, so maybe skip one of the morning or afternoon game drives and try your hand at fishing. Tigerfish are too bony to eat and fishing in the Lower Zambezi National Park is strictly catch and release, but it’s still pretty exhilarating to reel one in, and they put up a heck of a fight! Even if you don’t catch anything, spending a few hours on the water is fantastic, and you’re bound to spot some wildlife on the river banks.

See a lunar rainbow at Victoria Falls

Lunar rainbows are formed by the light of the moon rather than the sun and are much fainter and more elusive than a regular rainbow. Victoria Falls is the only place in Africa, and one of only a handful of places in the world, where this incredible natural phenomenon occurs – and something surprisingly few people know about!

You can see the lunar rainbow between April and July during the full moon. I find there’s something magical sitting at one of the vantage points and waiting for the moon to rise. They’re far less vibrant than a regular rainbow but lunar rainbows show up clearly in photos taken with a long exposure.

Walk with rhinos in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park

I love strolling with these giants In Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Escorted by two armed rangers, you’ll walk in single file through the bush, maybe getting hit by branches or scratched by thorns, you’ll sweat and perhaps wonder if you’ll ever see the rhinos. But when you see them, it will all be worthwhile. The tour usually lasts for two hours, but sometimes you get lucky and find them within the first 10 minutes, either way, it’s definitely worth it!

See the black lechwe in the Bangweulu Wetlands

Set your alarm and wake early to paddle by canoe through the papyrus of the Bangweulu swamps, to the floodplains. Stand on the causeway that runs through the middle of the floodplain, and as the sun comes up you’ll be surrounded by thousands of black lechwe, a type of endangered antelope that is endemic to this part of Zambia. Having come into the water overnight for safety, the lechwe are slowly heading towards the tree line, grazing on the semi aquatic grasses as they go. You need to get up early for this as once the sun has risen the lechwe will have all but disappeared, heading into the tree line where they will spend the day.

Kaingo Camp

My pick for South Luangua is probably Shenton Safaris' Kaingo Camp, which has a collection of incredible photographic hides and guides who are specialised in getting guests into the perfect position for great photos, both in the hides and out on drive.

Don't miss Zambia’s hidden gems

You'd have a hard time calling anywhere in Zambia "touristy" but if you want to get truly off the beaten path there are some hidden gems to be found.

Of all the country's national parks, Luambe, Lukusuzi, West Lunga, Sioma Ngwezi, and Nyika Plateau have wildlife, but are relatively undeveloped in terms of tourist infrastructure and accommodation.

Isangano, Lavushi Manda, Lusenga Plain and Mweru Wantipa have little management, very few facilities, and limited wildlife populations. If you're very intrepid or a super keen birder and can find a specialist to make your travel arrangements, they may be worth considering.

Lusaka National Park, just outside the capital, opened in 2015 and is the country’s newest park.

Birding in Liuwa Plain

The birdlife in Liuwa is extraordinary, and it's easy to spend hours watching the various comings and goings of white bellied bustards, crowned cranes, sooty chats, pink pelicans, fish eagles and more. Threatened waterbirds include slaty egrets and whiskered terns – Liuwa is the only breeding ground for these birds in Zambia. This is also a prime destination for migrating species and massive flocks of birds can be seen in the skies above Liuwa between May and July. Keep your eyes open for the Black-winged pratincoles, individually these might not be the most exotic of birds, but trust me: a flock of 100,000 swooping over the plains like a giant swarm of bees is pretty breath-taking! Don’t forget to pack your binoculars for birding at Liuwa.

Wildebeest migration without the crowds

Liuwa Plain is home to the second largest wildebeest migration in Africa and, compared to the more famous wildebeest migration in East Africa , this spot is hardly known. Each year in November, with the start of the rainy season, massive herds of blue wildebeest, 45,000 strong, migrate to Liuwa Plains, often mingling with zebras along the way.

Canoe safaris in Lower Zambezi & Bangweulu

Seasoned safari-goers who are tired of the conventional game drive should ditch the 4X4 and get into a canoe for a watery safari in either Lower Zambezi National Park or the Bangweulu Wetlands.

For me there is something timeless about travelling through these swamps. I find it a world away from racing around in a safari jeep. Your guide at the front of the canoe, long pole in hand, propelling you through narrow channels, between the thick reeds and papyrus. Silence, except for slight burbles and gurgles as you glide through the water. It’s one of my all-time highlights.

Chikunto Safari Lodge

Robert Zgozi

There’s some good accommodation in South Luangwa but one of my favourites is Chikunto Safari Lodge, located on a horseshoe bend in the Luangwa River near the Mfuwe entrance in the park’s southern edge. What makes this place really stand out is the six-metre high platform with panoramic views over the river and a private tented suite where you can camp out overnight under the stars. When I visited I found it totally breathtaking. It doesn’t come cheap, but I always recommend it for honeymooners or couples looking for something extra special.

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Journey distances and patchy infrastructure can pose a challenge, and it’s easier to fly between parks than drive, which pressures your budget and the environment. The country’s focus is skewed more to high cost/low volume tourism, so accommodation tends to be more on the expensive side, with less options for backpackers and those on a tight budget.

Think beyond the classic 'Big Five' safari

First-time safari goers are often fixated on seeing the so-called Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard). This might seem like strange advice coming from a safari operator, but to be honest I think there are better places to see the Big Five elsewhere in Africa. Zambia is home to all five, but they're hard to find all together in any one park, and poaching has made the rhino populations especially threatened.

In my personal opinion, the real gems of a Zambia safari are the species and experiences that you can't easily find elsewhere on the continent. Zambia is especially fascinating for its wetlands which provide a precious ecosystem for numerous bird species, most notably the rare and bizarre-looking shoebill storks of the Bangweulu Wetlands.

Another unique aspect of a Zambia safari is the different range of safari types. In East Africa you can spend all day in a jeep chasing the Big Five, while in Zambia's Lower Zambezi National Park you can see lions, elephants, buffalo and leopards, hippos and crocodiles on a canoe safari. Zambia is also famous for its walking safaris, most notably South Luangwa, the birthplace of the walking safari. I can't think of any better way to explore the bush than on foot walking through big game country.

Getting around

You’ll almost certainly arrive at Lusaka, Zambia’s capital city. Lusaka International Airport is 22 kilometres from the city centre, where there are plenty of hotels and guest houses to choose from. Adjacent to the international terminal is the domestic terminal, where you can connect with flights to the main national parks.

Lusaka is the central point of Zambia and all major roads heading north, south, east and west pass through the city. Livingstone and Victoria Falls are 470 km away, so I highly recommend flying. Kafue National Park is located 591 km from Lusaka, if you wish to fly here a charter flight will be needed. South Luangwa National Park is 527 km from Lusaka but best accessed by plane, and there are both scheduled and charter flights on this route.

How to avoid (too much) flying

If you want to avoid too much domestic flying, I’d highly recommend South Luangwa National Park which pretty much has everything you’d want to see. Alternatively Kafue National Park has lots of diverse landscapes such as the Busanga swamps and floodplains, you can stay here for at least a week, travelling from lodge to lodge by road.

Driving in Zambia is a challenge. The distances between the various safari areas and national parks are huge and the roads are often poor. While many of the roads are getting an upgrade, in most cases the easiest is still to fly between parks in light aircraft. Many routes offer fixed schedules, but if you intend to travel away from the main parks, you’ll need to fly on a charter plane. When transferring from one camp to another, within the same national park, you’ll usually be transferred by 4WD (effectively like a bonus game drive). In some specialist walking camps in South Luangwa, you may be able to walk between the camps.

If you are intending to drive, avoid travelling after dark and be aware that potholes, pedestrians and animals occur at random and other drivers can be erratic. If you’re not driving a 4x4 vehicle, don’t drive.

