A Quick Guide to Zambia
A Quick Guide to ZambiaZambia is a mesmerizing, wild destination, one that is remote, filled with plant and animal diversity and home to astonishing people. Africa as a whole is a magnificent place for an adventure, and Zambia with its beautiful scenery and its feeling of remoteness, has captivated visitors for decades.
Zambia is not just a rough and rugged place to explore, but it is also slowly becoming a really rather developed nation, at least in the cities. When you are travelling to Zambia you will have access to all sorts of modern day amenities, and the lodges and hotels in Zambia are absolutely top class. For this reason, as well as the fact that there is so much to see here, Zambia is becoming one of Africa’s must visit destinations.
Home to 3 huge rivers, the Luangwa, the legendary Zambezi, and the Kafue, Zambia has a unique geography and it is the sort of country that has always moved gracefully to its own rhythm. The people are passionate about their country, and this passion is seen and felt when travelling. From game guides to hotel staff, just about all of the people you will encounter during your time in the country will be friendly, welcoming and more than happy that you are visiting their nation and sharing in the Zambian experience.
One of the best ways to see the country is to go on a Zambia holiday, the kind that is pre-planned and guided. With these sorts of holidays you can easily see all of the best attractions that the country has to offer while not having to worry too much about the finer holiday planning details. Seeing as this is a bit of a rugged destination, opting for a pre-planned trip can be the best option if you don’t want to have to tackle the unknown roads by yourself.
Whether you are looking for a more luxurious break, or if what you want is a rustic wilderness adventure, there is a Zambia holiday out there that will suit your requirements and your expectations.
And to help you with your holiday planning decisions, we’ve out together a quick, to the point guide that you can use to find out more about this country and its best places to see.
Must-Know Travel Facts
- Population Size – 19.47 Million (as of 2021)
- Official Languages – English is the official language for business and for education, and the two main local languages are Nyanja and Bemba.
- Land Size – 752 614 km², which is just a little larger than France.
- Politics – Multi-party democracy
- Currency – Zambian Kwacha
When is the best time to visit Zambia?
The time of year that you choose to visit Zambia is going to determine the kind of holiday that you are going to have. Each season has something stunning to enjoy and each month is absolutely spectacular.
Since Zambia is very much a safari destination, the best time to have a holiday will be between June and October. This travel season starts in the middle of winter and carries on into spring, and for the most part the season is warm and dry. Since the rains are on halt until later in the year, most of the vegetation has died back and that makes spotting wildlife a whole lot easier.
From November to December the weather can be a little bit unpredictable, especially as the rains start to return. It is always a little bit difficult to determine exactly when the summer rains are going to fully return, but the great thing about travelling at this time of year is that the rates for holidays are often a little bit more affordable than if you were to travel to during the peak winter season. Surprisingly December is a bit cooler than the rest of the summer, but it is still quite humid. If you are travelling during this time of the year, keep in mind that some of the area’s lodges and camps will usually be closed due to heavy rain and flooding.
From January to March the wet season is in full swing and generally tourists are not advised to travel. This is because Zambia has a messy rainy season, with many roads becoming unpassable. If this time of the year is about the only time that you can travel, try to plan your trip for around the end of March, when the worst of the rain has passed. March is also a great time to do a little bird watching, as many of the birds start to migrate at this time of the year.
Top Attractions and Activities
Zambia is quite a magical place and because of its untouched natural beauty, and its wildlife populations, it has become one of Africa’s most frequented countries for those who want to go on a safari adventure.
If you are planning a holiday to Zambia, here’s what to include in your travels:
- Go to the Victoria Falls
Zambia and Zimbabwe share this treasure of a destination, but although most people will visit the Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwe side, seeing it from the opposite side is not something everyone gets to do. If you are in the region of the Victoria Falls, you absolutely cannot miss the chance to see this iconic natural landmark. The Falls are a once in a life time sort of sight and the roar of the cascading water will stay with you for the rest of your life.
- Go to the Lower Zambezi National Park
The more southern parts of Zambia are where some of the best wildlife sightings take place. This particular park lies along the lower section of the Zambezi River, and not only is it one of the best places to have a safari trip, but it is also such a remote, off the beaten track kind of place that it can feel like you are having a real out of this world holiday, away from all of the stresses and worries of day to day life.
- Go to South Luangwa National Park
Zambia is all about the wildlife. And South Luangwa National Park is another exceptional place to have a safari. The park has one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in all of Africa, and it is regarded as the best place to see elephants, giraffes and buffalo. There are also all sorts of rare and endemic species to see here. For this reason and many others, it is one of the country’s top places to visit.
- Go Lake Kashiba
Lake Kashiba is considered to be one of Zambia’s hidden gems. The lake is often called the Sunken Lake, because it sits 30 feet below the surrounding forest. The depth of the lake is unknown, and for this reason the lake has become a place of mystical stories and legendary monsters. Aside from the folklore, the lake is outstandingly beautiful!
- Go to the Livingston Museum
Although Zambia is the place to experience the wilds of Africa and to see all sorts of interesting, indigenous animals, it is also a place of incredible culture and history. If you are looking to learn more about the history of Zambia, one place that you should go is the Livingston Museum where you can learn more about Zambia’s heritage.
Best Zambia Tours
Zambia has a little something for everyone to enjoy. When you are going to be travelling to the country, you do have the choice of travelling on your own, which means having to drive from one place to the next, often navigating difficult roads, or you can sign up for a tour of the country, which includes all of your holiday planning, from the accommodation to the places you will visit.
At ATC Travels, we have 3 mesmerising tour options for you to choose from:
- The Photographic Safari
Every traveller to Zambia should pack a good quality camera and a couple of high powered lenses to capture their adventure. Because most of the destinations are safari ones, and as such offer sightings that are sometimes at a great distance from the vehicle, you will want to have at least one long focal lens with you.
This photographic tour will be done in the company of a professional photographer, and not only will they guide you to beautiful places and help you take amazing photos, but they will also give you photo editing tips. This tour takes place over 8 days and includes time Nsefu Camp, and Nkwali Camp.
- The Romance Tour
An ideal tour for couples, this one will take you to some of the most incredible places, such as Luangwa Valley, which is the end of the Great Rift Valley, and includes some of the most beautiful accommodation, perfect for couples to enjoy. The tour takes place over 10 days.
- Zambia Mobile Walking Safari
Sometimes the best way to see the wildest parts of Africa is by foot. This nature walk tour is going to give you a whole new perspective on safaris and instead of walking back and forth to the same lodge, you will be walking between and staying in multiple lodges for the duration of your tour. This tour covers 8 days.
Planning your Holidays in Zambia
Whenever you are planning a trip to any country in Africa, it is important that you start off by choosing the best time of year to travel. From there you can start researching the country and adding places to your must-see and must-experience list. After that you can start looking for a tour that will fit in with your plans.
At ATC Travels, we have a list of Zambia holiday trips available. We have curated each tour in such a way that you can look forward to the very best kind of experience, one that will take you to beautiful places, and will have you staying in some of the most fabulous hotels, lodges and camps. Our tours are suitable for a variety of different travellers and each tour will give you ample time in the country, ensuring that you don’t miss a thing.
You can book a Zambia tour directly through our website or you can give us a call and have a chat with one of our consultants.
