Zambia is Africa's best kept secret as far as safaris go. The country is a virtual unknown in comparison to other more traditional destinations but a Zambia safari can be every bit as good and in some cases even better.
This top five list of the best national parks and game reserves in the country gives you a taste of what to expect. It has been compiled from zambia safari reviews at the African Safari Journals website, forums, travel magazines, industry expert opinions and my own twenty year plus African safari experience.
Some experts have branded the Luangwa National Park as one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world because the density of game you can find here mixed with the isolation and pure unadulterated wildness of it is almost without compare.
Because it is reasonably undiscovered except to the locals in the know and a select few foreign visitors, it hasn't been overrun by masses of tourists yet and you can experience a safari here as it should be and some say that is the best Africa has to offer.
There are over 60 species of animal here with the unfortunate exception of rhino because they were poached into extinction and over 400 different kinds of birds.
They all rely on and are drawn to the winding Luangwa river which is crowded with some of the biggest concentrations of hippo and crocodile you will find anywhere in Africa. it has been estimated that there are 50 hippos per kilometre of this congested river.
The South Luangwa was the birthplace of the walking safari and it is still a very popular way to explore the area from a quality collection of safari lodges and camps. Night drives are another excellent way to see leopard which are reputed to be more regularly seen in this park than anywhere else in Africa because of the high concentrations of the predator. Lions and even rare sightings like honey badger, civet and wild dog are likely to be seen.
To take the true zambia safari adventure a step farther, the northern luangwa area is even more remote, wild and isolated than the south and the wildlife and bird viewing experience is from the top draw. Definitely one for the safari cognoscenti.
2. Mosi-oa-Tunya NP
Despite its hard to pronounce name this park has something very special up its sleeve. That awe inspiring wonder of the world: The Victoria Falls. As far as natural spectacles go, this is one of the best in Africa. Mosi-oa-tunya can be literally translated as "the smoke that thunders".
And thunder it does, so much so that the spray from the water crashing over the edge into the gorge below is enough to drench you to the bone as you go closer. The water travels onwards into a frothing maelstrom known aptly as the "boiling pot" before breaking into numerous rapids as it makes it way underneath the Victoria falls bridge which connects Zimbabwe and Zambia and then farther along into Batoka Gorge.
The park comprises the falls and a small strip of land 66 kilometres long on the North bank of the Zambesi which is worth a short visit to see what are probably Zambia's only remaining rhino (the rest have been poached into extinction). You might also see a small scattering of baboon, elephant, sable, giraffe, eland buffalo and impala.
3. Kafue NP
This is the largest national park in Zambia and is situated in the western part of the country.
The Kafue river provides the life-giving sustenance to a vast number of antelope species like the red lechwe in their thousands, hartebeest, oribi, duker, sable, roan, puka and waterbuck to name a few and the whole rouges gallery of predators are accounted for here too. The only animal that you won't find on a Zambia safari here is the giraffe.
It is advisable to go further north to the Basenga floodplain because game spotting is much better there due to thick woodlands obscuring views in the south. This floodplain sometimes retreats in the dry season trapping hapless hippo and crocodile in an ever shrinking mudbath.
Some of the roads in the park are not in good condition and are only drivable using a 4x4 vehicle and most of the safari lodges and accommodation is in the North.
With over 400 bird species recorded such as the wattled crane, goliath herons and purple crested lourie birders will have a ball here and budding fisherman can get tackle and rods from the lodges to land fresh water pike, barbel and bream.
4. Lochinvar NP
Another national park situated on the Kafue river floodplain, this wetland and savannah dominated national park has fewer mammals but is a bird paradise.
There are a large amount of Kafue lechwe (about 30 000) living here and some wildebeest and zebra herds but the only big game you will find is restricted to hippo, buffalo, leopard and spotted hyena but if you are a birder the over 420 species of bird will more than make up for that.
