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Wildlife safaris in Zambia
Wildlife safaris in Zambia
Wildlife safaris in Zambia
Wildlife safaris in Zambia
Wildlife safaris in Zambia
Wildlife safaris in Zambia
Wildlife safaris in Zambia
Wildlife safaris in Zambia
Wildlife safaris in Zambia
Wildlife safaris in Zambia
Wildlife safaris in Zambia
Wildlife safaris in Zambia
Wildlife safaris in Zambia

Zambia is perhaps the best destination for a wildlife safari on foot in Africa...

...and with the different options available for viewing...

Zambia wildlife safaris

Best wildlife safaris in Zambia

For all of the Zambia specialists at Expert Africa, wildlife safaris are the core of what we do: they’re our passion. Hence all of our holidays in Zambia are great wildlife safaris!

Zambia offers one of the best wildlife experiences in Africa – and a safari here is marked out by top-class walking safaris within the national parks; night drives within the parks; the outstanding quality of the guiding; and the individual nature of the small safari lodges and camps which give a great experience to their guests. Zambia is especially strong for travellers who long to get out of the vehicle and explore the bush by foot, for whom it has few real com it’s, a wildlife safari in Zambia might be the right choice.

Zambia is perhaps the best destination for a wildlife safari on foot in Africa. Walking safaris can be a really exhilarating experience, as they give you the chance to get close to wildlife, without a vehicle in the way. You don’t need to be especially fit; they’re not ‘route marches’ and you’ll stop frequently to look at the wildlife, being educated and entertained by the guide.

Night drives from camps are allowed within Zambia’s national parks – unusual in Africa. For the wildlife enthusiast this opens up a whole new world of crepuscular wildlife species that usually go unseen – from Sharpe’s grysbok, bushbabies and owls to civets, genets, African wildcats and leopards. See our sightings record for leopard from Zambia’s camps to appreciate how remarkably good Zambia’s night drives are for leopard sightings.

Of course, the underlying reason for the excellent wildlife sightings here is that Zambia’s guiding standards are very high. Most of Zambia’s safari lodges are small and highly individual; many of the best are still owner-run – and this contributes to a real focus on guiding. The enthusiasm of Zambia’s guides and their dedication to knowledge of the wildlife is always a real joy. Then underpinning this in most of the main national parks are very strict exams which guides need to pass in order to lead walking safaris.

Our page on the key animal species seen on a Zambia safari
includes sightings data from our travellers sent over the last few years.

You’ll find all of our Zambia safaris here, and just a small ‘taster’ selection of these below

Chongwe River Camp

Chongwe’s location near the foothills of the Zambezi escarpment allows sightings of species that you may not see elsewhere on your wildlife safari in Zambia. Such species include the Samango monkey (Corcophithecus mitis), and the crested guineafowl (Guttera pucheroni).

Kakuli Bushcamp

On a bend of the Luangwa River at the confluence of the Luwi River, where elephants regularly congregate, Kakuli Bushcamp is in an area with a high density of game and bird life. Combine this with great guiding, and the result a superb wildlife safari experience.

Mchenja Bushcamp

Zambia’s South Luangwa is one of Africa's top safari destinations, with high densities of wildlife; Sightings of lion and leopard are particularly common on night drives. On one of our drives from Mchenja Bushcamp during the dry season, we saw many antelope – including impala and puku – a slender mongoose, a genet and a bushbaby, before an exciting hour or more following a pride of three lion out hunting.


Kaingo Camp

Kaingo is in an area of South Luangwa National Park with high densities of more common species, as well as endemics such as Crawshay’s zebra, Cookson’s wildebeest and Thornicroft giraffe, making this an excellent spot for wildlife safaris in Zambia.

Mwamba Bushcamp

The game hides at Mwamba camp are one of its main attractions, and they allow you to see some fantastic wildlife. The game-rich area and high-quality guides make this a great camp for wildlife safaris in Zambia.


Nkwali

Nkwali camp has first-rate guides, most fully-qualified to lead walking safaris as well as 4WD safaris, and South Luangwa allows night drives, and some off-read driving. These factors make for a superb wildlife safari experience in one of Africa's best game areas.

