South Luangwa on Foot
Experience a bush walk — the original and most rewarding way to explore South Luangwa.
Highlights of Zambia
A perfectly balanced introduction to Zambia’s wildlife, rivers and landscapes – from walking safaris to Victoria Falls.
Zambia combines wildlife, adventure and spectacular scenery, yet remains refreshingly less visited than some of its neighbours. Track leopard, elephant, hippo and wild dog by vehicle, on foot, or from the water on boating and canoeing safaris. End the trip on the banks of the Zambezi River, close to Victoria Falls, where you can raft, chase a lunar rainbow or walk with rhino.
Key Highlights of this Itinerary
Boating the Lower Zambezi
Explore river networks by boat and canoe, with the chance to fish for the legendary tiger fish.
Zambia on Safari
Spot elephant in the river, watch wild dog on the hunt and search for leopard a South Luangwa speciality.
Vic Falls by Moonlight
Witness the rare moonbow best seen on full moon nights between April and August when the river is in full flow.
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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
Home of the Walking Safari
South Luangwa NP
At the end of the Great Rift Valley lies the Luangwa Valley, home to South Luangwa National Park. Its oxbow lagoons, woodland and grassy plains support an extraordinary range of life. Renowned for its high leopard population, the park is rich in both predators and prey. Hippos and crocodiles fill the river, while antelope and zebra graze the floodplains. Birdlife is prolific, with over 450 recorded species.
This is the birthplace of the walking safari – a deeply immersive way to experience the bush.
Safari on the Zambezi River
Lower Zambezi NP
Framed by the Zambezi River on one side and a striking escarpment on the other, Lower Zambezi is a park shaped by water and wilderness. The broad river attracts wildlife to its islands and channels, best explored by canoe or boat – a quiet, unhurried way to watch elephants, hippos and crocodiles at close quarters. On land, guided walks and game drives reveal a fertile floodplain where grazers and browsers feed under the watchful eye of lions and leopards.
The Smoke that Thunders
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls is 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.
Zambia, Lightly Tread
Immersive Accommodation
The accommodation included in this holiday are each chosen for their strong sustainability credentials and deep sense of place. Set beside rivers and within wildlife-rich national parks, they offer front-row access to Zambia’s iconic landscapes – from the thundering spray of Victoria Falls to the still waters of the Lower Zambezi and the game-rich plains of South Luangwa. Solar power, conservation partnerships and community involvement are central to their ethos, while experiences – whether canoeing past elephants or heading out on silent e-vehicle safaris – are immersive, fun and uncontrived. A considered itinerary with light impact and lasting memories.
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 $8,160 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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