Elephants crossing the Luangwa River

Zambia parks and game reserves

Ideal for those seeking a more isolated, authentic African safari.

Zambia safari guide

Companies: 291 operators
Tour packages: 163 tours
Parks: 6 parks
Currency exchange
Capital: Lusaka
Population: 12 million
Total area:752,614 km² (290,586 miles²)
Languages: English
Airports: Livingstone (LVI), Lusaka (LUN)

Recommended vaccinations


MMR

Voltage and plug type

Type C (220V)

Type D (220V)

Type G (220V)


About Zambia

Zambia is a landlocked country that lies to the south of Tanzania and DRC and to the north of Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It falls within the tropic zones and tends to experience pleasant temperatures year-round, partly due to it being above sea level. Zambia has two distinct seasons, with the heavy rain season starting around mid-November and going into April. May through October generally marks the dry season, although even this varies depending on exact location.

Zambia is a highly urbanized country, with nearly half of its population found in cities that are located along primary transportation routes, with the largest concentration in Lusaka. There is little wildlife around the rural areas and the wildlife is concentrated in the less-inhabited rural areas of Zambia.

A large draw for tourists in Zambia is Victoria Falls – the world’s largest waterfall located on the mighty Zambezi River. There are two sides from which to view Victoria Falls, with the primary one – Livingstone – being located in Zambia. The town itself is a historical colonial town which has been preserved and now includes modern amenities such as shopping malls, high end restaurants, five star hotels and theaters. Livingstone also has an airport which makes it easy for people to access the falls, particularly from South Africa, where most international flights land. Victoria Falls’ close proximity to three countries: Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe, makes it an ideal location from which to start or end a safari. There are many tour operators from the surrounding countries whose operate tours from this popular location.

The savannah woodlands in the northern and central part of Zambia are home to much of the countries large game animals. Southern Luangwa National Park is home to large numbers of giraffe and buffalo. It is possible to do a walking safari here, something that not all parks offer. Another park in the central region of Zambia is Kafue National Park. It is Zambia’s oldest and largest national park and home to a large diversity of animals. The short-grass plains of this park are home to some of the big cats, such as the cheetah, leopard and lion.

For those seeking a more isolated and ‘authentic’ safari, Zambia may be the ideal location. In addition to the traditional, open-vehicle safari, Zambia also offers walking, canoeing and horseback riding safaris. Zambia also has attracted some of top guides from neighboring countries. Safari lodging and prices tend to be on par or slightly higher than those of northern neighbors Tanzania and Kenya, but the reduced crowds and wider range of safari options help compensate. Zambia is recommended for safari-goers of all levels. 

Kafue National Park is the largest in Zambia covering over 22,000 km² (8,500 miles²). Bordered on the east by the Kafue River, it is one of the largest national parks in the world, twice the … read more

Kasanka National Park is a small (390 km² / 150 mi²) national park in northeast Zambia approximately 500 kilometers (310 miles) from Lusaka. It is known for its annual fruit bat migration, when mil… read more

Lower Zambezi is among the newest national parks in Zambia, where it was the president’s private nature reserves until 1983. The park borders Mozambique to the east and its south border spills over int… read more

Mosi oa Tunya (often spelled Mosi-oa-Tunya), which is the ‘local’ name for Victoria Falls, originates from the Lozi language and means ‘the smoke which thunders’. Mosi-oa-Tunya is Zam… read more

North Luangwa is a small national park in the northeast sector of Zambia. The 4,636 km² (1,790 mi²) park’s southeast boundary is the Luangwa River. The river is home to a successful rhino rei… read more

South Luangwa National Park is located in eastern Zambia. It was originally established as a game reserve in 1938 and was officially established as a national park in 1972. It is 9050 km² (3500 mi²… read more

Flying to Zambia

There are no direct flights from North or South America to Lusaka. Many have only one stop, though. The same is true from Europe. Flights from London, Paris, Frankfurt and Amsterdam all require one stop. If you are coming from the Middle East, it is possible to fly direct from Dubai. There are daily direct fights on Emirates. Singapore and Sydney also require at least one stop.

Flying to Zambia from within Africa

Direct flights to Lusaka are possible from South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Namibia, Botswana, Malawi and Zimbabwe.

