Private African safaris in Zambia
Luxury Zambia Safaris
Walking safaris in South Luangwa, canoeing on the Lower Zambezi, the plains of Kafue and Victoria Falls, planned around you by our team.
Why Zambia with Nova
Zambia, Planned Around You
A luxury Zambia safari is for travellers who want wild, uncrowded Africa with excellent guiding. Zambia is known as the home of the walking safari, and its best camps are small, simple in the right way and run by guides who have spent their lives in the bush.
The great parks follow the rivers. The Luangwa Valley is famous for leopards and walking, the Lower Zambezi for canoeing past elephants and hippos, and Kafue, one of Africa’s largest parks, for the open Busanga Plains. In the west and north are seasonal wonders: a wildebeest migration on Liuwa Plain, millions of fruit bats in Kasanka and shoebills in the Bangweulu Wetlands.
We design each journey from scratch, usually combining two or three camps with Victoria Falls. Zambia pairs naturally with Zimbabwe and Botswana, and our team arranges the flights, light aircraft, guides and camps, staying in touch from your first enquiry until you are home.
Our promise
“Luxury travel, focused on eco-tourism and protecting Africa’s wildest regions and animals.”
Many of Zambia’s camps are run by families and guides with deep roots in the parks, and they support anti-poaching work and community projects. Small camps and walking keep the footprint light.
Getting there
Lusaka, Livingstone or Mfuwe, often via Johannesburg
Best time
June to October
Ideal for
Walking safaris, leopards, canoeing and repeat safari travellers
Combine with
Where we go
Zambia’s Safari Regions
Zambia is far more than one famous valley. These are the areas we plan journeys around, often two or three in one trip.
Walking and leopards
South Luangwa
A river valley of oxbow lagoons and ebony groves, where walking safaris began. Excellent leopard sightings, night drives and seasonal bushcamps reached on foot.
Truly remote
North Luangwa
A wild park with very few camps, where black rhinos have been reintroduced. Walking is the main way to explore.
Canoes and elephants
The Lower Zambezi
The Zambezi River opposite Mana Pools in Zimbabwe, with canoe trips, boat safaris, fishing, game drives and walks.
Vast and varied
Kafue National Park
One of Africa’s largest parks, with rivers, woodland and the Busanga Plains in the north, where lions and red lechwe gather in the dry season.
The Smoke that Thunders
Livingstone and Victoria Falls
The Zambian side of the Falls, with lodges on the Zambezi, sunset cruises and, when the water is low, swimming at the edge of the Falls.
A second migration
Liuwa Plain
Remote grasslands in the far west, where large herds of wildebeest gather with the first rains in November, followed by hyenas and lions.
Millions of bats
Kasanka
A small park where millions of straw-coloured fruit bats arrive each year from about late October to December.
Shoebills and lechwe
The Bangweulu Wetlands
Vast seasonal wetlands, home to the rare shoebill and huge herds of black lechwe.
Over the border
Zimbabwe
Mana Pools, Hwange and the Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls are close by.
When to go
Zambia Month by Month
Zambia has a long dry season and a summer green season. Many bush camps open only in the dry months, while some stay open all year.
| Months | What to expect | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| January to March | Hot and green, with heavy rain. Many remote camps are closed. | Green season boating in South Luangwa and birdlife |
| April to May | The rains end and Victoria Falls is at its fullest. | Victoria Falls in full flow and green landscapes |
| June to August | Dry and cool, with cold mornings. Camps open across the country. | Walking safaris, Kafue, the Lower Zambezi and summer holidays |
| September to October | Hot and very dry. Wildlife gathers at the rivers. | Peak game viewing, leopards and canoeing |
| November to December | The first rains arrive. | Liuwa’s wildebeest, the Kasanka bats and quieter camps |
Many camps in South Luangwa, the Lower Zambezi and Kafue open from around May or June to October or November, so we plan your route around what is open when you travel. July and August school holidays fall in the dry season, one of the best times to visit.
Getting there
Getting to Zambia
Most journeys start in Lusaka, Livingstone or Mfuwe, the airport for South Luangwa. Light aircraft then connect to the camps.
From Europe
Fly to Johannesburg from London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, Zurich or Istanbul and connect to Lusaka, Livingstone or Mfuwe. Some routes reach Lusaka via Addis Ababa or Nairobi.
