Zambia Travel Destinations and Vacations
Many travelers come for the mighty Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River, which forms part of the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe — and stay for Zambia’s spectacular, uncrowded safaris.
Need Advice?Top Travel Destinations in Zambia
Zambia offers some of Africa’s most rewarding, uncrowded safari experiences — plus the world wonder of Victoria Falls.
One of the world’s most awe-inspiring natural sights, with seasonal activities that change with the Zambezi’s flow.
Wildlife and birdlife along the northern banks of the Zambezi River — renowned for canoeing, boating (seasonal), and big-game.
Home of the walking safari, dense concentrations of wildlife, and the endemic Thornicroft’s giraffe.
Zambia’s oldest and largest park — vast, varied, and wonderfully wild, including the famed Busanga Plains.
Small park protecting riverine forest and sections of rainforest by the Falls; also home to protected white rhinos.
Lake Kariba
Ideal for houseboats, fishing, and relaxing on Africa’s great man-made lake.
Zambia Vacation Options & Travel Tips
Zambia vacations blend world-class, off-the-beaten-track safaris with the spectacle of Victoria Falls.
Tours, Safaris & Honeymoons
Browse our thoughtfully crafted safari tours.
Tailor-Made Vacation Packages
All our tours and safaris can be customized.
Travel Tips & Advice
Important information about visiting Southern Africa.
Other Recommended Destinations Zambia
Beyond the headline parks, Zambia’s lakes and lesser-known reserves offer rare spectacles and authentic wilderness.
Kasanka National Park
Famed for the Oct–Dec bat migration and rich biodiversity; a memorial to David Livingstone lies nearby.
Lochinvar National Park
On the Kafue Flats, known for 400+ bird species and large herds of Kafue lechwe.
Lake Bangweulu
Vast seasonal wetlands where shoebill storks are sought-after sightings.
Lake Mweru
A remote lake on the DRC border, ideal for intrepid travelers seeking off-the-map experiences.
Lake Tanganyika
A deep Rift Valley lake with superb biodiversity and rustic-to-luxury lodge options.
Liuwa Plain National Park
Remote grasslands with seasonal wildebeest migration, rare predators, and vast open skies.
The Great Zambezi River
The Zambezi is Southern Africa’s great river, sustaining floodplains and wetlands from its upper reaches through Victoria Falls and Lake Kariba to the Indian Ocean. At roughly 2,574 km (1,599 miles), it is Africa’s fourth-longest river and the lifeblood of many communities and ecosystems.
- Forms the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe for much of its middle course
- Plunges over the world-famous Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders
- Widens into Lake Kariba, a major hydroelectric power source
- Supports exceptional wildlife sightings along its banks
- Offers canoeing and kayaking trips for adventurous travelers
- Provides sunset cruises near Victoria Falls and Lower Zambezi
- Hosts excellent tigerfishing, particularly in the Upper Zambezi
Foods to try in Zambia
Local flavors add to the uniqueness of your Zambian safari.
Nsima
The national staple — a thick maize porridge — typically eaten with two relishes: one protein (ndiyo) and one vegetable (masamba).
Termites
A rainy-season delicacy, sautéed until crisp and nutty — not for everyone, but authentically local.
Tilapia
A popular freshwater fish (notably from Kariba), delicious grilled and served simply.
Crocodile
Served in some restaurants as steaks or burgers — mild in flavor, often compared to chicken.Popular Activities
Victoria Falls Activities
Victoria Falls offers everything from leisurely sunset cruises to adrenaline rushes like white-water rafting and bungee jumping (water-level dependent).
Birding
Zambia boasts around 780+ recorded species. Top birding includes the Kafue Flats (Lochinvar/Blue Lagoon), Bangweulu wetlands, Busanga Plains (Kafue), and South Luangwa in the green season.
Canoeing
The Zambezi near Livingstone and along the Lower Zambezi offers scenic canoe trips with guided safety protocols. Lakes and other rivers also offer opportunities depending on water levels.
Mobile Safaris
Classic multi-day camping journeys evoke the spirit of early explorers. Allow at least a week for a mobile safari to fully experience the wilderness.
Fishing Trips
Zambia is a freshwater angler’s paradise — tigerfish in the Upper Zambezi and diverse species on Lake Tanganyika. Remote hotspots often require small-plane access or rugged 4x4 travel.
House-Boating
Lake Kariba is ideal for a relaxing houseboat holiday. The Zambian side is quieter than Zimbabwe’s; best months are May–Sep.
Sites of Interest
Kalambo Falls
At about 235 m (772 ft), one of Africa’s highest single-drop waterfalls. The site is renowned for archaeological finds, including evidence of very early controlled fire use and Late Stone Age tools, making it significant beyond the scenery alone.
Nsalu Cave
In Central Zambia, Nsalu (Nsalu Cave/Nsalu Hills) features rock art thought to span mainly Late Stone Age to later periods. Though relatively neglected, it makes an intriguing stop when traveling in the Bangweulu/Kasanka region.
The People
Overview
Zambia is ethnically diverse, with many cultures intersecting in towns and cities through intermarriage and migration. Rural areas preserve strong traditions — Barotseland in the west is a classic example.
Lozi
Each year the Lozi people move to avoid Upper Zambezi floods. The Ku-omboka, the king’s ceremonial migration (typically Feb–Apr, water-dependent), is Zambia’s most famous traditional ceremony.
Kunda
The Kunda of the Luangwa Valley trace origins to migrations from the Luba area (DRC) in the 1800s. Traditionally hunters, most are now subsistence farmers facing the challenges of extreme seasons and crop-raiding wildlife.
Languages
English is the official language. Widely spoken local languages include Bemba (Copperbelt/Northern), Nyanja/Chichewa (Lusaka/Eastern), Tonga (Southern), Lozi (Western), and others such as Kaonde, Lunda, Luvale, Nsenga, and Tumbuka.
Geography
Water Sources
Great Rift lakes like Tanganyika and border lakes such as Mweru teem with fish and support local livelihoods. Wetlands and floodplains are vital to Zambia’s ecology.
Zambezi River
At approximately 2,574 km (1,599 miles), Africa’s fourth-longest river forms much of the border with Zimbabwe, plunges over Victoria Falls, widens into Lake Kariba, and flows to the Indian Ocean.
Seasonal Extremes
Rivers like the Luangwa and Kafue swell and shrink dramatically through the year, transforming adjacent plains and wetlands — and concentrating wildlife during the dry months.
