Zambia: The African Nation Home to the Walking Safari

Nestled in the heart of southern Africa, Zambia, named after the Zambezi River that flows through it, is a destination with vast savannas, lush forests, striking valleys, and escarpments of the Great Rift Valley. It’s also home to a vibrant cultural tapestry thanks to more than 70 ethnic groups, each with their own diverse festivals and cuisine. 

The country is landlocked and famed for its thundering Victoria Falls—one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Sitting on the border with Zimbabwe, the falls not only have cultural significance for locals but are a main draw for international travelers. 

In Zambia, you can swim at the edge of the falls or snorkel the crystal-clear depths of the deepest lake in Africa. Whether you’re looking to go on the safari of a lifetime or wander the local markets checking out artisan traditions like basketry, this African nation is worth your next adventure.

Land of the smoke that thunders

As a tourist destination, Zambia is perhaps most popular for Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, which sits on the country’s border with Zimbabwe. Its Indigenous name, given long before European explorers arrived, is Mosi-oa-Tunya, translating to “the smoke that thunders,” and is used to honor its cultural significance to the locals. 

It name is befitting, too, as it captures the sheer ferocity with which the Zambezi River thunders down a dramatic basalt gorge, creating a thick cloud of mist, rainbows, and spray water. This rain will have you completely soaked at viewpoints like Knife Edge Bridge, which requires goggles and a poncho. 

The best time to visit is in the rainy season between March and May, when the river volume is at its peak flow and the waterfall is most impressive. While you can walk to see the falls, you can also swim in Devil’s Pool or Angel’s Pool, small pools that sit atop of the waterfall and offer an up-close view of the cascade. 

Visitors can enjoy white-water rafting, a 30-minute microlight flight over the falls, and bungee jumping into a rainbow formed by sunlight refracting through the mist created by the waterfall. When staying in the area, consider Thorntree River Lodge, one of the only high-end safari lodges in Africa that’s owned by a Black African.

Home to the walking safari

Zambia’s myriad parks and game reserves make it an idyllic destination for a safari, but South Luangwa National Park—the birthplace of the walking safari—offers thrilling chance encounters with the Big 5 while on foot thanks to its low woodlands and flat, open plains. 

The best months to book a walking safari are in the dry months between June and October. Depending on your interest level, these can run from a two-hour walk early in the morning to a one-week mobile safari spending your nights in luxury or temporary tents in the wild.

Led by an expert guide, you can walk across the savanna, stopping every so often to identify animal tracks, distinguish between edible and poisonous plants, and see what information you can glean from wildlife dung. Zebras, giraffes, elephants, buffalos, antelopes, and more can all be spotted as you walk, as a chorus of birds sets the playlist. There are an estimated 400 lions here split into various prides—nothing beats the thrill of spotting them only a few feet away.

A walking safari is a unique opportunity to sharpen your senses and become one with the wild rather than being a spectator from a vehicle. You can’t make appointments with wildlife, though, so if you’re set on seeing certain animals, you might want to reconsider this type of activity.

Woven in tradition

Intricately patterned Zambian plateau baskets, which were traditionally used to winnow grain (separating the grain from the chaff by tossing it in the air for the latter to be blown away by the wind), are popular forms of wall art in contemporary African home decor. Different ethnic groups throughout the country have made these baskets for centuries, passing the tradition down through generations from mothers to daughters and using the baskets to gather, store, and serve food.

If you visit the Tonga women in the Southern province, you’ll find them chatting in small groups under the shade, dexterously weaving organic materials, like palm leaves dyed with tree bark or wild grass, into beautiful baskets. There’s a master weaver, too, who gets this title from her prowess in preparing the raw materials and weaving with consistency in design and shape. 

Other ethnic groups, like the Mbunda women in the Western province, produce more rugged baskets made from Makenge, a bush with long shallow roots that grows near water. It is typically harvested sustainably by trimming only part of the root, which allows it to regenerate two new roots that can grow up to three feet per month, ensuring a long-term supply for the weavers. Given how strong and stiff the Mbunda baskets are, you’d think they were made of wood. 

Now, we feast

Kick off your discovery of Zambian cuisine at Thorn Park, a lively area in the capital, Lusaka. Wash your hands, as these will be your utensils for digging into staple dishes, such as nshima (corn meal). Perhaps the most common staple food due to the widespread cultivation of corn throughout the country, nshima is affordable and eaten by people across all socio-economic classes. 

A typical Zambian meal combines a carbohydrate—like nshima—with vegetables and stews. Other common dishes found on the table include ifisashi (green vegetables with a peanut sauce), ifinkubala (fried mopane worms), chibwabwa (pumpkin leaves in a tomato sauce), as well as hearty stews with goat, beef, or chicken. 

Thorn Park has formal and informal restaurants, and the name of the game is to look for the spots packed with locals. You can start at popular restaurants like Twapandula or Matebeto where the menus offer a good variety of dishes. Try some munkoyo, too—it’s a slightly sour, fermented Zambian drink made from cassava root and corn meal. 

The world’s largest mammal migration

From October to December every year, a small evergreen forest in Kasanka National Park is overtaken by 10 million straw-colored fruit bats from Congo in search of in-season fruits, including waterberries and loquats. The bats are so massive—some the size of a small coyote—that they’ve been nicknamed “flying foxes.” 

