Prime spots to safari in Zambia

Zambia has been my dwelling for greater than 30 years now and one of many issues I’ve at all times liked most concerning the nation is its wilderness, its wildlife and its superb safari experiences.

Zambia arrived comparatively slowly to the safari scene, overshadowed for a few years by its neighbours. Regardless of having among the finest reserves on the continent, the nation is just not almost as well-known or as in style as its safari rivals in Southern and East Africa. With its pristine landscapes, various wildlife and distinctive conservation efforts, Zambia is one in every of Africa’s finest saved safari secrets and techniques, and whereas not as high-profile as Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa or Botswana, these within the know will inform you that that is one in every of Africa’s finest safari spots, and one which’s not tormented by the hordes of vacationers that invade different wildlife locations.

Birthplace of the strolling safari and residential of the thundering Victoria Falls, Zambia is the place to be if you wish to see swamp-dwelling tree-climbing lions, the planet’s biggest mammal migration, the continent’s second-largest wildebeest migration, a number of endemic species not discovered anyplace else and naturally, a complete lot extra. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for the Massive 5 or simply looking for the unspoiled African wilderness, Zambia has all of it. Let’s discover 5 of the nation’s prime safari locations.

Decrease Zambezi Nationwide Park – For recreation drives, fishing and canoeing

The Decrease Zambezi Nationwide Park is one in every of Africa’s biggest wildernesses. 4,092km² of unspoilt nature. With no paved roads, it’s uncommon to come across one other safari car, and nighttime right here is all about sitting out by the fireplace, beneath a sky stuffed with stars.

The Zambezi, Africa’s fourth longest river, kinds the boundary of the Decrease Zambezi Nationwide Park.  The world is an unimaginable wildlife sanctuary – herds of elephants and buffalos, lions, leopards and wild canine, and over 400 totally different fowl species. While the range of animals is just not as nice as some parks (there are not any giraffe, wildebeest, cheetah or rhino right here) the great thing about the park lies in its wildness and the alternatives to get proper up near the wildlife.

A lot of the wildlife is concentrated alongside the river, so a good way to expertise the park is to board a ship, or drift silently previous the riverbank in a canoe – you’ll see loads of hippos peeking curiously above the water’s floor, and look out for the magnificent carmine bee-eaters who nest within the riverbanks from September to November. The river can also be dwelling to the coveted tiger fish – extremely prized by severe sport fishermen.

The place to remain

Sausage Tree Camp is the epitome of bush stylish, set in a surprising location alongside the Zambezi River proper within the coronary heart of the Decrease Zambezi Nationwide Park. The guides are pleasant and educated, the rooms are nicely designed, opening onto personal plunge swimming pools that overlook the river, and the cocktails are so good chances are you’ll by no means wish to depart! 

South Luangwa Nationwide Park – For recreation drives

The 9,050km² South Luangwa Nationwide Park is famend as one in every of Africa’s biggest wildlife locations, with 60 animal species and over 450 totally different species of fowl. Also known as ‘The Valley of Leopards’, the principle predators listed here are leopard, lion, noticed hyena and wild canine – with the leopard inhabitants being amongst the densest on the planet. Count on to see giant herds of elephants, typically as much as 70 sturdy. South Luangwa can also be dwelling to the endemic Thornicroft’s giraffe and Cookson’s wildebeest, and the near-endemic Crawshay’s zebra.

The easiest way to see South Luangwa’s wildlife is on a morning or afternoon recreation drive out of your lodge. Count on early wakeups as most morning drives set off at round 6am. You’ll return to camp for a center of the day siesta, after which head out once more within the afternoon – the animals are extra energetic at these cooler occasions of day. South Luangwa is the place, within the Nineteen Sixties, strolling safaris first started, the brainchild of conservationist and information, Norman Carr, they usually’re a terrific option to view wildlife, huge and small.

The place to remain

Shawa Luangwa is a small, eco-friendly bush camp overlooking the Luangwa River in one of many park’s most untouched areas with glorious 12 months spherical recreation viewing.