Getting to Lusaka by coach or bus

A few of the companies that offer luxury coach services include the following:

If you’re keen on driving yourself, Lusaka is roughly a seven-hour drive from Harare, not counting the border-crossing. It is also just shy of seven hours if you wish visit Victoria Falls first and drive from Livingstone.

The following airlines travel to Zambia


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National airline of Namibia. Air Namibia (Pty) Limited is a proprietary limited company incorporated in accordance with the Company’s Act. Air Namibia is the national airline of the Republic of Namibia, with the Government of Namibia as its sole Shareholder. The company’s business operations primarily involve provision of air transport services for passengers and cargo. Through its subsidiary company, Air Namibia Ground Handling (Pty) Limited, it provides ground handling services for passengers and aircraft at Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako International Airport. The airline is positioned as a niche carrier serving domestic points within Namibia, the immediate regional markets of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Angola, Zambia and Botswana. The airline also serves the entire European network through Frankfurt. Visit website

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Airlink is a privately-owned, BBBEE Level 4 business and regional airline serving a comprehensive network of smaller destinations throughout Southern Africa. We are now operating independently under our own unique 4Z flight code offering more freedom, more choices and more travel opportunities. Visit website

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The company is registered as Nomad Aviation (Pty) Ltd trading as Bay Air Aviation, with administrative offices in the coastal town of Walvis Bay and the operational hub at Eros Airport, Windhoek. The company is known to offer charters and scheduled flights, transporting of passengers and freight in Namibia and neighboring states, using light to medium class aircraft. In addition to operating in Namibia the company has completed contract work in Angola, Congo, Niger as well as South Africa using mostly King Air 200’s, Beechcraft 1900’s and Cessna Grand Caravan’s. Bay Air has been operating scheduled air services between Walvis Bay and Windhoek Eros as well as Windhoek and Johannesburg for the past 8 years. It is an aircraft charter company specializing in scheduled and non-scheduled air transport. The two directors, its founding members, have been in business since 1989. Visit website

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Bush & Lake Aviation is a newly established charter company offering flights from its Lilongwe base to destinations in Malawi and the adjacent regions. We offer a small team of dedicated pilots, engineers, and management with many years of experience in the aviation business. We fly directly to your destination making your connections possible and saving you the unnecessary frustrations of transfers - queues and delays Bush & Lake Aviation specializes in charters for leisure travel or business. Visit website

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At Classic Jet Charters We own our aircraft and are an FAA certified aircraft charter operator. We also have one of the largest selections of local private jets and charter aircraft from the most valued private jet carriers with the most FAA operators nationwide. Classic Jet Charters strives to provide multiple private aircraft options for each of your charter flights with the highest levels of safety, convenience and competitive pricing. At the local level and nationwide Classic Jet Charters guarantees charter aircraft availability at a great price. Because we own our aircraft and have a network of preferred aircraft charter vendors nationwide we are available to quote any flight at the lowest price. Visit website

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Domestic services in South Africa. An aviation company founded in 1946, Comair Limited is managed and owned by South Africans through its listing on the JSE. For close to 70 years, Comair has provided consistent value, reliability and professionalism. British Airways and kulula.com now carry an average of 4.8 million passengers per annum locally and regionally. Our reputation of quality and passion for service will ensure Comair continues to play a major role in the South African aviation and travel industry. Visit website

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Major American airline, with its headquarters Atlanta, Georgia. What started as a humble, little aerial crop dusting operation called Huff Daland Dusters in 1924 has now grown into one of the world’s largest global airlines, helping more than 160 million travelers get to the places they want to go to each year. Delta flies to more than 350 destinations on 6 continents, serving more than 160 million passengers each year. It's an important job, that's why we have 70,000 dedicated employees who are up to the task every day, on every flight. Visit website

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Based in Kampala, operates scheduled and charter services across eastern and central Africa. Eagle Air is a Private Ltd Company specialising in the provision of Charter and Schedule Air services both within Uganda and around the East & Central Africa Region. Eagle Air was incorporated as an air operator in June 1994. Visit website

