Going on Safari in Zambia | Doug Macdonald Safaris

Experience the classic Zambian safari

Taking its name from the Zambezi River that flows through it, Zambia is a large landlocked country in Southern Africa. It is a well-known safari destination with a number of National Parks, great for the first-time safari goer and the seasoned traveller. Walking safaris are a highlight here, pioneered in the early 1960’s by Norman Carr. Zambia is not only a Big 5 safari destination but with over 750 bird species, is an excellent birding destination as well. It also offers unique sightings such as the Thornicroft species of giraffe and Cookson’s wildebeest only found in the South Luangwa.

Get a taste of it all

Swim to the edge of the Victoria Falls, snorkel in Lake Tanganyika, walk across the Luangwa Valley, or watch elephants from the banks of the Zambezi River, Zambia offers incredible safari experiences to suit all travellers. This diverse country has some of the largest national parks in Africa so you can spend a significant amount of time here either in one location or perhaps combine a few national parks and fully indulge in what is on offer here - be it tracking big game on foot, up close with hippos on a canoe or from above on a hot air balloon over the Kafue. Chances are you will be back as there is always more to discover.

What you need
to know

Things that are worth knowing about when traveling to Zambia

silhouette of Antelope in the tall grass at sunset or sunrise

Zambia’s capital city is Lusaka, which is one of the fastest growing cities in Southern Africa and is an easily accessible destination. There are over 70 different ethnic groups, making this an interesting place to be for those who enjoy local culture and traditions – a highlight being the Kuomboka festival where you can witness the King of the Lozi people and his procession moving along the river in their royal barges to the higher lying areas in the Liuwa plains. The country has a great variety of ecosystems and hosts two impressive mammal migrations – fruit bats and wildebeest. Game viewing is excellent during the dry season (May – October) and the green season (November to April) offers a different safari experience with lush landscapes, great birding, and lots of newborn animals.

Best time to go

June to October

Language

English, Nyanja, Bemba

Currency

Kwacha (KMW)

Kasanka

Did you know the largest mammal migration is that of the African Straw-coloured Fruit Bat?

Between October and December each year, more than 10 million of these bats fill the sky and descend upon a small patch of evergreen swamp forest in Kasanka National Park – a truly incredible sight. You can get a bird’s eye view over the Kapabi Swamp and spot Sitatunga antelopes from the 18m hide perched in a mululu tree, or canoe along the Luwombwa River in hopes of spotting the rare Blue Monkey. It may be one of Zambia’s smallest National Parks, but it has a lot to offer.

Bangweulu Wetlands

Bangweulu meaning “the place where the water meets the sky” is an apt name for this watery haven, with its diverse ecosystem forming one of Africa’s most important wetlands. This is one of the best places to view the rare and prehistoric-looking shoebill as well as hundreds of other bird species. Bangweulu is also home to the black lechwe. These lechwe are great swimmers and are often spotted grazing shoulder-deep in water.

Liuwa Plains

The wide-open landscapes of the Liuwa Plains are unlike any in Zambia and with the start of the rains, these vast grasslands become host to the second largest wildebeest migration on the continent. Without the crowds you may encounter in East Africa, you are able to experience this spectacle more intimately. You may also know of Lady Liuwa, the last surviving lion and with the ongoing conservation efforts here, her legacy lives on. Another highlight in Liuwa Plains is observing the antics of the spotted hyena, which number in the hundreds here!

Weather

Zambia has a mild tropical climate with two distinct seasons: the wet and dry season. The dry season runs from May to October and is characterized by hot days and cool nights, while the wet season runs from November to April and is marked by heavy rains. The best time to go on a safari in Zambia is during the dry season, as this is when the wildlife is most active and the grass is low. The temperatures are also more comfortable during this time of year, so you can enjoy your safari without worrying about the heat.

Brightly coloured sky and clouds at sunset in Zambia

January to March

These are the main summer rainy season months for this part of Africa, some of the parks are accessible at this time, however the road network within certain parks might be quite limited. It is, however, an excellent time to see the parks when animals, birds and plants are at their best. Its a great time for the birders with many migrant birds and resident birds in breeding plumage.

June to August

The dry winter season is well set in by this time of year, the vegetation is thinning out and wildlife becoming more focused on particular feeding and watering areas. This is the height of winter as well and the mornings and evenings can be surprisingly cold even dropping below freezing in the early morning, so you’ll make good use of the camp fire at night, but during the day the temperatures warm up to the mid twenties Celsius and the skies are generally always clear and blue. A really popular time to be on safari and a good time for denning Wild Dogs and nesting birds of prey.

