Lower Zambezi National Park

Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park is very rich in big game. With no access roads, safaris in this wonderful wildlife reserve are exclusive and personal.

Once the exclusive private domain of Zambia’s president, the 4,092 square kilometre Lower Zambezi National Park was proclaimed in 1983. Its location on the Zambezi floodplain encircled by a dramatic escarpment makes it immensely scenic. Sharing an unfenced border with a large game management area and facing Zimbabwe’s World Heritage-listed Mana Pools National Park, the Lower Zambezi is also rich in game, with leopard, lion, elephant and buffalo all found in abundance here.

Unlike popular parks such as South Africa’s Kruger, there are no roads into this wildlife preserve and as a result, most visitors will enjoy a very intimate game viewing experience. Access by boat is common, with more intrepid travellers opting to canoe. Travelling in this manner, it’s possible to closely and unobtrusively observe wallowing pods of hippo as well as enormous herds of elephant often found bathing and drinking at the river’s edge. It’s also an amazing way to appreciate the region’s outstanding birdlife.

The majority of lodges in the Lower Zambezi National Park offer beautiful riverside settings as well as numerous safari activities, from canoeing and fishing to traditional open vehicle game drives. It’s also possible in some places to embark on an exciting bush walk accompanied by an experienced guide and armed scout – an experience not to be missed!

Location

Why should I visit the Lower Zambezi National Park?

  • A relatively small but very scenic wildlife reserve
  • Located opposite Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park, a World Heritage Site
  • Abundant big game such as lion, elephant, buffalo and hippo
  • Offering exclusive, intimate safari experiences
  • Game viewing by canoe, boat, on foot and by open vehicle

When is the best time to visit the Lower Zambezi National Park?

The most popular months to visit the Lower Zambezi National Park are June to October; however, great rates and fantastic wildlife experiences can be had in the “shoulder” months of May and November.

Find out more about our tailor made African safaris.
Get in touch with one of our Destination Specialists.

Find out more about our tailor made African safaris

Featured

Accommodation in the Lower Zambezi

The following are some of the lodges that we recommend in the Lower Zambezi National Park region. For information on additional accommodation not featured, please contact us.

Chiawa Camp

Operated by a well-respected local family, outstanding Chiawa Camp is located in a prime gameviewing location deep within Zambia's scenic Lower Zambezi National Park.

Chongwe Safaris

One of the most reputable operators in Zambia, Chongwe Safaris owns and manages three acclaimed properties in the Lower Zambezi, the most famous being Chongwe River Camp.

Old Mondoro Camp

Family-run Old Mondoro Camp offers authentic yet luxurious safari experiences deep in the heart of Zambia's Lower Zambezi National Park.

Potato Bush Camp

Set in the game-rich Lower Zambezi National Park, stylish Potato Bush Camp overlooks the mighty Zambezi River which fans out into a spellbinding mosaic of densely forested islands and channels.

Sausage Tree Camp

Lavish Sausage Tree Camp in the Lower Zambezi National Park offers some of Zambia’s best gameviewing along with the highest standards in luxury and service.

Sample

Zambia Itineraries

The following itineraries are just some of the many experiences that we can design for you. All of our tours are private, independent and tailor-made to your personal travelling requirements. Please contact us to begin creating your personalised Zambia experience.

Lower Zambezi FAQ

Zambia is also one of the best places in Africa to do a canoe safari – specifically down the Zambezi River in the Lower Zambezi National Park. Lodges dot the banks of the river and specialize in canoeing, boating and fishing activities. The only place that compares is Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park – on the other side of the river!

Zambia Overview

Why should I travel to Zambia?
Apart from being the site of the magnificent Victoria Falls, Zambia also offers game-rich wildlife parks that are relatively unspoiled by mass tourism. For the more adventurous, there are walking safaris and canoeing trips along the Zambezi River.

What is the climate like in Zambia?
There are 3 distinct seasons – cool and dry from May-July (23°-25°C) but cold at night, hot and dry from August-October (30°-40°C), and warm and wet from November-April (28°-35°C).

What can I combine Zambia with?
Zambia is best combined with its closest neighbours such as Botswana and Zimbabwe – which both offer amazing scenery and wildlife. South Africa is another option, where you can explore picturesque Cape Town, Table Mountain and the Cape Winelands.

How to get to Zambia?
There are regular flights daily from Johannesburg in South Africa to the Zambian capital of Lusaka, where you can board connecting flights to a range of safari camps. There are also regular flights from Johannesburg into Livingstone, a large town close to the Victoria Falls.

USA – There are no direct flights to Lusaka from the United States. The best connections are via Johannesburg, UAE or Nairobi.

UK/EU – Again there are no direct flights into Lusaka from anywhere in Europe. The best connections are via Johannesburg, UAE or Nairobi.

Want to know more about Zambia?
Visit our FAQ page or call us:

Australia: 1300 363 302
United States: +1 (213) 460 3364
United States: +1 (646) 217 0354
United Kingdom: +44 (20) 4518 8166

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