Zambia Custom Luxury Tours
Zambia is the essence of the spirit of Africa. Its national parks remain wild and remote. In this land of exceptional wildlife and dazzling scenery, one of the last great adventures of Africa was pioneered – the walking safari. There is no better opportunity to engage the African wilderness than on foot, face to face. One of the world’s most legendary rivers, the Zambezi, provides endless opportunities for exploration by canoe, boat or whitewater rafting. The river becomes the roaring Mosi-oa-Tunya, “Smoke that Thunders.” Named Victoria Falls by David Livingstone in 1855, this extraordinary wall of water is simply breathtaking as it crashes over cliffs and down into deep gorges before traveling on into Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Two of Zambia’s finest national parks, South Luangwa and the Lower Zambezi, both have abundant wildlife that includes Cape buffalo, crocodile, elephant, giraffe, hippo, hyena, impala, leopard, lion, warthog, waterbuck and zebra, as well as hundreds of species of birds. Zambia has been inhabited for many thousands of years by migrating tribes of hunter-gatherer societies. Archaeological sites around the falls have yielded stone artifacts dating back three million years. This rich heritage is reflected in Zambia’s folk art and tribal customs. Accommodations run from luxurious hotels along the Zambezi River to comfortable, private camps on walking safaris. For those eager for a truly personal, luxury safari experience in a pristine environment, Zambia represents the ultimate African encounter.
Suggested Zambia Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Johannesburg, South Africa
Day 2: Johannesburg / Lusaka, Zambia / South Luangwa
Day 3: South Luangwa
Day 4: South Luangwa
Day 5: South Luangwa / Lower Zambezi
Day 6: Lower Zambezi
Day 7: Lower Zambezi
Day 8: Lower Zambezi / Johannesburg / Depart
Custom Tour Options
Livingstone & Victoria Falls (3 days)
Livingstone’s proximity to Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River make it a great base for adventure activities from white-water river rafting to the world's longest bungee-jump.
Kafue National Park (4 days)
About the size of Massachusetts, Kafue is the second largest national park in Africa with excellent game viewing as well as fabulous fishing opportunities.
South Luangwa Walking Safari (5 days)
Walking the wilderness provides one of the most personal and close up adventures possible in the African bush.
About Zambia Travel
Lusaka: Lusaka is the capital and largest city of Zambia, and one of the fastest growing cities in Africa. It is home to several fine museums including the Lusaka National Museum, the Political Museum, and the Zintu Community Museum. The Zambian National Assembly is located here as well as the Agricultural Society Showground, known for its annual agricultural show. The city also supports the Moore Pottery Factory, Lusaka Playhouse Theater, Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Lusaka Central Sports Club, and the zoo and botanical gardens of the Munda Wanga Environmental Park.
South Luangwa National Park: South Luangwa National Park is the finest game park in Zambia. Along the Luangwa Valley, streaked with rivers, the park specializes in walking safaris. Treks cover about six miles a day, but are usually on flat terrain, so walking is less arduous than you might expect. Each evening is spent at a remote but comfortable camp. For those who prefer game watching from one location, most lodges and permanent camps offer game drives, or walks close to the camp.
Lower Zambezi National Park: This national park sits on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River, downstream from Lake Kariba. Across the river is Zimbabwe's Mana Pools National Park. Lower Zambezi Park covers an area of 1,580 square miles. From the Zambezi Escarpment, the park lands sweep down to the river. At the edge of the river is a floodplain where most of the animals are found. Large herds of elephant, some numbering 100, gather at river's edge. ‘Island hopping’ buffalo and waterbuck are also quite common. Lion, leopard, spotted hyena, serval, speckle-throated otter, jackal, and rare African wild dog live here.
Livingstone & Mosi-oa-Tunya (Victoria Falls): About six miles from Victoria Falls, Livingstone’s proximity to the famous falls and the Zambezi River makes it an ideal base for adventure activities. The mile-wide, 360-feet-high falls form the largest sheet of falling water in the world. Vapors, 'smoke,' can be seen from great distances. The falls and the river can be experienced in a variety of styles: on a sunset cruise, whitewater rafting, walking tour, helicopter and micro-light flights. The truly daring can try parachuting, white-water rafting, and making the world's longest bungee-jump, 364 feet, from Victoria Falls Bridge. Elephant, buffalo, zebra and giraffe can be spotted in the park around the falls.
Kafue National Park: Declared in 1950, Kafue is Zambia’s oldest park, and, by far, the largest. It is the second largest national park in Africa. Despite the park’s proximity to both Lusaka and the Copperbelt, it has remained underdeveloped until the most recent years. It offers a raw and diverse slice of African wilderness with excellent game viewing, bird watching and fishing opportunities. Large prides of lion, solitary leopards and cheetahs are the prime predators. A host of smaller carnivores include side-striped jackal, civet, genet and mongoose. Bird watching, especially on the rivers, is superb. Over 400 species of birds have been recorded throughout the park.
Best Time to Go to Zamibia
Festivals & Special Events
• Zambia has three seasons. December-April: warm and wet. May - August: dry and sunny with cold nights. September - November: hot and dry. Average temperatures in summer range from 77°F to 95°F, and in winter from 42°F to 75°F.
• November-April is the rainiest; most bush camps close as dirt roads are impassable. They reopen in May-June when the roads have dried out. This begins the peak season with increasing numbers of animals returning.
• From September onward, it becomes increasingly hot with warm evenings. October should be avoided as far as walking safaris are concerned.
• Lusaka Music Festival is usually the fourth Saturday in June. Some 20,000 people attend the free festival to hear the musical heritage of many tribes and see dance performances related to social rituals such as marriage and birth.
• Christmas is celebrated with parties, gift giving, family get-togethers and more between December 25th to January1st.