Visit Zambia - Description of Fantastic Destinations

Visit Zambia

One of the most northern of countries in southern Africa, landlocked Zambia offers the more adventurous traveller some truly fabulous experiences. Foreign investment and a national focus on tourism has seen Zambia flourish as a tourist destination over the last 15 years. Good roads, amazing destinations and plenty of accommodation options make it an excellent self-drive destination.

Travel Africa will work with you to visit Zambia - planning a range of fabulous touring options – from flexible self-drive holidays to incredible luxury lodge sojourns. We will then book your holiday for you – providing you with detailed itineraries and information sheets. Don’t forget we provide superb value for money due to our in-depth knowledge of the region and our direct contacts which cut out layers of commission. Here we describe some of the wonderful destinations Zambia has to offer.

Interactive country map and photographs at the bottom of this page.

Seasons

Zambia has distinct wet and dry seasons with the dry season generally occurring between April to October and rains falling from November through to March. The thick, green bush generally lasts through to June making animal viewing more challenging. From late June the bush is browning and thinning and the animals starting to concentrate around water sources. From August through to the start of the rainy season animal viewing can be excellent. It must be noted that many areas are closed during the rainy season although birding in accessible areas is exceptional.

From April through to early September day time temperatures are comfortable, however note that from June to mid-August, mid winter, the nights can get quite cold. From late September temperatures rise and it can get extremely hot during the day (up to 40C). Following the onset of the rains in November, the summer months are usually slightly cooler (still in the top 30s) but can be humid.

From a tourism backwater Livingstone has transformed over the last 15 years to a vibrant tourism hub. The town itself is located on the banks of the Zambezi River 10 kilometres upstream from the Victoria Falls. Adrenaline activities abound and a full range of accommodation options are available. Of course the centrepiece is the Falls themselves, with amazing viewing from the dramatic knife’s edge footpath.

Low water starts around August – meaning the mists aren’t as great and you can see more of the Falls, as well as raft the full complement of rapids.

High water peaks between February and June – be prepared to be completely overawed by the force of all this water as well as drenched by the ever present mists created by the fall of water (if you’re going this time of year you can either hire a raincoat at the Falls or consider packing a raincoat).

Found in the centre of western Zambia, Kafue National Park is the oldest and largest of Zambia’s national parks. It covers a massive 22,400 square km. First established as a National Park in the 1950s, Kafue is one of the largest national parks in the whole of Africa. Despite its size it remains little-known. Kafue holds a fantastic diversity of habitats, animals and bird life – including the Nanzhila Plains in the south, the Kafue riverlands in the centre and the Busanga swamps and grasslands in the far north.

This is one of the premier national parks in southern Africa and is renowned for its leopards – the park has one of the highest concentrations of these magnificent animals in Africa. Spend your days exploring the wafwas – lagoons left high and dry by the shifting Luangwa River – spending time with unusual animals including puku antelope, yellow baboon and Thornicroft’s giraffe. Don’t forget to visit the stunning Tribal Textile Factory – a superb example of an enterprise which supports local communities (see our blog on Tribal Textiles). These handmade textiles are exported throughout the world – be tempted by the factory’s wonderful shop. And of course, a spectacular sunset over the South Luangwa Valley will top off your day.