Top Tourist Attractions Of Zambia

Zambia, named after the Zambezi River which flows over one of its top tourist attractions, the Victoria Falls, sits just north of Zimbabwe. Beyond incredible Victoria Falls, Zambia is also known for its national parks, rich with wildlife for safaris. In fact, 30% of Zambia is reserved for wildlife, with 20 national parks and 34 game reserve areas. And although most only have four of the Big Five, lion, elephant, cape buffalo, and leopard, due to incessant poaching of rhino, one park offers all the Big Five and you can see rhino elswhere.

Top Tourist Attractions Of Zambia

Victoria Falls

One of the most well-known tourist attractions in Zambia is Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World. Located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, the falls can be visited from either country. Or, you can visit both sides if you opt for the dual entry visa.

On the Zambian side, the park is called Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, which means ‘The Mist That Thunders’.

Victoria Falls is not the highest or widest waterfall, yet it’s considered to be the world’s largest through the combination of the two. UNESCO Heritage listed for having the world’s largest sheet of falling water, it’s twice the height and more than twice the width of Niagara Falls.

During peak season, the Zambezi thunders over its mile long stretch, with mist rising as high as 1,300’ (400 m), seen from up to 30 miles (48 km) away. The mist can be so intense during its peak flow, it can be difficult to even see the falls!

I visited in early September (on the Zimbabwean side), which is just before the dry season. Although the falls were not at their fullest, visibility was good. I splurged on a helicopter ride, and although amazing, I think a view from above would be better when the water flow is at its peak. As you can see from the photo above, there are sections where there was no water falling. It still, however, was amazing on the ground.

Victoria Falls: Zambia vs Zimbabwe

As noted above, you can visit the falls from either Zimbabwe or Zambia. Which is better?Most adventure activities are available on either side, like helicopter and microlite flights, white water rafting, and river cruises. There are also activities for adrenaline junkies, like bungee jumping over the Zambezi River, a gorge swing, and a zip line adventure. These are at Victoria Falls Bridge, which is the border crossing point between Zambia and Zimbabwe (bring your passport).

The Zimbabwean side has its benefits, with more, and better, veiwpoints of Victoria Falls, and contains a larger percentage of them (75% vs 25%). It also has the more charming tourist town to stay in, Victoria Falls.

The Zambian side, however, also has its perks. First, Zambia has historically been more politically stable, so is conisdered safer (although Zimbabwe has been stable lately). It also features some interesting features within Victoria Falls, like Devils Pools, the ultimate infinity pool 330’ (100 m) over the falls (which you can only do when water levels are lower), the view from Knife Edge Bridge, and Boiling Pot, which you can walk to near the bottom of the falls.

Or, to really take in the full licture of the falls, get the dual entry visa and see both sides. If you do, leave a comment below please!

Best Time To Visit Victoria Falls

Although every year varies due to rainfall and conditions, there are some typical guidelines.

Peak Flow: March to June. This is also when the mist is at its peak, often hindering visibility (think goggles and ponchos). An ideal time for helicopter or microlite views.

Transition Flow: June through August/September and January to February. Decent water flow and good visibility.

Lowest Flow: September to December. Not good for viewing the falls.

Devils Pools: Open when the falls are low, generally mid-August to mid-January.

White Water Rafting: White water rafting on the Zambezi, which is some of the best in the world, is also best when water levels are low.

Livingstone, Zambia

Livingstone, named after legendary Dr Livingstone, famous for being one of the first European explorers to journey across Africa on foot, is another of the top tourist attractions of Zambia. This is Zambia’s old capital and a former British colony. Other than being the best place to stay when visiting Victoria Falls, you can also visit the Livingstone Museum. This museum showcases the culture, archeology, and history of Zambia, as well information and memorabilia about Dr. Livingstone.

Safaris: Zambia’s Top Three National Parks

Zambia is rich with national parks (there are 20 of them) and the perfect place for a safari. The top three national parks are the Lower Zambezi, Kafue, and South Luangwa National Park. They each offer the Big Four, lion, elephant, cape buffalo, and leopard, but are sadly missing the fifth, rhino, due to heavy poaching.

Zambia once boasted about 12,000 rhino, one of the highest populations in Africa. Now, they can only be found here in protected conservation parks. More on that below.

