In the heart of southern Africa, Zambia is a destination still untouched by mass tourism. This landlocked country, whose capital is Lusaka, seduces above all by its grandiose landscapes, its wild nature, its authenticity and its people. The must-see? The mythical 108-metre-high Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage site nicknamed Mosi-oa-Tunya, "the smoke that roars". A dizzying swim in the Zambezi, a helicopter flight over the falls or a crossing of the suspension bridge over the river are all breathtaking sights. But there's more to Zambia than its waterfalls: its national parks, such as Kafue and South Luangwa, are home to exceptional wildlife, offering some of the continent's finest safaris, including on foot - a Zambian speciality. In this article, discover the most beautiful places to visit in Zambia for an unforgettable trip.
1. The mythical Victoria Falls: a must-see in Zambia
At 103 metres high and over 1,700 metres wide, Victoria Falls far surpasses the famous Niagara Falls. The deafening roar of water rushing through the gorge can be heard for miles around, while the mist that rises can be as high as 400 metres and visible for more than 50 km. This fascinating natural spectacle has always been a source of belief and legend. When the moon is full, a rare phenomenon can even be seen: lunar rainbows glistening above the cataracts. The Zambian shore offers a variety of panoramic views, especially from the main path that skirts the cliff and crosses the famous knife-edge bridge. A viewpoint allows you to admire the river and its rainbows, while the path continues towards a view of the great border bridge at 111 m high, often animated by bungee jumping enthusiasts (on this subject, discover our article Top 11 thrill destinations for extreme sports enthusiasts).
Flying over Victoria Falls by helicopter is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you're tempted, we recommend this helicopter tour over Victoria Falls, which includes hotel pick-up
You can descend to the Boiling Pot, the starting point for rafting trips during the dry season. The ride takes you through rainforest and somewhat challenging rocky terrain, but a breathtaking view of the bridge and the falls rushing into the canyon awaits you.
Good to know: At the top of the sumptuous Victoria Falls, on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, lies a rather unusual pool... The "Devil's Pool", a spectacular Unesco World Heritage site, attracts the world's most daring swimmers! On this subject, read our article "Top 10 unusual activities to do when traveling... Will you try number 1?
2. South Luangwa Nature Reserve, Zambia's most famous park
Created in 1972, South Luangwa National Park is without doubt Zambia's most emblematic park. A veritable tourist gem alongside Victoria Falls, it extends over 9,000 km² and boasts one of the finest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. You'll see hundreds of species of mammals, including giraffes, lions, zebras, elephants and some 400 species of birds, on memorable 4x4 safaris and even on walking safaris, Zambia's leading destination for the latter. At the heart of the park flows the Luangwa River, revealing vast sandbanks where crocodiles and hippos come to bask. Please note that, unlike other parks such as Kafue or Lower Zambezi, you won't be able to take a boat or canoe safari here.
Did you know? Zambia is one of the world's best safari destinations.
3. Livingstone, Zambia's tourist capital
Founded in 1905, the town of Livingstone takes its name from the famous British explorer and missionary David Livingstone, who introduced the Mosi-oa-Tunya Falls to the Western world as Victoria Falls. The capital of Northern Rhodesia from 1911 onwards, it soon benefited from a modern infrastructure, as evidenced by the elegant colonial buildings in its center. Today, it's a peaceful town with colonial charm mixed with African influences. Its privileged geographical location, at the gateway to the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls, has nevertheless given it a new lease of life: it is now regarded as Zambia's tourist capital.
Discover our Top 15 tourist alternatives to avoid mass tourism.
4. Meet white rhinos in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
In addition to Livingstone's flagship activities such as Zambezi river cruises, rafting, bungee jumping and safaris, the small Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park offers a unique experience in Zambia: white rhino sightings. Originally imported from a South African park, there were five of them on arrival and today there are eight, protected day and night by rangers. Two adorable babies were even born in 2022, to the delight of visitors. Thanks to constant tracking, the guides can locate the animals at any time and guarantee a 100% encounter. You'll also see elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, antelopes and warthogs. As there are no large predators in the park, the animals are less shyand much more approachable than in the country's vast reserves, making the visit almost comparable to a zoological stroll, rather than a traditional safari.
