Brushing shoulders with Victoria Falls, one of the world’s famous Seven Natural Wonders, Zambia is also famed for its astounding diversity of wildlife. In between bush camps, canoeing in Zambezi Valley’s rapids and adventurous game walks through the Lower Zambezi National Park, expect to cross paths with lions, hippo pods and Thornicroft on our Zambia safari.
Though landlocked, Zambia’s three distinct rivers have driven an eclectic mix of wildlife to the region for centuries. Surrounding the Luangwa river’s intricate ecosystem, you’ll find leopards and over 400 species of tropical birds.
The Zambia Valley Trip offers a 3-day canoeing and wildlife watching safari along the Zambezi River. Exploring by boat gives you the best viewing opportunities and it’s likely you’ll come across some of the country’s most revered animals. As you paddle along the tranquil waters, look out for the likes of elephants, crocodiles, buffalo, monkeys and many species of birds, to name just a few.
Our Zambia safari holidays take you closer to the action and a game drive through the Chiawa Game Management Area is an eye-opening experience where you can hope to spot hyena, aardvarks and possibly even the elusive leopard if luck is on your side. To add to the excitement of our Zambia safari tours, you’ll spend the evenings camping under the stars on secluded islands. Listening to the sounds of the wild and watching for the nocturnal animals is an experience to treasure forever.
Our Zambia Safaris
8 Daysfrom£ 1999
Guided Group (Excl. Flights)
Canoeing and walking safari in the Zambezi Valley.
African Elephant: This majestic animal is the largest that you’ll see on Zambia safari holidays and is often spotted drinking from the waters of the Zambezi River. Although this huge beast can weight up to seven tonnes, it has an elegance that makes it one of the favourites of the Big Five. The Zambezi River is the fourth longest in Africa, flowing for 2,200 miles before reaching the Indian Ocean so it’s no surprise it’s one of the best places to see the African elephant. The best months to see them at the Zambezi is during the dry season between July and October when they come down to river to drink.
African Lion: When you think about Zambia safari tours, they most likely conjure up images of the African lion. Arguably the most awesome wild species on the continent, this big cat is revered yet feared at the same time. Lions are extremely social creatures within their prides and it’s not unusual for the lionesses to stay with the same pride for their entire lives. These fascinating beasts are often seen playing in Lower Zambezi National Park until the temperatures begin to soar and then they tend to sleep in the shade. Dusk is one of the best times to observe the lions as they set off on their evening hunt for prey.
Leopard: Renowned for being the most elusive of Africa’s Big Five, the leopard can lead you on a wild chase when trying to catch sight of it. They tend to hunt alone, hiding in the forest or deserts. The leopard mainly feasts on larger prey such as antelope and deer and are feared by many of the wild animals you’ll find in Zambia. While it is an intimidating species and one with incredible power, it also exudes an air of grace that is captivating to watch. The leopard is classed as a big cat but it’s the smallest compared to the lion, tiger, jaguar and cheetah and is extremely agile with an amazing talent for climbing trees.
Rhino: The rhino is often considered as a lolloping animal because of its size and sturdy build yet surprisingly it can run at speeds of up to 30-40mph. Imagine listening to the thunderous sound as herds of these hefty creatures speed across the wilderness. The average rhino can weigh up to almost 8,000 pounds with their horns protruding up to 5ft, making it one of the largest of the animals found in Africa. Downstream from the famous Victoria Falls, the rare white rhino can be seen along the banks of the Zambezi River.
Hippo: Cruising along the Zambezi River as if they haven’t a care in the world, the hippo is a water-loving ‘river horse’ that is often seen on trips to Zambia. While their pace is slow and they don’t particularly look terrifying, they are one of the most dangerous species in Africa. That said, they are still magnificent creatures to watch with fascinating personalities. At any one time you might see a huge herd of more than 60 hippos swimming along the river.
This was a very immersive experience and we loved every minute.
Some parts of this trip were great. But like the previous reviewer the accommodation on the boat really let it down. The ppl in the cabins had a much better time as they were able to sleep. I read the trip notes and understood it to be shared bunk rooms with communal bathrooms. But it’s double cabins that have private bathrooms. No shared facilities, no where to store your stuff and sleeping on the deck was ok until the boat moved both nights (around 1am – 5am). Making it incredibly noisy, windy and cold on deck. If I understood this I doubt I would of booked this trip.
We went on this tour in September 2024, and really did have the most unbelievable time.
Each day brought something new and exciting, from hearing Hyenas while trying to sleep, to having Elephants walk just past camp.