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One of two flag carriers of the United Arab Emirates along with Etihad Airways and is based in Dubai. A fast-growing international airline with one of the youngest fleets in the sky and more than 400 awards for excellence worldwide. Today, Emirates airline connects over 145 cities to Dubai and to each other, facilitating trade and tourism flows across six continents; while dnata provides ground handling, catering, cargo and travel services not only in Dubai, but across 90 cities, in 38 countries on five continents. Visit website

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Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) is the flag carrier of Ethiopia. During the past seventy plus years, Ethiopian has become one of the continent's leading carriers, unrivalled in Africa for efficiency and operational success, turning profits for almost all the years of its existence. Operating at the forefront of technology, the airline has also become one of Ethiopia's major industries and a veritable institution in Africa. It commands a lion's share of the pan African network including the daily and double daily east-west flight across the continent. Ethiopian currently serves 100 international and 21 domestic destinations operating the newest and youngest fleet. Visit website

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The second largest airline of the United Arab Emirates. Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has in just ten years established itself as the world’s leading airline. “Etihad” is the Arabic word for “union”. Etihad Airways was established by Royal (Amiri) Decree in July 2003. It commenced operations in November 2003 and has developed into one of the fastest growing airlines in the history of commercial aviation. Visit website

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Flying Mission Services is based in Botswana and provides flight and maintenance services throughout Southern Africa. Charter Flights – FMS offers on-demand charter flights from Gaborone and Maun to points throughout Southern Africa. Many of these flights are flown from our secondary base in Maun to safari camps in the Okavango Delta. Air Ambulance Service – FMS holds the exclusive contract with the Botswana Ministry of Health to provide emergency air ambulance service to hospitals throughout the country. Maintenance & Other Aviation Services – FMS operates a fully licensed aircraft repair facility and has recently opened an aircraft maintenance training program. Visit website

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The flag carrier airline of the Netherlands. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines was founded on 7 October, 1919 to serve the Netherlands and its colonies. KLM is today the oldest airline still operating under its original name. KLM has been part of the AIR FRANCE KLM group since the merger in 2004. KLM is the core of the KLM Group, which further includes the wholly-owned subsidiaries KLM Cityhopper, transavia.com and Martinair. Visit website

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Kavango Air was established in 2005 by Mark Smith who has been operating aircraft in northern Botswana since 1990. Kavango Air strives to keep safety its first priority, punctuality it’s second and also keeping the flight enjoyable at the same time. Based in Maun (Botswana) on the edge of the Okavango Delta, it is ideally positioned for quick scenic flights over the delta, as well as camp transfers to the numerous lodges and camps in the delta and surrounding areas. Kavango Air does air charters to almost anywhere in Southern Africa, and also does medical evacuations. The crew receives extensive training in bush flying techniques, and the pilots have to adhere to the high safety standards instilled by the company. Visit website

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The flag carrier of Kenya. Kenya Airways was established in February 1977 following the breakup of the East African Community and subsequent disbanding of the jointly-owned East African Airways. KQ now flies to over 60 destinations around the world with over 40 being in Africa. The network expands to many more destinations with partnerships from Codeshare partners. Our Vision is to consistently be a Safe & Profitable Airline that Guarantees World Class Service. Visit website

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Low-cost services in South Africa and to neighbouring countries. kulula.com is a fun loving and professional airline based in South Africa. Passengers can be assured that every safety precaution is taken before every flight. Passengers can book cheap flights to domestic destinations and more. We also offer affordable hotel accommodation and car hire, making travelling in South Africa easier than it’s ever been. Visit website

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Major Blue Air is always ready to take you where you need to go. Based in Maun, Botswana – right on the edge of the Okavango Delta - Major Blue Air invites you to experience the awe-inspiring views that can only be seen by air. Whether you are looking for a scenic flight over the vast reaches of the Delta or to charter one of our top of the range aircraft to get you to where you need to be, Major Blue Air will provide you with outstanding service and a flight that you will never forget. Constantly expanding our flight range, it is our pleasure to take you anywhere in southern Africa, and further if desired! Regardless of the distance or duration of the flight, we are dedicated to providing you with Excellence in Aviation. Major Blue Air Hangar is situated at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport in Gaborone. Visit website

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Moremi Air Services (Pty) Ltd, is an air charter company based from Maun in Botswana. The company has been operating since 1997 and has been under new management from June 2003. With have a fleet of 8 different aircraft suited to regional and international flying – both single and twin-engine, as well as turbine aircraft. We operate from Botswana and into Zambia, South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. Visit website

