Safari parks of Zambia

The south African nation of Zambia is home to the Zambezi river and a wealth of other natural wonders. The climate is largely tropical and is characterised by high plateaus and mountains, with a sparse population of 11 million inhabitants spread over an area of over 750,000 sq. km.

The Victoria Falls are perhaps the most famous tourist attraction in the country, but Zambia is also one of the finest safari destinations in the world.

Be it on foot, in a canoe or open topped vehicle, the country offers a fabulous variety of wildlife, scenery and climates – all of which can be explored with relative ease.

At some 14,000 sq. miles the Kafue National Park is the largest in Zambia. Situated in the west of the country, the park contains over 400 species of animal, including antelope, leopards and lions and is split between the Busanga floodsplains of the north-west and the luscious tree filled southern regions.

The park is perfect for those looking for a glimpse of Africa and can be explored with a number of tour operators, including Go 2 Africa. It is even possible to fish for pike and bream on the Lunga and Kafue rivers, adding an extra dimension to the wonderful environment.

Over in the east of Zambia, the Lower Zambezi National Park is the most recent addition to the country's parks. Its charm lies in its undeveloped nature; a true African wilderness. While the park does not have the ecological diversity of other regions the chances to get up close to wild animals are better here than anywhere else.

The best time to visit the park between June and September when fishing is at its peak and the park’s other activities, including canoeing, sightseeing and twitching, can all be enjoyed. Safari Par Excellence offer trips to the region, although given its remote nature it is harder to reach than some other areas.

In contrast, South Luangwa National Park is the most developed in the country, and one of the most famous nature reserves in the world. The density of the game around the Luangwa river is the most concentrated in the country. The river itself is home to crocodiles, wading waterfoul and up to 50 hippos per km.

Seasonal changes are pronounced, peaking in the hottest month of August, and perhaps the best time to visit is the end of March when the raining season ends and migrating birds return in droves. Accommodation in the park can be arranged by Wildlife Camp Zambia and a range of other groups.

The Zambia Safari Company also offer tours to the country, while 2 by 2 Holidays are one of the best companies organising trips to the Zambia, tailoring them to suit a range of time scales and budgets.

Whereas Luangwa Safari Network have a great deal of local safari information on their website and Robin Pope Safaris offers a personal touch to trips in Zambia.