South Luangwa, Zambia

Highlights of Zambia

  • TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAY IDEA

Duration

10 Days

Prices Start from

£6,670pp(ex. flights)

With a combination of wildlife, adventure and spectacular scenery, it’s hard to imagine a country that has as much to offer as Zambia. Visiting the South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi and Victoria Falls on one holiday will see you wanting to return for more.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Walking safari, South Luangwa, Zambia 1

Bush Walks

Visit the South Luangwa National Park, home of the walking safari.

Devil's Pool, Livingstone Zambia 2

Devil's Pool

Float in the Devil’s Pool, positioned on the edge of the Victoria Falls.

Dinner on Boat, Chiawa Camp, Lower Zambezi, Zambia 3

Zambezi River

Explore by boat and canoes, as well as fishing for tiger fish.

Helicopter trip, Livingstone, Zambia 4

Heli Flip

Take a sunset helicopter ride over the Victoria Falls – best appreciated from the air.

Why we like it

This holiday combines two fantastic national parks – each slightly different – with the thundering majesty of Victoria Falls. With wildlife activities ranging from boating and canoeing to walks and drives, Zambia’s parks offer great diversity. And whilst the falls are an attraction in their own right, Livingstone acts a great base for taking advantage of a range of cultural, scenic and adventure activities.

Explore our suggested itinerary

  • Day 1

    Lusaka - South Luangwa

  • Days 2-3

    South Luangwa

  • Day 4

    South Luangwa - Lower Zambezi

  • Days 5-7

    Lower Zambezi

  • Day 8

    Lower Zambezi - Livingstone

  • Day 9

    Livingstone

  • Day 10

    Livingstone

Day 1

Lusaka - South Luangwa

Days 2-3

South Luangwa

Walking safari, South Luangwa, Zambia

Bush Walks

Visit the South Luangwa National Park, home of the walking safari.

Day 4

South Luangwa - Lower Zambezi

Days 5-7

Lower Zambezi

Dinner on Boat, Chiawa Camp, Lower Zambezi, Zambia

Zambezi River

Explore by boat and canoes, as well as fishing for tiger fish.

Day 8

Lower Zambezi - Livingstone

Day 9

Livingstone

Devil's Pool, Livingstone Zambia

Devil’s Pool

Float in the Devil’s Pool, positioned on the edge of the Victoria Falls.

Day 10

Livingstone

Helicopter ride, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Heli Flip

Take a sunset helicopter ride over the Victoria Falls – best appreciated from the air.

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

More Details

Elephant encounter, South Luangwa, Zambia
Bush walk, South Luangwa, Zambia

The Home of the Walking Safari

The Luangwa Valley, which marks the end of the Rift Valley, covers a vast area through which the meandering Luangwa River runs. The oxbow lagoons, woodland and plains of the valley form the renowned South Luangwa National Park

One of the best places in Africa to see leopards, this park is alive with predators and prey. Crocodiles and hippos fill the river, whilst its grassy floodplains are grazed by pukus, impalas and zebras. Over 450 species of birds, both endemic and migratory, are found here.

This is the home of the walking safari and there is no better way to explore South Luangwa. Whilst walks elsewhere are more nature-focussed, a walking safari here is far more intense and involved.

Elephants crossing the river, Lower Zambezi, Zambia
Lower Zambezi, Zambia

Safari on the Zambezi River

Grasslands, woodlands and floodplains face the Zambezi River, with a rugged escarpment pressing in on them from behind. This forms Lower Zambezi National Park, stretched along the meandering riverfront.

Up to a mile wide in places, the Zambezi River is the focal point of this beautiful park. It attracts a variety of wildlife to its islands, creating incomparable canoeing and boat trips, with the chance to get up close to thirsty elephants, as well as hippos and crocodiles.

Explore on land by 4×4 and on foot, where the riverine woodland and fertile floodplains attract browsers and grazers. These, in turn, attract predators, including lions and leopards.

 

 

Victoria Falls from the air, Livingstone, Zambia
Livingstone, Zambia

The Smoke that Thunders

A holiday to Zambia would not be complete without a visit to Victoria Falls, one of the world’s most spectacular natural attractions and a great place to relax after a wildlife-packed safari. Here, the Zambezi River crashes down in a white torrent – giving the falls their name, “The Smoke that Thunders”.

