Zambia

Podcast conversation with Wazha Dube.

Zambia, considered the hidden gem of safari destinations, has a plethora of award-winning safari guides, the Big 5, the second largest wildebeest migration and is home of the pioneer of the walking safari. The natural beauty of South Luangua and Kafue National Parks is complimented by Victoria Falls, which are twice as high as Niagara Falls. There are other unique experiences in Zambia – canoe and kayak safaris, walking from lodge to lodge during your visit, and quite rustic starbed sleepouts that surely at least your kids and teens would love.

EXPERIENCES

On safari, you will see the big 5 plus many others – wild dogs (Wazha loves), hippos, crocs, giraffes. You will learn about the reintroduction and conservation of the rhino population that are now protected 24/7.

Active

• Walking safaris
• Hike at Victoria Falls and walk across the bridge to Zimbabwe
• Canoe safaris
• Kayaking in Liuwas
• Fishing for Tiger fish in the Zambezi River (Wazha loves) Adventure
• Victoria Falls Bridge bungie jump
• Gorge swinging (on my personal bucket list)
• Abseiling
• White water rafting
• Evening cruise
• Microlight (on my personal bucket list)
• ATVs
• Elephant back safari
• Taking photos in the Devil’s Pool (on the top edge of Victoria Falls!) Culinary
• Picnic in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
• Afternoon tea at the Victoria Falls Hotel
• Dining in riverbeds (beautiful!)

FASCINATING PEOPLE

• Tonga Tribe Lower Zambeze
• Lozi people Barotseland Liuwa
• Ngoni people Luangwa
• Dine in the home of a Kunda family

Learn about the history and culture – over 70 tribes in Zambia speaking as many dialects, King Lewanika and Normann Carr.

OTT

• Hot air ballooning in Kafue National Park
• Helicopter over Victoria Falls

A few favorite hotels:

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park:

• Thorntree River Lodge

South Luangwa:

• Chinzombo
• Mchenja

Lower Zambezi:

• Chongwe Tented River Camp& House (elephants come right up to your swimming pool!)

Liuwa Plains:

• King Lewanika

Kafue NP:

• Shumba Camp

For those that love water, there is also the opportunity to stay on a houseboat.

TAKEAWAY TIPS

• Fly in/out of Lusaka
• Some destinations are only open seasonally
• Best time to visit – check out the last three slides of the show for specific recommendations based on location.

May to September-dry season with pleasantly warm days and cool nights

• Good time for walking safaris and for birdwatching

Things heat up in October-November

• Increasingly hot, humid, and dusty

November, April, and May are considered shoulder months due to the rain.

• Still a wonderful time for game viewing, and it’s less $

December to April is the wet season. Temperatures cool down and there is a lot of rain — sometimes just an hour or two, sometimes for days.

• Known as the “emerald” or “green” season, and has its own beauty – and some very attractive lodge rates; some offer canoe safaris. It is also when Victoria Falls is at its most magnificent.