The Top 8 Things To Do In Zambia
Known for its stunning landscapes and welcoming people, Zambia is a truly remarkable place. The country’s wild Zambezi River, Victoria Falls, rugged terrain, and breathtaking natural treasures make it an ideal travel destination. There are so many things to do in Zambia!
The country has everything, whether you’re looking for adventure or relaxation.
Here are some of the best things to do in Zambia.
1. Rafting in the Zambezi River
The Zambezi River is rated as one of the best white water rafting spots worldwide. Adrenaline lovers can enjoy a wild roller coaster ride with two to three whitewater falls and breathtaking views hidden within the towering black cliffs.
You can navigate the falls in big rubber rafts propelled from underneath Victoria Falls.
The Zambezi River has dramatic seasonal fluctuations in water level. The low water rafting period usually starts mid-August to January. However, that might vary depending on whether water levels go up or down. Rafters must hike a distance of 200 meters, which might be difficult during warmer months.
The high water rafting period begins from the second week of January to the first week of August. However, high-water levels may force the closure of rafting between April and May.
2. Bungee Jumping in Victoria Falls
The Victoria Falls Bungee Jump is arguably the most picturesque worldwide. You’ll get the opportunity to free-fall for 111 meters and 4 seconds. Even if the adrenaline rush of bungee jumping isn’t enough, the breathtaking scenery here certainly is.
Victoria Falls offers breathtaking vistas of the rapids as you prepare for your jump. The fast Zambezi River just underneath is sure to steal your focus.
Participants must be 15 years and above. You won’t need a passport stamp or a visa to cross the bungee bridge. However, you must follow the guide safety instructions while bungee jumping in Victoria Falls. The Shearwater Cafe in downtown Victoria Falls operates a free shuttle every day from 10 am to 2 pm.
The guides will record and take pictures of each bungee jump. So, if you want to remember your 111-meter drop into the Batoka Gorge forever, you can buy customized videos and photos.
3. Bush Walks (Walking Safari)
A walking safari is perfect for getting close to Zambia’s stunning landscapes, incredible national parks, and waterfalls.
The best time to visit Zambia for bush walks is during the dry months, specifically July and October. It’s much easier to spot animals because they gather around watering holes.
Some places like Chisa Busanga and Ila lodges in Kafue National Park are perfect for a silent and eco-friendly safari since all their vans are solar-powered.
November to March is the best time to visit Zambia and witness baby mammals and a haven for birdwatchers. It’s also the cheapest season to go on safari in Zambia. However, some parks have to close because of rain, so your choices of where to stay may be limited.
You will have the best experience with walking safaris from a rustic bush camp. You’ll have just enough time for a quick breakfast and then get moving before the day’s heat sets in. You can walk for three to five hours and then return to the camp when it becomes unbearably hot.
Later in the day, when it’s cooler, you might go for a longer, quicker walk, followed by a refreshing sundowner or even a drive at night.
During the Bush Walk
Typically, an armed ranger takes the lead position, with your guide following close behind. The guide’s primary concern is your security, whereas the ranger’s priority is protecting any wildlife you may come across.
The guide will have extensive knowledge of the area you’ll be exploring. They’ll take great pleasure in describing how the locals use indigenous trees and plants to treat common ailments.
Your guide will also teach you how to recognize wildlife by tracks or droppings. They might even demonstrate how to create a campfire with a few pieces of well-selected wood.
During the safari, you will learn how one conceals scent in the wind and maneuvers closer to the animals. When you’re at a close range with the animals, you get a clear view of their movements and responses to the surroundings.
If you are short of things to do in Zambia, a safari is ideal as you will explore the extensive savannah safely.
4. Canoeing on the Lower Zambezi
The canoeing safari routes along the Zambezi River take you through untamed rivers filled with wildlife. The lower section of the Zambezi River is famous for its isolation and abundance of big game species. If you’re physically fit, you’ll enjoy this canoeing experience.