If you book your trip as an organised tour, either private or group, all your transport logistics will be arranged for you.

Zambia safari pro tip

If you’re booking a safari tour that’s longer than six or seven days, your itinerary will likely include multiple national parks with domestic flights between them. A good question to ask your operator is whether these are scheduled flights via Lusaka, or if they’re direct flights between the national parks. Going via Lusaka each time significantly adds to the stress, time and environmental cost of your trip, try to book an itinerary with direct flights where possible.

Safari In South Luangwa National Park

About the author.

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, before moving to Africa at the age of 21, Sarah Kingdom is a mountain climber and guide, traveller, yoga teacher, trail runner, and mother of two. When she is not climbing or traveling she lives on a cattle ranch in central Zambia. She guides climbing and trekking trips worldwide, including taking climbers up Mount Kilimanjaro numerous times a year.

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Een pure wildernis voor de ervaren safari liefhebber

ZAMBIA, EEN PURE WILDERNIS VOOR DE ERVAREN SAFARI LIEFHEBBER

Zambia, nog niet ontdekt door massatoerisme als safari-land, herbergt afgelegen nationale parken die tot de beste ter wereld behoren. Meanderende rivieren, bossen en overvloedig wildlife maken Zambia tot een geweldige safari-bestemming. Of je nu op zoek bent naar avontuurlijke gamedrives, meerdaagse wandelsafari’s of kamperen in de pure wildernis, Zambia is jouw ultieme safari-bestemming.

Snel navigeren

Meest bijzondere safari gebieden in zambia.

Kafue met Busanga Plains, ruig maar met unieke schoonheid

In het oudste park van Zambia, het Kafue National Park, lijkt de tijd te hebben stilgestaan. Weinig toeristen en ruige natuur kenmerken dit gebied. Busanga Plains, gelegen in het noorden van Kafue, is een moerasachtig gebied van ongekende schoonheid. Hier spot je zeldzame diersoorten zoals kuddes roan- en sabelantilopen, kraanvogels en soms sitatunga’s. De leeuwen hebben zich aangepast aan het waterrijke gebied en jagen vooral op de moerasantilopen. Busanga Plains is een unieke safari-bestemming en een van de meest ongerepte plekken in safari Afrika.

South Luangwa, een grote katten paradijs

South Luangwa National Park mag niet ontbreken in uw Zambia maatwerk safari reis. Met een enorme wildvariatie behoort het tot een van de beste safari wildlife gebieden. Het is een “grote katten” paradijs. De meanders van de Luangwa River vormen het groene hart van het park. Tijdens het droge seizoen zie je de dieren zich concentreren rond de rivier en de opdrogende lagunes. Luangwa is de bakermat van wandelsafari’s. Een meerdaagse wandelsafari, begeleid door ervaren gidsen, is een unieke, avontuurlijke belevenis.

Lower Zambezi, olifanten overal

Lower Zambezi National Park, gelegen aan de indrukwekkende Zambezi rivier, wordt gekenmerkt door rust, prachtige natuur en veel wild.  Buffels en enorme kuddes olifanten zijn vaak bij de rivier te vinden. Ga op gamedrive, maak een wandelsafari of maak een avontuurlijke kanotocht op de Zambezi. Lower Zambezi biedt u vele safari mogelijkheden.

Victoria Falls staat op de wereld erfgoed lijst

De Victoria Watervallen, de breedste watervallen van Afrika, staan op de UNESCO Werelderfgoedlijst en zijn te bezoeken vanuit zowel Zambia als Zimbabwe. Het opspattende water is vaak al van veraf te zien. Een beroemde plek is de natuurlijk gevormde “Armchair” of ook wel “Devil’s Pool” genoemd, vlak bij de watervallen op Livingston Island aan de Zambiaanse kant. Een bezoek aan de “Falls” mag eigenlijk niet ontbreken als aanvulling op uw maatwerk safari reis.

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Niet alleen game drives, maar ook wandelsafari’s

Maak uw zambia maatwerk safari reis nog avontuurlijker: game drive’s, wandelsafari’s en slapen in een boomhut..

In een open safari jeep, samen met uw gids, gaat u op zoek naar wilde dieren. Veilig in de auto kunt u heel dichtbij komen en volop genieten van de schoonheid van de dieren. Tijdens een wandeling door de bush met uw gids gaat u niet alleen op zoek naar groot wild, maar wordt er ook aandacht besteed aan sporen, insecten, bomen en planten. Een ultiem avontuur is een romantische overnachting onder de sterren in een boomhut aan de Luangwa rivier. Zo beleeft u Zambia op de meest intense manier.

Uw safari reis speelt zich af rond Zambia’s grote rivieren

Beleef de mooiste zonsondergang op de zambezi rivier: een moment van rust tijdens uw safari reis.

Geniet van bruisende stroomversnellingen en magische zonsondergangen. Ontdek krokodillen, nijlpaarden, diverse vogelsoorten, en misschien zelfs olifanten die ’s middags komen drinken. Vanaf het water ervaart u de natuur op een andere manier: een moment van rust. Ook de Kafue River biedt fantastische mogelijkheden voor een boottocht. Aangezien alle safari gebieden rondom grote rivieren in Zambia liggen, zijn wateractiviteiten goed te integreren in uw op maat gemaakte safari reis.

Ervaar de ongereptheid van Zambia tijdens een ballon safari

Zwevend over busanga plains in een luchtballon, een oase van rust.

Voor zonsopgang wordt de ballon gevuld, waarna u langzaam opstijgt boven de uitgestrekte vlaktes van Busanga Plains. Tijdens deze ballonsafari ziet u moerasantilopen, roanantilopen en olifanten.

Gezien de omvang van Zambia is vliegen vaak de beste manier om de safarigebieden te bereiken. Natuurlijk is ook een combinatie van binnenlandse vluchten en transport per auto mogelijk. Uw maatwerk safari-reis wordt volledig afgestemd op uw wensen.

Carmine bee-eaters in vlucht fotograferen: een ultieme uitdaging

Zambia biedt fantastische mogelijkheden voor wildlife fotografen. magische zonsondergangen, luipaarden in het donker of vliegende karmijnbijeneters: niet altijd makkelijk maar wel een ultieme uitdaging..

De beste tijd voor een maatwerk safari reis naar Zambia

Van juni tot en met oktober is het droge seizoen: er is minder dichte vegetatie, de dieren trekken naar de rivier en zijn dus makkelijker te vinden en te zien. Alle lodges zijn open en in Busanga Plains daalt het waterniveau zodat de regio weer begaanbaar wordt. Het is de beste tijd voor een maatwerk safari reis.

Van november tot maart is het regentijd: veel kampen zijn dicht maar in het Mfuwe gebied van South Luangwa zijn veel lodges wel open. Ook Kafue heeft het hele jaar accommodatie open. Het is er rustig en prijstechnisch interessant.

Halverwege het tussenseizoen openen de lodges in Lower Zambezi weer. Langzaam volgen alle andere kampen.

De mening van onze klanten

Onze safari reis door Zambia was heel speciaal. Vooral South Luangwa waar we fantastische sightings hadden van luipaarden, leeuwen en zelfs wilde honden.

Busanga Plains was voor mij de highlight van onze safari reis in Zambia: zo'n ongerept gebied. We zagen de leeuwen door het water gaan. Het tentenkamp was rustiek, maar dat gaf juist iets extra's aan het geheel. De service perfect.

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Bovendien zijn de maanden april tot augustus de beste tijd voor safari's. Door het droge weer komt je auto minder snel vast te zitten in de modder. De beste tijd om dieren te zien is echter in de periode erna, tot aan half november.

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Bedenk wel dat veel toeristen in Zambia afkomstig zijn uit Europa en Noord-Amerika en dat een het land en zijn parken in juni en juli en augustus dus wel eens druk kunnen zijn.

