Nomadic dani

If you’re dreaming of a wild, off-the-beaten-path safari, Zambia should be at the top of your list! Known for its remote, untouched national parks, walking safaris, and the spectacular Victoria Falls, Zambia offers a raw and authentic African experience. Unlike the more commercialised safaris in East Africa, Zambia’s parks are less crowded, wilder, and perfect for true adventure seekers. And from experience it is the land of the leopards!

I spent 2 months filming in Zambia in a much smaller, very wild location where the wildlife was out of this world. I had never seen so many leopards in one area, always best to look up! What you will find in Zambia parks compared to the liked of the Maasai Mara is how much cover there is. The Mara is vast and open whilst (from the experience I had) Zambia had many more trees.

So if you are looking for something a little different then here are my top suggestions for a Zambian getaway!

🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ+ rights in Zambia

Disclaimer: Like Kenya and many Africa countries, Zambias rules are strict on same sex couples and marriage etc. It is illegal here. Again I felt very safe in Zambia but didn’t ever mention my sexuality. That being said I wanted to share my experiences here as I did visit here to work. All of the people I interacted with were wonderful and kind people and the visitors we encountered were couples, families, friends and solo travellers.

South Luangwa National Park – The Home of Walking Safaris

South Luangwa is Zambia’s flagship safari destination and one of the best places in Africa to experience a walking safari. Known for its high concentration of leopards, stunning landscapes, and the meandering Luangwa River, this park is a wildlife lover’s dream. This area has a large populations of elephants, lions, buffalo, and hippos and amazing birdlife!

The best time to visit is either the dry season (May–October) for easy wildlife spotting, but the Emerald Season (November–April) offers lush scenery and great birdwatching.

Lower Zambezi National Park – Safari by Land & Water

This park sits along the mighty Zambezi River, offering a unique mix of game drives, boat safaris, and canoeing adventures. It’s one of the best places in Africa for close encounters with elephants, hippos, and crocodiles.

_{Some of the photographs I took from Kafue National Park – Full of all creatures great and small!}

Kafue National Park – Zambia’s Hidden Safari Gem

Kafue is Zambia’s largest and oldest national park, yet it remains one of the least-visited parks in Africa, making it a hidden gem for safari lovers. I filmed within this park and it is in my experience the most wild place i have ever filmed on the African Continent. It has a diverse landscape, from open savannahs to wetlands and forests and offers some amazing river tours where you can see many crocodiles and hippos alongside stunning birdlife. If you are lucky you may also spot a leopard hanging by the waters edge. If you are looking for Cheetah (a very rare sighting in Zambia) then this is place to be. And in some places you can also see packs of Wild Dogs if you know where to look. I was fortunate to work with amazing scientists from Zambias conservation efforts and was part of a Wild Dogs GPS collaring and tracking.

Liuwa Plain National Park – Africa’s Secret Migration Spot

If you want to see Africa’s second-largest wildebeest migration, Liuwa Plain is the place to go. This remote park offers a true wilderness experience, with vast grasslands, seasonal floodplains, and few other visitors.

Zambia safari overview

If you’re looking for a true African adventure, Zambia is an unbeatable safari destination. I would recommend visiting here if you want a less crowded and more wild experience. Top tip is to plan well. If you go near start of rainy season it will rain LOTS, so pack apropriate gear! And finally – enjoy safaris on both land and river!

_{A few more photos from my Zambia experience. I would highly recommend a day on the river to see what you can spot!}