Wildlife in Zambia
A firm favourite for serious safaris, Zambia has plenty of big game within magical national parks where visitors explore on expert-guided walking safaris as well as 4WD game drives and night drives.
Zambia is a large country in the heart of Africa. Its relatively low population density and extensive network of national parks means plenty of undeveloped space for wildlife, although most of the country’s best game-viewing is concentrated in a handful of excellent national parks.
The national parks here are set aside just for the wildlife and they’re very much big-game country. So Zambia will live up to the expectations of fans of big, quintessentially African species like lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, giraffe and hippo.
Most of Zambia’s larger mammals need to drink daily. So as is often the case in Africa, bigger animals are usually easier to observe during Zambia’s dry season, when they remain in the vicinity of the remaining watercourses. Then the wildlife around the Kafue, Luangwa and Zambezi rivers really comes into its own.
Zambian wildlife safaris have long proved a favourite amongst our keen safari-goers for the fully-open vehicles used on safari; the walking safaris and night drives within the national parks; and the very high standard of many of the country’s safari guides.
Expert Africa has more travellers returning to Zambia for a safari than to any other country – which says something!
Great safaris for wildlife in Zambia
Ideas and inspiration for great holidays focussed on wildlife in Zambia.
Puku Safari
11 days • 3 locations
LUSAKA AIRPORT TO LIVINGSTONE AIRPORT
Discover South Luangwa’s prolific wildlife before exploring the wildly remote pans of Liuwa Plain National Park and relaxing in one of the Livingstone area’s most romantic and exclusive hideaways. A safari of luxury, style and impressive diversity.
US$13,200 - US$19,920 per person
Perekani Walking Trail
10 days • 5 locations
LUSAKA AIRPORT TO LUSAKA AIRPORT
Five smart but rustic bushcamps are the comfortable staging posts for this walking safari in South Luangwa. The route offers outstanding seclusion and rich wildlife with top-quality guiding throughout.
US$9,250 - US$11,500 per person
Crawshay's Zebra Safari
10 days • 4 locations
LUSAKA AIRPORT TO LUSAKA AIRPORT
This superb safari combines two of Zambia’s best national parks, the South Luangwa and the Lower Zambezi. The camps are small and high quality with excellent safari guides.
US$10,460 - US$13,820 per person
Duiker Safari
10 days • 3 locations
LUSAKA AIRPORT TO LUSAKA AIRPORT
Three luxurious bushcamps in stunning riverside locations, split between the South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi national parks, offer a wide variety of expert-guided safari activities in stunning game-rich environments.
US$8,060 - US$11,220 per person
Hippo Safari
10 days • 4 locations
LUSAKA AIRPORT TO LIVINGSTONE AIRPORT
Combining excellent game with aspects of remoter safari in South Luangwa, as well as the cultural delights of Livingstone, this trip also makes use of long-stay discounts, making it an excellent-value and well-rounded adventure.
US$7,480 - US$9,520 per person
Giraffe Safari
9 days • 3 locations
LUSAKA AIRPORT TO LUSAKA AIRPORT
A safari to the remotest parts of Zambia’s Luangwa Valley. Perfect for experienced safari goers and first-time Africa adventurers. Explore with expert guides whilst staying at small bushcamps.
US$8,390 - US$9,740 per person
Defassa Waterbuck Safari
9 days • 3 locations
LUSAKA AIRPORT TO LUSAKA AIRPORT
Stay in three intimate, owner-run camps during this exploration of Kafue National Park. Remote locations, true wilderness and a range of activities make for a real adventure off the beaten track.
US$8,240 - US$9,360 per person
Civet Safari
9 days • 4 locations
LUSAKA AIRPORT TO LUSAKA AIRPORT
Combining three intimate bushcamps in the quieter south of the South Luangwa, this safari will appeal to those looking for an interesting mix of walking and vehicle safari.
US$7,480 - US$9,970 per person
Purple Roller Safari
8 days • 2 locations
LUSAKA AIRPORT TO LUSAKA AIRPORT
Explore the varied habitats and terrain of Kafue National Park with stays in two wonderfully remote bushcamps: sister camps that offer access to both the centre of the park and the wildlife-rich Busanga Plains.
US$8,790 - US$9,320 per person
Greater Bushbaby Safari
8 days • 2 locations
LUSAKA AIRPORT TO LUSAKA AIRPORT
The perfect safari for a family or group of friends during which to create everlasting memories. Visit Zambia’s two most productive wildlife parks staying in four-bedroom houses, designed in a unique and fun way.
US$9,400 - US$13,240 per person
Zambia's best camps & lodges for wildlife safaris
Click on the dots on the map to show the sightings from that lodges or camps for the species selected. It's based on 7560 reports by 1047 groups of our our travellers since Mar 2018.
