Top 10 Zambia Activities
What To Do In Zambia?
If you have romantic visions of Africa, you may be picturing Zambia. It’s a country of seemingly endless grasslands, raging waterfalls, mighty rivers, heaving herds of wildebeest, of big cats, rhinos, elephants and russet-red sunsets. The sheer scale and purity of the natural wonders, along with the lack of crowds, makes this an exceptional destination for the discerning traveller.
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite experiences to inspire your imagination.
We’ve compiled a list of our favourite experiences to inspire your imagination.
- The Angel’s View of Victoria Falls
- Livingstone Island and Devil’s Pool
- The Original Walking Safari in the South Luangwa
- Remote Liuwa Plain
- Canoe the Zambezi
- Close up encounters with Elephants
- Conservation immersion
- The White Waters of the Zambezi
- Visit an Historic National Park
- Supporting the Next Generation
1. The Angel’s View of Victoria Falls
When David Livingstone first spied the majesty of Victoria Falls, he is said to have exclaimed that “scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.” So, it is for those who take the opportunity to rise up and explore this wonder of nature by helicopter.
From the air, the full mile-long sweep of the falls, the thundering depths of the chasm, the bare basalt geology, the glorious rainbows, and the full African setting become apparent. You’ll also see the churning rapids of the Zambezi, the ambition of the Victoria Falls Bridge, and spot game from above the Zambezi National Park.
From the air, the full mile-long sweep of the falls, the thundering depths of the chasm, the bare basalt geology, the glorious rainbows, and the full African setting become apparent. You’ll also see the churning rapids of the Zambezi, the ambition of the Victoria Falls Bridge, and spot game from above the Zambezi National Park.
2. Livingstone Island and Devil’s Pool
There’s a thrill to standing in the very spot where Dr David Livingstone first described the sight that he would name after his distant queen, but the real attraction of Livingstone Island is the stupendous location right at the heart of this wonder of nature. From here, you will stand amidst the accelerating waters as they plunge more than 100m into the gorge below: it’s a heart-thumping, soaking, noisy and powerful place, yet in amongst the rage there are serene rainbows.
From the island, you’ll take a soak in the Devil’s Pool, often described as the world’s best infinity pool, from which you can peer over the very edge of the falls. It may appear to be far from safe but looks can be deceiving and it is undoubtedly the most incredible way to feel the force of one of the world’s greatest landforms.
From the island, you’ll take a soak in the Devil’s Pool, often described as the world’s best infinity pool, from which you can peer over the very edge of the falls. It may appear to be far from safe but looks can be deceiving and it is undoubtedly the most incredible way to feel the force of one of the world’s greatest landforms.
3. The Original Walking Safari in the South Luangwa
Quietly creeping, listening for sounds, smelling the air, feeling the textures, watching for hand signals from your expert guide, calmed by the presence of an armed guard: these are some of the features of a walking safari. You’ll be shown the difference between lion and leopard prints, how to sense wind direction as you follow elephant, which plants are medicinal and which are to be avoided, even small-scale wonders of animals such as termites and the predatory antlion.
The unforgettable experience of a walking safari owes its origin to the legendary Noman Carr, who may well have trained the guide who is taking you through the Valley of the Leopard in South Luangwa. Countless people owe their most treasured safari experiences to the legacy of this place.
The unforgettable experience of a walking safari owes its origin to the legendary Noman Carr, who may well have trained the guide who is taking you through the Valley of the Leopard in South Luangwa. Countless people owe their most treasured safari experiences to the legacy of this place.
4. Remote Liuwa Plain
The seemingly endless golden grasslands stretch to the horizon across the remote and historic Liuwa Plain. It was here in the 1880s that King Lewanika of the Lozi tribe proclaimed a protected area of the place that sees the second largest wildebeest and zebra migration on the continent of Africa. And along with the prey, come the predators, so the Liuwa Plain is also host to a flourishing cheetah population, the famous Lady Liuwa pride of lions, and hyenas that throng in groups of 50 or more.
In the wet season, the grasslands are transformed into a huge watery and verdant wonderland of shallow lagoons, home to abundant fish, reptiles and wading birds. It’s at that time of year, with rumbles from enormous storms in the leaden skies, that the current King and his court move regally along the river to higher grounds during the Kuomboka festival.
In the wet season, the grasslands are transformed into a huge watery and verdant wonderland of shallow lagoons, home to abundant fish, reptiles and wading birds. It’s at that time of year, with rumbles from enormous storms in the leaden skies, that the current King and his court move regally along the river to higher grounds during the Kuomboka festival.
5. Canoe the Zambezi
Rivers are the arteries of life, and there is no better way to appreciate this than to glide down the tranquil waters of the Zambezi River in a place such as the Lower Zambezi National Park. You can quietly paddle your wide Canadian canoe yourself or relax and let your guide do the work so that you can fully appreciate the water birds flitting around, the lilies, and the animals drawn to the banks to lap up the life-giving water.
From a picnic spot on an island, you can watch the water pass by on its constant journey of replenishment. As the locals will tell you, this is the realm of the river god Nyaminyami: it certainly has the feeling of the divine.
From a picnic spot on an island, you can watch the water pass by on its constant journey of replenishment. As the locals will tell you, this is the realm of the river god Nyaminyami: it certainly has the feeling of the divine.