Nsefu

On a wide bend of the Luangwa River, where elephants regularly cross, Nsefu is in an area with a high density of game and birdlife – but relatively few visitors. This, along with top-notch guides, results in excellent Zambian wildlife safaris.

Robin Pope mobile

Immersed in nature, this temporary mobile walking camp offers the ultimate in a truly remote safari – a time to connect with the bush and the wildlife in one of Africa’s top safari areas, by simply walking around with an expert guide and naturalist.


Chongwe River House

Chongwe River House comes with a private expert safari guide who is fully qualified to lead walking safaris, boat trips and 4WD safaris. Hence you can expect a first-class wildlife safari experience in one of the best areas of the Lower Zambezi Valley.

Luangwa Safari House

Luangwa Safari House comes with a private 4WD safari vehicle and an expert guide. With night drives and some off-road driving also allowed in the park, Luangwa Safari House offers a really superb wildlife safari experience in one of the best areas of the South Luangwa.


Kaingo Camp

Kaingo is in an area of South Luangwa National Park with high densities of more common species, as well as endemics such as Crawshay’s zebra, Cookson’s wildebeest and Thornicroft giraffe, making this an excellent spot for wildlife safaris in Zambia.

Mwamba Bushcamp

The game hides at Mwamba camp are one of its main attractions, and they allow you to see some fantastic wildlife. The game-rich area and high-quality guides make this a great camp for wildlife safaris in Zambia.

Tafika

Tafika’s excellent guides lead numerous activities, allowing multiple perspectives during a wildlife safari in Zambia. The camp is in the Nsefu Sector of South Luangwa National Park, which is an excellent area for big game including elephant, buffalo, leopard and occasionally wild dog.


Chiawa Camp

The Lower Zambezi is one of the best parks for wildlife safaris in Zambia, and Chiawa is one of very few camps inside the park. Top-notch guides add to the understanding and enjoyment of a safari, and red-filtered spotlights on night drives create less disruption to the wildlife.

Nkwali

Nkwali camp has first-rate guides, most fully-qualified to lead walking safaris as well as 4WD safaris, and South Luangwa allows night drives, and some off-read driving. These factors make for a superb wildlife safari experience in one of Africa's best game areas.


Chiawa Camp

The Lower Zambezi is one of the best parks for wildlife safaris in Zambia, and Chiawa is one of very few camps inside the park. Top-notch guides add to the understanding and enjoyment of a safari, and red-filtered spotlights on night drives create less disruption to the wildlife.


Chiawa Camp

The Lower Zambezi is one of the best parks for wildlife safaris in Zambia, and Chiawa is one of very few camps inside the park. Top-notch guides add to the understanding and enjoyment of a safari, and red-filtered spotlights on night drives create less disruption to the wildlife.


Nkwali

Nkwali camp has first-rate guides, most fully-qualified to lead walking safaris as well as 4WD safaris, and South Luangwa allows night drives, and some off-read driving. These factors make for a superb wildlife safari experience in one of Africa's best game areas.

Nsefu

On a wide bend of the Luangwa River, where elephants regularly cross, Nsefu is in an area with a high density of game and birdlife – but relatively few visitors. This, along with top-notch guides, results in excellent Zambian wildlife safaris.


Tafika

Tafika’s excellent guides lead numerous activities, allowing multiple perspectives during a wildlife safari in Zambia. The camp is in the Nsefu Sector of South Luangwa National Park, which is an excellent area for big game including elephant, buffalo, leopard and occasionally wild dog.

Best camps & lodges for Wildlife safaris in Zambia


Shoebill Island Camp

Shoebill Island Camp

The Bangweulu area has not only super birdlife, but some excellent plains game - including over 50,000 beautiful and endemic black lechwe, often seen in herds of thousands, oribi, tsessebe and sitatunga. Buffalo herds can be seen grazing, side striped jackal and hyena roam the plains, and in 2020, cheetah were reintroduced to the region after a 100 year absence, and tracking these fast cats is now a terrific activity for visitors.


