The best time to visit Victoria Falls – Livingstone depends on what you want to experience:
Luxury Walking Safari: South Luangwa
A rare and immersive Zambia walking safari - tracking big game on foot by day, and unwinding in riverside luxury by night. Starting from $12,500 per person
Leave the Vehicle Behind — Walk Zambia’s Wild Side
Best for: Couples, Multi-Generational Families; Game Drives, Leopard Viewing; Big Game Walking
This is Zambia at its wildest – and most luxurious. Begin at Victoria Falls, then venture deep into South Luangwa National Park on an exclusive, tailor-made walking safari through some of Africa’s finest wildlife terrain.
Walk between Time + Tide’s award-winning camps – Luwi, Nsolo, Kakuli, and Mchenja – each located in remote ecosystems with distinct character. Expert guides and armed scouts lead you safely between camps, while your luggage travels ahead. Each morning, walk at your own pace. In the afternoons, relax into game drives, wildlife hides, or sleepouts under the stars.
End your walking journey with riverside luxury at Chinzombo, followed by three nights at Sungani Lodge, Kyle Green’s personal favorite for interpretive guiding, fine dining, and secluded wilderness experiences.
This is the original walking safari – reimagined for today’s discerning explorer.
The Ubuntu Travel Difference
Personalized Itineraries
Attention to detail from start to finish
Conservation Promise
Travel with a purpose
Experts in Africa
Our team of travel experts know Africa
Itinerary Highlights
- View Victoria Falls from both the Zambia and Zimbabwe side
- Walk between remote and luxurious bush camps with expert guides
- Combine morning walks with afternoon drives, hides, and night safaris
- Sleep under the stars during the dry season (July–October)
- Stay at luxury camps, each with unique landscapes and wildlife
- End at Sungani Lodge with private guiding, fine dining, and seclusion
What’s Included
- All tours and activities as specified by itinerary
- All ground transfers with private driver & guide
- All inter-Africa flights as specified by itinerary
- All safari lodges (Fully inclusive)
- All City hotels (B&B)
- Full support from the Ubuntu Travel team, during and after your trip
What will you experience on this Luxury Walking Safari?
Our Favorite Itinerary Highlights
Victoria Falls
Feel the spray and thunder of one of the world’s most iconic natural wonders – a breathtaking start or finish to any Zambia safari.
Luxury Bush Camps & Lodges
Stay in a collection of intimate, handpicked safari camps — each offering comfort, character, and front-row access to Zambia’s wild beauty.
Exception Leopard Viewing
South Luangwa is known as the ‘Valley of the Leopard,’ offering sightings that rival – and often surpass – those in South Africa’s renowned Sabi Sand Private Nature Reserve.
Big Game Walking Safaris
Experience five days of immersive walking safaris, tracking elephant, lion, and leopard on foot between remote camps in South Luangwa.
Sungani Lodge
Unwind at Kyle’s favorite luxury lodge in Zambia – Sungani – known for interpretive guiding, fine dining, and stylish seclusion.
Spa & Wellness Treatments
Relax with spa treatments and couple massages with serene river views – the perfect pause between your safari adventures.
Fly Camping Sleepouts
Spend a night under the stars between July and October, with fully supported bush sleepouts in the heart of South Luangwa.
Remote Wilderness
Explore wild corners of South Luangwa where vehicles can’t reach – walking through untouched valleys, seasonal lagoons, and predator-rich floodplains.
Private Dining & Bush Breakfasts
Savor private bush breakfasts and starlit dinners – whether on your private patio or set in the heart of the wilderness, these are moments made just for two.
Plan Your Tailor-Made Safari in Zambia
Reach out and let’s start the conversation. We’ll listen, get to know what matters most to you, and begin crafting a private, tailor-made journey through Zambia – filled with adventure and unforgettable moments. From Victoria Falls to walking safaris and bush dinners under the stars, we’ll take care of every detail so you can focus on the experience.
Luxury Lodges on this Zambian Safari
One of Zambia’s most prized safari lodges, situated in a hidden location on the banks of the Zambezi River
Sungani
Unwind at Kyle’s favorite luxury lodge in Zambia – Sungani – known for interpretive guiding, fine dining, and stylish seclusion.
Time + Tide Mchenja
An elegant riverfront camp nestled in an ebony grove, Mchenja offers luxury, exceptional leopard sightings, immersive walking safaris, and serene Luangwa views.
When is the Best Time for this Walking Safari?
This tailored walking safari is available only during the dry season – and July to October is the prime window in South Luangwa. During this time, clear skies, sparse vegetation, and concentrated wildlife make for ideal tracking conditions on foot.
Available only during the dry season — July to October
- It’s also the best time to enjoy sleepouts under the stars, with cool evenings and unforgettable African night skies.
- The walking safari season officially runs from 20 May to 15 November, offering flexible routing and comfortable temperatures for walking throughout.
- At Sungani Lodge, this dry window transforms the surrounding floodplains into open terrain – ideal for interpretive walking safaris and wildlife photography.
- In Kafue’s Busanga Plains, the same dry season (June to October) is the only time camps are accessible – offering peak predator sightings and the region’s signature misty sunrises.
Explore More Tailor-Made Safaris
Fancy a honeymoon in the most romantic locations around Southern Africa? We’ve got just the itinerary planned for you! Our Southern Africa Honeymoon itinerary will take you from Cape Town to the Greater Kruger, onwards to Zimbabwe and finally finishing in whimsical Mozambique. Expect nothing but the best for this once in a lifetime trip.