Wat is de beste reistijd om olifanten te zien?

Het klimaat is in heel Zambia enigszins vergelijkbaar. Daardoor kunnen we in het algemeen stellen dat het warme seizoen van september tot november het beste is om wilde dieren, zoals olifanten te zien.

Het is in die tijd immers al maandenlang droog. De dieren komen dan naar de schaarse waterbronnen om te drinken. Je weet dus waar je ze moet zoeken.

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Wat is de beste reistijd als je vogels wilt spotten?

Als je vogels wilt spotten is juist het natte seizoen van november tot midden april ideaal. Neem dan wel een poncho of regenjas mee. Er kan in deze tijd heel wat water uit de lucht komen.

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11 Best places to stay for Safari in Zambia

Planning a safari in Zambia ? This is your guide to the best accommodations in the heart of Africa . With the thundering Victoria Falls, the enchanting Lower Zambezi National Park, the untouched Kafue, and the untamed wilderness of South Luangwa National Park and the remote North Luangwa, Zambia is one of the most inspiring and beautiful countries for a safari in Africa .

The places you choose to stay can make or break your safari trip in Zambia . In this guide, I share my hand-picked accommodations across Zambia , ensuring that you will leave Zambia in awe with lasting memories of some of the best safari experiences in Africa . 

Find the best places to stay for Safari in Zambia here:

Wild Dogs Lodge in Lusaka

After a short 2-hour flight with Proflight Zambia from Johannesburg to Lusaka Airport, you can reach Wild Dogs Lodge in Lusaka within 15-20 minutes. The lodge offers an airport transfer at 20 USD per vehicle. Roads in Lusaka are pretty good, but for the last 8 minutes over a dirt road you will get the ‘African massage’. 

The first word that came into my mind when entering Wild Dogs Lodge was peaceful. It's a peace of the African bush in the middle of Lusaka city and therefore a great start for your safari in Zambia .

Family-owned African-style Lodge

It’s an intimate (german-owned) lodge with only 10 African-style rooms under 4 thatched chalets hosting up to a maximum of 20 people. 

All cottages - that have fruit names like Mango, Pawpaw, and Guava - face the peaceful garden and the swimming pool with a few sun loungers. The 18-meter-long pool is perfect to cool off on a hot day and to swim a few laps.

Beautiful shady bird-rich garden

The cottages are in a beautifully decorated green garden with amazing Lozi & Jacaranda trees offering enough shady spots. Ernest, the gardener, loves to show you around the garden where you can find several Mango and Avocado trees. 

Birds also favor Wild Dog’s garden, for example, the Blue Waxbill, Woodpecker, Woodland Kingfisher, and the always present BulBul. Waking up, and hearing the sounds of these birds, is a very peaceful feeling. 

Delicious food with fruits and veggies from their garden

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are on the terrace surrounding the pool. They have a 24-hour coffee/tea station available for guests and the food was good. For breakfast, you can choose eggs of your choice. I loved their light lunch; a salad with chicken strips. For dinner, I had their delicious beef filet in garlic, onion, and champignons with various vegetables.

Wild Dogs Lodge also has their vegetable garden where they grow green pepper, lettuce, spinach, eggplant, and so forth. 

Best place to stay in Lusaka

In summary, I couldn’t think of a better green place to stay in Lusaka . An excellent location in a wonderfully decorated garden with good healthy food options and the friendliest professional team; the best place to start your safari in Zambia . Wild Dogs Lodge also offers a two-deck conference area. Book your stay at Wild Dogs Lodge .

Pioneer Camp in Lusaka

If you’re a bit more on a budget, check out Wild Dogs Lodge ’s rustic sister camp, named Pioneer Camp with accommodations ranging from a camping place, and basic thatched tents to higher standard safari and miombo chalets with ensuite bathrooms. It’s also a great place for birding! 

The most convenient and fastest way to get from Lusaka to the best places for a safari in Zambia is by airplane. Proflight Zambia offers scenic flights to most safari destinations in Zambia like Kafue National Park, Lower Zambezi National Park, South Luangwa, and North Luangwa.

Mukambi Safari Lodge in Kafue

A 4 to 5-hour drive from Lusaka takes you to Mukambi Safari Lodge , on the doorstep of Kafue National Park . Driving down to Kafue, also known as Zambia ’s untouched treasure, you don’t see any souvenir stalls or small markets which shows that the masses did not yet discover the park. You only see a few rural villages and a few vegetable and fruit stalls. 

The closer you get to Kafue, the more ever-beautiful and picturesque Baobab trees are showing up in the landscape. The last few kilometers, the landscape is turning into a more densely vegetated area and once you turn off from the main road, you will most likely see the first antelopes, like Impala or Puku.

Enchanting viewing deck

The first thing you notice when entering Mukambi Lodge is that this wonderful place is located right on the banks of the Kafue River with an upper and lower viewing deck to watch hippos and an occasional crocodile. The surrounding plants also attract many birds. If you close your eyes, the only thing you hear is the sound of a shrike or a bulbul and the flowing water of the river.

Room with a view

Mukambi Lodge has 10 rounded en-suite chalets (rondavels) and 4 luxury tents overlooking the Kafue River. They are a few meters apart from each other to ensure privacy. 

The beds are very comfortable, and you will definitely enjoy the view of the river from your private terrace while local wildlife passes by your rondavel, including puku, impala, baboons, and monkeys. And not to forget about the birds singing their songs. After having a resident hippo that unfortunately died, Mukambi Lodge also has a resident wild cat !

Activities Mukambi Safari Lodge

Apart from game drives and walking safaris , you can also opt for a fishing trip or a sunset boat cruise on the Kafue River .

We opted for a walking safari and a game drive in Kafue National Park. Our first walk in Zambia treated us with a bachelor herd of 3 elephants. We watched them from a safe distance to not interfere with their daily lives. 

The Kafue area is beautiful with various shrubs and trees, including beautiful Baobab trees and Lala palm trees. 

After your morning safari in Kafue National Park, the infinity pool is the perfect place to relax and cool off or treat yourself to a relaxing massage. 

When coming back from your sundowner safari in the afternoon, join the campfire to gaze into the fire and see the milky way unfold. A perfect ending of a day spent in the African bush.

Safari Tour Kafue National Park

Mukambi Lodge is the perfect gateway to Kafue National Park with several areas worth exploring. If you have enough time, plan a minimum of 2 to 3 nights in each of the camps that are part of Mukambi Safaris: Busanga Plains Camp (July to October), Fig Tree Bush Camp (May to November), and Mukambi Safari Lodge (All year round). This way, you will have the best experience of all that Zambia ’s untouched gem offers.

Book a 6-day safari tour in Kafue National Park or the 8-day (shared) Full Kafue Experience that includes all the camps of Mukambi Safaris and experience the best Kafue has to offer. Another option is a 12-day safari tour Best of Kafue National Park and South Luangwa .

Wonderful team and knowledgeable guides

Mukambi Safaris is a Dutch family-owned business since 2002. Mukambi’s knowledgeable guides rotate in all the camps and Busanga Plains is among their favorite areas to guide because it’s known for special wildlife sightings. 

The team at Mukambi is lovely. I forgot my Apple Mouse at the lodge and they did everything in their power to transfer it from Kafue to South Luangwa. Just perfect. Zikomo Robyn and staff! I will be back to explore more of Kafue National Park.

Chiawa Camp in Lower Zambezi

After a 35-minute scenic flight with Proflight from Lusaka to Jeki Airstrip it’s another hour to the family-owned multi-award-winning Chiawa Camp,  but a surprising scenic ride! First, you hop on a short game drive through the Jeki area welcomed by many Lilac Breasted Rollers, baboons, and various antelopes. 