There’s no requirement for prior expertise for the Lower Zambezi canoeing adventure. The adventure isn’t regarded as a roughing-it experience since you’ll have professional guides to help with meal preparation and raising your tent.
However, the adventure isn’t a good pick if you’re looking for standard hotel amenities such as wifi and locked doors.
The guide and staff will make frequent daily stops and give you time to enjoy lunch, drinks, and quiet wildlife viewing. You’ll have the opportunity to get up close with Zambia’s wildlife, as there are no obstructions like fences and tourist vans.
The Zambezi River is renowned worldwide for its capacity to bring visitors as close as possible to animals safely.
5. House Boating and Fishing on Lake Kariba
Besides being an intriguing experience, boarding a houseboat is the best way to explore Lake Kariba’s spectacular landscape. Kariba houseboats come in different types, including pontoon boats, yachts, and cabin cruisers. Some boats can hold a few people, while others can have as many as fifty people.
The houseboats provide an excellent vantage point for viewing wildlife near the water’s edge and hours of quiet fishing. The most common fish species include:
Vundu
Catfish
Tilapia
Tigerfish
The boats also come with an entire crew, including staff, to help cook and clean.
6. Visiting a Hide To Photograph Animals Up Close
The best safari photography hides in Zambia are in regions frequented by different wildlife species. That renders them excellent for capturing previously unseen vantage points. Some hides are luxurious villas, while others are quaint bushes in the woods.
If you love photography, you’re sure to find a suitable hiding place in Zambia. For beginners, there’s a Hippo Hide, sitting at the meeting point of the Luangwa and Mwamba rivers. About 20 steps from the entrance, there’s a gloomy, rustic room with multiple windows that provide excellent views of the pod from below the water’s surface.
You can go to the Elephant Hide, which looks like a tower and faces a famous elephant crossing route on the Luangwa River.
You may also visit the Carmine Bee-eater Hide, a motionless boat near the high riverbanks where vibrant birds build their intricate nests. It presents an excellent opportunity to photograph the bee-eaters in flight, which is challenging to do with any other method.
7. Traditional Game Drives Through the Wilderness
When you stay at a Wildlife Camp, you can go on a morning game drive. You’ll board a comfy open vehicle that lets you explore the countryside. You may expect to see elephants, zebras, giraffes, buffalos, and antelopes as they stroll around the fields.
The South Luangwa National Park bird species are impressive for a morning drive. Furthermore, the park’s valley bottom has ancient trees over a thousand years old.
The game drives are more than just strolling through the wilderness in search of exotic wildlife. Your guides are well-versed in the region and can answer any questions about the local flora and fauna, including mammals, birds, insects, and plants.
8. Observe Bat Migration in October-December
Zambia’s Kasanka Bat Migration is the largest mammal migration worldwide. Each year, millions of bats migrate to the Mushitu forest in November and December.
At sunset, the birds abandon their roost for the night to feast on the ripe seasonal fruits that cover the woodlands. During this time, many female bats are pregnant or tending to their youngsters. Thus, the fruits provide them with the supplementary energy necessary during that period.
The park offers daytime guided tours into the forest to watch the bats as they soar, chirp, and scrape around their roosting areas.
If you’re an animal lover or just curious about these little creatures, it’s a rare opportunity to see them up close and personal. You can bring a camera to capture the beautiful events as bats migrate in the sunset.
Final Thoughts
Zambia is one of the most beautiful places in Africa, where you will find unique kinds of wildlife and endangered species. Many people visit Zambia because it’s easy to travel and boasts vast stretches of pristine wilderness.
Furthermore, Zambians are known for their warm hospitality and positive attitude toward guests. We hope this list of the best eight things to do in Zambia will help you plan your next trip to Africa. If you want to explore Zambia and don’t know where to start, contact our team here at Sundowner Safaris! We know the best time to visit Zambia and we will help you plan the trip of a lifetime.