90% (10 reviews)
Mchenja Bushcamp

Mchenja Bushcamp

Zambia’s South Luangwa is one of Africa's top safari destinations, with high densities of wildlife; Sightings of lion and leopard are particularly common on night drives. On one of our drives from Mchenja Bushcamp during the dry season, we saw many antelope – including impala and puku – a slender mongoose, a genet and a bushbaby, before an exciting hour or more following a pride of three lion out hunting.


98% (71 reviews)
Sausage Tree Camp

Sausage Tree Camp

Sausage Tree Camp is located in the heart of the Lower Zambezi National Park itself – in an area considered to be one of the most productive in the park for wildlife viewing. The location is complemented by superb guides, making this one of the best camps for a Zambian wildlife safari.


98% (44 reviews)
Tafika

Tafika

Tafika’s excellent guides lead numerous activities, allowing multiple perspectives during a wildlife safari in Zambia. The camp is in the Nsefu Sector of South Luangwa National Park, which is an excellent area for big game including elephant, buffalo, leopard and occasionally wild dog.


98% (340 reviews)
Chongwe River Camp

Chongwe River Camp

Chongwe’s location near the foothills of the Zambezi escarpment allows sightings of species that you may not see elsewhere on your wildlife safari in Zambia. Such species include the Samango monkey (Corcophithecus mitis), and the crested guineafowl (Guttera pucheroni).


96% (122 reviews)
Chiawa Camp

Chiawa Camp

The Lower Zambezi is one of the best parks for wildlife safaris in Zambia, and Chiawa is one of very few camps inside the park. Top-notch guides add to the understanding and enjoyment of a safari, and red-filtered spotlights on night drives create less disruption to the wildlife.


98% (93 reviews)
Kapani Lodge

Kapani Lodge

Kapani is close to the centre of South Luangwa – around Mfuwe Lagoon – which means very relaxed big game indeed, and usually some excellent sightings. 4WD safaris are organised both day and night, but walking safaris can also be requested. The guiding here is of a high standard.


95% (78 reviews)
Luangwa Safari House

Luangwa Safari House

Luangwa Safari House comes with a private 4WD safari vehicle and an expert guide. With night drives and some off-road driving also allowed in the park, Luangwa Safari House offers a really superb wildlife safari experience in one of the best areas of the South Luangwa.


100% (14 reviews)
Nkwali

Nkwali

Nkwali camp has first-rate guides, most fully-qualified to lead walking safaris as well as 4WD safaris, and South Luangwa allows night drives, and some off-read driving. These factors make for a superb wildlife safari experience in one of Africa's best game areas.


97% (252 reviews)
Kakuli Bushcamp

Kakuli Bushcamp

On a bend of the Luangwa River at the confluence of the Luwi River, where elephants regularly congregate, Kakuli Bushcamp is in an area with a high density of game and bird life. Combine this with great guiding, and the result a superb wildlife safari experience.


97% (66 reviews)
Robin's House

Robin's House

Robin's House comes with a private 4WD and an expert guide, fully-qualified to lead walking safaris as well as 4WD safaris – and the park rules allow night drives and some off-read driving. Hence Robin's House offers a really superb wildlife safari experience.


95% (11 reviews)
Busanga Bushcamp

Busanga Bushcamp

The small Busanga Bushcamp stands beside the amazing Busanga Plains and is one of the only area in Zambia where cheetah are regularly seen. The wildlife here includes unusual species such as serval, oribi, Lichtenstein's hartebeest and Defassa waterbuck.


93% (20 reviews)
Chongwe River House

Chongwe River House

Chongwe River House comes with a private expert safari guide who is fully qualified to lead walking safaris, boat trips and 4WD safaris. Hence you can expect a first-class wildlife safari experience in one of the best areas of the Lower Zambezi Valley.


100% (8 reviews)
Kaingo Camp

Kaingo Camp

Kaingo is in an area of South Luangwa National Park with high densities of more common species, as well as endemics such as Crawshay’s zebra, Cookson’s wildebeest and Thornicroft giraffe, making this an excellent spot for wildlife safaris in Zambia.