Good to know: As the park is small, it's easy to get around by car. All Livingstone agencies offer this tour. If you come with your own vehicle, you can self-drive through the park, but your chances of seeing the rhinos will be more limited. It's best to book with the park rangers: the experience is unforgettable and well worth the effort.
5. The immense Kafue National Park, a must-see
At 22,400 km², Kafue National Park is Zambia's oldest park and Africa's second largest reserve. Here you'll find lush, varied landscapes: miombo forests, large grasslands called dambos, wooded savannahs and teak groves. Kafue is home to almost all African mammals, with the exception of black rhinos and giraffes. Its birdlife is exceptional: 495 species, including the endemic Chaplin's barbican (Lybius chaplini), make it the richest in Zambia.
To book : click here to book your all-inclusive 3-day safari in Kafue National Park. An ideal tour for birdwatchers and nature lovers.
North of the park: the Busanga Plains
The Busanga Plains, accessible only from June to November, are the main attraction in the north of the park. This vast area of marshland is an almost untouched refuge for wildlife. You'll see hippos, crocodiles and thousands of antelopes. Zebra and buffalo are also plentiful. In September, the region hosts Africa's second-largest blue wildebeest migration. Lions, wild dogs and cheetahs hunt here, offering one of the best safari experiences in Zambia.
South of the park: along the Spinal Road
The south of Kafue is more accessible thanks to the road from Lusaka. This part, less watered than the north and characterized by sandy soils, offers beautiful teak forests and mopane groves.
Read more: Where to go to see wild animals? The best destinations
6. Liuwa Plain National Park, a special place in Zambia
Isolated and accessible only between June and November, Liuwa Plain National Park is a site apart in Zambia. 70 km long and 30 km wide, it boasts a number of distinctive features. Historically, it isone of the oldest wildlife protection areas in the world. Another unique feature is that the park is inhabited. There are over a hundred villages. Some 20,000 people, spread over 430 villages, live in and around the park. They play an essential role in the Lozi culture and history of Barotseland. The communities practise mixed farming, combined with fishing and the rational exploitation of natural resources such as thatch, timber and palms. The Liuwa plain also remains deeply linked to the Lozi myths and legends that nourish its unique cultural identity.
Zambia is one of our top 10 destinations to discover in Africa.
7. Lower Zambezi National Park, one of southern Africa's most beautiful parks
Considered one of the most beautiful parks in southern Africa, Lower Zambezi stretches over 4,092 km², opposite Zimbabwe's Mana Pools Reserve. Its greatest asset is its superb riverine forests, populated by ebony, fig, mahogany, giant acacia, tamarind and sausage trees. The park is home to almost all the region's emblematic wildlife, with the exception of giraffes and rhinoceroses. Elephants are particularly numerous here: it's not uncommon to see imposing herds coming to drink on the banks of the Zambezi, alongside countless hippos and crocodiles. Ornithology enthusiasts will be delighted, with over 400 species of birds recorded, including kingfishers and bee-eaters with their brilliant plumage.
Please note the term Lower Zambezi refers to both the valley and the national park. The park itself really begins at the Chongwe gate, while the Chiawa Game Management Area, located upstream, also offers excellent wildlife viewing.
8. What to do in Zambia See sitatunga (water antelope) in Kasanka National Park
Kasanka National Park is a veritable haven of peace, with an enchanting diversity of landscapes: rivers, lakes, papyrus-lined swamps, miombo forests and lush green meadows. Every year in November and December, Kasanka becomes the scene of an extraordinary natural phenomenon: the migration of almost 10 million bats. Shortly before sunset, they all soar into the sky at the same time, forming a dark, moving cloud, considered to be the largest mammal migration in the world. A spectacular moment that attracts travellers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. You can also take a safari on foot, by car, in a dugout canoe or even by bike, to encounter rare species such as sable, puku, kob, Liechtenstein's damalisque and hippopotamus. Kasanka is also renowned for being one of the best places in Africa to spot the sitatunga, an elegant tawny-coated aquatic antelope.
