Undoubtedly the main lure for travellers to Zambia are its stunning national parks. With some 20-plus national parks, there’s an impressive diversity of wildlife and habitat to see.

Kafue National Park The largest, oldest and most accessible park in Zambia, Kafue is undoubtedly one of its best. You’ll need at least three days here to do it justice. It’s one of best places to spot lion and leopard.

South Luangwa National Park Zambia’s most popular park is famous for its abundant wildlife, wonderful scenery and fantastic choices for places to stay.

Lower Zambezi National Park Head to this wilderness area for close animal encounters while canoeing the Zambezi River.

Liuwa Plain National Park A remote, rarely visited park in the country’s northwest, most known for its wildebeest migration in November, as well as hyena, lion and birdlife.

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park Extending from Victoria Falls is this wilderness area most famous for being able track white rhino on foot.

Kasanka National Park One of the best spots to see sitatunga and water birds, but is most known for its spectacular bat migration in November when up to 10 million arrive en mass. Considered the largest mammal migration on earth.

Nsumbu National Park On the shores of scenic Lake Tanganyika in Zambia’s north, this park flies under the radar despite its astounding variation in scenery, activities and wildlife.

North Luangwa Park The place to escape the crowds, and one of the best parks for walking safaris, where you may be lucky to spot black rhino.

Outdoor Activities

Zambia has an impressive variation in ways to keep active while enjoying beautiful landscapes. Here are a few examples.

Hiking Offering the best walking in the country, trails in the Mutinondo Wilderness take you through some stunning scenery and mountain-top views.

White-water rafting Get your adrenaline fix in Livingstone and sign up for white-water rafting along Zambezi’s world-class Grade-V rapids.

Snorkelling & Diving While snorkelling and diving with tropical fish in crystal-clear waters seems unlikely in a landlocked country, that’s precisely what you can do here at Lake Tanganyika.

Canoeing A thrilling way to spot wildlife is to glide along the Lower Zambezi, where you’ll get up and close with hippos among other animals.

Birdwatching Many of Zambia’s parks offer amazing birding, however Lake Bangweulu Wetlands is unique for offering some rare finds, including the elusive shoebill stork.

History & Traditional Culture

With some 70-plus different ethnic groups in the country, there’s a lot of fascinating local culture and history to take in. Here are a few examples.

Kuomboka Ceremony The Lozi king makes his journey from the wet-season palace to his summer residence; held in either March or April near Mongu.

Shiwa Ng’andu A perfectly preserved 1920s English-style manor in the middle of rural Zambia where relatives of the original owner still live.

Railway & Gateway Jewish Museum An interesting insight into Zambia’s colonial past through the history of its railway, plus the story of Zambia’s immigrant Jewish community.

Moto Moto Museum In the north of the country in Mbala, this fantastic museum details the history and culture of the Bemba people.

Copperbelt Museum An excellent cultural museum in Zambia’s Copperbelt region.

Presidential Burial Site National Monument A stately mausoleum in Lusaka that serves as the resting place for all of Zambia’s late presidents.

Lakes, Rivers & Waterfalls

Who needs an ocean when you have a country blessed with an abundance of wild rivers, expansive lakes and spectacular waterfalls. Here are a few examples.

Victoria Falls As one of the world’s most famous waterfalls, this World Heritage–listed site is obviously one not to be missed.

Lake Kariba One of the largest artificial lakes in the world, Kariba is one of Zambia’s best spots for fishing and R&R.;

Kalambo Falls The second highest waterfall in Africa, this spectacular waterfall drops 221m, earning it a spot on Unesco’s tentative list for World Heritage sites.

Ngonye Falls If the crowds are too much at Vic Falls, head to these much smaller, but equally beautiful falls which are spread out over 1km.

Zambezi River Running from one side of the country to the other – interspersed by the Kariba Dam – is this wild, coursing river famous for its wildlife, fishing and canoe trips.