From $13,500 per person
This 14-night journey blends wild adventure with lakeside serenity – from predator-packed game drives to barefoot luxury on Likoma Island. Explore Zambia’s top safari regions before unwinding in the calm, clear waters of Lake Malawi – the perfect balance of thrill and tranquility.
From $21,500 per person
This 9-day journey takes you from thundering Victoria Falls to Hwange’s green Ngamo Plains and the wildlife-rich shores of Lake Kariba – a summer safari of walking safaris, game drives, and sunsets from Bumi Hills’ iconic infinity pool. It’s the perfect mix of adrenaline, wilderness, and soul-soothing views to reconnect with nature.
From $8,500 per person
FAQs About Safaris in Zambia
How do I get to Zambia from the USA?
Most travelers from the U.S. fly into Lusaka (LUN) or Livingstone (LVI) via major international hubs such as Johannesburg, Doha, or Addis Ababa.
While there are no direct flights from the U.S. to Zambia, Delta offers nonstop flights from Atlanta to Johannesburg, where you can easily connect via Airlink to Zambia’s key safari gateways. There are also convenient connections from Cape Town with Airlink.
Why visit Zambia?
Zambia offers one of Africa’s most authentic and adventurous safari experiences. With exceptional guiding, legendary walking safaris, and dense concentrations of wildlife in places like South Luangwa and Kafue, it’s ideal for those looking to go deeper into the wild. You’ll find intimate, conservation-driven luxury lodges in truly remote settings – with front-row access to predators, elephants, and dramatic wilderness.
For many, Zambia is a standout for its high leopard density in South Luangwa and strong wild dog populations in Kafue – making it a dream destination for serious wildlife lovers. Add in the wonder of Victoria Falls, and you have a safari that’s both raw and refined.
When is the best time to go to Zambia?
The best time to visit Zambia is during the dry season (June to October) – when wildlife viewing is at its peak and park access is at its best. This is the prime window for walking safaris, canoeing, and predator sightings across Zambia’s top parks.
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South Luangwa: Open year-round, but game viewing is at its best from July to October. May and June still offer lush landscapes and strong sightings – with fewer travelers, which we see as a major advantage. We also know of a remote region in the southern sector that’s well worth considering. Possibly Kyle’s favorite wilderness destination in Zambia – chat to us if you’re curious.
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Lower Zambezi: The park reopens in May, with canoe safaris, boat cruises, and game drives hitting their stride by June. Wildlife viewing peaks from August to October. Ubuntu Travel visited in May 2025 and had exceptional sightings – ask Kyle Green about his experience firsthand.
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Kafue National Park: Best visited from July to October, when the Busanga Plains are dry and accessible – ideal for spotting lion, cheetah, and wild dog in wide, open terrain.
The emerald season (November to April) brings green landscapes, peak birding, and dramatic storms – but access to Lower Zambezi and Kafue’s Busanga Plains is typically limited due to flooding.
For a quieter experience with striking beauty, consider traveling in the shoulder months of May or early November.
What are the top activities to do in Zambia?
Zambia is best known for its walking safaris, but the range of experiences goes far beyond. Here are some of the top safari activities:
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Walking safaris in South Luangwa and North Luangwa — Zambia is the birthplace of the walking safari. Our specialist walking safari itinerary in South Luangwa lets you move between remote bush camps entirely on foot, accompanied by expert guides and armed scouts. For the adventurous, we can also arrange fly camping – sleeping under the stars with only a mosquito net and the sounds of the wild around you.
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Canoe safaris on the Zambezi and her tributaries – glide past elephants and hippos for a peaceful, water-level perspective.
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Classic game drives in South Luangwa, Kafue, and the Lower Zambezi – ideal for predator sightings.
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Sunset river cruises on the Zambezi – perfect for photography, birdwatching, and sundowners.
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Zambezi River lodge transfers – travel between lodges by boat for a scenic and wildlife-rich connection.
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Victoria Falls experiences – rainforest walks, microlight flights, and serene upstream cruises from Livingstone.
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Leopard viewing – South Luangwa is one of Africa’s top places to see leopard.
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Birding – especially rich during the emerald season (Nov–April).
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Wildebeest migration in Liuwa Plain – Africa’s second-largest wildebeest migration, in a surreal and remote landscape.
When is the best time to visit the Zambian side of Victoria Falls?
Should I take malaria preventatives in Zambia?
Yes – Zambia is a malaria-risk area, and we strongly recommend speaking with your travel doctor or a certified travel clinic about preventative medication before your trip. Most safari lodges are located in remote areas where mosquitoes are present, especially during and just after the rainy season (November to April).
We also advise using insect repellent, wearing long sleeves in the evening, and sleeping under mosquito nets — all standard precautions provided at most lodges.
Please consult your doctor for up-to-date health advice based on your personal health history and travel itinerary.
Is a walking safari physically demanding?
Walks range from 7 to 14 kilometers and are tailored to your fitness level and comfort. You set the pace, with vehicle support always available if preferred. Every walk is led by a professional guide and armed scout for safety and insight.
For this specialized walking safari, typical trail distances between camps are:
- Mchenja to Nsolo – 12 km (approx. 4 hours)
- Mchenja to Kakuli – 7 km (approx. 2 hours)
- Kakuli to Nsolo – 14 km (approx. 4.5 hours)
- Nsolo to Luwi – 9.5 km (approx. 3 hours)
Your main luggage will be transferred separately to the next lodge, so you’ll only need to carry essentials for the morning walk.
What’s the minimum age for this walking safari?
The minimum age is 12 years old, at the discretion of the guide. Walks are safe, immersive, and ideal for active travelers seeking a deeper connection with nature.
