Itinerary Highlights
- View Victoria Falls from both the Zambia and Zimbabwe side
- Canoe quiet waterways with expert guides and wildlife nearby
- Indulge in candlelit bush dinners and riverside sundowners
- Spot confident leopards in South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi
- Experience walking safaris in South Luangwa with expert local guides
- Stay in handpicked luxury lodges chosen for romance 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
Dry Season: June to October (Peak Safari Season)
Why go: This is Zambia’s prime wildlife viewing season. With water scarce, animals gather at rivers and waterholes – making sightings more frequent and dramatic. Drier conditions also mean the road network is more accessible, opening up remote corners of the parks.
Where to go: Excellent conditions in South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi, Kafue (Busanga Plains open from July), and Victoria Falls (lower water = clearer views).
Ideal for: Walking safaris, canoe safaris, predator sightings, and photography.
Travel tip: October is the hottest month of the year – but it’s also one of the most rewarding for big game activity.
Emerald (Green) Season: November to April
Why go: Lush, green landscapes return, birding reaches its peak, and the parks are quiet and full of color. Photographers will love the light and vibrant scenes.
Where to go: Select lodges in South Luangwa remain open. Victoria Falls roars to life, especially from March to April.
Closed parks: Much of the Lower Zambezi and Kafue’s Busanga Plains are inaccessible due to flooding.
Ideal for: Birders, photographers, and travelers seeking a slower, less-traveled safari experience.
Shoulder Months: May & November
May: The rains have cleared, the bush is still lush, and wildlife begins to gather – a beautiful, quieter time to travel. Co-founder Kyle Green visited South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi in May and recorded exceptional sightings – including six leopards in a single day at Lower Zambezi.
November: Marks the onset of the rains. Early in the month, game viewing can still be excellent before the weather shifts more dramatically.
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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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- 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.
- Canoe safaris on the Zambezi and her tributaries – glide past elephants and hippos for a peaceful, water-level perspective.
- Classic game drives in South Luangwa, Kafue, and the Lower Zambezi – ideal for predator sightings.
- Sunset river cruises on the Zambezi – perfect for photography, birdwatching, and sundowners.
- Zambezi River lodge transfers – travel between lodges by boat for a scenic and wildlife-rich connection.
- Victoria Falls experiences – rainforest walks, microlight flights, and serene upstream cruises from Livingstone.
- Leopard viewing – South Luangwa is one of Africa’s top places to see leopard.
- Birding – especially rich during the emerald season (Nov–April).
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?
The best time to visit Victoria Falls – Livingstone depends on what you want to experience:
- March to May: Peak water flow – the falls are at their most dramatic, with huge spray and thunderous views. Expect to get wet!
- June to August: Moderate flow – ideal for photography and seeing the falls clearly without too much mist.
- September to November: Low water levels – parts of the Zambian side may dry up, but this is the only time to swim in Devil’s Pool and explore the rock formations of the gorge.
For most travelers combining Victoria Falls with a safari, June to August offers the best overall experience – with good visibility at the falls and excellent wildlife viewing throughout Zambia.
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.