Zambia Holidays
From breathtaking walking safaris and white-water rafting to seeing one of the world’s largest waterfalls, a holiday in Zambia bursts with adventure and natural beauty. A trip to Zambia isn’t complete without experiencing the thundering clash of its magnificent Victoria Falls. Touted as one of the world’s largest waterfalls, the tumbling cascading curtain of water that stretches along the Zambia and Zimbabwe border is truly spell-bounding. It’s also a fantastic playground for adrenaline sports such as white-water rafting, kayaking, river boarding and jet boating. Whichever way you choose to experience it, the famous Victoria Falls should be at the top of your Zambia holiday’s must-see list.
On safari in Zambia
From watching a herd of elephants quench their thirst at the riverside with hippos wallowing in the mud pools to catching a glimpse of a lioness with her cubs, a safari in one of Zambia’s national parks is truly magical. South Luangwa National Park in eastern Zambia has been heralded as one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world. With more than 60 species of mammals and 400 species of birds, it’s the perfect place for a walking safari. From the graceful giraffes, intriguing Cape buffaloes, to herds of elephants, hippos, zebras and lions, standing in the stillness and watching the wild creatures go about their day is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Nature lovers will also love the unspoilt wilderness of the Lower Zambezi National Park. It’s famous for its big game - elephants, buffaloes, crocodiles, as well as lions, leopards and the African wild dog. What makes this park a safari hotspot is the concentration of wildlife that congregate around the Lower Zambezi Valley and the Zambezi River. For up-close encounters with the animals you can enjoy a river cruise or even a canoe trip! It’s not unusual to come face to face with a pod of hippos peering cautiously above the water’s surface or drift silently past a buffalo as he cools off in the river. With a plethora of wildlife, vast savannahs and winding waterways to discover, Zambia is the perfect place for a safari holiday.
Why not see more of Africa in one trip by twinning your Zambia holiday with a visit to Cape Town or Zimbabwe? Our Destination Specialists can help you put together a tailor made multi-centred holiday. Call us today and we’ll help you to create your dream African holiday.
Destination Highlights
Great sample itineraries
Our Destination Specialists can create a bespoke holiday in Zambia, tailored to include your dream tours, visits and must-sees. Almost anything is possible, so please call to discuss all your options.
Livingstone and The Falls
Located just a few kilometres from the Zambezi River in southwestern Zambia, the bustling town of Livingstone is famous for being the home of the magnificent Victoria Falls . One of the original natural wonders of the world, this World...
Discover Zambia
This unique, peanut-shaped country, once known as Northern Rhodesia, offers visitors an authentic African experience complete with adrenaline pumping adventures, a variety of fascinating cultural activities and an abundance of indigenous wildlife, which finds refuge in Zambia’s vast national parks...
Wildlife holidays
Robin Pope's Mobile Walking Safari
Having started leading safaris back in 1975, Robin Pope knows Zambia better than most, eventually opening his own safari company 11 years later. Best known for his mobile walking safari, it’s hailed as one of the leading wilderness experiences available...
Escorted tours
Our favourite hotels
Here are some of our favourite hotels, lodges and luxury retreats in Zambia. If you can’t see something you like, please call us to chat to our Destination Specialists who will be more than happy to help.
Time Zone
Flight Time
Currency
Visa Information
Language
Health Information
If you don’t already feel an affection for Southern Africa, we’re sure you will once you’ve landed in Zambia. Famed for its walking safaris, this landlocked country offers unrivalled game viewing opportunities. Amazingly, 30 percent of the land is inhabited by wildlife. Stay in stunning safari lodges and enjoy Zambia's unspoilt, rugged beauty.
-
![a close up of a hillside next to a waterfall]()
Victoria Falls
Nothing quite prepares you for seeing Victoria Falls, the 1,688-metre-wide waterfall that straddles the Zambian border. It will blow you away when you walk through its vast spray, which can travel for up to 30 miles. If you’re feeling adventurous, visit in the dry season and take a dip in Devil’s Pool, a natural infinity pool that forms at the edge of the waterfall.
-
![Elephant in Zimbabwe]( "Elephant up close")
Safaris and National Parks
The safari guides in Zambia are some of the most highly-trained in Africa, so you can rest assured you're in for a mesmerising game-viewing experiences here. South Luangwa National Park is among the best places to spot the elusive cheetah alongside roaming elephants and hippos in the great Zambezi River.
