Zambia Located in southern Africa, Zambia, is a landlocked country of rugged terrain and diverse wildlife. Boasting many parks and safari areas, the country is famed for it’s leopard populations, particularly at South Luangwa National Park. On Zambia’s border is Victoria Falls. Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, or ‘Smoke that Thunders’, the Falls plunge 108m into Batoka Gorge. Spanning the Zambezi just below the falls is Victoria Falls Bridge, a spectacular view point from where bungey jumping is possible!

The territory of what is now Zambia was known as Northern Rhodesia from 1911. Renamed Zambia at independence in 1964, the nation’s new name was derived from the Zambezi river. Only the size of Texas and totally landlocked, the peanut-shaped nation’s hills, mountains, rivers and national parks boast a wealth of biodiversity, making it a tiptop choice for nature safaris. Zambia’s national parks set the stage for an experience par excellence. Lower Zambezi National Park offers fishing enthusiasts a chance to make a catch in the Zambezi River, while bird-twitchers will enjoy Blue Lagoon National Park. Guided walks are also offered at South Luangwa National Park. South Luangwa – a 5,624 square meter park is home to Thornicraft’s giraffe, Crawshay’s zebra, leopard, elephant, lion, hippo, baboon and over 400 avian species. It is also one of the few parks that allow for night safaris. Whilst Lower Zambezi, South Luangwa and Kafue national parks are the busiest, they are nowhere near as oversubscribed as neighbour – South Africa. As such, Zambia offers an amazing and intimate wildlife spectacle.  

Separating Zambia from Zimbabwe, the Zambezi River runs through the western part of Zambia before spilling over into legendary Victoria Falls. One of the most awesome waterfalls in the world, at more than twice the size of Niagara Falls, it took Mother Nature an estimated more than 100,000 years of erosion for Victoria Falls to be naturally created. Named Mosi-oa-Tunya (‘Smoke that Thunders’) by the local Lozi people, Scottish missionary David Livingstone changed its name to Victoria Falls in 1855. The surrounding area has been designed to give visitors the most up close and personal experience, with a grand bridge spanning the gorge and allowing for spectacular views. The spray from the Falls causes permanent rain and exquisite rainbows, as well as the picture-worthy ‘smoke’. Regarded as the adventure playground of Zambia - Livingstone, a town located at the Falls offers extreme sports such as white water rafting, gorge swinging, bungee jumping and micro-lite flights over the Falls.

 Lake Kariba - the world’s largest artificial lake, was made after the completion of the Kariba Dam, which floods the Kariba Gorge into the Zambezi River. Some 140 miles long and 20 miles wide, Lake Kariba is a great place for leisure activities such as fishing, boating and camping. Commonplace are the houseboats on Like Kariba, a perfect way to enjoy the location.  

Lusaka’s Kenneth Kaunda International Airport is the main gateway into Zambia, although some visitors opt to enter via Livingstone’s International Airport, which is closer to Victoria Falls. It’s also possible to arrive by train from Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), while ferries cross Lake Tanganyika from Tanzania.