Skip to content
4.8/5 Excellent Call us
zambia-giraffe-hero
ZambiaFrom £6,390

Zambia Tours & Holidays

Zambia tours promise something rare: a wilderness still raw enough to feel discovered. Walking safaris and lantern-lit nights remain the rhythm here, much as when this style of safari was first invented.

  • Best timeAug & Nov
  • Time zoneCAT (UTC+2)
  • CurrencyZambian Kwacha (ZMW)
  • LanguageEnglish (official)
Overview

An introduction to Zambia

Zambia tours offer a rare kind of safari experience in a wilderness that still feels untouched. Walking safaris and lantern-lit evenings remain part of the rhythm here, just as they were when this style of safari first began. South Luangwa National Park is the highlight of most Zambia holidays we offer — one of Africa’s finest wildlife destinations, where game drives along the Luangwa River regularly bring sightings of leopards, elephants, hippos and crocodiles. For those wanting a broader experience, Kafue National Park and the Lower Zambezi add even more depth to a Zambia safari itinerary.

Our small group Zambia tours focus on South Luangwa, where wildlife encounters often unfold right along the riverbanks. Many of our Zambia itineraries can also be combined with Malawi for a more complete regional journey, including our popular 15-day Malawi and Zambia Encompassed tour. Whether you choose a group safari or a tailor-made Zambia holiday, each trip is designed to be flexible, comfortable and deeply immersive in the natural world.

zambia-south-luangwa-big-game
zambia-south-landscape
Explore

Zambia

Why visit

What makes Zambia worth the journey

zambia-tazara-train
A place apart

The Birthplace of the Walking Safari

South Luangwa National Park is where the guided walking safari was pioneered, and Zambia holidays still deliver that experience in its most authentic form — small groups, expert guides, and wildlife encountered at ground level.

01

Uncrowded Parks and Raw Wilderness

Zambia's national parks see far fewer visitors than their East African counterparts. South Luangwa offers game drives along the Luangwa River where wildlife comes to the vehicle, not the other way round.

zambia-south-luangwa-big-game
02

Exceptional Big Game Density

Leopards, elephants, hippos and crocodiles appear in remarkable concentrations around the Luangwa River. Wildlife ratings on our tours place Zambia at 5/5 — the highest score we award.

zambia-south-luangwa-leopard
03

A Safari That Combines Two Countries

Our Zambia tour packages include the option to combine South Luangwa with Malawi — adding Lake Malawi, Liwonde National Park and community experiences for a complete Southern African journey.

See itineraries
Highlights

The highlights of Zambia

Game Drives in South Luangwa

Watch elephants, hippos and crocodiles up close on multiple game drives along the Luangwa River in one of Africa's finest national parks.

Stay at Thornicroft Lodge

Spend three nights at Thornicroft Lodge on the Luangwa River banks, where wildlife is visible from the lodge itself at dawn and dusk.

Walking Safaris in the Bush

Experience the African wilderness on foot — the style of safari encounter that Zambia pioneered and still does better than anywhere else.

Leopard and Big Game Sightings

South Luangwa holds one of Africa's densest leopard populations. Morning and evening game drives offer exceptional sightings of leopard, elephant and hippo.

Malawi Community Visits

Visit the YODEP and CISER community projects and take a boat safari on the Shire River through Liwonde National Park.

Satemwa Tea Estate

Tour the world-recognised Satemwa Tea Estate in the Shire Highlands, take part in a tea-tasting workshop, and enjoy lunch at Huntingdon House.

Hike to Likhubula Falls

Trek through the forested lower slopes of Mount Mulanje to Likhubula Falls, following a shaded trail to natural pools and back.

Lake Malawi Shoreline

Relax on the shores of Lake Malawi at Cape Maclear and Senga Bay, with optional boat trips, kayaking and local village visits.

Domestic Flight Included

A return flight from Mfuwe airport to Lusaka or Lilongwe is included at the end of your time in South Luangwa — no long road transfer out.

Zambia rewards travellers who slow down — the best stories are found off the tour-bus route.

