Set on the northern bank of the Zambezi River, the town of Livingstone, named after the Scottish missionary and explorer David Livingstone and is Zambia’s access point to the iconic Victoria Falls, with daily flights coming in from Johannesburg and the Kruger, as well as boasting easy road access from neighbouring Botswana via the Kazangula Bridge.The town itself is relatively unremarkable, although the David Livingstone Museum can be worth a visit, with most accommodation options strung up the river from The Falls towards the border post. These are classically styled lodges offering an array of activities and wonderfully peaceful places to spend a few nights. Closer to The Falls a pair of large hotels offer direct views to the spray and marked walking routes.As well as visits to The Falls themselves, an array of activities including scenic flights, boat and canoe trips, visits to local villages, rhino tracking in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and even bungee jumping are on offer in the area, so plenty to keep you occupied.
The Victoria Falls is where the wide Zambezi River simply drops some 100 meters into a narrow gorge.
Waterberry Lodge is famous for its friendly, warm and informal atmosphere – set in a secluded position on the banks of the Zambezi River.
Contrary to popular belief, Africa’s largest mammal migration does not occur in the mighty Serengeti ecosystem that covers Tanzania and Kenya, rather it takes place in Zambia’s tiny Kasanka National Park, which covers a mere 390 square kilometres.Each year, towards the end of October, the first of between 8 and 10 million straw-coloured fruit bats come to Kasanka to roost, remaining here until the middle of January.
Despite being little-known to most safari-goers, the Liuwa Plain National Park was amongst the first protected areas in Africa, with its significance recognised as far back as 1880. Then King Lewanika (for whom the park’s premium lodge is now named) of the Lozi people declared its importance and restricted many forms of activity here.
Zambia’s bustling capital city is a microcosm of what Zambia is all about – a traditional African city that is rapidly transforming in to a hub of modernity and is at the heart of its successful economic growth. Whilst there isn’t much in the city to enjoy from a tourist perspective, its status as a regional business and commerce hub means there are some very good hotels to stay in here.
The wetland area adjacent to Lake Bangwelu in north-eastern Zambia, the Bangwelu Wetlands are regarded as one of the most important wetland areas in the world and are an especially significant area for supporting hugely varied birdlife. Indeed, the local name of “the place where the water meets the sky” is an apt description.
Sandwiched between the South and North Luangwa National Parks on the eastern banks of the Luangwa River, the Luambe National Park enjoys the same stunning views and landscapes as its more illustrious neighbours, but with just a fraction of the visitors.The whole feel of Luambe, with just one seasonal camp found here, is one of the “Golden Age” of safaris, with visitors able to explore on foot or by vehicle and revelling in the fact you are one of just a handful of visitors the park will have that year.
Dating back to 1938, the North Luangwa National Park is a relative hidden gem of Zambian Safaris, covering some 22,000 km squared of river frontage and pristine bushveld. Offering a throwback to the early days of safari – so exploring on foot and with few visitors – it is a great option to combine with its more popular neighbour the South Luangwa.
Kafue National Park, named after the Kafue River, is the largest and oldest national park in Zambia, covering an area of about 22,400 km². It is the second-largest park in Africa and is home to over 55 different species of animals.
The Zambezi is the fourth-longest river in Africa, running through 6 countries. It is the longest east flowing river in Africa and the largest flowing into the Indian Ocean from Africa.
Experts have dubbed South Luangwa to be one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world, and not without reason. The concentration of animals around the Luangwa River, and its oxbow lagoons, is among the most intense in Africa.
Is this True Travel’s favourite park in all of Africa? It could well be, we absolutely love it! Just a spectacular 30 minute flight from Lusaka over the Zambezi Escarpment. Dropping down onto the river below Lake Kariba, Mana Pools National Park over on the far bank in Zimbabwe.
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