ON SAFARI
- Zambia
Beach Extensions
Beach extensions to a Zambia Safari
Zambia is a land-locked country and does not offer any kind of obvious ‘beach relaxation’ options. However, there are a variety of places within Zambia where you could enjoy a more relaxing end (or beginning) to your trip. In particular, Victoria Falls and the Upper Zambezi is a destination that can always be used as a relaxing base where you can spend time resting, reading a book and undertaking some gentle sight-seeing.
Some safari regions, such as the Lower Zambezi National Park, can be deliberately included as a more relaxing section of your holiday. If you wish to end (or begin) you safari in a beautiful setting where you can enjoy sitting, reading, sleeping, eating, sunbathing and gazing as opposed to rushing about on activities, then this is easy to engineer.
Beyond Zambia’s borders, several good beach destinations exist. Closest and most logical is Lake Malawi, which is easily accessible from the Luangwa Valley. Lake Malawi is a freshwater lake, and therefore does not offer an ‘ocean experience’, but the lake has crystal clear waters, beautiful beaches and an abundance of colourful cichlid fish which makes for interesting diving and snorkelling. Fishing, sailing and kayaking are all possible as well.
If you are looking for a more traditional beach destination to combine with Zambia, then many amazing beach locations can be comfortably reached via Johannesburg in South Africa, including Mozambique, Mauritius, and the Seychelles, or the Kenyan coast via Nairobi and Zanzibar via Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). Please go to the individual country pages for more information on these destinations.
- Zambia
Honeymoons & Weddings
Honeymoons to Zambia and Beyond
Zambia is never going to be a gentle or mainstream honeymoon destination, but if you are looking for a safari experience which is a little adventurous, wild and exclusive, then the country does offer amazing game-viewing, varied activities, intimate camps and lodges, stunning scenery, warm hospitality and very tranquil surroundings.
For the more active, Zambia is arguably the best African country to consider, with wonderful walking and canoeing trails available. Victoria Falls is an amazing sight and the region offers a variety of experiences beyond just viewing the falls, including helicopter or micro-light flights, lunches on Livingstone Island, Zambezi boat cruises and elephant-back safaris. Between them, you’ll certainly not be short of memorable honeymoon highlights.
Although Zambia is land-locked, building in some relaxation time, either before or after a safari, can easily be achieved. Livingstone and the Upper Zambezi, close to Victoria Falls, is the perfect destination to consider. Here you can relax, unwind, and watch the Zambezi slip just as easily as doing many of the activities and excursions mentioned above. However, if you really do wish to include a ‘beach holiday’, the closest beach destination is Lake Malawi (in neighbouring Malawi) which offers lovely beaches, great swimming and snorkelling, and a relaxed and friendly African ‘vibe’. For more traditional ocean escapes, Zambia can be combined with exotic Indian Ocean destinations such as Mauritius, Mozambique, and The Seychelles by travelling via Johannesburg, or Zanzibar via Dar es Salaam.
There are many safari options to choose from in Zambia. If you’re looking for out and out luxury, safari spas and pampering, you probably shouldn’t be focusing on Zambia, but for high quality and comfort, try Chiawa Camp and Sausage Tree in the Lower Zambezi, Puku Ridge in South Luangwa or Tongabezi and The River Club in the Victoria Falls/ Upper Zambezi region.
There are many other very comfortable properties, even if they are not quite so sophisticated, such as Islands of Siankaba (www.siankaba.net) in the Victoria Falls/ Upper Zambezi region, and Mchenja Camp or Tena Tena Camp in the South Luangwa.
However, Zambia is a destination best chosen for the experience it offers rather than comfort levels, and some of the best camps and lodges are fairly rustic in style, such as Tafika Camp or Kaingo Camp in the South Luangwa, and Old Mondoro in the Lower Zambezi.
If you are interested in doing an exclusive in-depth walking experience, consider Chikoko Walking Trails or Luangwa Bush Camping.