Best chances to see
Good chances to see
Some sightings
No sightings yet
Lion
86%
Quick facts about Lion
Scientific name:
Panthera leo
Habitat:
Savanna & woodland
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
120–225kg
Leopard
79%
Quick facts about Leopard
Scientific name:
Panthera pardus
Habitat:
Savanna, woodland, forest, mountains
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
30–90kg
Wild dog
42%
Quick facts about Wild dog
Scientific name:
Lycaon pictus
Habitat:
Savannah & woodland
IUCN status:
Endangered
Adult weight:
20–36kg
Cheetah
7%
Quick facts about Cheetah
Scientific name:
Acinonyx jubatus
Habitat:
Grassland & woodland
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
50–70kg
Buffalo
84%
Quick facts about Buffalo
Scientific name:
Syncerus caffer
Habitat:
Floodplains, mixed bush & moist grasslands
IUCN status:
Near-threatened
Adult weight:
500–950kg
Eland
13%
Quick facts about Eland
Scientific name:
Taurotragus oryx
Habitat:
Open savanna & grasslands
IUCN status:
Least concern
Adult weight:
340–940kg
Elephant
95%
Quick facts about Elephant
Scientific name:
Loxodonta africana
Habitat:
Woodland and savanna
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
2,500–6,500kg
Giraffe
94%
Quick facts about Giraffe
Scientific name:
Giraffa camelopardalis
Habitat:
Woodland savanna
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
800–1,200kg
Hippo
97%
Quick facts about Hippo
Scientific name:
Hippopotamus amphibius
Habitat:
Freshwater rivers & wetlands
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
1,300–2,600kg
Roan antelope
10%
Quick facts about Roan antelope
Scientific name:
Hippotragus equinus
Habitat:
Savannah woodland
IUCN status:
Least Concern
Adult weight:
180–300kg
Sable antelope
7%
Quick facts about Sable antelope
Scientific name:
Hippotragus niger
Habitat:
Savannah woodland
IUCN status:
Least Concern
Adult weight:
220–235kg
Spotted Hyena
78%
Quick facts about Spotted Hyena
Scientific name:
Crocuta crocuta
Habitat:
Semi-desert, forest, savannah
IUCN status:
Least Concern
Adult weight:
40–80kg
Wildebeest
43%
Quick facts about Wildebeest
Scientific name:
Connochaetes sp.
Habitat:
Open savannah & grasslands
IUCN status:
Least concern
Adult weight:
250–290kg
Zebra
89%
Quick facts about Zebra
Scientific name:
Equus quagga
Habitat:
Woodland and savannah
IUCN status:
Near Threatened
Adult weight:
155–322kg
Aardvark
3%
Quick facts about Aardvark
Scientific name:
Orycteropus afer
Habitat:
Grassland & woodland
IUCN status:
Least Concern
Adult weight:
60–80kg
Pangolin
1%
Quick facts about Pangolin
Scientific name:
Smutsia temminkii
Habitat:
Savannah woodland
IUCN status:
Vulnerable
Adult weight:
5–27kg
Black Rhino
3%
Quick facts about Black Rhino
Scientific name:
Diceros bicornis
Habitat:
Scrub & open woodland
IUCN status:
Critically Endangered
Adult weight:
800–1,400kg
White Rhino
33%
Quick facts about White Rhino
Scientific name:
Ceratotherium simum
Habitat:
Woodland savannah
IUCN status:
Near Threatened
Adult weight:
1,800–2,700kg
Sitatunga
12%
Quick facts about Sitatunga
Scientific name:
Tragelaphus spekeii
Habitat:
Swamps and swamp forest
IUCN status:
Least Concern
Adult weight:
24–119kg
Zambia's key wildlife areas
From the obvious big game species to endemic sub-species, Zambia is great choice for those serious about their immersion in wild areas, to see plenty of wildlife.
Flagship national parks
Top of Zambia’s list for wildlife enthusiasts is its flagship national park, South Luangwa. In the dry season, from around May to November, the Luangwa River shrinks to a series of pools dotted along the sand. Here you’ll find one of of Africa’s highest concentrations of hippos, and lots of animals stopping by for a drink.
The Luangwa Valley has its own endemic sub-species of giraffe, Thornicroft’s giraffe, as well as its own, near-endemic sub-species of zebra (Crawshay’s) and wildebeest (Cookson’s).
Zambia’s Lower Zambezi has a similar feel: a low-lying rift valley with lush vegetation, which confines the sweeping curves of the deep, wide and permanent waters of the great Zambezi River. Canoeing along the river, with its resident population of hippos and crocodiles, brings a whole new dimension to viewing wildlife. Look out, too, for the elephant and buffalo that swim across, between Zambia and Zimbabwe, stopping to munch the grasses, sedges and herbs from islands in the river.
Higher and slightly cooler, the undulating Kafue National Park is also a big attraction for wildlife enthusiasts, with the Busanga Plains being particularly impressive during the late dry season. Cheetah and wild dog are regularly seen here, as are roan and sable antelope, and feisty little oribi.
Zambia’s other wildlife areas receive many fewer visitors. Liuwa Plain is a name to conjure with: a vast grassy plain where an annual wildebeest migration gathers; Kasanka National Park, in Northern Zambia, which has one of the world’s densest congregations of mammals in November, as millions of fruit bats arrive to feast.
Other top countries for wildlife
To understand the wildlife in other countries in Africa, click on the countries here.
