Zambia overview and best spots

• Relatively undeveloped, Zambia has an excellent safari infrastructure particularly in the Victoria Falls area, Luangwa, Kafue and lower Zambezi reserves

• Offers the best walking safaris in Africa...period

• Dominated by a small group of highly qualified and experienced safari operations

• Most likely to develop into Southern Africa's best safari spot - definitely our preferred African destination

• Our top votes: In the Luangwa - Phil Berry's Kuyenda, Andy Hogg's BushCamp Company, Robin Pope's camps at Nsefu and Tena Tena plus John Coppinger's Chikoko Trail.  On the lower Zambezi - the Cumming's family camp at Chiawa and Old Mondoro.

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Best spots

•    The Luangwa Valley:  
  • The Luangwa River has created a deep and fertile valley as the southern extension of the Great Rift Valley. Four major National Parks are found in this sub-region, the South and North Luangwa are the most important. 
  • The North Luangwa is practically off-limits, accessible to a few operators only - we deal with John Coppinger at Mwaleshi and Rod and Guz Tether at Kutandala 
  • The South Luangwa is one of Africa's most exciting safari destinations - remote and exclusive. Walking safaris with some of Africa's best guides are the main activity - the small seasonal bush camps are particularly sought after. The park is well known for its leopard - other specialties include Thornicroft's giraffe and Cookson's wildebeest. Over 400 bird species have been recorded. 
  • The Luangwa is most accessible from May to October. Scheduled flights operate from Lusaka and Lilongwe into Mfuwe, private charters link the lower Zambezi and Kariba with ease.  
  • Best camp: Bilimungwe 
  • Best operators: BushCamp Company and Robin Pope Safaris

•    Kafue National Park:  
  • Zambia's largest wildlife reserve - includes two primary game areas in the Busanga and Nanzhila Plains in the north and south respectively. Regarded as Africa's finest reserve for antelope, the Kafue has a number of specialties (Defassa waterbuck and Red lechwe). Predators including leopard and cheetah are regularly seen. The Kafue is popular with birding enthusiasts - over 300 species have been recorded. 
  • Best accessed in the dry season from April to mid-November via Lusaka. 
  • Best safaris: ....[looking at this again]

•   The lower Zambezi:  
  • A relatively undeveloped region on the northern bank of the Zambezi River, the Lower Zambezi National Park has a handful of remote bush camps. Canoe safaris are particularly popular. The area has similar game to Mana Pools on the southern bank, Samango monkeys are a specialty and predators are regularly spotted. Over 300 birds species have been recorded. 
  • The area is best accessed by light aircraft into Jeki from Lusaka or Mfuwe. Road access is limited to the dry season. 
  • Best safari: Chiawa and Old Mondoro.  The best low-mid budget canoe safari is the Island Trail.

•    Victoria Falls from Livingstone:  
  • Situated on the Zambian bank of Victoria Falls, Livingstone has historically been more important than the Zimbabwean town of Victoria Falls. The latter is now recognized as the main tourist hub and is generally very crowded by comparison. Livingstone has a few deluxe lodges on the banks of the Zambezi but doesn't have the accommodation variety found in Zimbabwe. Infrastructure developments planned over the next few years could find Livingstone reclaiming its historical glory from Zimbabwe. 
  • Livingstone has an international airport, but regional access from Zimbabwe is just as easy. Visit any time of the year. 
  • Best accommodations: the Zambezi Waterfront and Waterberry Lodge for the adventure crowd, Thorntree River Lodge, Tongabezi or Islands of Siankaba for safari enthusiasts

Best time of year

•    ...for wildlife May to October, 
•    ...for birding September to March, 
•    ...best climate May to September 
•    ...best discounts: May and June, watch high season specials July to October, every green season January to March

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