Zambia
Expect warm sunny weather all year round, with average temperatures ranging from 17°C to 25°C. Zambia has a wet and dry season. The wet season runs from December to March and Zambia’s dry season runs from May to October. The peak safari season coincides with the dry season running from June to October. During the drier months the animals will congregate around watering holes, making wildlife encounters more guaranteed. The months following the wet season (March to May ) are when Victoria Falls is at its fullest and most spectacular.
Select month
Average weather in January
Average travel weather
Average weather in February
Average travel weather
Average weather in March
Average travel weather
Average weather in April
Average travel weather
Average weather in May
Good travel weather
Average weather in June
Best travel weather
Average weather in July
Best travel weather
Average weather in August
Best travel weather
Average weather in September
Best travel weather
Average weather in October
Good travel weather
Average weather in November
Average travel weather
Average weather in December
Average travel weather
-
Harriet
Destination Specialist
“For the perfect platform to get up close to wildlife, take a boat cruise along the Zambezi River at sunset. Whether it’s a casual drink or a lazy mud bath, you’ll enjoy spotting the many birds, giraffes, elephants and hippos who visit the river at this time of day. Not to mention, the explosion of colours that fill the skies with Zambia’s incredible sunsets. ”
-
Robert
Destination Specialist
“If you want to stay right on the falls, book your stay at the luxury Royal Livingstone Hotel. Set right alongside the mighty Zambezi River, it's only a 15 minute walk to the falls. Definitely take a canoeing safari either on the Upper Zambezi River or Lower Zambezi River. You’ll enjoy the beautiful scenery and spotting Zambia’s diverse wildlife along the way.”
-
Indianna
Sales Performance Leader
“Make your trip extra special with a memorable sunset Zambezi cruise – where you'll spot a whole host of wildlife, including zebras, hippos and elephants.”
Events & Festivals
Zambia offers a selection of fun events throughout the year and you can plan your holiday to ensure you experience them! Here are a few of our favourites:
-
Ku-omboka
This 300-year-old festival is celebrated by the Lozi people to mark the end of the rainy season. In the summer months, the chief (the Litunga) of the Lozi people will head to higher ground travelling from Lealui to Limulunga. The chief dressed in a Victorian ambassador costume takes a six-hour barge journey along the Zambezi river. It is rowed by several of his tribesmen and features a model elephant on the top of the barge. His subjects and visitors line the shores of the Zambezi river and music and feasting is enjoyed by all.
-
Kazanga
This is one of Zambia’s oldest ceremonies dating back 500 years when the Nkoyo people lived in the region. Taking place in June, July or August in Kaoma in the Zambezi basin area, towns and villages comes alive with dance, music and other ancient practices.
-
Likumbi Lya Mize
Every August, this four-day festival takes place on both sides of the Zambezi River with market stalls selling fabrics, metalwork, baskets, and carvings. There is lots of entertainment including masked Makishi dancers and performers acting out mythological events. The festival concludes with a royal Makishi parade for the chief.
Local cuisine
Western cuisine is widely available in Zambia, but there is also the chance to taste its traditional fare. Zambia’s staple is maize and you’ll find Nshima (a stiff porridge) is part of every Zambian meal. Dried fish, meat relish and seasonal vegetables are all used to create the unique Zambian food with caterpillars and flying ants being a popular delicacy too. Here are a few of our favourite dishes to try on holiday in Zambia:
-
Nshima
Eaten daily in rural area, this stiff porridge is made from ground maize. A thinned down version is eaten for breakfast with sugar and butter.
-
Ndiwo
This relish is made from boiled meat or fish with green vegetables and it is often served with nshima.
-
Chikanda
This vegetarian dish is made from wild orchid tubers, peanuts, chilli, and baking soda. It is cooked until it forms a meatloaf consistency and can be eaten hot or cold.
Types of Zambia holidays
Frequently Asked Questions
It takes approximately 13 hours excluding stopover time to fly to Zambia. There are currently flights available from London Heathrow to Livingstone via Johannesburg with British Airways and South African Airways and via Nairobi with Kenya Airways.
You will pay various visa fees to travel across the Victoria Falls Bridge which links the two countries, however the most convenient option is to buy a KAZA Visa for $50. This is a single visa which allows you to visit both countries for up to 30 days. It also allows you to cross the Kazungula border from Zambia into Botswana – ideal if you are visiting Chobe National Park.