97% (221 reviews)
Robin Pope Safaris Mobile Safari Camp

Robin Pope mobile

Immersed in nature, this temporary mobile walking camp offers the ultimate in a truly remote safari – a time to connect with the bush and the wildlife in one of Africa’s top safari areas, by simply walking around with an expert guide and naturalist.


98% (25 reviews)
Shumba Camp

Shumba Camp

Shumba stands in the middle of the vast Busanga Plains, which is one of the only area in Zambia where cheetah are regularly seen. The wildlife here includes unusual species such as serval, oribi, Lichtenstein's hartebeest and Defassa waterbuck.


96% (14 reviews)
Nsefu

Nsefu

On a wide bend of the Luangwa River, where elephants regularly cross, Nsefu is in an area with a high density of game and birdlife – but relatively few visitors. This, along with top-notch guides, results in excellent Zambian wildlife safaris.


98% (203 reviews)
Potato Bush Camp

Potato Bush Camp

Potato Bush is one of the few camps in the game-rich Lower Zambezi National Park itself. This location, combined with excellent guides and a variety of activities, makes Potato Bush one of the best camps for a wildlife safari in Zambia.


100% (19 reviews)
Luangwa River Camp

Luangwa River Camp

South Luangwa is one of Africa’s top big-game destinations, and high densities of wildlife make Luangwa River Camp a good option for wildlife safaris in Zambia. Night drives make sightings of lion and leopard particularly common.


97% (82 reviews)
Anabezi Luxury Tented Camp

Anabezi Luxury Camp

Anabezi is in an area with one of the highest densities of game and birdlife in the Lower Zambezi, making it a great spot for wildlife safaris in Zambia. Wildlife viewing during activities and from camp are both excellent.


98% (21 reviews)
Mwamba Bushcamp

Mwamba Bushcamp

The game hides at Mwamba camp are one of its main attractions, and they allow you to see some fantastic wildlife. The game-rich area and high-quality guides make this a great camp for wildlife safaris in Zambia.


99% (160 reviews)

Best camps & lodges for Wildlife safaris in Africa

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Where to see wildlife species in Zambia

Maximise the chances of seeing your favourite animals based on traveller sightings reports from the field.


Lion

Lion

Panthera leo

Lions are at the top of the food chain and also most safari wish-lists, but with their numbers falling fast, any encounter with these majestic apex predators always feels like a privilege.

81% SUCCESS

3,429 sightings from 4,238 observations

Where to see lion in Zambia

Leopard

Leopard

Panthera pardus

The most numerous of Africa’s big cats, leopard occur across many habitats, from wild tracts to populated areas. Their grace and their elusive nature make them a unique safari drawcard.

47% SUCCESS

2,213 sightings from 4,712 observations

Where to see leopard in Zambia

Wild dog

Wild dog

Lycaon pictus

African wild dogs are among the continent’s most compelling animals. Much misunderstood, these rare, tie-dyed canids are amazingly efficient hunters with a fascinating social life.

32% SUCCESS

994 sightings from 3,107 observations

Where to see wild dog in Zambia

Cheetah

Cheetah

Acinonyx jubatus

The cheetah is the fastest land animal and the only cat that hunts by pure speed. Found largely in open grasslands, its slim, elegant form is today an increasingly rare sight.

33% SUCCESS

1,170 sightings from 3,572 observations

Where to see cheetah in Zambia

Buffalo

Buffalo

Syncerus caffer

One of the ‘Big Five’, buffalo earned a fearsome reputation in hunters’ tales. By contrast, big herds of these sociable bovids are placid, but mount formidable defences against predators.

83% SUCCESS

2,900 sightings from 3,487 observations

Where to see buffalo in Zambia

Eland

Eland

Taurotragus oryx

Africa’s largest antelope, eland are culturally important from prehistoric rock art to modern game farms. Though widespread, they are also shy so sightings are uncommon and often fleeting.

