Zambia on Safari
Spot elephant in the river, watch wild dog on the move and search for leopard, a South Luangwa specialty.
Zambia – A Family Safari
An unforgettable family safari — from tracking wildlife in South Luangwa to canoeing the Zambezi and standing above the mighty Victoria Falls…
Zambia combines wildlife, adventure and spectacular scenery, yet remains refreshingly less visited than some of its neighbours. This family safari links South Luangwa, the Lower Zambezi and Victoria Falls, creating a journey full of variety and shared adventure.
Track leopard and elephant on safari drives, walk quietly through the bush with expert guides, paddle canoes past hippo and try fishing for tiger fish. End your journey at Victoria Falls, where the family can raft the rapids, swim in Devil’s Pool or witness the magic of a lunar rainbow — a collection of experiences especially suited to families with older children and teenagers. With welcoming camps designed to host families comfortably, this journey is as much about time together as it is about adventure.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
South Luangwa on Foot
Take a guided bush walk, a thrilling way to get closer to nature as a family.
Boating the Lower Zambezi
Explore river channels by canoe or boat, spotting hippo and elephant at close quarters.
Vic Falls by Moonlight
Stand together at the edge of Victoria Falls and, on full moon nights, witness a lunar rainbow, a rare natural wonder.
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Day 1
Lusaka - South Luangwa (Shawa Camp)
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Days 2-4
South Luangwa (Shawa Camp)
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Day 5
South Luangwa - Lower Zambezi (Potato Bush Camp)
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Days 6-8
Lower Zambezi (Potato Bush Camp)
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Day 9
Lower Zambezi - Livingstone (Tongabezi Lodge)
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Days 10-11
Livingstone and Victoria Falls (Tongabezi Lodge)
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Day 12
Depart Livingstone
Day 1
Lusaka - South Luangwa (Shawa Camp)
Arrive in Lusaka, Zambia’s capital. Connect onto a flight to South Luangwa National Park where you will be met and transferred to your camp to settle in. Spend the afternoon at leisure with the option of a short evening game drive.
Days 2-4
South Luangwa (Shawa Camp)
Spend the next three days exploring South Luangwa, the birthplace of the walking safari and home to exceptional leopard sightings. Activities include morning and afternoon game drives, walking safaris and night drives to encounter nocturnal wildlife.
Day 5
South Luangwa - Lower Zambezi (Potato Bush Camp)
After an early morning game drive transfer by light aircraft to the Lower Zambezi where you will travel to your camp on the riverbank. An afternoon river cruise or game drive will introduce you to this beautiful park.
Days 6-8
Lower Zambezi (Potato Bush Camp)
Over the next three days embark on varied activities: boat safaris, canoeing, tiger fishing, walking and game drives. The focus here is on life along the river, with elephants often seen wading across channels and hippos in abundance.
Day 9
Lower Zambezi - Livingstone (Tongabezi Lodge)
Transfer to the airstrip for your light aircraft flight to Lusaka before continuing by air to Livingstone. Transfer to Tongabezi on the Zambezi River, a short drive upstream from Victoria Falls. Spend the afternoon relaxing with views across the river.
Days 10-11
Livingstone and Victoria Falls (Tongabezi Lodge)
Over the next two days, relax and enjoy the dramatic Victoria Falls as well as a range of activities. Visit the falls themselves, take a sunset river cruise, enjoy cultural visits, or try optional activities such as white-water rafting or a scenic helicopter flight. During full moon, you may witness the rare lunar rainbow.
Day 12
Depart Livingstone
After a morning at leisure transfer to Livingstone Airport for your onward travel.
More Details
Walking Together
Travel: A Classroom Without Walls
South Luangwa is the birthplace of the walking safari — one of the most immersive and enriching ways to explore the bush, a chance to step into a living classroom. Guided by expert naturalists, you’ll learn to identify tracks, follow bird calls, and understand how plants, insects and animals connect in the ecosystem. Leopard sightings and large herds add to the excitement. It’s an experience that strips away the vehicle and brings families closer to the wilderness.
Vic Falls Adventures
Shared Experiences
Victoria Falls is a thrilling finale for families, with activities to suit every level of adventure. Brave the rapids on a rafting trip, take a plunge in Devil’s Pool, or soar above the gorge on a helicopter flight. On quieter days, walk together through rainforest trails to viewpoints where the falls thunder in front of you. Time your visit with the full moon and you may even see a rare lunar rainbow. It’s a place of wonder and energy.
Zambia, Lightly Tread
Time Together
The lodges included in this holiday have been chosen for their sustainability credentials, character and suitability for families. With family suites and shared spaces, they offer comfort without losing a sense of place. Evenings spent swapping stories by the fire or watching the river drift past are as memorable as the days themselves. Whether canoeing past elephants or heading out on a silent e-vehicle safari, these experiences are made richer by being enjoyed together.
Suggested Extension
Lake Malawi: Island Life
Cross the border and extend your journey with a stay at Kaya Mawa on Likoma Island, in the heart of Lake Malawi. Surrounded by turquoise waters and golden beaches, the island has a welcoming culture and barefoot charm. Snorkel or dive alongside Lake Malawi’s famous cichlid fish, whose bright colours and variety are unique to these waters. Paddle out by kayak to hidden coves, or simply slow down and enjoy the rhythm of island life.
4 days. Price on request
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How does this holiday make a positive impact?
- Relevant SDGs
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Explore the wilderness by silent electric game drive vehicles and solar powered boats. With minimal noise and zero emissions, enjoy wildlife encounters without disturbance. These innovations not only reduce environmental impact but also enhance the safari experience, creating a more natural connection with the bush while supporting the transition to cleaner energy solutions in Zambia.
Zambia offers vast, unspoilt wilderness yet sees fewer visitors than many of its neighbours, making it an opportunity to travel lightly. By choosing this itinerary, enjoy a more exclusive safari with lower footfall, reducing strain on ecosystems while supporting conservation-led tourism.
The camps included in this journey are built on principles of sustainability and community partnership. Tongabezi and Green Safaris’ properties invest in local projects, from education and healthcare to conservation initiatives that safeguard wildlife. By staying here, you directly support these efforts, ensuring benefits are shared beyond the camps themselves.
Learn more about the UN's 17 sustainability goals
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 £6,275 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!
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