Weddings in Zambia
It is possible and relatively easy to get married in Zambia. Whilst we can arrange wonderful weddings in the bush, it is the Upper Zambezi and Victoria Falls region which is most popular for Zambia weddings. Not only are the iconic Victoria Falls a potentially amazing back drop, but the accessibility of the region is crucial in making all those little details that much easier to arrange.
Please see our general ‘Accommodation on safari’ page for more information on different styles of accommodation on safari. If you are looking into your first ever trip to Africa, you may wish to visit our ‘planning a safari’ section.
Whatever your specific ideas and desires, we specialise in designing individually tailored itineraries and can offer you the expertise and personal service required to guarantee a perfect honeymoon or wedding safari. Please call us to discuss your ideas and requirements.
- Zambia
Family Holidays
Family holidays in Zambia
For families with children old enough to enjoy the African bush at its best, Zambia is an incredible family safari destination to consider, offering fantastic wildlife, genuine wilderness, varied activities and exclusivity. Families can really enjoy an adventure into the wild, with fantastic guiding and a complete escape from modern facilities and communications.
In terms of safari accommodation, the best family options are a series of private safari houses which can be booked on an exclusive basis. Such houses vary in size and style, but typically cater for up to eight guests at a time. Some camps do have two-bedroomed ‘family units’ and safari tents/chalets are usually large enough to include one extra bed. Quadruple accommodation, however, is rarely possible.
A key reason why Zambia is such a great family safari destination is the variety of activities on offer. As well as standard game drives (by day and night), Zambia offers some of the best walking, canoeing, boating, fishing and microlighting available in Africa. Victoria Falls Town (Zimbabwe) and Livingstone (Zambia) are known as the ‘adventure capitals’ of Africa, with white-water rafting, elephant-back safaris, bungee jumping, jet-boating, helicopter flights and much more on offer. Swimming in a rock pool on the top of Victoria Falls, canoeing past pods of hippo on the Zambezi or flying over the falls in a microlight are incredible activities for families to experience together. Please note that many of the activities (rafting, walking, canoeing, microlighting, horse-riding etc) will have minimum age limits.
On private safaris, specialist private guides can be arranged and activities can be orientated towards the kids as much as is required.
Please visit our Family Safaris page for more general information on travelling to Africa with children, or contact us with your specific ideas and questions.
- Zambia
Zambia Introduction
Introduction to the magical and beautiful country of Zambia
Zambia today is still a traditional safari destination, offering a wide range of safari activities and experiences within an intimate and professional tourism industry. Most Zambia safari lodges and camps are small, many are still owner run, and you tend to leave as a friend rather than a paying client. Traditional values of personal service still exist, as do high standards of wildlife guiding.
Zambia is definitely a destination to consider for outdoor enthusiasts, and those who wish to really immerse themselves in wild Africa. While general game-viewing is excellent in a number of parks, the country is best known for offering fantastic walking safaris, incredible water-based activities (canoeing, boating and fishing on the Zambezi River), superb guiding and the wonderful hospitality mentioned above. The range of activities on offer makes Zambia an excellent destination for active visitors and families with older children.
Zambia is also an exclusive safari destination, with vast areas of pristine wilderness and relatively little evidence of mass tourism. Zambia’s premier safari region is the South Luangwa National Park, backed up by the beautiful Lower Zambezi and wild Kafue national parks. Between them, these parks offer a wonderful diversity of habitat and safari experience. More specialist destinations can include North Luangwa, Kasanka, Bangweulu, Lochinvar and Liuwa Plains. Victoria Falls, the world’s widest waterfall, are a major attraction and to see them in full flood from the air is one of Africa’s greatest sights.
If you are looking to immerse yourself in the natural world and enjoy some of the best guiding and hospitality that Africa offers, then Zambia is the ideal destination.
To find out more about Zambia safaris please call us on 01787 888590 or contact us to speak to one of our safari specialists.
More information on seasons and when to travel »
- Botswana
- ZambiaMel & Pauline travelled to Zambia and Botswana
Jane did a fantastic job in putting together our itinerary and she was right to make Mombo our last lodge! We would highly recommend Safari Consultants for their knowledge and professionalism.