North Luangwa Nationwide Park – For strolling safaris

The distant 4,636km² North Luangwa Nationwide Park is synonymous with strolling safaris. The great thing about this park is the chance to expertise Africa because it as soon as was; wild and untouched. No recreation drives are permitted within the majority of the park and entry is primarily by strolling safaris. You’ll depart the 4×4 game-drive car at camp and set out on foot along with your information and an armed park ranger, to stroll amongst elephants, antelope, zebra and even the occasional predator, at all times sustaining a secure distance from the magnificent wildlife. Along with sturdy populations of buffalo and elephants, there’s a lot of black rhinos, making it the one Massive 5 park in Zambia. North Luangwa is a specialist safari vacation spot, solely beneficial for seasoned safari-goers who’re used to roughing it within the bush.

North Luangwa is one in every of three nationwide parks within the Luangwa Valley, the others being South Luangwa and Luambe. Between the North and the South parks, on the japanese financial institution of the Luangwa River, is Luambe Nationwide Park. It’s small, protecting solely 250 km², and is often solely visited when travelling the rugged route between north and south parks by highway and Luambe Camp is the one lodging possibility.  

The place to remain

Distant Africa Safaris function two camps that concentrate on guided strolling safaris. For the extra adventurous Samala and Ituba Neighborhood Camps, run by non-profit North Luangwa Conservation, supply self-catering, and for the intrepid, there’s the Amatololo Expertise, a self-drive tenting route.

Kafue Nationwide Park – For wildlife range

At 22,400 km² Kafue Nationwide Park represents 36% of Zambia’s Nationwide Parks land, and when mixed with the encompassing 45,400 km² of Sport Administration Space, the ensuing wildlife space of 68,000 km² represents a staggering 9% of Zambia’s whole landmass. That is Zambia’s oldest and largest Nationwide Park and one of many continent’s wildest. A land with out fences and with few roads, however with a unprecedented array of wildlife, Kafue is known as for the river, the lifeblood of the park, that dissects it, nearly north to south, operating for greater than 250km.

While Kafue doesn’t have the large herds of recreation that may be present in different parks, what it lacks in density it greater than makes up for in range. There are no less than 161 species of mammal, 6 cat species, and 22 species of antelope (Kafue boasts the best antelope range of any African park). The park can also be dwelling to roughly 500 species of birds.

The Busanga swamps, with their adjoining flood plains, within the far northwest of the park, are a spotlight of Kafue. A lot of this northern sector is completely waterlogged, however within the dry season (Could to November) the water recedes, leaving huge expanses of lush grazing, irresistible to an array of wildlife, significantly giant herds of crimson lechwe and puku.

The place to remain

Chisa Busanga within the northern a part of the park is small, sensible and modern, with 4 tree-house nests which can be comfy and trendy with a contact of luxurious.

Kasanka Nationwide Park – For bats and birds

Kasanka Nationwide Park is one in every of Zambia’s smallest nationwide parks, however one in every of its hidden treasures and with an unimaginable 480 fowl species and 114 mammals, there’s a lot so that you can see. 

Kasanka is finest often known as dwelling to the annual migration of Straw-Colored Fruit Bats – the most important bat migration on the planet and actually, the world’s largest mammal migration. From October to December every year, about 10 million bats descend on a tiny patch of forest within the park. Migrating from hundreds of miles away, some from as far-off as West Africa. The migration is likely one of the pure world’s best-kept secrets and techniques – even scientists don’t know precisely the place the bats come from, or the place they go after they depart the park.

Past the bats, Kasanka provides you glorious alternatives to see and {photograph} one in every of Africa’s rarer antelopes, the shy, secretive and semi-aquatic sitatunga – the park is dwelling to greater than 500 of them, making it Africa’s densest and most seen inhabitants of Sitatunga! The elusive Blue monkey and the little-known Kinda baboon additionally each name Kasanka dwelling and it’s unlikely you’ll encounter both of those species anyplace else in Southern Africa.

The place to remain

The non-profit Kasanka Belief have two primary lodges, Wasa and Luombwa, and a seasonal self-catering tented camp.