Then, a small motorized boat takes you in 40 minutes to Chiawa Camp cruising the Zambezi River, with amazing sightings of elephant crossings, many hippos, and incredible views of the Zambezi River and its channels.

The pioneer in Lower Zambezi National Park

Once you arrive at the camp, you are already smiling from ear to ear and the friendliest staff is waiting at the deck to welcome you with open arms. A great first impression of Chiawa Camp , which is the first camp to settle on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River.

Safari experience of a lifetime

Lower Zambezi National Park is one of Africa ’s most scenic wildernesses offering some of the best safari activities in Zambia and Africa . 

Apart from the wildlife-rich game drives led by high-quality guides, Chiawa Safaris also offers unique walking safari experiences through the magical winter thorn forest and along the lagoon with lots of elephant encounters. 

The activities that make Chiawa Camp even more unique are the water-based Lower Zambezi safari activities, like a canoeing trip through the Zambezi channels with amazing wildlife sightings that include up-close vistas of crocodiles, hippos, elephants, many birds, baboons, and several antelope species while peacefully floating on the water, listening to the sounds of nature. 

Ending your canoe safari   with a sundowner overlooking the Zambezi River that reflects the orange colors of the setting sun is magical. 

Because of the strict regulations, I assure safari lovers of seeing very little to no human activity while paddling the waters of the Zambezi River which provides that extra exclusive feel of being the only ones on the river. 

Other things to do on safari in Lower Zambezi National Park are night game drives , boat safaris using stable pontoon boats, and tiger fishing. What I loved about Chiawa’s night game drive was the use of a red filter on the spotlight and car to not disrupt the animal’s behavior. It was the only place in all of Zambia where they used this red light.

Elephants & Buffalo visit Chiawa Camp

You don’t have to drive far to see wildlife. And even better, elephants visit Chiawa Camp daily as the camp is in the middle of a prime wildlife zone within Lower Zambezi National Park. 

Other wildlife to spot (even within the camp) are lion , leopard, buffalo, waterbuck, hippos and crocodiles. I had a buffalo grazing next to my tent one evening and enjoyed viewing the elephants from my private veranda.

Quality food on beautiful locations

Chiawa’s food is delicious, and I like their effort to prepare different spots to enjoy lunch. 

They serve breakfast on the bank of the river at the fire while you can enjoy the slowly rising sun. One day, we had a champagne lunch on the boat while enjoying the river views and another day we sat on the upper deck. 

Just before they serve dinner from their main dining area, the staff gathers to sing a song or two to invite us for dinner; a proper choir with regular rehearsals and their album which you can buy at the lodge to support them.

Luxury Safari Tents with plunge pool

The 100 square meters safari tents are very spacious with a comfortable super-king sized bed, a lounge area, and an enormous bathroom plus an extra outdoor ‘waterfall’ shower for that extra bush feeling. 

Via a sliding door, you enter your private shaded veranda that includes a dining table, leather safari chairs, and ‘bench wallow’; a sunken lounge area and an on-demand plunge pool . I also loved the hammock to chill in between the  Lower Zambezi safari activities.

Reusable water bottle

Chiawa Camp wins the prize for the best water bottle gift. Several camps are offering reusable water bottles to their clients which is a great way to reduce the use of plastic water bottles but I found Chiawa’s water bottle the most convenient and appealing. It’s not only a gift to take home, but a gift to nature in an effort for a cleaner and healthier environment. 

Travel Tip for your Safari in Zambia : not all camps provide reusable water bottles or a water bottle to take home as a gift, so please bring your reusable water bottle that keeps your filtered water cold instead of asking for a plastic water bottle.

Best place to stay in Zambia

Chiawa Camp is my number one pick as the best place to stay in Zambia and Lower Zambezi National Park became one of my favorite new wildlife parks in all of Africa . Want to include Chiawa Camp in your Zambia Safari Tour ? Check out the 15-Day Luxury Zambia Safari & Waterfalls Holiday .

Old Mondoro Lower Zambezi National Park

Old Mondoro , part of Chiawa Safaris, is a wildlife photographer’s paradise offering a more intimate and rustic option to enjoy Lower Zambezi National Park. With only 5 chalets, this is the perfect place to stay for that authentic raw African bush feeling with incredible wildlife encounters. 

Old Mondoro Camp is within a winter thorn forest and elephants are always present which means the staff has to drive you to your chalet. It’s also the place with one of the best toilet views in Africa .

Chindeni Bush Camp in South Luangwa

Chindeni is a lovely luxurious tented camp on the edge of an oxbow lagoon in South Luangwa National Park in Zambia with the N’Chindeni Hills providing a wonderful backdrop. I love the fact that this stylish but rustic bush camp is in a remote area of Zambia’s Honeypot in the middle of the bush, where the magic happens.

You can reach South Luangwa from Lusaka by road or by air with Proflight Zambia . From Mfuwe airstrip, it’s a 45-minute drive to the Bushcamp Company’s main lodge, Mfuwe Lodge ; famous because of the elephants passing the reception hallway to feed on their wild Mango tree. From Mfuwe Lodge it’s another 2,5 hour drive to Chindeni Camp.

Intimate bush camp offering prime wildlife viewing

With only 4 luxurious tented chalets, raised on decks with a private veranda overlooking the lagoon, it gives you the perfect intimate feel. The main area is a huge wooden deck surrounded by Ebony trees with the same magical views of the lagoon where elephants pass to drink, hippos wallow around, or wild dogs run along the tree line. 

These special views never get boring and the sunrise at Chindeni Camp is simply stunning.

Things to do at Chindeni Camp

At Chindeni Bush Camp, you can do several safari activities , that include walking safaris , scenic sundowners, game drives , and night drives . 

Prince was the perfect guide. He had a wealth of knowledge about all things nature; also the smaller things. 

I enjoyed going on game walks with him, but also the afternoon drive was fun and very informative. 

Walking Safari is King

South Luangwa is the pioneer of walking safaris . Foot safaris differ from game drives as you will see so much more, for example, leopard scratches on a Natal Mahogany, rubbings of elephants along the bark of several trees, aardvark droppings, remains of animals, and sunbirds drinking the nectar of the sausage tree flowers. 

On our first morning, we saw two lionesses that were part of a bigger pride of 7 lions , famous for hunting hippos. Also, special was seeing an Ant Lion (part of the small five), and trees that grow on top of a termite mound, showing how old the termite mound already is. Another great sighting was a flock of yellow-billed storks catching catfish while being chased away by an African fish eagle who stole their fish.

On our fruitful night drive , we saw for example a leopard, a leopard cub on its own, a serval, two genets and hippos grazing on the land.

Abundance of wildlife

Other animals we spotted on our walks during our 2 nights at Chindeni: leopards, elephants, hippos, a herd of buffalo, giraffes, wild dogs, a leopard with a kill, wild dogs with pups, kudu, crocodiles, and hyenas. 

So you honestly can’t go wrong booking at Chindeni Camp as the surroundings of the camp offer an abundance of wildlife right at your doorstep.

Conscious Bushcamp Company

The Bushcamp Company has 3 lodges and 6 bush camps. What makes them special is that they are the only safari operator in the Southern section of South Luangwa National Park and they can pride themselves on the intimate nature of their small, exclusive bush camps in awe-inspiring and remote locations, far from other camps and tourists.

Check out this 9-day safari tour that includes Mfuwe Lodge and one of their bush camps to experience splendid South Luangwa and Zambezi Valley.

What I also love about Bushcamp Company is that they give every client a water bottle as a gift to take home . The message on the bottle says ‘Refilling this bottle reduces annual consumption of single-use bottles by up to 55,000’. A magnificent gift to the environment and the bottle keeps your water cool for a minimum of 12 hours!

