There is something magical about Africa. We have marvelled at the gorillas in Rwanda and been thrilled with the herds of zebra in Kenya. We’ve watched elephants cross the Zambezi River in Botswana and, in South Africa, witnessed a leopard chowing down on his kill high up in a tree, taunting the hyena pack below. Then there is the breathtaking Victoria Falls, the soft-spoken, smiley African people, and the laid-back way of life. It all conspires to lure you to return again and again.
So for our third visit to this enchanting continent, we find ourselves in the landlocked country of Zambia. This nation is over 21 million strong with English being the predominant language of the 70 languages spoken here. Zambia has been a refuge for over 80,000 people who fled the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola and Rwanda.
Zambia lies about 15 degrees south of the equator and is as big as France, Germany, Austria and Hungary combined. More than 30% of its 752,000 square kilometres is devoted to national parks and conservancies.
Here are 5 great reasons to include Zambia in your next adventure in Africa.
1. The Mammals of South Luangwa National Park
Zambia is home to more than 60 species of mammals. Yes, you can see “the big 5” here – including the black rhino, which was reintroduced to Northern Zambia after being declared extinct in 1993. Our first afternoon safari included not one or two but THREE sightings of different leopards – almost unheard of!
Interestingly, if you’ve been to Kenya or South Africa you may notice that the giraffe species in Zambia is smaller. They are known as “Thornicroft Giraffes” and are unique to Zambia. Unlike other giraffe species, the Thornicroft do not have a pattern below their knees. These giraffes are found exclusively in South Luangwa National Park and are considered vulnerable with less than 550 individuals in the wild.
Zambia has a gazillion hippos – over 50,000 individuals, more than anywhere else in Africa and the best place to see them is also in Luangwa National Park. Each morning we would drive by the Luangwa River where there were different pods or “thunders” of hippos lazing in the water. Zambia was the first place we got to really see hippos out of the water. In fact, our evening meal was al fresco with a couple of hippos munching on the terrain in front of our lodge.
The elephants of Zambia are among the country’s most unforgettable sights—majestic, social, and often surprisingly gentle for their size. In South Luangwa National Park, they wander through riverbeds and mopane forests, sometimes even strolling through lodge grounds as if they own the place (which, truthfully, they do). You can watch family groups cooling off in the Luangwa River, mothers guiding their calves with quiet patience while the youngsters splash and play. These elephants are part of Zambia’s conservation success story—protected populations that remind visitors how powerful, intelligent, and emotional these giants really are.
Zambia is one of only six African Nations where you can see wild dogs, also known as the “painted dogs”. We were fortunate to find a small pack of about 20 during an afternoon safari. These guys will hunt all night and are known to be particularly vicious with their prey.
2. The Birds
The African Continent has an abundance of avian life and Zambia boasts over 850 different species. We particularly loved the colourful bee-eaters and the lilac-breasted rollers. During one of our sundowner outings we came across a flock of southern carmine bee-eaters – fabulous crimson/pink birds with bright green heads and long tails. There were hundreds of them making quite the spectacle!
Everywhere you go on safari in Zambia, you will stumble across delightful groups of helmeted guineafowl. These colourful birds are on the ground, rushing here and rushing there en masse whenever a vehicle gets too close.
Birdwatchers will love the variety of avian life in Zambia, including the African fish eagle, vultures, hornbills, cranes, ibis, sandpipers, egrets and many more. One of my favourites was the lilac-breasted roller – so colourful!
Those birds on the buffalo and hippos that are nibbling at the insects? Those are called ox-peckers.
3. Victoria Falls
Although we didn’t see the falls on this particular trip, our last visit to Africa included a couple of days at this majestic cascade which can be accessed from both Zambia and Zimbabwe. The falls straddle the Zambezi River on the border between the two countries. We stayed in the town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. On the Zambia side, the town is Livingstone. There is a bridge that connects the two towns. The Smoke that Thunders – as the falls are affectionately known – truly a breathtaking experience to witness. Read about it HERE.
4. The Pace
Safaris in Zambia move at a wonderfully unhurried pace. There’s no rush to chase sightings or tick animals off a list—just time to settle into the rhythm of the bush. Morning drives start quietly, often with the mist still rising over the plains, and evenings end with sundowners as hippos grunt in the distance. Even the guides seem to breathe slower here, giving space for silence, for stories, and for the simple joy of watching nature unfold on its own schedule. It’s less about the hunt for the “Big Five” and more about being present in a world that refuses to hurry.
Zambia is less crowded than Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania. At most, 3 to 4 jeeps were checking out the cats. There was quiet and the ability to leisurely enjoy the animals without having to move on to let the next truckload in.
Zambia differs from Tanzania in that the open 4×4 style Land Cruiser with tiered seating is the safari vehicle of choice. We felt it was a more intimate experience watching the animals from these trucks. It was also excellent for photography.
There were smaller groups of animals as well. Often we would stumble upon a small family unit of elephants – say a mother and 2 or 3 calves. The nice thing is you can tailor the safari to suit your interests. The guides are very knowledgeable about the mammals, the birds, even the plant life. If you need to stop to get that perfect picture of a giraffe munching the tallest acacia trees, just ask.
To illustrate the “pace of the place”, each morning we had to use a pontoon to cross the river that was rowed by two strapping young men.
5. The People
What stands out most about Zambia isn’t just its wildlife, but its people. Everyone we met—from the guides and trackers to the cooks and camp staff—had an easy warmth that made us feel instantly welcome. They take genuine pride in sharing their country, going out of their way to make each safari feel personal. A driver might pause longer so you can get the perfect photo, or a camp host might surprise you with dinner under the stars. Their kindness feels effortless, and it’s what turns a great trip into something unforgettable.
We stayed at the Kafunta River Lodge, located on the floodplain with the Luangwa River in the distance. This lodge has glamping down to a fine art – equipped with all the essentials. Each of the private chalets has a viewing deck, a grand ensuite with both tub and shower and a king bed with mosquito netting.
The animals were free to roam through our camp and there were always baboons and monkeys hanging around. It was essential to zip up the tent to discourage pesky primates from stealing your belongings. One sweltering afternoon by the pool, I had to make a hasty retreat out of the water to retrieve my cover-up, which a light-fingered monkey had pilfered!
The Zambian people are known for being soft-spoken, friendly, and charming. The local guides will lead you to your chalet after dark. Every time you arrive back from a safari you are greeted with smiles, cool cloths and friendly inquiries as to how your adventure was.
The food at the lodge was a pleasant surprise. We dined al fresco each night at long tables with a view of the animals munching vegetation and sauntering by, receding into the darkness. Some evenings were “family style” dinners and meals were a la carte. Lamb, beef, pork and chicken were flavoured with bold African spices. Kebabs, butter chicken, stews and BBQ were popular ways to serve meat. Meals also included rice, potatoes, okra, eggplant and a variety of lentils. No one went hungry!
Zambia gave us a window into the wild that felt both intimate and untamed. From the slow, golden mornings watching elephants at the river’s edge to the sudden flash of color from a lilac-breasted roller overhead, every moment in Luangwa National Park reminded us how alive the world still is when left to its own rhythm. The photos tell only part of the story—but they capture the sense of wonder that kept us looking, listening, and falling a little more in love with Africa each day.
Other articles on our African voyagesthat you might enjoy:
Exploring Tanzania’s Majestic Cats & Herds
Beautiful, Bountiful, Botswana
Top 10 Wildlife Encounters Ever
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