Shawa Luangwa Camp, Zambia © All Rights Reserved
Birthplace of the walking safari
By Laurent Guillot, Founder of Étendues Sauvages: “More than a place, an atmosphere. The one you feel along the riverbanks of South Luangwa, Luambe, or the Zambezi. Sandbanks where hippos and crocodiles laze about, elephants crossing a ford, fish eagles calling in the distance. This is where the magic of Southern Africa truly comes alive.”
Discover this favouriteThe best period runs from April to June, when the falls are at full flow. Before that, the flow is so powerful that it’s nearly impossible to observe them properly; they’re masked by swirling spray. After August, the flow is very low and parts of the gorges can run dry. However, don’t limit your visit to the Zambian side, as three-quarters of the falls belong to Zimbabwe. The two borders are very close, making it easy to cross over to the Zimbabwean side. Several viewpoints are available there, while on the Zambian side, you get to observe the falls up close. The flow remains strong for longer on the Zimbabwean side. So if you’re travelling to Zambia between July and November, it’s best to head straight for the Zimbabwean side.
Zambia offers a range of safari formats: walking safaris, 4×4 game drives, canoe and boat safaris.
Hot-air balloon flights over wildlife are also possible in the Busanga Plains.
A genuine variety of ways to experience the bush.
Two parks are essential in Zambia: South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi.
Choose South Luangwa for its high-quality walking and 4×4 safaris, and combine it with Lower Zambezi, for canoe safaris on the Zambezi River, walking and 4×4 safaris in landscapes that complement those of South Luangwa.
If you have a bit more time and budget, head to Kafue, particularly the Busanga Plains in the north of the park, known for their vast grassy floodplains stretching to the horizon. Sunsets there are exceptional.
If you have never seen Victoria Falls, extend your stay with two nights in Livingstone, ideally at a lodge on the banks of the Zambezi.
For birding enthusiasts, the Bangweulu Wetlands offer the chance to encounter a legendary bird that seems to come from another world: the shoebill.
And if you are looking for an exceptional, exclusive experience, travel to the Liuwa floodplains in November, when spectacular cloud formations build as storms form, creating dramatic skies, and, with the arrival of the rains, carpets of flowers appear across the plains. This is also when large herds of wildebeest migrate across the plains from neighbouring Angola.