Every client also receives an elephant keyring for conservation . The proceeds from the sale of these colorful key rings benefit elephant conservation in South Luangwa National Park and you get them in all the colors of the rainbow.

Chamilandu Bush Camp in South Luangwa

Chamilandu Bush Camp is not too far from Chindeni Camp, both owned by The Bushcamp Company. Chamilandu has a more rustic feel than Chindeni because their rooms are semi-open to the African bush. It's a great camp for the well-traveled Africa lover. 

Unfortunately, I didn't get to experience the camp to its fullest because I arrived very late in the evening when it was already dark and we left the following morning very early for a walking safari to Chindeni Camp. However, I loved the setup and the views of the river while enjoying the early morning light.

Luangwa Bush Camp in South Luangwa

At Luangwa Bush Camp from Robin Pope Safaris , you go back to basics as you will be camping in the middle of South Luangwa's wilderness with views of the Luangwa River. While this is not a luxury lodge experience, you will find luxury in being disconnected from the world and fully connected to nature instead. It's at this place, where I felt I could recharge my battery. 

Hearing the laugh of a Hyena or a Lion 's roar while sleeping in a canvas tent is truly something special; a different kind of luxury. Even the hot bucket shower felt like a wonderful gift as I didn't expect to have hot water while camping in the middle of the bush, but Luangwa Bush Camp has all you need! Even their breakfast, lunch, and dinner are great as they get the food from their Nsefu camp.

From Tena Tena Camp we did a walking safari to Luangwa Bush Camp. This was a very exciting walk as we spotted a leopard roaming in the distance, discovered Aardvark tracks, found a tooth of a leopard, saw beautiful trees and elephants, and a skull.

After arriving at the tented camp, you can't do more than relax in your tent or watch birds and animals like hippos along the Luangwa River.

After lunch, we did another walk around the camping area with interesting sightings of a hippo carcass and giraffes that seemed very relaxed in our presence.

For a different safari experience, I highly recommend bush camping in South Luangwa National Park with Robin Pope Safaris.   This off-the-grid bush experience is one of the reasons this camping adventure is one of my top places to stay for a safari in Zambia .

Mwaleshi Camp in North Luangwa

Mwaleshi Camp is a rustic bush camp on the banks of the Mwaleshi River 10 km upstream of the confluence with the Luangwa River. It’s the only camp in the vast wilderness of North Luangwa National Park offering 4 chalets, operating from June 15 until the end of October. The camp is part of Remote Africa Safaris and the easiest way to get to the camp is by plane from RASAir , Remote Africa ’s in-house Cessna 210. It’s a 40-minute flight from Mfuwe Airport in South Luangwa with scenic views of the Luangwa River.

Remarkable, remote, and rustic

The feel of the North differs from the South. There’s no distraction of other people or cars passing and Mwaleshi is one of the in total two camps inside the park. The other camp, Takwela, is also part of Remote Africa Safaris but that camp is in a different area of North Luangwa.

The camp is very rustic and might not be for everyone, especially if you’re a first-time Africa visitor but I rank Mwaleshi Camp and its surrounding nature as one of the favorite places I stayed in Africa . 

The remoteness of the camp and the semi-open cottage built with natural materials only using local skills, is what makes it so exclusive. Also, the purity of the walks into areas with no roads adds to the exclusivity. 

Only Black Rhino population in Zambia

The area along the Mwaleshi River offers a chance to see the Big Five (and wild dog) on foot and North Luangwa is a hotspot for lion , kudu, Zambia’s endemic Cookson’s wildebeest, elephant , wild dog, and black rhino . 

Mwaleshi Camp is within a 120 km 2 black rhino sanctuary , another reason this hidden gem is worth visiting. According to Birdwatch Zambia, there are 416 species of birds and the Luangwa Valley is also one of the top 10 lion strongholds of Africa .

Pure Nature Connection

With no Wi-Fi, cell phone connection, or electricity it is purely a connection to nature here. Use all your senses to connect to nature and enjoy being present in the very moment. It’s the perfect place to recharge your battery and I recommend a minimum of 4 days to fully immerse yourself into this remote luxury for the best experience.

Waking up to the sun rising over the Mwaleshi River while having your breakfast around the fire and listening to the sounds of the birds is a perfect start of the day and a great way to prepare yourself for a 4-hour walking safari . In the afternoon, you go out for another 2.5 to 3-hour walking safari ending with a sundowner while watching the sun set over the Mwaleshi river. 

Home-cooked cuisine

Back at the camp, you can enjoy a perfect candlelight dinner, cooked over a wood fire. They bake the  homemade bread with coals in the ground and their fresh vegetables come straight from their vegetable garden .

Most inspiring guide & camp manager

A guide can make or break your safari. Brent was honestly one of the most inspiring souls I have met . He’s extremely passionate about all things nature, sharing his knowledge philosophically. 

A very interesting person to listen to with a pleasant voice; the perfect person for a TedTalk if you ask me. Brent is the kind of guide that makes you want to go back to that place.

Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls 

The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls is a very expensive hotel part of the Anantara Hotel Group, so it's not for everybody. I haven't slept here myself, but I visited this luxury property a few times for lunch and a delicious high tea. This hotel has been included in the list of the best places to stay in Zambia because it serves as the departure point by boat to Livingstone Island for the Devil's Pool activity.

The Victoria Falls Waterfront in Livingstone

The Victoria Falls Waterfront is a much more affordable place to stay in Livingstone. It's close to Victoria Falls, overlooking the Northern banks of the Zambezi River, and is only 10km away from the famous Victoria Falls, the smoke that thunders. The lodge also has a swimming pool, braai facilities, and a lively bar.

Best places to stay for Safari in Zambia

Most of the best places to stay are intimate bush camps and exclusive safari lodges in Zambia's most pristine wilderness areas , such as Lower Zambezi National Park, Kafue National Park, South Luangwa National Park, and North Luangwa National Park. If you are looking for a real remote safari experience with an abundance of wildlife away from the crowds, choose Zambia as your next safari destination! It's one of Africa's underrated countries for safari but I'm 100% sure you won't regret traveling to one of the safest countries in Africa. Be ready for awe-inspiring natural wonders and Zambia's enchanting wilderness.

Here’s a summary of my 11 hand-picked favorite accommodations to stay for safari in Zambia :

•  Wild Dogs Lodge in Lusaka
•  Pioneer Camp in Lusaka
•  Mukambi Safari Lodge in Kafue National Park
•  Chiawa Camp in Lower Zambezi National Park
•  Old Mondoro in Lower Zambezi National Park
•  Chindeni Camp in South Luangwa National Park
•  Chamilandu Bushcamp in South Luangwa National Park
•  Luangwa Bush Camping
•  Mwaleshi Camp in North Luangwa National Park
•  Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls 
•  The Victoria Falls Waterfront in Livingstone

Do you have tips for lodges that deserve to be part of this list too? Share your tips in the comments or invite me to visit your lodge. Check out this selection of Zambia Safari Tours to book your next safari in Zambia .