From the USA and Canada
Delta flies nonstop from Atlanta and United from Newark to Johannesburg, with a connection on to Lusaka or Livingstone.
From the Gulf
Emirates flies nonstop from Dubai and Qatar Airways from Doha to Lusaka. You can also connect through Johannesburg.
Into the parks
Light aircraft fly from Lusaka and Livingstone to airstrips in the Lower Zambezi and Kafue, and scheduled flights reach Mfuwe. Luggage is limited to soft bags with a strict weight allowance, which we confirm before you travel.
Flight times are approximate and routes change, including seasonal and regional changes, so we confirm the current options when we plan your journey.
Experiences
Ways to Experience Zambia
Every journey is built around what matters to you. These are some of the things our guests ask for most.
Walking safaris
Africa on Foot
Walk with an expert guide and an armed scout, reading tracks and approaching wildlife quietly.
South Luangwa
Leopards by Night
Night drives with a spotlight give some of the best chances of seeing leopards in Africa.
Expert guides
Learn the Bush
Zambia’s guides are known for their knowledge, and many guests come back for them.
The Lower Zambezi
Canoeing the Zambezi
Paddle quiet side channels past elephants, hippos and birds, with a guide in every canoe.
Honeymoons
Time for Two
Secluded camps, private dinners on the river and Victoria Falls or Cape Town to finish.
Families
Safari Together
Family-friendly camps, a private vehicle and flexible timings. Walking and canoeing have minimum ages.
Sample journey
Ten Nights: Victoria Falls, South Luangwa and the Lower Zambezi
A starting point only. We change the regions, camps and pace to suit you, and can add Kafue, Botswana or Cape Town if you wish.
Day 1
Arrive at Livingstone
Fly via Johannesburg to Livingstone, beside Victoria Falls, close to the border with Zimbabwe. You are met on arrival and taken to a lodge on the Zambezi.
Days 1 to 3
Victoria Falls
Two nights at the Falls, with a guided tour, a sunset cruise and time to rest after the journey.
Days 3 to 7
South Luangwa
Fly to Mfuwe for four nights, ideally split between a main camp and a small bushcamp, with walks, day drives and night drives.
Days 7 to 10
The Lower Zambezi
Fly by light aircraft to the Lower Zambezi for three nights of canoeing, boat trips and game drives along the river.
Day 10
Homeward
Fly by light aircraft to Lusaka to connect with your flight home.
Good to know
Zambia Safari FAQs
Do I need a visa for Zambia?
At the time of writing, US, Canadian, UK and EU passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays, and neither do passport holders from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain. If you also visit Zimbabwe, the KAZA UniVisa covers both countries for up to 30 days, with day trips into Botswana at Kazungula, for eligible passports.
What counts is the passport you travel on, not where you live. Rules and fees change, so please check the current requirements before you travel.
When is the best time for a Zambia safari?
June to October is the dry season and the main safari time, when most camps are open. September and October are hot and best for game viewing. November and December bring the Liuwa migration and the Kasanka bats.
Is a walking safari safe?
Walks are led by experienced, licensed guides with an armed scout, and they follow strict rules about how close to approach. On a Nova journey you are met on arrival, guided throughout and flown between camps. We follow current government travel advice, such as that from the US State Department and the UK Foreign Office, and plan routes accordingly.
Do I need malaria tablets or vaccinations?
Zambia is a malaria area, so speak to a doctor or travel clinic about prevention before you travel. Also check the yellow fever certificate rules for your route.
How much does a luxury Zambia safari cost?
Costs depend most on the season, the camps and the number of light aircraft flights. Zambia’s small, remote camps are supplied over long distances. Tell us your budget and we will show you the best way to use it.
Is Zambia good for a family safari?
Yes, with the right camps. Some have family rooms or houses and a private vehicle lets you set your own pace. Walking and canoeing usually have minimum ages, often around 12, so we choose camps and activities that suit your family.
Combine Zambia with
More of Southern Africa
Start planning
Let’s Design Your Zambia Safari
Tell us when you would like to travel, who is coming and what you hope to see, and we will design a Zambia safari around you. Our team works across Dubai, the United States and South Africa, planning journeys for travellers from around the world.
Prefer email? info@novasafaris.com