Map of Zambia highlighting important destinations
Zambian Destinations
The most popular destinations in Zambia with a focus on game viewing and an overview experience of Zambia.
Specialist Destinations
Destinations suited for second-time visitors and guests interested in experiencing unique destinations.
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Zambia
Zambia is a landlocked independent nation in southern Africa, just a little larger than Spain and Italy combined. Zambia is unspoiled by mass tourism, and is rich in wildlife, superb forests and meandering rivers. Of course it's also where you can see the world's biggest waterfall, the Victoria Falls, or as we call it Mosi-oa-Tunya - the smoke that thunders, which spans the border to our neighbour, Zimbabwe. It is one of the seven natural wonders of the world!
There are many other treasures in store in Zambia, as it boasts some of the best game parks in Africa, providing an unmatched safari experience. South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi, Liuwa and Kafue are just some of the National Parks one can visit in Zambia, along with more specialist areas like Kasanka and Bangweulu Swamps.
The people of Zambia are warm, friendly and proud of their heritage. With a variety of different tribes incorporating different languages, traditions, music and dance, you are guaranteed a cultural experience second to none.
Zambia offers a wide range of activities, from adventurous walking safaris, to gentle morning canoe trips down the Zambezi River, enriching cultural interactions with the local communities; to adrenaline-pumping bungee jumping…there really is something for everybody here in Zambia. -
Need to know
International airlines
Coming to see us couldn't be easier. International flights to Lusaka are provided by South African Airways, Kenyan Airways, Emirates and Ethiopian Airways. Daily flights into Livingstone Airport are available with British Airways and South African Airways from Johannesburg, South Africa. Kenyan Airways operates 3 times a week between Nairobi and Livingstone.
Visa
You'll need a tourist visa, which most nationals can purchase on arrival. Please confirm with us if you need to apply for visa in advance or refer to the Zambia Immigration website. Do check your stamp at immigration to make sure that you've been given enough days on your visa. Both international and domestic airport taxes should be included in your ticket price. For charter flights we will confirm this at time of booking.
From the 1st of June 2015 all foreigners and South Africans travelling with children under 18 to or from South Africa as well as travellers in transit will be requested to provide an unabridged birth certificate (including the details of the child's father as well as the mother) of all travelling children. This applies even when both parents are travelling with their children. In the case of one parent travelling with a child, he or she must produce an unabridged birth certificate and consent in the form of an affidavit from the other parent registered as a parent on the birth certificate of the child authorising him or her to enter into or depart from South Africa with the child he or she is travelling with. When children are travelling with guardians, these adults are required to produce affidavits from parents proving permission for the children to travel. Please contact us for more information.
Airport Taxes
Both international and domestic airport taxes should be included in your ticket price. Note - for charter flights and seat rate charters these are NOT included.
Money Travelers’ cheques and cash are accepted. Credit cards are becoming more widely accepted but not in remote areas and should not be relied on except in major towns. RPS accept visa for payments made in the camp.US dollars are easier to change than sterling. Please ask the exchange or bank to supply you with only new US dollar bills - i.e. ones with large heads as any with small heads are not accepted in Zambia.
Insurance
Make sure that you have comprehensive medical and travel insurance before you arrive.
Medical
You must have malaria protection and we recommend tetanus and the hepatitis vaccinations. It is advisable to know your blood group type in case of emergency.
Photography
Please be sensitive when photographing local people and their villages. Ask the guide or the villagers first. Be careful when photographing public buildings and persons in uniform - just ask first. -
Seasons and Climate
In our part of the world, we're blessed with distinct seasons, from the dry heat of winter through to humid, wet summers. The new year is an astonishing time in the bush; the birds are breeding, it's the peak birth time for many animals and all around you'll see the natural world come alive. The lagoons re-fill after the long dry season, and as the game goes to higher ground, you get a great chance of watching them. It mostly rains overnight ensuring little or no disruption of activities by day. Boating through the lagoons and along the Luangwa makes a wonderful activity.
From April to May, the main wet season has gone, the grass is high and the migrant birds begin to leave. At the end of May our most remote safari camps re-open. Winter time comes in June and July, which is also our dry season, and although it's warm by day, you'll need a jacket at night as it gets chilly.
September brings hot, hazy weather and a riot of flowers on the trees. It's an excellent time to see game, and if you're a birder then you'll see the Carmine bee eaters nesting from now until November. In October it gets very hot, up to 40 degrees in the shade. This is the end of our dry season when our camps that are located far in the bush, close.
With November and December comes the onset of the rains, the migrant birds return, the bush sprouts new life and begins to bursts into vivid green, heralding the start of another Emerald Season.
The beginning of the rains can also bring a deluge of flying ants and other insects (sometimes in pretty big proportions, but normally lasting a few hours). With the insects come the cooler temperatures but also the humidity.
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What to Bring
When you come to spend time with us there are a few must-brings to make your trip a success:
- A hat, high-strength sun screen, strong insect repellent, anti-histamine cream and tablets are essentials.
- Pack soft bags, not hard cases. First items in should be a torch and binoculars for everyone, trust us - you won't want to share!
- We have daily laundry in camp so you don't need to pack too much. Three sets of bush-coloured safari outfits, two sets of casual evening clothes and a medium-weight sweater plus a warm jacket if you come in Winter (June - early August).
- Bring a good pair of walking shoes - thick-soled trainers are fine for camp walks but bring light boots for the walking safaris.
- If you wear lenses, the dust may be a challenge, so pack glasses (possibly plus an extra pair…just in case).
Interesting Facts
- Capital City Lusaka
- International Airport Lusaka International Airport
- Currency Zambian Kwacha
- Population 14,300,000