• Zoek reizen
• Central Kalahari
• Chobe National Park
• Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
• Khama Rhino Sanctuary
• Khwai Community Area
• Linyanti & Kwando
• Makgadigadi National Park
• Mokolodi Nature Reserve
• Moremi Game Reserve
• Nxai Pan National Park
• Okavango Delta
• Tsodilo Hills
• Kahuzi Biega National Park
• Mount Nyiragongo
• Odzala Kokoua National Park
• Virunga National Park
• Aberdare National Park
• Amboseli National Park
• Hell’s Gate National Park
• Keniaanse kust
• Lake Naivasha
• Lake Nakuru
• Meru National Park
• Nairobi National Park
• Samburu National Reserve
• Tsavo National Park
• Andasibe Mantadia National Park
• Andringitra National Park
• Avenida de los Baobabs
• Fianarantsoa
• Isalo National Park
• Ranomafana National Park
• Tsingy de Bemaraha
• Lake Malawi
• Liwonde National Park
• Majete Wildlife Reserve
• Mount Mulanje
• Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve
• Nyika National Park
• Le Morne Peninsula
• Mauritius South East
• Bazaruto Archipelago
• Gorongosa National Park
• Bwabwata National Park
• Epupa Falls
• Etosha National Park
• Fish River Canyon
• Khaudum National Park
• Mahango Game Reserve
• Mudumu National Park
• Namib Naukluft National Park
• Nkasa Rupara National Park
• Okonjima Nature Reserve
• Skeleton Coast
• Waterberg Plateau National Park
• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park
• Kibale Forest National Park
• Kidepo Valley National Park
• Lake Bunyonyi
• Lake Mburo National Park
• Lake Mutanda
• Mgahinga Gorilla National Park
• Murchison Falls National Park
• Queen Elizabeth National Park
• Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary
• Akagera National Park
• Nyungwe Forest National Park
• Volcanoes National Park
• La Digue Island
• Mahé Island
• Morne Seychelles National Park
• Praslin Island
• Sainte Anne Marine
• Vallee De Mai
• Arusha National Park
• Lake Manyara National Park
• Lake Natron
• Lake Victoria
• Mikumi National Park
• Mount Kilimanjaro
• Ngorongoro Krater
• Ruaha National Park
• Selous Game Reserve
• Serengeti National Park
• Tarangire National Park
• Usambara Mountains
• Kafue National Park
• Liuwa Plains National Park/
• Livingstone (Victoria Falls)
• Lower Zambezi National Park
• South Luangwa National Park
• Gonarezhou National Park
• Hwange National Park
• Mana Pools National Park
• Matopos National Park
• Matusadona National Park
• Victoria Falls
• Zambezi National Park
• Addo Elephant National Park/
• Drakensberg
• Garden Route National Park
• Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park
• Isimangaliso Wetland Park
• Kruger National Park
• Kwazulu Natal
• Madikwe Game Reserve
• Marakele National Park
• Namaqua National Park
• Panorama Route
• Tsitsikamma National Park
• Welgevonden Private Game Reserve
• Accommodatie Groepsreizen
• Familiereizen naar Afrika
• Huwelijksreizen & Romantiek
• Individuele Rondreizen
• Kampeer Groepsreizen
• Luxe Reizen
• Mobiele Kampeer Safari
• Privé safari’s
• Activiteiten

Beste reistijd Afrika

Wat is de beste reistijd voor afrika.

Wat de beste reistijd voor Afrika is hangt af van het doel van de reis. Neem contact met ons op voor een persoonlijk advies. Als Afrika specialist willen we dat je een geweldige Afrika ervaring hebt die voldoet aan je wensen. Naar onderstaande landen bieden wij privé safari’s ,  kampeergroepsreizen, individuele rondreizen , accommodatie groepsreizen en meer! 

Wat is de beste reistijd voor Botswana?

De maanden juni tot september zijn de beste maanden om op safari te gaan in Botswana. Er is weinig kans op regen en het weer is overdag aangenaam. Enorme kuddes olifanten klonteren dan samen in de Okavango Delta in deze tijd van het jaar en het maken van een reis in een mokoro (traditionele kano) is dan bijzonder mooi.

Oktober en november zijn ook uitstekende safari maanden maar het is dan erg heet. In november kunnen de eerste regens vallen die tot eind maart kunnen aanhouden. Maart t/m mei wordt dan ook het Groene Seizoen genoemd omdat de vegetatie weelderig groeit. Dieren zijn dan moeilijker te spotten. 

Botswana is een van de duurste safari bestemmingen in Afrika omdat veel van de parken moeilijk bereikbaar zijn. De parken zijn echter een van de beste wildlife bestemmingen van Afrika.

[Bekijk ons aanbod voor Botswana]

Wat is de beste reistijd voor Kenia?

De beste tijd om op safari naar Kenia te gaan is voor de meeste mensen wanneer de jaarlijkse migratie van miljoenen wildebeesten , zebra’s en gnoes plaatsvindt. De Mara vlakten zijn dan bedekt met duizenden grazers die meestal achtervolgd worden voor roofdieren. Dit is in de maanden juli tot oktober .

Andere Keniaanse parken zijn ook uitstekend te bezoeken tijdens het droge seizoen, van januari tot en met maart en van juli tot en met oktober. Met de schaarste aan water tijdens de droge seizoenen hebben de dieren meer de neiging om zich te verzamelen rondom de permanente waterpoelen, rivieren en meren zodat ze voor de toerist makkelijker te vinden zijn. De vegetatie is daarbij minder weelderig dus spotten is makkelijker.

[Bekijk ons aanbod voor Kenia]

Wat is de beste reistijd voor Malawi?

De beste reistijd om Malawi te bezoeken is tussen mei en half november . Dit is de droge periode. Oktober is hoogseizoen.

Tijdens de lokale wintermaanden van juni tot eind augustus is het soms wat koeler, maar overdag is er altijd een heerlijke temperatuur van circa 23 graden. Bij Lake Malawi is het altijd iets warmer, op het Nyika Plateau altijd wat koeler vanwege de hoogte (2.300 meter) en ’s nachts kan het er zelfs vriezen.

[Bekijk ons aanbod voor Malawi]

Wat is de beste reistijd voor Madagaskar

De beste reistijd voor Madagaskar is ongeveer van april tot en met oktober . Dit zijn de droge wintermaanden. Het is er dan koel en droog en de wegen zijn het best begaanbaar. De zomermaanden zijn van november tot en met maart op Madagaskar. Deze maanden staan ook bekend als het orkaanseizoen. Dit zijn beslist niet de beste reismaanden aangezien de winden in het oosten extreem kunnen zijn en de regen heftig is waardoor het eiland grotendeels moeilijk begaanbaar is.

[Bekijk ons aanbod voor Madagaskar]

Wat is de beste reistijd voor Mauritius?

Het klimaat op Mauritius is erg fijn. Het is er het hele jaar gemiddeld 26 graden en regen komt er niet vaak voor. Er is overigens wel altijd een kans dat er flinke tropische bui valt. De grootste kans dat dit gebeurt is tussen de maanden december en april. De droogste maanden zijn veruit september en oktober . Uiteraard wordt het steeds lastiger te voorspellen, aangezien het klimaat veranderd. Het verschilt ook nogal waar je je bevindt op het eiland. Het noorden is een goede plek om te verblijven, omdat hier veel zandstranden te vinden zijn en het er vaak mooi weer is. Het oosten is daarentegen wat windiger. Dit is voornamelijk in de winter van toepassing. In het zuiden van het eiland zijn vele steile kliffen en rotsen te vinden, terwijl in het oosten weer meerdere turquoise lagunes te vinden zijn. Het westen is het droogste en heetste gebied van het Mauritius. Dit gebied leent zich uitstekend om eens te kitesurfen bijvoorbeeld.

[Bekijk ons reisaanbod voor Mauritius]

Wat is de beste reistijd voor Mozambique?

Mozambique is gelegen in het zuidoosten van het Afrikaanse continent. Het land kan eigenlijk het hele jaar prima bezocht worden. Alhoewel, er zijn een periodes dat je het land misschien beter niet wilt bezoeken. Dat geldt met name voor de maanden januari en februari. Tijdens deze maanden vind het orkaanseizoen plaats in Mozambique, dus het is belangrijk om rekening te houden met enkele zware buien. Het scheelt een hoop dat Mozambique ‘beschermt’ wordt door Madagaskar, dat gelegen is voor de kust van Mozambique, waardoor de stormen in kracht al flink zijn afgenomen. De beste periode om naar Mozambique hangt volledig van je reisdoel af. Als je graag op safari wilt gaan (hoewel we Mozambique niet als typische safaribestemming verkopen) dan kun je het beste reizen tijdens het droge seizoen, oftewel in augustus en september. Wil je walvissen spotten , kom dan tussen juli en oktober.