5. Lower Zambesi NP
One of Zambia's newest parks and it is still reasonably undeveloped but the beauty of this park lies in the ability to get close to animals on both sides of the river like elephant, buffalo, hippo and crocodile using canoe or motor boats which they seem to ignore until you are virtually right on top of them.
And being predominantly a water park there are an amazing amount of bird species here like the fish eagle, kingfishers, parrots, hornbills and lovebirds and for the anglers there are tiger fish, bream and vundu (a sort of catfish that can weigh op to 50kg) inhibiting these waters just waiting to be pulled out on a Zambia safari.
These are the south and north luangwa np that you can use to organise a safari trip for you to the national parks and game reserves in that country.
Pick up tips, advice and reccomendations from these south and north luangwa np written and photographed by previous travellers themselves.
Lincoln Stretch rentals Alsip ..Climbing the glaciers to the summit of Mount Chimborazo in... Read More
There are two types of used inflatable boats for sale... Read More
The Usamabara Mountains are very special mountains, often that tired... Read More
White Water on the Comal river in Central Texas is... Read More
If you love the thrill and adventure of kayak travel,... Read More
With so many different designs, packing a backpack will vary... Read More
Last week in Australia, one man's day at beach could... Read More
Sharklife.co.za has been fighting an ongoing for the protection of... Read More
Table Mountain sheltered the original Cape explorers in the 16th... Read More
Eaton Canyon Natural Area Nature Center, entrance, 1750 N. Altadena... Read More
It was the end of my first year as a... Read More
1. Take the early morning drives on safari even though... Read More
The Wandle offered wonderful trout fishing up to the latter... Read More
Do you think the only thing to do in Las... Read More
Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of Sketchandtravel.com and Bookpleasures.com is pleased... Read More
Have you ever thought you might like to try a... Read More
Camping is an excellent way to explore and experience the... Read More
Ask me which Pacific island has the most to offer... Read More
Generally speaking, Greek drivers are not the best in Europe,... Read More
Costa Rica is a small country - just 75 mi/120... Read More
How to get the most out of your trekking poles... Read More
The Kenya safari circuit is one of the best in... Read More
How to get discount lift tickets for popular ski resorts... Read More
Hawaii snorkeling is a fun activity available to almost any... Read More
The thing with enjoying the great outdoors is seeing aspects... Read More
Western Springs shuttle limo ..For some 30 years I practiced law in Mesa, Arizona.... Read More
Yes, it's real. There is a place called Timbuktu and... Read More
Every year around 40 million visitors come to Florida for... Read More
The climb up the glaciers to the summit of Mount... Read More
Have you ever seen an authentic Japanese garden? Well, I... Read More
Spain: sun, sea, sand and Spanish... discover us! Spain, a... Read More
Spring:Essential items when preparing for a walk-Compass-First aid kit -... Read More
"Do you know about Wal-Mart camping?" We didn't know, but... Read More
If you've been dreaming of traveling the highways in your... Read More
A canoe trip is a great way to appreciate Nature!A... Read More
Today Bookpleasures and Sketchandtravel are pleased to have as our... Read More
How many of you take the time to just relax... Read More
Spain offers the visitor over 4,000 kms of coastline where... Read More
When you search online for a camping gear outlet you... Read More
The Wandle offered wonderful trout fishing up to the latter... Read More
Welcome to Bragg Creek! Bragg Creek is located in the... Read More
For the dedicated water sport enthusiast there can be no... Read More
My river-rafting adventure started on a bicycle. The small daypack... Read More
This truly beautiful country at the southern tip of dark... Read More
Costa Rica is a small country - just 75 mi/120... Read More
Prevention is your best protection against lightning. Be sure to... Read More
River rafting is a major attraction in California. The most... Read More
Block Island is a seaside jewel lying 12 miles off... Read More
Live your golfing dreams on an Ireland golf vacation.The K... Read More
Camping mixed with outdoor activity is a great way to... Read More
Outdoors |