A trip to Zambia will definitely give you the best of all worlds from witnessing the striking Victoria Falls to exploring the Zambezi River and seeing wildlife on Safari.
I actually had the best Safari in the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia. We saw Elephants, Lions, Giraffe, Zebra, Baboons, Impala, Hyenas, Hippos, Leopard foot prints and even the incredibly rare – wild dogs. It was an experience that I’ll never forget.
I also saw some of the best and most colourful sunsets in this country. They were absolutely breathtaking.
Compared to Australia, the cost of living in Zambia is also pretty cheap. That allows you to travel more for less (40-80% lower)
Top Things to See & Do in Zambia:
- South Luangwa National Park
- Experience Victoria Falls
- Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
- Zambezi River
- Lower Zambezi National Park
- Lake Kariba
- Kafue National Park
Weather Overview
Zambia has a sub-tropical climate which means that it has wet and dry seasons, as opposed to a “Summer” and ‘Winter”.
The dry season (May to October)Â is said to be the best time to travel to Zambia for the best game viewing as well as pleasant daytime temperatures.
If you’re travelling to Zambia with the key aim of seeing the Victoria Falls, then you’ll want to time your trip just after the rainy season concludes (From March to May).Â
By that time, the Zambezi River is in full flood which makes for a very spectacular waterfall. NOTE: You will get saturated so wear a raincoat!
If you travel to the falls later in the dry season you may find yourself dissapointed. By this time, there mightn’t be much water coming over the Zambian side, so you’d have to cross into Zimbabwe to see if properly.
NOTE: Zambia is within the “moderate” risk zone for Malaria, so ensure to pack anti-malaria tablets and take as prescribed.
Your safest and most affordable option is to join one of the many group safaris offered by private tour operators from Livingstone or Lusaka.
Best transport options:
- 4×4 Vehicles (Eg. Safari)
- Join a group tour / day trip and let them do the driving
- Hire a car & drive with a buddy (but not at night)
- Local flights between the main cities
- Walk along the viewing platforms and admire the Victoria Falls from the Zambian Side
- Cross the border into Zimbabwe to views the Victoria Falls from a different perspective
- Helicopter and Microlight flights over the Victoria Falls
- Do a Game Drive (Safari) in the South Luangwa National Park
- Canoe down the Zambezi river and spot natual wildlife as you go
- Whitewater rafting / Kayaking
- Bridge Bungee
- Bridge Abseiling
- Horse-riding
- Low Cost of Living 80%
- Safe for Travellers 65%
- Landscapes & Scenery 90%
- Tourist Attractions & Things to Do 70%
- Adventure Rating 75%
Disclaimer: Always check the smartraveller.gov.au website (or related) before travelling overseas, for their latest safety updates, advice and recommendations.
LATEST ARTICLES
The Top 7 Places to Travel to When in Zambia (for Nature Lovers)
Interested in travelling solo to Zambia, Africa? Before you go, check out these top 7 places to travel to when in Zambia.
MY TOP 3 RECOMMENDED GEAR FOR ZAMBIA
Rain Coat / Plastic Poncho
Although you may be able to buy ponchos onsite or nearby, it may work out cheaper to bring your own.
It shouldn’t take up much space in your baggage either which is always a bonus. Here’s a cheap alternative you can check out online.
Matein Backpack - 25L
Therefore, you’ll want to ensure that you’re equipped with a durable, convenient and well protected backpack.
This backpack by Matein is great because it is durable, has lots of functional pockets for your valuables and tech, as well as zips that you can padlock together for additional safety.
You can check out some of our other recommended travel gear here.
Sturdy Hiking Shoes
At the Victoria Falls for example, the grounds surrounding the falls can get very wet and slippery due to the ongoing mist and water splashes.
From memory, I think I wore thongs (flip-thops). It was the worst possible footwear I could have worn and caused me to slip all over the place, which was both embarrassing and quite dangerous.
Don’t make my mistake…
SOLO TRAVEL TIPS
Amazing! Ensure to check out our Solo Travel page that is loaded with important advice & tips to know before you go.
They will help you to prepare for the journey and overcome any personal obstacles you experience during your trip.
TRAVEL GEAR
Finding the right gear for your trip can be overwhelming and expensive – especially if you don’t know where to start.
On our Travel Gear page, I list my favourite travel gear and accessories to help you narrow down the field, save money and buy quality gear at reasonable prices.
PLAN & BOOK YOUR TRIP
There’s no doubt that planning and booking your trip is the most exciting part for any new adventure.
Here I outline 20 steps that you need to know in order to plan and book a successful trip & have fun whilst doing it.
Start Planning Your Journey Today!
If you're interested in trying something new, or planning your next adventure, ensure to check out our latest articles for inspiration.
If you're ready to take an even bigger jump and would love to travel solo overseas, ensure to grab your copy of our FREE Solo Travel Starter Pack for Beginners.
This pack includes:
- A breakdown of how to book your first solo trip overseas and all the steps you need to consider
- Solo travel tips for beginners
- A pre-travel Planner, Tracker &Â Budget Template
Get yours for free today!