Kom je om te duiken ? Dan zijn de maanden mei t/m september ideaal. Minder wind en de stroming is niet te sterk. 

De periode december t/m april staat eigenlijk bekend als het regenseizoen, maar de temperatuur is erg fijn, want het is er dan zomer. De temperatuur is gemiddeld zo’n 30 graden, maar buien kunnen dus wel voorkomen. Dit blijft overigens wel vaak beperkt tot één of twee tropische buien per dag.

[Bekijk ons reisaanbod voor Mozambique]

Wat is de beste reistijd voor Namibië?

Etosha National Park is de nummer 1 bestemming van Namibië en de beste tijd om dit park te bezoeken is tijdens de maanden mei tot en met oktober. Dit is het droge seizoen van Namibië (ondanks het feit dat het land grotendeels uit woestijn bestaat kent het land nog steeds seizoenen!) waarbij de dieren zich voornamelijk samenvoegen rondom de waterbronnen en je ze gemakkelijker kunt spotten. Namibië is ook een geliefd land onder vogelaars. De beste tijd om veel vogels te zien is tijdens de zomermaanden, van december tot maart, maar wees voorbereid om zeer warm en vochtig weer.

[Bekijk ons aanbod voor Namibië]

Wat is de beste reistijd voor Oeganda?

Oeganda heeft een aantal zeer mooie nationale parken die het best bezocht kunnen worden vanaf december tot maart of juni tot september , wanneer het overwegend droog is. De meeste mensen die naar Oeganda afreizen komen er voor de berggorilla’s. Hoewel het in de bergen vrijwel het gehele jaar door regent is het beklimmen van de hellingen toch een stuk lastiger in het regenseizoen. Advies is dus om de maanden maart, april, oktober en november te vermijden.

[Bekijk ons aanbod voor Oeganda]

Wat is de beste reistijd voor Rwanda?

Hoewel het land gedurende het hele jaar bezocht kan worden, is het toch het fijnst om tussen de twee regenperiodes te reizen. De regenperiode vindt meestal plaats van maart tot en met mei. Dit is de lange regenperiode. De korte regenperiode vindt plaats in november. Tijdens deze regenperiodes is de gorilla trekking een stuk lastiger, vanwege gladde paden. Onze zomervakantie is dus uitermate geschikt voor een bezoek aan Rwanda. De temperatuur ligt het gehele jaar door rond de 26 graden. Houd er rekening mee dat de nachten in het vulkaangebied en de regenwouden van Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda erg koud en vochtig kunnen zijn. 

[Bekijk ons reisaanbod voor Rwanda]

Wat is de beste reistijd voor Tanzania?

Wanneer je naar Tanzania afreist om de Grote Migratie te aanschouwen dan mag het Serengeti National Park niet ontbreken in het reisschema. De beste tijd voor de Great Migration is volgens velen februari – maart , wanneer de gnoes en zebra’s hun jongen hebben. Niet alleen kun je genieten van alle jonge wilde dieren, ook de aantallen roofvogels zijn dan het hoogst. Omdat de kuddes zich ook concentreren ten zuiden van de Serengeti is het aan te raden om eveneens je verblijf in dat gedeelte te boeken.

De maanden juni tot november is het droge seizoen van Tanzania en eigenlijk de beste tijd om alle parken te bezoeken. (Je kunt altijd de overstap maken naar de Masai Mara in Kenia om daar getuige te zijn van de Grote Migratie). De zuidelijke parken zijn perfect om tijdens deze maanden te bezoeken omdat de dieren dan de neiging hebben zich rondom de waterpunten te verzamelen en daarbij is het dan minder warm en vochtig.

Alle parken in Tanzania hebben zo nu en dan last van regen die over het algemeen in het Noorden van maart tot mei valt, en van november tot mei in het Zuiden en Westen van Tanzania. De wilde dieren hebben tijdens deze maanden de neiging zich meer te verspreiden waardoor de kans op grote aantallen wild kleiner wordt en de game drives minder bevredigend zullen zijn (als je opzoek bent naar grote aantallen).

De maanden december tot maart kunnen behoorlijk warm en vochtig zijn, vooral in West- en Zuid-Tanzania, waardoor het minder aangenaam is om veel tijd in de bush door te brengen.

[Bekijk ons aanbod voor Tanzania]

Wat is de beste reistijd voor de Seychellen?

Het klimaat maakt het paradijs natuurlijk helemaal compleet. De zon schijnt hier het gehele jaar door en regen komt er niet vaak voor. Als het eenmaal regent, dan kan het ook stevig door regenen. Dit kan hele jaar door voorkomen, maar de kans hierop is wat groter in de periode tussen november en februari.  

[Bekijk ons reisaanbod voor de Seychellen]

Wat is de beste reistijd voor Zambia?

De beste tijd om in Zambia wilde dieren te spotten is van september tot half november , het einde van het droge seizoen. Enorme aantallen olifanten, grote kuddes buffels, impala’s, zebra’s en anderen komen dan samen in de Lower Zambezi Valley. De periode april tot juni is eveneens een goede tijd om dieren te zien alleen zijn veel wegen dan lastig begaanbaar. In november kent Zambia een kleine versie van de Great Migration. 30.000 gnoes verzamelen zich dan in Zambia Liuwa Plain National Park en de moeite waard om een reis rond te plannen.

[Bekijk ons reisaanbod Zambia]

Wat is de beste reistijd voor Zimbabwe?

De maanden juli tot en met oktober zijn het beste voor een uitstekend wild waarneming in de nationale parken van Zimbabwe. Vooral Hwange biedt erg veel wild en is het grootste wildreservaat van het land. White water rafting op de Zambezi is het beste van augustus tot december, wanneer het water laag staat en de stroomversnellingen snel. De Victoria Falls zijn het meest indrukwekkend in maart en april , na het regenseizoen. De Zambezi rivier staat dan het hoogst, de waterval dondert het hardst en de nevel is dan zo erg dat je doorweekt terugkomt van een bezoek aan de waterval.

[Bekijk ons aanbod voor Zimbabwe]

Wat is de beste reistijd voor Zuid-Afrika?

De belangrijkste safarigebieden in Zuid-Afrika bevinden zich rondom het Kruger National Park en kunnen het best bezocht worden van juni tot september als het weer koeler en droog is. Omdat de parken in Zuid-Afrika de beste infrastructuur van Afrika hebben zijn de meeste parken ook uitstekend te bezoeken tijdens het regenseizoen. 

Een fijne periode om de Tuinroute te bezoeken is van februari tot april. 

Meestal raden we mensen aan om Zuid-Afrika in oktober – november te bezoeken. Ideaal voor de safari’s in Kruger en de kans om walvissen te spotten is dan groot.

[Bekijk ons aanbod voor Zuid-Afrika]

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Best Zambia Safari Tours

Find the perfect Safari adventure in Zambia. There are 32 Zambia safaris to choose from, that range in length from 3 days up to 16 days. The most popular month for these tours is June.