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RwandAir is the flag carrier airline of Rwanda. We serve most East African Community capital cities as well as Johannesburg and Dubai with daily flights. Recently, we introduced Flights to Lagos in Nigeria, Accra in Ghana, Juba in South Sudan and intend to expand to Doula in Cameroon. Our Current destinations include Nairobi, Entebbe, Mombasa, Bujumbura, Dar es Salaam, Kilimanjaro, Nyungwe Forest National Park, Johannesburg, Brazzaville, Dubai, Lagos, Accra and Juba. We have codeshare agreements with SN Brussels on the Kigali-Brussels Sector and Ethiopian Airlines on the Kigali-Addis Ababa Sector. Visit website

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Regional services in South Africa. Choose Airlink to connect you to 35 destinations in 9 African countries. With more than 21 years of of customer focused experience along with the widest network and choice of flights, you get where you want to be, when you want to be there. Visit website

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Domestic airlines in South Africa. SA Express is a domestic and regional, passenger and cargo carrier established on 24 April 1994. SA Express has since become one of the fastest growing regional airlines in Africa. As a regional airline with route networks covering major local and regional cities, SA Express plays a significant role in the country’s hospitality, travel and tourism industry and is vital contributor to the country’s socio-economic development. The airline’s head office is based at Airways Park in Johannesburg. SA Express has a growing fleet of aircraft and implements self-technical maintenance for all its fleet types at OR Tambo International Airport. An integrated, sustainable regional airline connecting secondary and main airports. Visit website

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National airline of South Africa. At South African Airways we are the proud national airline of South Africa. We offer great value flights to and from South Africa as well as within our beautiful country. We are committed to the highest standards in everything we do and aim to deliver a world-class experience on every flight. Plan and book your flights with us and experience why we are one of the leading airlines in Africa. Visit website

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The state-owned flag carrier of Angola. TAAG Angola Airlines was founded in 1938 and is based in Angola’s capital city: Luanda. For over 70 years TAAG has served Angola by operating flights both domestically and internationally and by serving its passengers with a top quality level of service. TAAG is dedicated to expanding its services and improving the customer experience: the airline is acquiring state-of-the-art aircraft, improving its booking system, and instituting a customer loyalty program. TAAG is proud of its past and looks forward to continuing to serve Angola and achieve Excellence in all areas of the Company. Visit website

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The national flag carrier airline of Turkey. Turkish Airlines, one of the most preferred leading European air carrier with global network coverage thanks to its strict compliance with flight safety, reliability, product line, service quality and competitiveness while maintaining its identity as the flag carrier of Turkey. Visit website

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Ultimate travel is a fully Malawian owned Tour Operator and Travel Service Company. We are an innovative, reliable and independent ground-handling company that specializes in Malawi and Zambia (South Luangwa). No one has a better all-round knowledge of the Malawian tourism product and how to pull it all together than us. We do not handle the request with a ‘one size fits all’ attitude but rather tailor make our services to meet what you need. Our independence means that we are happy to book any lodging facilities throughout Malawi; alternatively, we are always pleased to recommend what we believe to be the best itinerary to suit your criteria. Visit website

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Wilderness Air is proud to be the air partner of Wilderness Safaris, a responsible ecotourism and conservation company with private access to the finest wilderness and wildlife areas of southern Africa. Wilderness Air began operating in 1991, with one aircraft based in Botswana servicing two camps in the Okavango Delta. Today, Wilderness Air is also based in Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, operating over 35 aircraft and employing over 50 pilots. Throughout its time, it has maintained its excellent reputation for safety and guest service. We operate a varied fleet of light aircraft, chosen for their ability to transport visitors comfortably to remote wilderness destinations with dirt airstrips. Each aircraft type has been selected based on its ability to transport different numbers of passengers, over different ranges. Our fleet operates on a daily circuit within the regions. Wilderness Air is privileged to fly into some of the most pristine wilderness areas in the world. We believe that flying is an integral part of each guest's travel experience and that our pilots' passion and professionalism can make a genuine contribution to journeys that change lives. Visit website

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Zambia map