Zambia
Zambia: Land of Natural Splendor and Cultural Heritage
Victoria Falls from the Zambian side, true wilderness safaris, and one of the most authentic and undeveloped safari destinations in all of Africa.
Zambia is a landlocked country in southern Africa, bordered by the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Mozambique to the east, Zimbabwe and Botswana to the south, and Namibia and Angola to the west. It is a large country, roughly the size of Texas, covered primarily by miombo woodland, savanna, and floodplains fed by the Zambezi River and its tributaries.
Zambia occupies a unique space in African travel: it is expensive, relatively difficult to get to, and very low on tourist infrastructure, which means the few travelers who make it there tend to be exactly the kind of people who value authentic wilderness experiences over convenience and comfort.
The country pioneered the concept of walking safaris, and it remains the best destination on the continent for exploring the bush on foot with expert guides.
Why Visit Zambia
Livingstone, Zambia’s main tourist town, sits directly across the Zambezi from Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls town. The Zambian side of the falls offers a different perspective, with the Eastern Cataract and the Knife Edge Bridge walkways among the highlights. During certain water levels, you can swim in the Devil’s Pool, a natural rock pool on the very lip of the falls, which is one of the most memorable and slightly terrifying swimming experiences in the world.
The Lower Zambezi National Park, in the south of the country, is one of the most beautiful settings for a safari in Africa. The park runs along the north bank of the Zambezi River, with the Zambian Escarpment rising dramatically behind. Wildlife is excellent: large herds of elephants and buffalo, lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles, and excellent birding. Canoe safaris on the Zambezi, drifting past hippos and elephants on the banks, are a signature experience.
The South Luangwa National Park in the east is widely regarded as one of the finest game reserves in Africa and is the spiritual home of the walking safari. Norman Carr, who pioneered the walking safari here in the 1950s, changed how many serious wildlife enthusiasts approach Africa. Walking with an armed guide and tracker through genuine wilderness, reading signs, identifying tracks, and approaching wildlife on foot, gives a completely different experience from vehicle-based game drives. The valley has excellent concentrations of lions, leopards, giraffes, hippos, and a remarkable variety of birds.
The Kafue National Park in the west is Zambia’s largest and one of the largest in Africa, covering 22,400 square kilometers. It is less visited than South Luangwa, which means it offers even more of the solitude that characterizes Zambian safari experiences. Cheetah sightings are relatively reliable here, and the Busanga Plains in the north flood seasonally to create a spectacular wetland ecosystem.
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, surrounding the falls, contains white rhinos, one of the few places in Zambia where they are found.
Zambian Culture and People
Zambia is a country of remarkable cultural diversity, with 73 different tribes and ethnic groups recognized within its borders. The Lozi people of the Western Province have maintained their own kingdom and annual ceremony, the Kuomboka, in which the Litunga (king) moves from his flood-season palace to his dry-season palace by royal barge, accompanied by thousands of people in dugout canoes. It is one of the most extraordinary traditional ceremonies in Africa.
Nshima, a stiff maize porridge similar to sadza in Zimbabwe and ugali in East Africa, is the staple food. It is served with relish: vegetables, beans, or meat stew.
Travel Tips for Zambia
Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival or the combined KAZA UniVisa covering both Zambia and Zimbabwe. The official language is English. The Zambian kwacha is the currency.
The US dollar is widely accepted in tourist areas. Yellow fever vaccination is required if arriving from a country with risk. Malaria prevention is essential. The best time for wildlife is July to October during the dry season.