Zambia

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Zambia is at the heart of Africa, a beautiful and friendly country offering an almost unparalleled variety of first rate safari options, together with the wonder of the Victoria Falls. There are many safari lodges and bush camps from which to choose. Some open in the dry season only (Apr–Nov) while others include the ‘green’ season too (Nov-Mar). Your Zambian safari can easily combine with a luxury beach resort in Mozambique, Tanzania, Malawi, Zanzibar or Mauritius. South Africa is also a popular combination.

SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK
The South Luangwa National Park is located some 430 miles to the northeast of Lusaka and is the most famous of the parks. It covers over 9,000 square km and lies between the Luangwa River and the Mchinga Escarpment to the west. The vegetation is mainly woodland with large areas of mopane, so favoured by elephants, beautiful groves of ebony trees along the river courses and a few areas of open grassland. Game viewing is excellent with large concentrations of elephant, hippo, lion, leopard, buffalo, giraffe and buck. Birding is also a highlight. The park is noted for its walking safaris which can be of varying duration. It should be remembered that many of the lodges are only open from May or June through to November. Access is by daily air service from Lusaka to Mfuwe or by charter flight from Lilongwe in Malawi.

LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK
The Park lies on the north bank of the Zambezi River, opposite the Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe, a World Heritage Site. This is superb game viewing country as the river attracts a large variety of game. Game drives, canoe, boat and walking safaris are available. Birdlife is prolific, around 400 different species have been recorded and there is outstanding fishing too.  By light aircraft from Lusaka, 30 minutes, and then by boat to your camp.

KAFUE NATIONAL PARK
Zambia's largest protected area is accessible from Livingstone and Lusaka. It extends to over 22 400 square kilometres, roughly the size of Wales. This enormous and underdeveloped pristine wilderness area is home to an impressive variety of big game including lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo and hippo. The
Kafue also conserves some fascinating species of special interest
including Lichtenstein's hartebeest, sable, roan, puku, the diminutive oribi, and incredibly, lechwe in their thousands. Boasting almost 500 recorded bird species, Kafue is truly a diverse African national park and one of its last "wild frontiers".

The spectacular Busanga Plains in the north of the Park is a vast
flat expanse and forms one of Zambia's most significant wetland
resources. This enormous watery wilderness, flooded in the wet
season (mid-December to end May) by several rivers and tributaries, covers an enormous 750 square kilometres. After the rains the floods reach their height from March to May, and large pods of hippo are to be found in the shallow pools that are left as the water recedes in the dry season. The wealth of game on the plains attracts the predators, including wild dog, cheetah and fantastic lion viewing.

KASANKA AND THE BANGWEULU SWAMPS
Kasanka is a beautiful national park close to the intriguing
wetlands of the vast Bangweulu Swamps in the north east of the
country. There are large herds of Lechwe, superb birdlife and
fascinating species such as the rare Sitatunga antelope and the
elusive Shoebill Stork. November/December time also sees an
extraordinary migration of millions of straw coloured fruit bats.
The area makes an interesting combination with a safari in the
North or South Luangwa.