Zambia - Lower Zambezi National Park

Zambia lies landlocked between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Equator, shaped like a butterfly and covering about 752,610 square kilometers. The Lower Zambezi National Park – located in southeastern Zambia - was declared a national park in 1983, serving as a private park of the Zambia president before that. Because it was private for so long, the park was protected from mass tourism, thus sustaining its pristine wilderness. Due to the CITES ban on the world ivory trade and because of the presence of ZAWA teams carrying out law-enforcement patrols daily, the park and its wildlife population (especially elephants) have remained remarkably stable ever since.

What makes this park a great destination for a safari is the concentration of wildlife around the water. The Lower Zambezi covers a vast area of 4,092 square kilometers, but most of the game is concentrated along the valley floor. There is also an escarpment along the northern end, which acts as a physical barrier to most of the park’s animal species. Expect some terrific photo-opportunities as enormous herds of elephants, some up to a hundred strong, gather at the Zambezi River’s edge to quench their thirst and splash around. During a canoe trip on the river, you might face ten or more hippos, peeking curiously above the water surface. Also, ‘island hopping’ buffaloes – there are several rocky islands in the Zambezi River - and waterbucks are commonly seen, not to mention prolific birdlife and fishing. There is simply too much to tell.

Due to the surrounding area and terrain, one of the few wildlife that can’t be found there are Giraffes, Rhinos and Cheetahs. But everything else, including the famous and rare African Wilddogs can be found easier, than in most other southern African Countries.

To me Zambia is probably the best wildlife and safari experiences ever. Zambia is very rough, wild and definitely not overrunned by Masses of tourists like many places in Southafrica, Kenya or Tanzania for example. Most of the sightings, especially within the Lower Zambezi Nationalpark I had for myself, or maybe shared it with 1-2 other cars or another boat. Compared to the Masai Mara in Kenya, where you often have to share a sighting with another 30-40 vehicles, this is something truly special. Also the Zambian people are extremely friendly, helpful and the guides here go all in for you, to make sure you get the best experience possible.

Wild & Untamed offers Foto Safaris not only to the Lower Zambezi Nationalpark, but also to South Luangwa NP and to a few areas of the Kafue NP and even mixes these three prime destinations if wished by clients. Especially the combination of South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi is actually an extremely popular Safari destination mix among Safari enthusiasts. That way we could concentrate a bit more on the water based activities in the Lower Zambezi and more on land activities in South Luangwa, just to get the very best of both exciting destinations.