32 Zambia safari packages with 54 reviews

• Overland Truck

9 Days - Zambia: Enjoyable MWEZI Travel Expedition Safari Adventure

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Nyati BIG-5 Classic “Best of Zambia” Safari Experience: Lower Zambezi, Kafue (Busanga Plains) and South Luangwa National Parks – 11 days

• Christmas & New Year

7-Days Zambia Safari Adventure - Livingstone & Kafue NP

The Wild West of Zambia

Highlights of Zambia - 11 days

Zambezi Canoe Safari

10 DAYS EXPLORING THE WONDERS OF ZAMBIA

Kanzwa short holiday break excursion - 2 Nights Safari Tour to Kafue National Park - Central Region

Really enjoyed my three day/two night Karfue National Park tour with this team. If you’re after personal, customised service, then these guys will be able to help you. The park itself is enormous… Probably best combined with one of the other more “animals on tap” parks like Chobe or South Luangwa. Mark went out of his way to make sure I had a good in-depth look at the more remote sections of the park which is very beautiful and very under touristed. Instead of rigid to game drives, we spent the whole day doing several of the Park game circuits which I really appreciated. Accommodation at the lodge was not great, but adequate and much better than paying three or four times as much at a luxury lodge to do the same daytime activities. Overall, a great option for the value, seeking Traveler – you won’t regret it.

Zambia: Incredible Shoebill Stork & other bird species watching in Bangweulu wetlands & Lochinvar for 16 days.

From Livingstone: 3-days safari travel to Kafue National Park (southern part)

Lochinvar Safaris has been doing great work. I had excellent time with them for three full days. Not only that, but booking and discussion about plan was smooth. Mark is great communicator and organizer. His team is well committed to provide good experience for customers. We left Livingstone in the morning, and Oscar, who works with Mark was very knowledgeable about Zambia’s history and tradition. One of first highlights was visiting Pioneer cemetery, originally dedicated to Rhodesian Pioneers. Must visit for anyone who’s interested in this part of Zambia history. Drive to (and back from) Kafue NP is great, opportunity to visit local villages and how people live, plus view of great flora and fauna. Two nights stay at Itezhi tezhi town was well experience. Good accommodation, nice host and people who work there. Alice was making nice dishes with great presentation. The second day was drive in KNP, again great flora and fauna. Lots of opportunity to see various birds (like national bird Fish Eagle) and various animals (likely most often is Pumbaa, local name for warthog). The safari guide was KNP native Gift, very knowledgeable about his native land. We also visited Game Rangers International (located in KNP), dedicated to rescue mostly orphaned elephants. Finally it was nice visiting Longola Hot Springs, and have opportunity to see how local people enjoy it very much. Thanks for experience, Zarko

Kafue 6 Days / 5 Nights Budget Safari

Zambia's Best Parks

Highlights of Zambia

• Walking Adventure
• Wildlife Trekking
• Hiking & Trekking

Zambia Walking Safari

4 days - Explore Lochinvar National Park for bird-watching and Batwa Culture Tour

Zambia safari tour reviews, safari tours.

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• Lower Zambezi National Park (13)
• South Luangwa National Park (9)

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COME TOUCH THE EARTH.

Follow the road less travelled.

They say time and tide wait for no man and that the most beautiful things in life can pass us by if we’re not careful. Now and then, we need to reconnect with nature, with ourselves, and with one another to feel fully alive. That’s our definition of luxury, pure and simple. A journey with Time + Tide allows you time to truly live in the moment. We help you find your sense of place in some of the most untouched destinations on Earth.

Time + Tide’s family-owned properties are pioneers in luxury safaris in Zambia, and an exclusive island escape in Madagascar. We have a legacy of responsible tourism and offer modern-day explorers the luxury of space and the chance to feel truly alive.

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We are in it together and we support each other every step of the way having fun while we do it

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We are guardians of our environment. Through trust and respect, we embrace our culture and communities

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Time + Tide’s family-owned properties are pioneers in luxury safaris in Zambia and an exclusive island escape in Madagascar. We have a legacy of responsible tourism and offer modern-day explorers the luxury of space and the chance to feel truly alive.

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Time + Tide Safaris

Zambia is Africa's best kept secret, with its vast landscapes, diverse wildlife and welcoming culture. Trace the steps of early conservationists while experiencing walking safaris in the South Luangwa. Come face to face with giants as you glide quietly in a canoe along the reeds in the Lower Zambezi. Feel the rumble of a distant thunderstorm on Liuwa Plain’s horizon as you marvel at the sight of gathering wildebeest amongst a flush of colourful wildflowers.

Miavana by Time + Tide

Fringed by white sand beaches and colourful coral reefs, Miavana is a haven of luxury at the ends of the Earth. Raw and refined, this private island sanctuary brings together world-class luxury in a world of rare wildlife and extraordinary landscapes. Madagascar is like nowhere else on the planet. A land of lemurs and chameleons, turtles and terns, where unknown species are still being discovered to this day. Miavana is the ultimate destination for modern-day explorers, an adventure playground offering an unrivalled range of activities that span the horizons of land, sea and air, celebrating the very best of this remarkable region.

Our regions

• South Luangwa
• Liuwa Plain
• Lower Zambezi

Just a one hour flight from Lusaka, the South Luangwa is known for its big cat sightings and often referred to as the Valley of the Leopard. It is in the South Luangwa that the legendary Norman Carr pioneered the walking safari and conservation-based tourism in Africa. Zambia's outstanding reputation of guiding is ever prevalent in our team with some of our guides having trained with Norman himself.  Our guides offer guests a raw, authentic safari experience and don't let the finer details in these vast spaces pass you by. 

Liuwa Plain’s vast savannah is one of the oldest conservation areas in Africa, yet it’s one of Africa’s best-kept secrets. With its golden grasslands and shimmering lagoons, Liuwa Plain transforms with the arrival of the rains from a vast grass plains to a watery wonderland.

Nestled between the imposing mountain escarpment to the north and the mighty Zambezi River to the south, the Lower Zambezi Valley has a variety of activities that few, if any, other destinations can offer. It has been described by guests as their "happy place" because of its beautiful scenery, peaceful riverside woodlands and abundant wildlife. The Lower Zambezi is just a short 30 minute flight from Lusaka and offers guests the thrill of tiger-fishing to peaceful wildlife sightings on the banks of the river while canoeing or boating. Our guides strive to make each guest feel like they are part of the landscape and not a mere spectator.

Time + Tide Chinzombo

Time + Tide Mchenja

Time + Tide Kakuli

Time + Tide Nsolo

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Time + Tide Chongwe Camp

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Time + Tide Chongwe House

Stop. listen. look closer..

Time + Tide has pioneered to make the most remote destinations accessible across Africa. Our camps at Time + Tide Safaris are interconnected through the rivers, starting in South Luangwa’s tributaries and flowing into the Luangwa River as it bends and heads down to the Chongwe River to meet the same water that has arrived with the rains at Liuwa Plain. The journey continues as the rivers join the mighty Zambezi and plunge into the Indian Ocean, carrying our story across to the island of Miavana by Time + Tide. Time + Tide’s family-owned properties are pioneers in luxury safaris in Zambia and an exclusive island escape in Madagascar.

Our natural responsibility

Be part of our story and help us continue to preserve the wild places we treasure for generations to come.

At the core of Time + Tide are our values, focusing on four pillars – replenishing the wild, treading mindfully, supporting local communities and our Time + Tide Foundation . Our Foundation consists of a dedicated team that works tirelessly with local leaders to publicly promote health, advance female education, conserve wildlife, and support inclusive diverse education and women empowerment. With every year that passes, greater inroads are made to ensure that communities in which we operate benefit from Time + Tide’s presence.

“We are in the happy business; delivering luxury experiences, adventures, hospitality and good times. A privilege really. We aim that our guests leave happy, knowing that they have made a positive difference and sized up their place in the world.

We stand for a long-term responsibility to do good and to conserve the world’s most beautiful places as these areas are for everyone and for no one; to conserve them is our duty as humankind.

Thank you for being generous with your time and for learning more about our properties across Africa. Hopefully this is the beginning of a journey for you and us, together.”

THIERRY DALAIS

Founder + chairman.

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