Zambia is the only place in the world where you can see this phenomenon, which surpasses the more popular East African wildebeest migration in sheer volume. These bats are pivotal in forest regeneration. Each one can knock back around 4.5 pounds (2 kilograms) of fruit every night, collectively adding up to more than 6,600 tons. As they continue along on their journey, seeds are spread across their migratory path through their droppings. 

Kitchen party

In this Zambian version of a bridal shower, which started in the late '60s, a woman’s female circle helps her start her marital kitchen by gifting household items such as blenders and stoves, as well as giving practical advice on how to have a successful marriage. 

Among the Bemba tribe in the north of the country, there’s a pre-wedding feast called chilanga mulilo, where the groom-to-be is treated to a delicious buffet by his fiancée and her female cohorts. The ceremony name translates to “showing the fire” since the meals are prepared over charcoal. 

The cooking is usually done on the woman’s side of the family and delivered to the groom’s family home, accompanied by drumming and singing. The intention is to show that the woman will be a good cook and take care of her husband, as well as to display her family’s acceptance of the union. 

Festivals

There are more than 70 ethnic groups spread across Zambia, each with its own cultural festival, often involving singing, drumming, and food. Some festivals are small enough to draw just the village, while others bring in large groups and notable figures, such as the president. 

The Kulamba festival by the Chewa people in the Eastern province is usually held on the last Saturday of August and honors its ancestors and Paramount Chief, Kalonga Gawa Undi. Expect masked dancers with elaborate costumes representing various spirits and animals. The Kuomboka festival of the Lozi involves its litunga (king) traveling across the Zambezi River from the floodplains to higher ground on an elaborately decorated boat amidst pomp and glory. While there’s no fixed date since it depends on the river’s flooding, it usually takes place between March and April. 

Nc’wala is a celebration by the Ngoni people that happens in late February to mark the first fruits of the harvest and includes traditional dances, singing, and tasting of the first produce. Shimunenga by the Ila in the Southern province involves cattle parades, traditional ceremonies, and dances celebrating its pastoral heritage. 

Travelers can organize attendance with tour operators or local guides to any of these festivals.

Water, water everywhere

Zambia might be landlocked, but it’s not lacking in water resources. Lake Tanganyika—the world’s longest and second-deepest freshwater lake—is a popular spot for sportfishing, with the Tanganyika Angling Challenge taking place every March. It attracts professional anglers, adventurers, and sportfishing enthusiasts from around the world, and participants are judged on factors such as size and species count. One of the African Great Lakes, it sits at the northern tip of Zambia bordering Tanzania; it’s warm and crystal clear with over 350 species of mostly endemic fish, making it an excellent spot for wild swimming, snorkeling, and diving. 

Lake Kariba is at the southern tip of the country and flows along the border with Zimbabwe. It is the world’s largest human-made lake and offers scenic views of deep-blue water and a rugged, hilly terrain framing the backdrop, coupled with spectacular sunsets and an array of watersports, including fishing and boating. 

Another notable lake worth the trip, particularly for wildlife enthusiasts, is Lake Bangweulu in northeastern Zambia. Its vast wetlands attract various bird species, including the rare shoebill stork. Lechwe antelopes also thrive in the region, and the lake is an important fishing spot for surrounding communities.

Good to know

Is Zambia expensive? 

Zambia is generally inexpensive, but going on safari at high-end lodges will push your budget higher, with some going for $1,000 a night. A three-star hotel will run around $150 per night, while you can snag a hostel for about $25. For a sit-down dinner in a mid-range restaurant, you can expect to pay about $20 for an entree. For cheaper meals, like street food, you can fill up for under $7.

Best time to visit Zambia

To spot the most wildlife, the best time to visit Zambia is in the dry season between June and October, when temperatures across the country range from 73–97°F (23–36°C).

Victoria Falls is best visited in the wetter seasons, between January and May; however, it therefore gets the most visitors during this period.

The peak tourism season is June to October if you would like to combine a few of the country’s best attractions in one visit. It’s usually cold, but you’ll generally have clear blue skies, sunshine, and hardly any rain.

What languages are spoken in Zambia?

English, the official language, is widely spoken throughout the country. Numerous local languages like Nyanja and Bemba are spoken too.

Zambia with kids

Zambia is a great destination for families, as many activities can accommodate kids. Before booking a safari lodge, however, be sure to enquire about their age limit, as some of the top lodges don’t accept younger kids.

Zambia public transportation

Public minibuses are the cheapest and most common way of getting around. However, across the country, some can be old and overpacked, making for uncomfortable rides. Taxis aren’t metered, so you should negotiate a fee upfront. Uber doesn’t operate in Zambia, but there are other ridesharing apps available particularly in Lusaka.

Is Zambia safe?

Zambia ranks #57 out of 163, according to Vision of Humanity’s Global Peace Index. Petty crime, like pickpocketing, can occur in busy urban areas, so avoid flashy displays of wealth. Outside general election periods, the country tends to be more politically stable compared to other countries in the region.

Zambia also ranks #189 with a score of 6/100 for LGBTQ+ equality, according to Equaldex's LGBT Equality Index. Tourists will generally feel safe, but PDA is not encouraged.

Getting to Zambia

• ‍Main airport: LUN
• Average Going deal price for cheap flights to Zambia: $851 roundtrip

More African destinations: 

• Nairobi
• Namibia
• Johannesburg
• Cape Town
• Dakar
• Rwanda
• Marrakesh
• Cairo
• Ghana
• Tanzania
• Zimbabwe