From the field

When to go

Picking the right season for your trip

Our Zambia tours depart in August and November — both excellent times to visit South Luangwa National Park. August falls in Zambia's dry season, when vegetation is lower, animals concentrate around water sources, and game viewing conditions are at their best. Temperatures are warm and dry during the day with cool evenings, ideal for game drives at dawn and dusk. November marks the start of the green season, when the landscape transforms with fresh growth, birdlife intensifies, and the park feels vivid and alive. Rain is possible but typically brief, and wildlife remains highly visible.

Live weather
Zambia

Looking to travel outside the typical windows? Our Zambia tailor-made team can advise on the best time for you.

Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Reviews from across our small-group programme. Independently rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ travellers.

Many very good game drives with excellent guides who were very experienced, so I saw a lot of wildlife. Excellent.
Read full review

Eric Firkins, UK

Jason was very helpful and the booking process was quick and easy. UD offers itineraries that many competitors do not. I thoroughly enjoyed both trips I've taken with them. While they may not suit everyone, I have happily recommended the Senegal tour to fellow travellers.
Read full review

Bernice Hird, UK

Helped by Jason van der Wath

Excellent customer service, reliable itineraries and ability to solve local issues when they arise
Read full review

Gustavo Musto, Uruguay

I like the small size of groups, the range of destinations and excellent itineraries. This is my third holiday with your company and I have found your itineraries really good.
Read full review

Traveller from the UK

Excellent company to book with. Complex tour mostly delivered as per itinerary with professional and pleasant local representatives.
Read full review

Adam Choonara, UK

Jason was outstanding, patiently answering my many questions about the Senegal trip, particularly regarding accessibility. He was professional, supportive, warm and friendly, giving me the confidence to book. I truly appreciate his exceptional service and support.
Read full review

Ramnit Bassi, UK

Helped by Jason van der Wath

Undiscovered Destinations is able to find wonderful support staff and will go to the far corners of the earth.
Read full review

Patricia Taylor, UK

This is my third trip with UD and all have been first rate.
Read full review

Judith Hoyle, UK

I am very satisfied with every trip that I have doe with you since you match my interests in culture and tribal peoples.
Read full review

Eric Ferkins, UK

Jason was incredibly helpful and efficient in getting us booked last minute on this trip when our trip with another company was cancelled with no notice.
Read full review

Sarah Keir, UK

Helped by Jason van der Wath

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our Zambia journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

Tailor my trip
Tailor-made journeys

Didn’t find your perfect Zambia trip?

We’ll build one around you.

If you'd like to travel to Zambia outside our scheduled group departures, or prefer a private Zambia holiday designed around your interests and timeline, we can build a tailor-made itinerary for you. Whether you want to focus solely on South Luangwa National Park and the Luangwa River, combine a Zambia trip with time in Malawi - including Liwonde National Park and Lake Malawi - or extend into the wider Southern African region, we'll create a journey that fits. All our tailor-made Zambia travel packages include the same expert local guides and carefully chosen lodges as our group tours. Contact us to start planning.

Your dates
Travel when it suits you
Private group
Just you, family or friends
Your pace
Linger longer, skip the rest
Bespoke extras
Private guides, rare access

Typical reply within 3 working days · No obligation · Trusted by travellers since 2004

zambia-south-luangwa-leopard
How it works
  1. 1Tell us what you have in mind
  2. 2We build an itinerary + quote
  3. 3Refine until it feels right
Est. 2004
20+ years of
bespoke travel
Questions, answered

Planning a trip to Zambia?

  • Our Zambia tours depart in August and November. August is in the heart of the dry season — widely considered the best time for game viewing in South Luangwa, when animals gather around the Luangwa River. November brings the green season: lush scenery, excellent birdwatching, and reliable wildlife sightings in a more vivid landscape.

Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

We constantly monitor the travel advice issued by the FCDO and will always advise clients of any warnings before departure. At the time of writing, there are no warnings against travel to the parts of Zambia included in our tours. You can view the latest official guidance here UK Foreign Travel Advice – Zambia. Please contact us if you have any specific concerns or would like further information on the safety measures in place to ensure your trip runs smoothly.

Please note this information applies primarily to British citizens. Nationals of other countries should check the latest advice from their own government travel authority.

Ready when you are

Start planning your Zambia adventure

Join a small-group departure, or let our Zambia specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.

Trusted partners & accreditations