Lower Zambezi

Lower Zambezi

Water and wildlife in a World Heritage Site

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Champions Of Sustainable Safaris

We offset the carbon emissions for each night of your stay in accommodation booked by us at no cost to you.

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Highlights

Why Visit

  • Superb boating and canoeing on the Lower Zambezi River
  • Mixed habitats of miombo, mopane and winterthorn
  • Over 370 bird species including carmine bee-eaters
  • We offset the carbon emissions for every night of your safari booked with us

Famous For

It’s no wonder that Lower Zambezi used to be a private game reserved especially for the presidents of Zambia. Until 1983, this incredible stretch along the Zambezi River was off-limits to everyone else. Today it welcomes safari lovers who want to have the option of spending all morning exploring the woodlands, forests, mountains and escarpment before escaping the heat with relaxing boating and canoeing on the river in the afternoon (some go as far as setting up lunch tables on sandbars so your feet are in the cool water – and far from curious hippos or crocodiles!).

Lower Zambezi National Park is still fairly seasonal, which means many animals see few humans or vehicles over the rainy summer months. When camps and lodges reopen, the game viewing is almost more ‘authentic’ as the animals’ instincts have not been smoothed through exposure to human activity. To the east lies Mupata Gorge, to the north sits the escarpment and the south is bordered by the meandering water – all of this creates a paradise for good populations of buffalo, elephant, sable, eland, greater kudu, waterbuck and their predators, including wild dog. Because of the river, the aquatic birdlife thrives: look out for kingfishers, herons, darters, cormorants, ospreys, spoonbills, skimmers and more.

When to Visit

DRY season: July to October

Safari high season sees Lower Zambezi at its busiest. Many lodges and camps start opening in June to ready themselves for peak season. The game may still be slightly dispersed and skittish but, as the dry winter wears on, they will not stray too far from water points. The dirt roads will also dry out, making for a much smoother ride. The water levels of the river drop slightly, making for excellent boating and canoeing.

RAINY season: November to MARCH

The summer rain generally arrives as short downpours and afternoon thunderstorms. This welcome precipitation replenishes the dried-out bush and signals plains game that the time is right to drop their young. Many camps and lodges may choose to close as the game is very dispersed, the grass high and roads on black-cotton soil can be sticky and challenging to navigate.

SHOULDER SEASON: APRIL TO JUNE

Depending on how heavily it has rained, camps and lodges may start opening in shoulder season. Rates will be lower to compensate for the animals being slightly trickier to find and see but this is an ideal time for birders.

Experience The Lower Zambezi

Want more detailed information or advice about visiting the Lower Zambezi?

Start Planning Now

Experience The Lower Zambezi

Want more detailed information or advice about visiting the Lower Zambezi?

Start Planning Now

Why book with Biggestleaf Travel

Biggestleaf Travel safari consultants
  • We Sell What We Love: We are genuinely passionate about African travel and safaris. Every itinerary we design is shaped by first-hand knowledge, personal experience and a deep respect for the destinations we represent. It is company policy that our consultants experience the destinations and lodges they sell, giving them practical insight into the areas, logistics and overall journey.

  • Your Financial Security Comes First: We mitigate financial risk by being accredited members of ASATA, SATSA and ATTA, ensuring your funds are handled responsibly and in line with industry best practice. You book with confidence, knowing your investment is protected. For more detail, please visit our Why Book With Us page.

  • Transparent, Independent Reviews: Our reputation is verified through open, independent reviews on Trustpilot, Google and TripAdvisor — real feedback from real travellers, with nothing hidden. Please visit our Reviews page for more information.

  • Tailor-Made – Not Template – Trips: No two travellers are the same. Every journey we create is fully personalised and customised, designed around your interests, pace and expectations. This may take longer to organise but it means our clients get an unforgettable experience.

  • Established, Stable & Experienced: Founded in 2014, we are proud that we still have our first consultants working with us today. This continuity reflects the strength of our team culture, depth of experience and the long-term relationships we build with our staff, clients and safari partners.

  • Responsible Travel & Carbon Offsetting: We believe in protecting Africa’s wild places for generations to come. As part of our commitment to responsible travel, we offset our travellers’ carbon footprint through bed-night calculations, and fully offset all kilometres driven by our vehicles through verified carbon credits. Every journey therefore contributes to conservation, climate responsibility and the long-term sustainability of the destinations we love. Visit our Sustainable Travel page for more information.

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