In no particular order, we present our Top Ten Must-See Sites in Zambia.
Victoria Falls in August
Victoria Falls, Southern Province
The famous Victoria Falls, locally called Mosi-oa-Tunya (“smoke that thunders”) is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world and is a must-see for any visitor to Zambia. It is number one on the list for a reason and is an unforgettable sight for anyone lucky enough to visit. Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world, based on its width of 1,708 meters and height of 108 meters and a mean flow rate of 1,088 cubic meters a second.
Kuombuka Ceremony, Western Province
The most famous cultural ceremony in Zambia, this festival occurs every spring around Easter and marks the traditional migration of the Lozi people from the Western province floodplains to the higher, dry ground in the surrounding areas. Marked by an enormous river procession to the tune of pounding drums, this festival is a must-see for any visitor to the country.
Lions in South Luangwa
South Luangwa National Park, Eastern Province
Among the most popular and highly rated national parks in Africa, South Luangwa offers the best safaris in Zambia with a variety of accommodation options available for all price ranges. This is the place to go to see the famous wildlife which is so emblematic of Africa, including lions, hippos, giraffes, elephants, zebra, Cape buffalo and crocodiles. South Luangwa boasts more than 60 different animal species and more than 400 different bird species. South Luangwa is a truly beautiful place that must be seen to be believed.
Kafue National Park, Northwestern, Central, and Southern Provinces
Kafue National Park is the largest and oldest national park in Zambia, and the forth . It is less developed and more difficult to get to than South Luangwa but offers unspoiled nature along the beautiful Kafue River. Due to the massive size and variety of habitat types Kafue National Park has a fantastic diversity of wildlife, including more than 150 recorded species of mammals and more than 500 species of birds. This is one of the best places in Zambia to see both cheetahs and African wild dogs
Sunset over Lake Tanganyika
Lake Tanganyika, Northern Province
Far away from the hustle and bustle of Zambia’s big cities and tourist hubs, Lake Tanganyika offers peace and sanctuary in incredible natural surroundings. Getting here is an adventure but once you’re sitting on the beach, beer in hand, leaving will seem impossible. Lake Tanganyika is the longest freshwater lake in the world at 677 kilometers long and the second deepest at 1433 meters deep.
Bat Migration, Kasanka National Park, Central Province
One of the largest mammalian migrations in the world, the famous bat migration occurs every year and is made up of millions of small fruit bats which fill the air on a nightly basis.The relatively small size of the park means that it is also one of the densest migrations on earth and promises visitors an incredible chance to view these animals up close.
Zambezi River below Lake Kariba
Zambezi River, throughout Zambia
The Zambezi is the fourth longest river in Africa and flows about 2,200 miles (3,540 kilometers) from its source in Zambia’s Northwestern Province to the Indian Ocean, passing through six countries. It flows through Victoria Falls, the Kariba Dam and several gorges as well as some of the country’s best national parks en route to the ocean.
Lake Kariba and Kariba Dam, Southern Province
This man-made lake and enormous dam were constructed in the late 1950’s and lies along the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is a vast, impressive sight that offers an aquatic respite in a land-locked country. The lake offers great fishing and is a quick and accessible drive from Lusaka. However, it is not the best place to swim, as there are large populations of hippos and crocodiles throughout most of the lake.
Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage, Copperbelt Province
This wildlife refuge focuses primarily on chimps but also works with and cares for a wide variety of injured and endangered animals. Offering opportunities for visitors to interact with the chimps, Chimfunshi is a must-see for anyone visiting the Copperbelt.
Kapishya Hot Springs
Shiwa Ng’andu House and Kapishya Hot Springs, Northern Province
This grand English-style estate also known as “The Africa House” was constructed by Sir Stewart Gore-Brown during the first half of the twentieth century. Seeing such as sight in rural Zambia is a bizarre experience but worth a visit. The natural, sulfur-free hot springs, once a favorite of Sir are perfect to visit during cold season or to take a night dip in during the cool rainy season evenings.
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