November to December

These months are really hot during the day and it’s when we expect to see the first rains in the Southern parts of the country,and this brings an incredible change that happens almost immediately. This transformation brings with it the drama of tropical rain and lightning storms, amazing cloudscapes, clear dustless skies and many of the animal species begin their birthing. This can be one of the most beautiful times to be in the bush and often you can get some good special accommodation rates.

April to May

You can still experience some rain at this time but usually quite limited, if at all. These months mark the start of the bush drying out and the beginning of the long dry spell that will go through to November. The bush is usually quite thick at this time so sightings can be difficult but the animals are still there and you can have huge wild areas all to yourself which is excellent in itself and you can get some great accommodation specials. The Zambezi River is at peak flow at this time and the Kafue and Luangwa Rivers will be flowing strongly but beginning to drop.

September to October

These months are when the temperatures start to climb and the wildlife concentrates at the last available feeding and watering sites. September is probably the best of these months from a temperature perspective as October can be really hot during the day going towards the 40 degrees Celsius mark but it does cool off at night time. At this time many species of tree start to flower and migratory birds start arriving. For some, these are the best months to be on safari in Zambia if looking for big predators and prey animal drama. Further North in Zambia it can however start to rain as you move into October.

General

What do I pack for a safari in Zimbabwe? Please remember that there may be luggage weight or size restrictions on your Zimbabwe safari. Before you travel, we shall advise you on what would be suitable for your specific safari as sometimes you may need a wide range of clothing to cater for the different conditions of your safari. If bush walks are a part of your safari, we advise to not wear white or black coloured clothes. What Stone Ruins are in Zimbabwe? The name Zimbabwe translates as “House of stone”. Between the 11th to 15th Century these stone edifices were constructed around the country and were important centres of trade and government. The main ones being Great Zimbabwe, Khami Ruins and Dhlodhlo Ruins, there are many other smaller ones scattered around. Can I walk by myself in the National Parks? No, you cannot, this is only available in designated areas within Mana Pools National Park after paying for a special permit and signing a disclaimer. We do not recommend doing this, you will have a much better experience being accompanied by a trained professional safari guide familiar with the area. Licensed professional guides working for a registered operator are allowed to take you for walks anywhere within the National Parks. What currency is used in Zimbabwe? The currency in Zimbabwe is the Zimbabwean Dollar. In tourist areas most transactions are quoted and done in US Dollars with South African Rand also possible. What time zone is Zimbabwe in? Zimbabwe shares the same time zone as the rest of Southern Africa, which is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time – (GMT) + 2 hours, in the Central Africa Time Zone (CAT) Can I use my credit cards in Zimbabwe? Yes, but only really in the main cities or tourist areas like Victoria Falls with Visa and Mastercard the most widely accepted. To buy curios or paying for camp extras like National Parks Fees it is better to have actual cash. What power sockets are used in Zimbabwe? In the cities and safari camps Zimbabwe uses 220V power points in the camps mostly using Type G plugs. If you have an item that runs on 110V, please bring a converter. It is also advisable to bring additional universal travel adaptors and extra batteries.
Visas

Do I need a visa to travel to Zimbabwe? Most nationalities can obtain a visa on arrival at the port of entry or apply for an e-visa before arrival. However, some nationalities may have to apply in advance through an embassy.Please check with your Travel Designer to find out if you require a visa to enter Zimbabwe.
Medical

What Vaccinations do I need for travelling to Zimbabwe? At this time there are no vaccination requirements for tourists visiting Zimbabwe – However if you are travelling to Zimbabwe from areas infected with yellow fever, you must have a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. We will advise the latest regulations before travelling. If you are unsure about what is best for you, please consult your medical practitioner for professional advice on what other vaccinations may be suitable for you. Medical Evacuations? Air medical evacuations are available in Zimbabwe, but it is important that you have medical insurance with this type of remote evacuation cover and declare the details to your travel designer prior to travel. Do I need to take malaria medication when visiting Zimbabwe? Zimbabwe is in a malarial zone so please consult with your medical practitioner a few weeks before your departure on what the best prophylactic for you would be. Some courses of medication may need to be started in advance of your visit to Zimbabwe.