Zambia
Home of the guided walking safari, Zambia is no stranger to hospitality. Holidays to this landlocked African country are very much about luxury.
Further up and down the Zambezi and around the Kafue and Luangwa Rivers, the focus shifts to luxury Zambian Safaris, with a wider range of ways to explore the wilderness on offer. Guided walks are the most popular, closely followed by drives – of both the day and night variety.
At Kafue, you can spend time spotting a huge range of local wildlife in a variety of habitats – along three different rivers, among wetlands and woodlands, and on the seasonal floodplains. If you are lucky, your luxury safari in Zambia may even include a sighting of the famous tree-climbing lions of Kafue, or the resident herd of rare roan antelope.
South Luangwa National Park, offers fantastic 4-wheel drive safaris, along with amazing walking safaris, which offer a chance to spot several species endemic to this area, such as Thornicroft’s giraffe, Cookson’s wildebeest and Crawshay’s zebra.
LIUWA PLAINS
Not to be outdone, the Lower Zambezi National Park provides opportunities for boat trips, canoeing, fishing, and walking safaris, from luxury accommodation on the banks of the river. A world heritage site covering an area of 4092km², the beauty of the Lower Zambezi lies in it’s unfettered, wild state.
Most of the wildlife in this spectacular region can be found along the valley floor, and includes large herds of elephant, hippo, hordes of buffalo, kudu, waterbuck, zebra and eland. Predators in the area include hyenas, leopards, and even lions. Due to the strict management and conservations efforts within the region, the park holds a remote status, which largely boosts its appeal.
Liuwa means “plain” in the local Lozi language and is one of the oldest conservation histories in Africa dating back to the 19th Century. The park’s grasslands support a huge variety of large mammals including the second biggest wildebeest migration in Africa. African Parks stepped in to help in 2003 when the park was famously known for “lady Liuwa”, the last female lion in the area. In 2008 they began to reintroduce lions and the park now has a population of 10 healthy individuals, including two cubs that were born in 2018.
Whatever season you choose to embark on a luxury safari to Zambia, though, you are sure to find welcoming hospitality, first-class accommodation, and adventures that will fill you with awe.
Due to its proximity to The Falls, Livingstone has become a famed tourist destination and has a modern international airport plus a large number of luxury accommodation venues in or around the town, but particularly along the picturesque shores of the Zambezi river. Game viewing along the river and in the neighbouring parks allows you to get your wildlife fix with hippo, crocodile and elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, rhino and many species of birds.
Lusaka is the capital city and found in the heart of Zambia. It is a cosmopolitan city with a genuine African ambience and prides itself in its market culture with a number of upmarket restaurants and bars, and good links around the country.