The whole trip was amazing. The organisation was great, guides superb and game viewing simply stunning.
It was very hot, much hotter than I expected but the activities were early morning or evening which made everything bearable. The wild camping days were great fun, if very basic, but a great experience. Our guide Onary was a fantastic cook and some of our best food was in that wild camp.
Zambia Safari Holidays
Our Zambia Safaris
Top 5 Wild Animals to Spot on a Zambia Safari
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.
Margaret Baker Botswana & Zimbabwe Lodge Safari
Elaine Wilkinson Annapurna Trails & Chitwan – Premium AdventureA holiday of contrasts -the hubbub of Kathmandu, the magnificence of the Annapurna range and the luxury of the Bahari Jungle Lodge in Chitwan.
We had a superb tour guide in Kathmandu who was happy to answer any question and who took us to see the living goddess! Our original hotel was very average but we were moved to the much more upmarket Yak and Yeti for the final night, which was the original hotel when we booked the trip and is now advertised for future trips.
I really enjoyed the trekking experience, the scenery was spectacular, the lodges were very comfortable, the food really good and the staff excellent. Our guide and porters were amazing, it was very sad bidding them farewell.
Chitwan was a complete contrast, much warmer, very luxurious. We were kept busy there. The jeep safari was my favourite, fortunately we did this early in the morning when the park inhabitants are more lively. To get to the National Park we simply took a boat across the river from the lodge, so easy! We didn’t see a tiger but saw several one horned rhinos, including a mother and calf whom we observed for some time. It would have been great to have one more day there to chill, to enjoy a dip in the pool, to sit on our balcony of our lovely ‘hut’.
Our last full day, the ‘approximately 5 hours’ on a coach turned into about 8 hours on a holiday, a day when traffic is much quieter than normal. We did not arrive in Kathmandu until about 4pm, it left little time to do anything before our farewell meal. I would have preferred to pay a little extra to fly! It was a disappointing end to our holiday.
Sally Wilson Annapurna Trails & Chitwan – Premium AdventureMy family saved up money to have a holiday of a lifetime. We were promised in the brochure and online that this was a Premium holiday with 4/5* hotels, an expert guide and superb mountain views. This was not the holiday we received in many areas. Some parts such as the trekking and lodges were excellent but as you will see below in my comments a lot fell short of what we had paid for and I would not book another ‘premium’ holiday with Exodus again.
The Adventure Begins Here
Get regular inspiration straight to your inbox from Exodus' experts.