49% SUCCESS

1,643 sightings from 3,355 observations

Where to see eland in Zambia

Elephant

Elephant

Loxodonta africana

By far the biggest of the so-called Big Five – indeed, the largest land animal on the planet – the elephant shapes the very landscape it inhabits and is a defining presence on any safari.

91% SUCCESS

4,144 sightings from 4,554 observations

Where to see elephant in Zambia

Giraffe

Giraffe

Giraffa camelopardalis

The world’s tallest land mammal, giraffes are herbivores which have evolved many unique adaptations. Their iconic outlines tower above the bush in many of Africa’s wildlife areas.

86% SUCCESS

3,990 sightings from 4,649 observations

Where to see giraffe in Zambia

Hippo

Hippo

Hippopotamus amphibius

The territorial calls of the hippo create a signature soundtrack to Africa’s rivers & wetlands. Despite an endearing smile, this aquatic herbivore has a notoriously aggressive disposition.

90% SUCCESS

3,020 sightings from 3,374 observations

Where to see hippo in Zambia

Roan antelope

Roan antelope

Hippotragus equinus

Africa’s second largest antelope and one of its most handsome, with a powerful build and distinctive markings, roan are wary of people, but renowned for their bravery against predators.

24% SUCCESS

564 sightings from 2,315 observations

Where to see roan antelope in Zambia

Sable antelope

Sable antelope

Hippotragus niger

Perhaps Africa’s most beautiful antelope, sable are renowned for their combative nature, even holding off lions. Shy and restricted in range, sightings of sable are always special.

23% SUCCESS

543 sightings from 2,333 observations

Where to see sable antelope in Zambia

Spotted Hyena

Spotted Hyena

Crocuta crocuta

The spotted hyena may be thought of as ‘ugly’ and ‘cowardly’. In fact, this versatile and intelligent carnivore is one of Africa’s most fascinating and warrants attention on any safari.

55% SUCCESS

2,450 sightings from 4,487 observations

Where to see spotted hyena in Zambia

Wildebeest

Wildebeest

Connochaetes sp.

Superficially bovine in appearance, wildebeests are known for their spectacular migrations sometimes in huge numbers. These resilient animals are some of Africa’s most successful herbivores.

67% SUCCESS

2,792 sightings from 4,162 observations

Where to see wildebeest in Zambia

Zebra

Zebra

Equus sp.

The zebra is a quintessential African animal: the horse in stripy pyjamas at the end of every child’s A–Z. There are three species, of which the plains zebra is much the most common.

84% SUCCESS

4,358 sightings from 5,180 observations

Where to see zebra in Zambia

Aardvark

Aardvark

Orycteropus afer

The aardvark is one of Africa’s most bizarre and enigmatic animals. A shy, nocturnal termite-eater, signs of its presence may be scattered about the bush whilst sightings remain elusive.

2% SUCCESS

80 sightings from 3,735 observations

Where to see aardvark in Zambia

Pangolin

Pangolin

Smutsia sp.

Pangolins appear to be more pine cone than animal in their unique armoury of scales. These nocturnal, ant-eating oddities are not only highly elusive but also increasingly rare.

2% SUCCESS

64 sightings from 3,772 observations

Where to see pangolin in Zambia

Black Rhino

Black Rhino

Diceros bicornis

The black rhino is the smaller and rarer of Africa’s two rhino species but has the more fearsome reputation. Shy and heavily persecuted, it tends to stick to cover.

30% SUCCESS

701 sightings from 2,308 observations

Where to see black rhino in Zambia

White Rhino

White Rhino

Ceratotherium simum

The white rhino is the largest and most numerous of the world’s five rhinoceros species. They are larger, easier to see and generally more approachable than the black rhino.

43% SUCCESS

564 sightings from 1,307 observations

Where to see white rhino in Zambia

Sitatunga

Sitatunga

Tragelaphus spekii

The sitatunga is the most aquatic of Africa’s antelopes and specially adapted to its swampy habitats. Though widespread across Africa, only a handful of places offer reliable sightings.

19% SUCCESS

70 sightings from 374 observations

Where to see sitatunga in Zambia

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Discover all that Zambia has to offer


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