For the true safari lover seeking raw wilderness, Zambia stands apart as this is where safaris feel as they once did, which is untamed, soulful and far from the crowds. In Zambia, the wild still rules and every encounter feels personal, authentic and truly alive.
Often described as Africa’s best kept secret, Zambia offers a depth of experience you won’t find elsewhere, with walking safaris where lions prowl just beyond the horizon, canoe trips alongside elephants in the Zambezi, and night drives revealing the mysteries of the bush after dark. It’s about a connection to the land, to the wildlife and to that ancient rhythm of the African wilderness.
Why Choose a Zambia Safari?
South Luangwa is legendary and the birthplace of the walking safari. Here every step draws you deeper into the story of the bush and with our expert guides at your side, you’ll track lions on foot, learn to identify leopard prints in the dust and pause as a herd of elephants passes within metres, your heartbeat matching theirs.
Leopards thrive here, wild dogs roam the valleys and more than 400 bird species bring the skies alive. It’s not about distance covered but about immersion, reading the bush, noticing the small details and gaining a perspective very few travellers ever experience.
The Lower Zambezi National Park is where water and wilderness meet. Paddle silently along the mighty Zambezi River, weaving between pods of hippos whilst elephants drink on the banks and fish eagles cry overhead. This is safari at its most serene yet thrilling, where one moment you’re gliding past a bull elephant in the shallows, water dripping from its tusks. The next, you’re drifting beneath the gaze of a basking crocodile, the silence broken only by the dip of your paddle, making this one of Africa’s most varied safari landscapes.
The remote and rarely visited Kafue is Zambia’s wild heart. At 22,400 km², it is one of Africa’s largest parks and yet receives only a fraction of the visitors of more famous reserves. In the north, the Busanga Plains transform each dry season into a theatre of predator and prey.
Wide open vistas, golden grasses and misty dawns create a setting like nowhere else. Here you may see cheetahs sprinting across the plains, lions climbing trees or herds of red lechwe splashing through floodplains. With over 500 bird species, the Busanga also sings with life from crowned cranes to fish eagles. It is a place where the wilderness feels limitless and a must see destination in Zambia.
As dusk falls, South Luangwa reveals another side. Unlike most other parks in Africa, the night drives here are not only permitted but are also world renowned. With a spotlight sweeping across the bush, you’ll discover creatures that rarely reveal themselves by day.
The beasts you may catch a glimpse of include genets, civets, honey badgers, bush babies and (if luck is on your side) a leopard on the hunt! Watching the drama of predator and prey play out under moonlight is a spine tingling, intimate experience you won’t ever forget.
Arrive in Lusaka and fly to South Luangwa. Settle into a bush camp, then begin exploring the birthplace of the walking safari. Spend mornings on foot, tracking wildlife with your expert guide and afternoons on game drives. Leopard sightings here are amongst the best in Africa.
Continue exploring the park by vehicle, with special focus on night drives. Witness nocturnal animals in action such as genets, civets, honey badgers and leopards stalking in the moonlight. By day, enjoy classic game drives in search of lions, elephants and giraffes.
Fly to the Lower Zambezi for water based adventures. Start by spending your mornings canoeing along the Zambezi River, drifting past hippos and elephants. Afternoons are for game drives and boat cruises, with the escarpment providing a dramatic backdrop.
Head west to Kafue National Park, one of Africa’s largest and least visited reserves. On the Busanga Plains, search for cheetahs, tree climbing lions and red lechwe in wide open floodplains. Sunrise here is one of the most breathtaking in Africa.
Complete your safari with a visit to Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Witness the thunderous curtain of water, enjoy a sunset cruise on the Zambezi or add adrenaline activities like white water rafting.
A safari in Zambia is more than a holiday it’s an awakening. It’s about silence broken by the whoop of a hyena, about ancient landscapes that shift with the seasons, about being close enough to feel the earth tremble as buffalo thunder past. For those seeking authenticity and the thrill of true wilderness, Zambia is a dream safari destination.
If you would like to go on a custom safari, then please get in touch with us and we can tailor a package to ensure you get to see the very best of Africa. For more information, please email us at safaris@luhambotours.com or call us on +27 76 584 7124.