Liuwa Plain Nationwide Park – Wildebeest migration

The three,369km² Liuwa Plains Nationwide Park in distant far west Zambia was as soon as the normal searching floor of the Litunga (King) of the Lozi folks. Liuwa Plain is dwelling to the second largest wildebeest migration in Africa and but it’s hardly identified. Every year in November, with the beginning of the wet season, large herds of blue wildebeest, 45,000 sturdy, migrate to Liuwa Plains, usually mingling with zebras alongside the way in which. An unimaginable sight to witness.

Different uncommon antelope discovered right here embrace oribi, crimson lechwe, steenbok, duiker, tsessebe and roan, and predators embrace wild canine, lions and hyena. The birdlife is ample and the dramatic lightning and storms in the beginning of the rains, make for spectacular views and incredible images alternatives.

Non-Revenue African Parks is concerned in managing Liuwa and has reintroduced lions, wild canine, eland and buffalo, in addition to working to guard the park.

In March or April, relying on the rainfall, guests can expertise the historic and epic Kuomboka competition, the place the King and his topics transfer to larger grounds, travelling in a big black and white striped boat alongside the river.

The place to remain

Time + Tide King Lewanika is the one everlasting camp in Liuwa Plain Nationwide Park, it has six fashionable, open-front safari tents which can be the epitome of luxurious. Non-profit African Parks have 5 campsites in Liuwa Plain, 4 with primary services (flushing bogs, sizzling showers and photo voltaic lights), and one with out. Additionally they have Sibika Camp, 4 reed mat rooms on raised platforms and a few self-catering services.

Mosi-oa-Tunya Nationwide Park

Zambia is legendary for the Victoria Falls, the best curtain of falling water on the planet, one of many Seven Pure Wonders of the World and a pure border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. On the Zambian facet, you may stroll the paths immediately reverse the Falls and cross the precarious Knife-Edge Bridge, for spectacular views of the japanese cataract and up the principle gorge. There are additionally loads of journey actions to do right here, from white water rafting, to microlight and helicopter flights.

The normal title for Victoria Falls is Mosi-oa-Tunya, appropriately which means ‘The Smoke that Thunders’. Mosi-oa-Tunya can also be the title of Zambia’s smallest nationwide park and the one one within the nation with white rhinos. There are walks and drives on this 23.4 km²park, which is well accessible from Livingstone. The park is dwelling to giraffe, zebra, buffalo, a lot of Zambia’s totally different antelope species and loads of elephants too. The most effective causes to go to although, is the white rhinos and reserving a guided stroll within the park gives you an nearly assured probability of an up-close sighting. This little sanctuary is free from predators, making strolling right here secure. A go to to Mosi-oa-Tunya Nationwide Park is a good exercise for individuals who’d like a style of safari however don’t have time to journey additional afield.

The place to remain

Lovely Thorntree River Lodge is situated on the banks of the Zambezi River, simply 20 minutes upstream of the Victoria Falls.

8. Zambia’s Different Nationwide Parks

Of Zambia’s different Nationwide Parks, Luambe, Lukusuzi, West Lunga, Sioma Ngwezi, and Nyika Plateau have wildlife, however are comparatively undeveloped when it comes to infrastructure and lodging. Isangano, Lavushi Manda, Lusenga Plain and Mweru Wantipa have little administration, only a few services, very restricted wildlife populations and are solely price a go to in case you are very intrepid or a brilliant eager birder.  Lusaka Nationwide Park, simply exterior the capital, opened in 2015, is the nation’s latest park and is dwelling to the Sport Rangers Worldwide Elephant Orphanage.

As a safari vacation spot Zambia is one in every of Africa’s best-kept secrets and techniques. An incredible, game-rich, unspoilt vacation spot. A safari in Zambia gives you a style of the true Africa – wild and untamed.

Sarah Kingdom

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, earlier than shifting to Africa on the age of 21, Sarah Kingdom is a mountain climber and information, journey author, yoga trainer, path runner, and mom of two. When she is just not climbing or touring she lives on a cattle ranch in central Zambia. She guides journeys repeatedly in India, Nepal, Tibet, Russia, and Ethiopia, and takes climbers up Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro quite a few occasions a 12 months.