Worth knowing: The park is also home to a remarkable tree: a 65-metre-high mofu, considered the tallest in Central and Southern Africa.
9. North Luangwa National Park, one of Africa's most unspoilt nature reserves
North Luangwa is one of Africa's most unspoilt nature reserves. Isolated and difficult to access, with virtually no infrastructure, it welcomes very few visitors each year and is only open from mid-June to the end of October, during the dry season. Its main asset is to offer a vision of a wild Africa, untouched by human hands. The wildlife is impressive: lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo and various herds of Cookson's wildebeest and eland. The park is also home to rare bird species such as the yellow-throated sentinel and the red-backed mahali. Visitors are especially keen to catch a glimpse ofthe black rhinoceros. During the dry season, the Mwaleshi River reveals numerous pools where animals come to drink. In this area, cars are prohibited and access is by foot only: a totally immersive experience.
10. What to do in Zambia Fishing at Lake Bangweulu
Despite its spectacular scenery,Lake Bangweulu is mainly exploited for fishing rather than tourism. Following the road between Kasanka and the lake, you can admire magnificent panoramas : fields of giant termite mounds and the marshes of the Luapula River. The village of Lubwe is well worth a visit, especially in October, when the Ngumbo tribe holds its traditional Kwanga ceremony. For travelers interested in the local way of life and equipped for camping, it's possible toexplore the lake's main islands - Mbabala, Cishi and Chilubi - thanks to boat shuttles operated by the postal services corporation.
Please note if you'd like to opt for a customized travel itinerary in Zambia, we recommend you request your free quote right here. A tailor-made, responsible trip, direct with the best local agencies, awaits you!
11. Lochinvar National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty
Located to the north of Monze, Lochinvar National Park is a rich natural area. The park is famous for its kobs lechwe de Kafue, an endemic aquatic antelope that moves with the seasons and floods. Zebra, wildebeest, monkeys, warthogs, kudu and buffalo can also be seen. With over 400 bird species, Lochinvar is a birdwatcher's paradise. Beyond the wildlife, the park's varied landscapes are a delight: grasslands, wooded hills, astonishing expanses of termite mounds and candelabra trees punctuate the scenery, offering typically African panoramas.
Click here to to book 3 days birdwatching in Lochinvar National Park from Livingstone.
12. Bangweulu Basin and Bangweulu Swamps
The Bangweulu Basin is often referred to as the "little Okavango", the place where heaven and earth meet, a name that evokes the beauty of the landscape, with expanses of water and sky merging on the horizon. The shallow waters and marshes provide abundant food for a wide range of birds, including migratory winterers. There are around 400 species, including ducks, geese, herons, cranes and birds of prey. The star of the site is the shoebill, a rare and threatened prehistoric wader with a massive beak. As for mammals, the park is home to numerous species such as the Sitatunga, an aquatic antelope that dives to escape predators, the black Kob lechwe or the zebras, buffaloes and elephants, visible when the water recedes. Crocodiles and hippos frequent the waters, while hyenas, mongooses and civets populate the nocturnal areas.
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13. Sioma N'Gwezi National Park, a little-known park in Zambia
Located in the extreme south-west of Zambia, Sioma Ngwezi National Park is still largely unknown to travellers. Yet it's a wilderness of great potential, where you can encounter elephants, zebras, antelopes and the endemic Angola giraffe subspecies. The park is also home to the rare black hippotrague, as well as predators such as lions, hyenas and leopards. However, the park's wildlife remains sparse, a direct consequence of the intensive poaching that took place during Angola's civil war. This explains why Sioma Ngwezi does not yet enjoy the renown of Zambia's other major parks, even though it retains an authentic charm for lovers of isolated wilderness.
14. Siavonga, a small, relaxed town
Nestled on the western shore of Lake Kariba and surrounded by hills, Siavonga is Zambia's main tourist destination. Originally, Siavonga was simply a base camp for workers constructing the dam in the 1950s. Today, the small town has retained its peaceful, relaxed atmosphere. Here you'll find all the essentials: a market, two grocery stores, an ATM bank, a gas station and several hotels. You'll also have the opportunity to try grilled Nile perch, a local specialty.
