Zambia
An emerging gem. Zambia is relatively low-key on the African safari stage. But there is no denying it deserves its place at the peak of wildlife viewing destinations.
Emerging Gem…
From cruising along the incredible Zambezi River and chasing the light in the incredible Winterthorn forests of Lower Zambezi National Park to the dramatic scenes and ebony groves of South Luangwa, and the plains of Kafue, Zambia still feels wild. Different. Indisputably African. And magical.
It may not be as well-known as Kenya, Tanzania or Botswana, but the wildlife is incredible and the photographic opportunities sensational.
More seasonal than many other countries in Southern Africa, the incredible scenes here almost feel concentrated in nature. There is nothing diluted about it. Zambia is a wildlife destination that is on the up and worth its place amongst the African greats.
When to Visit Zambia
Most of the parks and camps close during the rainy season as flooding and wet ground make much of the parks impassable from December through March. From April through June after the rains have stopped and the ground dries, the camps open but wildlife viewing remains challenging due to the tall grasses and abundant water. In July and August wildlife viewing really picks up and the pleasant, sunny days with moderate temperatures ensure you will be happy. The temperatures really begin to climb rapidly through September and by October the temperatures regularly hover around 40ºC during the day and dont drop to much lower than mid twenties at night which can be challenging. The wildlife viewing is, however, off the charts. Animals congregate around the last remaining water source and the underbrush and grass has died right back making viewing and spotting wildlife easy. The rains typically return some time in November and most camps begin to close towards the end of the month in preparation for the rains.
APRIL
Mixed
MAY
Mixed
JUN
Good
JUL
Very Good
AUG
Excellent
SEPT
Excellent
OCT
Excellent
NOV
Good
DEC
Mostly closed
MAR
Mostly closed
JAN
Mostly closed
FEB
Mostly closed
Top Destinations
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![An elephant bull reaches up to a tree in Lower Zambezi at sunset in orange dust.]()
Lower Zambezi
The light is epic, it's almost a subject on its own. But the leopards, elephants and birds are not to be missed either!
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![A leopard cub perches on top of a fallen tree branch with tail curled around himself in South Luangwa.]()
South Luangwa
There are scenes and animals you simply do not find anywhere else, with wildlife that is not sanitised by decades of human habituation. There is still a wildness here that grabs at your soul and drags you into an exhilarating adventure.
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![A puku antelope on the plains with the sun setting in the background.]()
Kafue National Park
The oldest and largest of Zambia’s national parks. From Busanga in the north to Nanzhila in the south, the plains of Kafue are rich in wildlife and rewarding in opportunity.