However, if you are still up for more excitement there are plenty of activities on offer. Take an exhilarating plunge at Devil’s Pool, raft the rapids or take a helicopter flight over the falls into the Batoka Gorge.

Accommodation

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.

Waterberry Zambezi Lodge £££££

  • Zambia
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Just a 30-minute drive from Livingstone town and upstream from the mighty Victoria Falls on the banks of the Zambezi River is the informal and friendly, Waterberry Zambezi Lodge. An attractive riverside setting in a secluded position, Waterberry boasts wonderful views across the river to the Zambezi National Park.

View Property

Kafunta River Lodge £££££

  • Zambia
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

This classic Zambian safari lodge, with and warm personal feel, overlooks the great floodplain of the Luangwa River and offers some superb game viewing and birdwatching from the comfort of camp. Accommodation consists of 10 private chalets built on raised wooden platforms with thatched roofs and charming African interiors. The main lounge, bar and dining area is built around a large mango tree and have impressive views across the game-rich flood plain. Beyond the plain is the Luangwa River and one of the best game viewing areas of the magical South Luangwa National Park.

View Property

Anabezi Luxury Tented Camp £££££

  • Zambia
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

Tucked into a quiet and unique region of the Lower Zambezi National Park, this stylish camp has wonderful views and its choice of activities make this a really lovely option. Anabezi comprises 11 large tents overlooking the Zambezi and Mushika River floodplain, each with sliding glass doors opening onto a private deck complete with splash pool, yet still in touch with its natural surroundings.

View Property

A note on price

Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchase through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.

This Itinerary
Price
From £6,670 Per person

When to travel

Zambia in January

There are three seasons in Zambia – the cool, dry winter season, the hot, dry summer season and the rainy season, which is in fact even hotter. It will depend on your activity preferences and the destinations in Zambia you are travelling to as to the best time to visit the country.

Zambia in February

Similarly to January, February will experience heavy rainfall throughout the country. Some destinations and accommodation will be open to a variety of outdoor activities, but it should be noted that the majority will remain closed.

Zambia in March

Throughout the winter months, it can be a perfect opportunity for bird watching although some wildlife may be more difficult to spot with the thick vegetation flourishing after the rainy months. You can expect temperatures of 23°C with heavier rainfall at the start of the month.

Zambia in April

As the rainy season comes to an end, both April and May are the best months to visit Victoria Falls, where temperatures are marginally cooler, averaging 21°C and there is less rainfall than previous months.

Zambia in May

Zambia will experience the cool, dry winter season from May until September making it the best time to travel to Zambia as the wildlife is in abundance. Temperatures are pleasant at the beginning and end of this season and there is considerably less rainfall.

Zambia in June

For the best game viewing in Zambia, it is suggested to travel from June to October although safaris are an all-year-round activity. In June temperatures will average 25°C during the daytime and remain cooler through the evening.

Zambia in July

July is one of the peak months to travel to Zambia as temperatures range from 22°C to highs of 30°C. Zambia will experience the least rainfall during July and all accommodation and destinations throughout the country will be fully open, with opportunities to partake in all the activities.

Zambia in August

From June to September, Zambia will experience its peak season as it can be one of the best times to visit the country when both travelling for the wildlife viewings and to see Victoria Falls. It is a popular time to travel to Zambia and so accommodation should be booked well in advance.

Zambia in September

During the month of September, temperatures will begin to rise and can reach highs of 28°C in certain regions of the country. Like July and August, September can be an ideal month for safaris in Zambia, with higher chances of regular wildlife viewings on game drives.

Zambia in October

During the months of October and November, Zambia will experience the hot, dry season, particularly in the river valleys of the Zambezi and Luangwa where it will become very hot. Game drives during the day can sometimes become uncomfortable due to the humidity and high temperatures.

Zambia in November

As the dry season comes to an end in the months of October and November, water levels are low and so can be an ideal time to visit Zambia to see the magnificent rock formations yet not the most ideal time to visit Victoria Falls, which is better viewed in April and May.

Zambia in December

From the month of December until April, Zambia experiences the rainy season, which is in fact much hotter than the summer months of October and November. Temperatures can rise to highs of 28°C in December and as rainfall becomes more regular, Zambia will start to experience the lush, green vegetation – harder for spotting wildlife!

Holiday Inspiration

Our experts have created and curated these tailor-made holiday ideas to get you started. Take the time to search through them and find something that is the spark for your unique adventure.

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