Some places you visit are about the destination. Other places you visit are about the journey. It is this very journey that seeps into your consciousness, recalibrating your perspective and leaving an indelible mark on your soul. If this is what you are looking for, then Zambia is one of those very places that should be on your list of must-see destinations.
Zambia offers a journey that is raw and real. As you step into the untamed heart of Africa, you will immediately know that you are a part of everything that makes Zambia what it is. While ticking off your bucket list, you are also invited to fall in love with the thundering water, the silence between lion roars, and the humbling pulse of the wild. There are many reasons to visit Zambia. White-water rafting down the mighty Zambezi River, encountering wildlife up close, and being drenched by the magnificent Victoria Falls are a few reasons that come to mind.
Visiting Zambia guarantees an unforgettable experience. Whether you choose an accommodated tour in a rustic lodge or a camping tour to sleep under the stars, we have a Zambia Overland Tour that is perfect for you! Our tours combine breathtaking game views with exhilarating activities and comfortable accommodation. Along with some of the best guides in Africa, you are guaranteed the trip of your life! But before you start planning your trip, satisfy the question ‘why should I visit Zambia?’ with our favorite reasons:
Be Awestruck by The Victoria Falls
You will hear the thundering falls of gushing water before you see the magnificent curtain. Victoria Falls is one of the main reasons travelers visit Zambia (you can also access the falls from the Zimbabwean side). Located in Southern Africa, feast your eyes on the great Zambezi River that serves as a border between the two countries. Standing before Victoria Falls is a full-body experience. Listening to the thunder, feeling drenched by the misty spray of the water, and seeing the sheer force of water from the Zambezi River, along with the lush greenery that surrounds the Falls makes for an unforgettable experience. (Read more on our blog post The Enchanted Victoria Falls – Everything You Need To Know.)
Two incredible experiences are unique to visiting the Zambian side of Victoria Falls. The first is a paved pathway on the edge of the waterfall to cross the Knife-Edge Bridge during high water season. It is an exhilarating (and soaking) experience to walk across the bridge, being about 100 meters (330 feet) above the gorge. It is during the high water season, between February to May, that you can experience the soaking. Knife-Edge Bridge is situated near the Zambian town of Livingstone. Picture it: the beauty of the falls in front of you, the sounds that quieten your mind, filling you with a deep sense of peace and awe at the magnificence of where you are.
The second is a plunge into Devil’s Pool – nature’s own infinity pool on the edge of Victoria Falls. Formed by erosion over many years, the daring excitement to swim to the edge of the falls ensures you will feel the most alive you have ever felt. Don’t worry, it is completely safe! In our guidelines for Devil’s Pool, we provide all the information you need to have the safest and most exciting experience of your life. At that moment, nothing else matters. Any fears you hold onto feel small, washed away by the sheer force of the water, and all that matters is that you did it. The best time to plunge into Devil’s Pool is during the low water season between August and December.
“Thank you. It was an amazing tour which I never will forget. It is difficult to say which one particular moment as there were so many exiting moments. I really enjoyed the game drives, especially also the boat ride in Chobe, but also the Victoria falls and the desert in Namibia were amazing. I think it was not my last stay in Africa.”
Kai Jacobsen
Experience Adrenaline-Fueled Water Activities on the Zambezi River
One of the places to tick off your bucket list is getting to experience the Zambezi River in full splendor. If you are seeking a slice of paradise – breathtaking views and thrilling water-based activities, a Zambezi River tour is perfect for you. You can enjoy a variety of activities, lodging, or camping along the banks of the river. For the adrenaline junkies seeking suspense and anticipation, white river rafting is an absolute favorite! It is an experience like no other; feeling the force of the water, your nerves on edge as you navigate the rapids, and adrenaline pumping through your veins as the water tosses you around. And when the river calms, the moments of peace and reflection settles in, as you take in the beauty around you.
