Tiger fishing tours in the dramatic Lower Zambezi National Park, on the north bank of the vital Zambezi River, are part of sublime Zambia safaris based on walking trails, canoeing expeditions and birding ventures into untouched wilderness areas. Our Voyage2Africa Zambia tours and safaris include exhilarating accommodation on the magnetic Zambezi River and the best wildlife sightings in Africa. All you need to know about planning your safari to the Lower Zambezi Valley here.
Choose this prime safari destination on the lower reaches of the Zambezi as it wends its merry way down from Kariba Lake in Zimbabwe to Cahora Basa Dam in Mozambique. The valley’s remote and captivating riverine Zambian bushveld is hard to beat. Appreciate game drives with expert rangers and trackers who lead intrepid travellers to leopards, lion hunts, and plenty of elephants, hippos and crocs.
The Lower Zambezi is exactly that and it takes only a few hours’ drive and a short boat ride from Lusaka to reach the wonderful rustic camps, ethnic river chalets and deluxe safari lodges dotted along the banks of the meandering waterway. Stay opposite Zimbabwe’s famous Mana Pools National Park in a vast 4 000 square kilometres of prime bushveld region.
We love the Lower Zambezi Valley for its wildlife and breath-taking solitude in nature. It’s a veritable sanctuary for all things living, a lush riverine habitat hosting diverse wildlife in a hidden valley. What’s more, it treats visitors to upmarket bush camps and game drives with professional game rangers. Explore the Lower Zambezi over a week if you will, drifting from camp to camp, canoeing and fishing, birding and walking in the wilderness. Huge old trees shade canvas suites and glowing fires at night warm your heart and soul. Follow follow leopards prowling at dusk and watch elephants walk past your tent. This is the way to safari, on the Zambezi River where the silence is golden and wildlife viewing fills your days. We promote value and delight in our Zambian accommodation and safari packages!
Before the park was declared the Lower Zambezi National Park in 1983, it was the private game reserve of Zambia’s then-president, completely isolated from mass tourism. It was time to protect the remaining elephants because 80% of Zambia’s elephant population was decimated by poaching in the 70s and 80s. The black rhino lost out and is today extinct in this valley.
The Zambian government has thankfully always protected the Lower Zambezi National Park for conservation and ecotourism initiatives, wildlife being the country’s lifeblood. Still relatively new to tourism, the valley was pioneered by the Cumings Family who started the first camp called Chiawa in 1990 and set up all the game viewing loops that most safari outfits now share.
Your river guides will tell you that the Zambezi River flows some 2700 km via the Barotse floodplains then falls into the ether at Victoria Falls, fills Lake Kariba then reaches this valley where a plethora of natural islands have formed over the years. So, this ecosystem is rich with wildlife and reptiles, birds and insects, an unmatched safari mecca in southern Africa.
Are you a keen angler? Then go boating to catch Tigerfish, Bream and Vundu, a catfish lurking in this Zambian waterway. Lodges provide tackle and bait. Or book a canoe trip over one, three or five days – the currents take you downstream where a speedboat picks you up again. Watch crocs, hippos, elephants, zebra, impala, puku, baboons and kudu drinking or socialising on the banks.
Zambia experiences three dramatic seasons. Fishing is superb in September and October. The dry season, April to October, is best for game viewing but the wet season is lush and rewarding too.
Pack up the entire family for a safari holiday to Zambia that they will never forget. Intrepid journeys into Africa introduce your kids to the biggest classroom in the world, nature! Game viewing, nature walks, river cruises and camping under the stars are all part of a safari adventure your family will talk about for years down the line!
Bring your children into the true wilderness of Zambia, our top African safari destination of all time – so check out the luxury lodge and bush camp accommodation where children are made to feel at home and book your special family package today. The Lower Zambezi National Park is so remote that the children will feel completely alone and enthralled by their game rangers as they seek out leopards and elephants.
Plan a Zambia tour and safari with Voyage2Africa, the African travel experts, and enjoy signature experiences to the premier wildlife destination south of the equator. We bring you thrilling adventures in the southern regions, Kafue, Lower Zambezi National Park, South Luangwa and the famous adventure capital of Africa, Victoria Falls. We offer you the best of the best safari accommodation in Zambia, in lavish lodges, family resorts, modern hotels, eco villas and rustic wild campsites in nature. Bring your camera and your hat, your binoculars and your sense of spirit to an African land that is home to humankind.
Today the Lower Zambezi remains one of the few untouched wilderness areas left in Africa including Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park on the opposite bank. The two parks sit on the Zambezi floodplain ringed by mountains, a deserving UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The spectacular Lower Zambezi National Park is surrounded by three Game Management Areas (GMAs) – Luano in the North, Rufunsa to the East and the Chiawa to the West. These GMAs together add 14 453km² of protected wildlife area to the National Park, opening up a total of 1.85 million unfenced hectares for some of the best safaris in Africa. The lack of paved roads makes this remote safari destination quieter than the more accessible game reserves.
Most large mammals in the national park congregate on the floodplain, including the Cape buffalo, a large elephant population, lions, leopards, many antelope species, crocodiles and hippos – and sometimes a pack of African wild dogs. Birds are prolific and birders love the canoeing safaris to get closer to birds in riverine habitats. Set off on foot to explore the north of the Valley where lush Miombo and Mopane woodlands dominate on elevated land, looking out over the riverine floodplain ecosystem. Game drives down to the south for more Mopane woodlands with more open spaces for larger animals.