Lower Zambezi National Park

Lower Zambezi National Park, an UNESCO World Heritage site, is located on the bank of the Zambezi in the southest part of Zambia. In addition to the Big Four, you can also see hippo, zebra, and wildebeest. Giraffe, and cheetah, like rhino, are also not present here.

Wildlife is plentiful along the Zambezi, as they congregate along its fertile banks for water, making canoeing there not only a highlight, but a unique way to do a safari. There are also traditional game drives, boat, and walking safaris, an exhilarating experience that Zambia pioneered.

Location: Located on the northwest bank of the Zambezi in southeast Zambia, opposite Mana Pools, Zimbabwe. You can charter a flight, arrange a personal transfer, or self-drive via 4 x 4 to visit.

Best Time To Visit: July to October is the best time to view game as animals congregate around the river. October, however, is extremely hot.

Kafue National Park

Kafue National Park is the oldest and largest park in Zambia, and 2nd largest in Africa at 8,600 square miles (22, 400 square km), which is almost the size of New Hampshire! So large, you can see floodplains, forests, grasslands, and more. This park is better known for its diversity, including a superb variety of antelope species, rather than a race to see the Big Five. It also does not contian the Big Five as rhino are missing.

In addition to the Big Four, although lion and leopard can be hard to track in this expansive park, you can also see hippo, zebra, wildebeest, and much, much more. Cheetah is also elusive and there are no giraffe.

Inside the park you can book game drives, walking safaris, canoeing, or, if you have an equipped 4 x 4, you can self-drive. However, professional guides provide optimal game viewing experiences.

Location: Centrally located in the western part of Zambia on the north bank of the Kafue River about 200 miles (322 km) west of Lusaka. You can charter a flight or self-drive via 4 x 4.

Best Time To Visit: July to October is also the best time to view game here, as the animals congregate around the water holes. But, as above, October is extremely hot.

South Luangwa National Park

This world-renowned animal sanctuary is one of the most popular national parks and tourist attractions of Zambia. Frequented as it’s easy to spot four of the Big Five (as noted above, rhino no longer exists here either). It is, however, not as popular as other more famous parks, like Kruger in South Africa, which gives it the distinction of not being crowded with tourists. At least not yet…

This park is known for its large herds of elephant, buffalo, and numerous hippo. You can also spot giraffe, zebra, wild dog, and cheetah (although also rare).

You can book game drives, walking safaris, or self-drive the park. Professional guides, however, provide optimal game viewing experiences. Canoe safaris are available when the Luangwe river water level is high.

When I was in South Luangwe, we were amazed by the amount of wildlife. Plus, since we stayed in tents on the opposite bank of the Luangwe River, which was low at the time, the animals crossed into our camp, making the experience extra intoxicating. We had several exhilarating experiences of an elephant wandering through. So close, that at one point, we all boarded our bus (truck) for safety and to watch through the windows. At night we could hear animals walking though camp, someone even saw a hippo walking through at night.

Location: Located in eastern Zambia close to the border of Malawi. The closest town is Mfuwe, which is about 30 miles away. Most lodges here offer transfers. You can fly in or self-drive via 4 x 4.

Best Time To Visit: July to October is the best time to view game here as well, as the animals congregate around the water, with October also being a bit too hot.

Rhino in Zambia

If you are set on seeing rhino in Zambia, there are two parks, or tourist attractions.

North Luangwa National

North Luangwe National Park is the only place in Zambia to see the Big Five, as well as many other amazing animals. Along with the Big Four, there is also a healthy population of black rhino, introduced by the North Luangwa Conservation Project. Unfortunately, there are no facilities at this park and it is open to only a few specially liscenced tours, so research far in advance. Most people visit North Luangwe as an add on walking safari to South Luangwe Park, flying between the two parks.

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is Zambia’s smallest national park (and shared with Victoria falls National Park in Zimbabwe). This is the only wildlife area in Zambia with white rhino. Easily accessible from Livingstone, you can see elephants (especially during dryer months), giraffe, zebra, buffalo, hippos, and much more. There are traditional game drive safaris, as well as walking safaris and cruises on the Zambezi.

Want More Of Africa?

Overall, Zambia is amazing and I really enjoyed my trip here, which was part of a trip to several countries in Africa with Intrepid, traveling from Cape Town to Nairobi over 49 days with many, many, many safaris and adventures I will never forget.

To read more about this part of Africa, see my posts on some of the other amazing countries I visited nearby including; Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania.

To read more about me and my philosophy on travel, see my about me page.