6. Close up encounters with Elephants
The Zambezi is a languidly powerful force of nature and a ribbon of life as it passes through the Lower Zambezi National Park. When you stay on its banks in the unfenced and intimate camp of Old Mondoro, you’ll appreciate the draw of the river, for it’s a place that you literally share with the animals. From your deck overlooking the river, you will see an endless procession weaving through the shade to the lure of the cooling and essential water.
You’ll find that some of the most frequent traffic comes in the form of elephants, keen to slake their thirst and perhaps pick the occasional fallen pod from the roof of your chalet. Some may cross over the islands, past snorting hippos towards the Zimbabwe bank.
You’ll find that some of the most frequent traffic comes in the form of elephants, keen to slake their thirst and perhaps pick the occasional fallen pod from the roof of your chalet. Some may cross over the islands, past snorting hippos towards the Zimbabwe bank.
7. Conservation immersion
Imagine an Africa without the richness of its incredible ecosystems, without rhino or elephants, without lions and leopards, without stately giraffes grazing the umbrella acacia, or the herds of zebra and wildebeest nibbling the plains. There could be a future like that, but not if conservationists have anything to do with it.
An immersive visit to the headquarters of Conservation Lower Zambezi will enable you to see first-hand their many-pronged approach to sustainable development which not only conserves wildlife but also improves the lives of the people who live alongside it. You’ll see wildlife protection through anti-poaching measures, environmental action in schools, community empowerment projects, along with wildlife medicine and research.
An immersive visit to the headquarters of Conservation Lower Zambezi will enable you to see first-hand their many-pronged approach to sustainable development which not only conserves wildlife but also improves the lives of the people who live alongside it. You’ll see wildlife protection through anti-poaching measures, environmental action in schools, community empowerment projects, along with wildlife medicine and research.
8. The White Waters of the Zambezi
The mighty Zambezi flows for 1,600 miles through six countries but is most famous for plunging into a basalt gorge forming the world’s greatest waterfall. It’s a place of boiling, swirling clouds and rainbows from which the river emerges once again to race down some of the most challenging rapids that rafters will ever encounter.
This is an experience not only of white knuckles and a raging pulse, of the buffeting of water and endurance, but also of human connection and teamwork as you play your part in negotiating the churning water under the expert instructions of your guide. The power of the water will put you firmly in your place, but you will learn that you can rise to the challenge and become invigorated by the sheer thrill of navigating the raging torrent.
This is an experience not only of white knuckles and a raging pulse, of the buffeting of water and endurance, but also of human connection and teamwork as you play your part in negotiating the churning water under the expert instructions of your guide. The power of the water will put you firmly in your place, but you will learn that you can rise to the challenge and become invigorated by the sheer thrill of navigating the raging torrent.
9. Visit an Historic National Park
With more than 150 species of mammal, and an area of more than 22,000 sq km, Kafue is Zambia’s largest and most diverse national park and one of the largest on the whole continent. It’s also officially Zambia’s oldest, having been awarded National Park status by the Zambian government in 1950. With such an immense size, it has countless habitats to maintain its awesome levels of biodiversity; the bird list alone contains 492 species, which ranks second in Africa to the more thoroughly-recorded Kruger.
It’s a place where you can engage in day or night drives, walking safaris, boating, canoeing, and even ballooning over the immensity of the landscape. We recommend reclining on a bean bag whilst sipping a long cold drink in the treehouse hide of Musekese Camp, overlooking the aptly named Eden Lagoon.
It’s a place where you can engage in day or night drives, walking safaris, boating, canoeing, and even ballooning over the immensity of the landscape. We recommend reclining on a bean bag whilst sipping a long cold drink in the treehouse hide of Musekese Camp, overlooking the aptly named Eden Lagoon.
10. Supporting the Next Generation
The most human of gestures is to hold hands, and it is in Tongabezi Lodge Trust’s school that we find out that this is more than just a physical experience. Known by the local Chitonga name of Tujatane – which literally means ‘Let us hold hands together’ – the school is a place where everybody, from teachers to students, to volunteers, donors and guests at the lodge, hold hands metaphorically to empower children.
For more than 25 years, the school has grown and flourished from the select 15 excited children of the first year, to an incredible 280 today. A direct spinoff of Tongabezi Lodge, this is the perfect example for you to witness how you and your fellow travellers are helping the next generation.
For more than 25 years, the school has grown and flourished from the select 15 excited children of the first year, to an incredible 280 today. A direct spinoff of Tongabezi Lodge, this is the perfect example for you to witness how you and your fellow travellers are helping the next generation.
Private Journeys Unique to You
We are a boutique travel specialist. For over 30 years we have been creating luxury tailor-made safaris to the timeless savannahs of Africa. Your time is precious and with a world to see, we understand the importance of getting it absolutely right for you, every time.We are a boutique travel specialist. For over 30 years we have been creating luxury tailor-made safaris to the timeless savannahs of Africa. Your time is precious and with a world to see, we understand the importance of getting it absolutely right for you, every time.
Who Are Journeysmiths?
An experienced team of well-travelled individuals, passionate about crafting journeys that are as exceptional as they are personal, while maximising our positive impact on the places in which we work.
Why Travel With Us?
While the evolution of travel and technology has seen much change at Journeysmiths over the years, our fundamental beliefs about the perfect holiday have not.
Our Positive Impact Mission
Journeysmiths mission is to inspire and expand peoples horizons through exceptional travel experiences, while preserving the natural world for future generations.
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