For a calmer experience on the water, boat safaris are a great way to get close to the more aquatic wildlife, like elephants, hippos, and Nile crocodiles. A guided canoe trip along the Zambezi is a great way to get close to animals and enjoy being on the river. Try your hand at catching the sought-after Tigerfish or Upper Zambezi Yellowfish with a catch-and-release fishing expedition. Our favorite is ending the day with a sunset boat cruise – taking in the sunset that dazzles in the reflection of the Zambezi River, soaking in the tranquility with a refreshing sundowner drink.
Game Viewing At The Birthplace of The Walking Safari
A traditional game drive through a safari is a journey of discovery, awakening a sense of awe and respect for the natural world. A walking safari is all of that and more, offering an alternate perspective to the world around you at an unhurried pace. Walking safaris awaken your senses, inviting you to become a part of the environment in a way that cannot be experienced from within a vehicle. The best place to embark on this magical adventure is at South Luangwa – the birthplace of the walking safari. South Luangwa National Park is known for its abundant wildlife and unspoiled vegetation – the intense beauty calls you from every corner.
The lower Zambezi National Park is a place where the land and the river become one. You can choose to view the game from a 4×4, a canoe, or a boat. The choice invites you to take in the wildlife with a palpable sense of excitement while quieting your mind and appreciating where you are at.
A Sky Full of Life: The Bat Migration
At the end of October, millions of straw-coloured fruit bats migrate from Zambia to Kasanka. It is one of nature’s best-kept secrets, and for a long while remained virtually unseen by African travel enthusiasts. It is a privilege to see the sky lit up with so many leathery wings. This natural phenomenon is Africa’s largest bat migration and also the largest mammal migration in the world. Each year from October to December, millions of bats arrive from the Congo to Kasanka National Park in search of wild Masuku fruits. Standing under the darkening sky as night sets in, and hearing the swirling, screeching, cloud of bats is sure to give you goosebumps.
When To Experience Zambia
- May to October: If you are a wildlife enthusiast, the dry season between May and October is perfect for those seeking an extraordinary game viewing experience. During this time, animals roam about and huddle around water sources, guaranteeing you the best chance to see them.
- November to April: Commonly known as the Emerald or Green Season, the land of Zambia turns into a luscious landscape. This is the time when baby animals are taking their first breaths, and a variety of birds soar in the skies.
Immerse yourself in this flourishing world. Being in Zambia invites a unique perspective and a chance to reconnect with something pure and primal. It evokes a feeling of invigoration – in some ways as if you, too, are taking a first breath, liberated from all that weighs you down.
From Falls to Floodplains: Your Zambian Adventure Awaits
Every place in Africa is an adventure, but a trip to Zambia promises something more—it’s an invitation to meet yourself again. It’s the feeling of humility before the thundering Victoria Falls, the quiet awe of a walking safari, and the profound peace of a Zambezi sunset.
But how do you connect these life-changing moments into a single, seamless journey? In a world full of AI overviews and recommendations, wouldn’t it be nice to speak to someone who has lived through this experience you are looking for? That’s where our African Overland Tours Team comes in.
Find Your Zambia Adventure Tour
We specialize in crafting journeys that immerse you in the heart of Africa, without the stress of planning. Here are a few examples of how you can experience the magic of Zambia with us:
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- For the Milestone Traveler: A tour like our 42-Day Cape Town to Nairobi is perfect for a person who’s in search of a quintessential trip of a lifetime! Not only do you get to explore Zambia for 4 glorious days, but the rest of the itinerary includes an adventure-packed route complete with unforgettable highlights like Namibia, Botswana, Tanzania and, more!
- For the African Explorer: This 34-day Zanzibar to Cape Town Adventure Tour is the epitome of exhilaration. From spice routes, to wildlife and towering dunes, this is the call for a true adventurer.
- For the Wanderlust Traveler: Spend your days unveiling the magic of Africa with our 22-Day Zanzibar, Victoria Falls & Kruger Tour. From Zanzibar’s exotic Spice Route to the shimmering mass of Lake Malawi, the heart-pounding roar of Victoria Falls, and the golden bushveld of the Kruger Park – you’re sure to tick off numerous items from that travel bucket list.
Don’t let the logistics of planning hold you back from the adventure of a lifetime. Let our team of experts handle the details, so you can focus on the profound experience that awaits.
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