Zambia is a landlocked country in the southern part of Africa, with its capital city, Lusaka. The country has a population of about 22.5 million people. It covers an area of approximately 752618 square kilometres of land. Zambia shares borders with the following countries: Tanzania to the northeast, Malawi to the east, Angola to the west, Namibia to the southwest, Mozambique to the southeast, Zimbabwe to the south, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the north. Zambia possesses a variety of tourist sites and attractions, and these are the following:
Lake Kariba.
Lake Kariba is one of the world’s largest man-made lakes, at 225km long and in places up to 40km wide, offering a relaxing and scenic retreat that feels more like an ocean. Spend days cruising the lake on a houseboat, fishing for tiger fish and bream, and visiting the islands such as Chete and Chinanka, and other shorelines for wildlife sightings, including elephants and antelope.
Liuwa Plains.
Located in the far west of Zambia, Liuwa is one of the world's oldest conservancies, dating back to the late 1800s. Over the past 15 years, African Parks has been restoring this reserve and reintroducing key species, including lions, elands, and buffalo. It now hosts the second-largest wildebeest migration in Africa, and its lion population is thriving. Today, with over 10,000 local residents living legally within the park, Liuwa exemplifies how people and wildlife can coexist and benefit from shared landscapes, with tourism playing a major role. It is a true success story, with an impressive 95% of its workforce coming from the local Lozi community.
Victoria Falls.
The Victoria Falls is one of the ‘Seven Natural Wonders of the World’, and is a must-see highlight for most trips to Zambia. Known by locals as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ or ‘The Smoke That Thunders’, this magnificent waterfall straddles the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe at 108 metres in height (almost double the height of Niagara Falls). The Falls are best viewed in March after the rains or around August, especially if you are combining your visit with a safari.
The Zambian side of the Falls offers thrilling activities for adrenaline junkies, including swimming in the Devil’s Pool (those devil-may-care photos on the edge of the falls are extremely popular) and guided tours of Livingstone Island. Adventures such as white-water rafting and microlight or helicopter flights for a birds-eye view of the falls are also very popular.
South Luangwa National Park.
South Luangwa is probably Zambia’s most iconic wildlife haven, renowned for its high concentration of animals and excellent chances of Africa's big cats, including leopards. It was here in the 1960s that walking safaris first began, starting a tradition that has thrilled and enthralled safari goers with a lust for adventure ever since.
Visitors can also enjoy guided game drives by day, night drives to spot nocturnal animals, and exquisite birdwatching, with over 400 species. Zambia boasts some of the most experienced guides and trackers you're to find anywhere, and South Luangwa attracts the best of the best.
Kafue National Park.
As one of the largest national parks in Africa, Kafue is a vast wilderness area with diverse landscapes and plenty of wildlife. The Busanga Plains, known for their large herds of buffalo and antelope, are an ideal habitat for cheetahs, ensuring great sightings. Explore the park’s varied terrain, from miombo woodlands to riverine forests on game drives, or enjoy boat safaris along the Kafue River, spotting hippos, crocodiles, and birds.
Lower Zambezi National Park.
Africa’s fourth-longest river, the Zambezi, offers a unique experience with its combination of land and water-based activities. Here, you can enjoy white-river rafting, gentle river cruises, and canoeing, or even try your hand at catch-and-release fishing for the famous tiger fish. This national park is also a great location for game viewing with diverse wildlife, including big cats and buffalo, best enjoyed either on game drives or on foot.
Lake Tanganyika.
It is the world’s longest freshwater lake and is also the deepest in Africa as part of the Great Rift Valley – stretching up to 670 km long and reaching a depth of around 1,433 metres, an astonishing 640 metres below sea level. This ancient lake is actually a vast inland sea that is home to 350 different species of fish, most of which are endemic, and a plethora of other wildlife and birds, making it one of the top two lakes in the world in terms of biodiversity.
Sport fishing is one of the lake’s main attractions, with prize catches including the goliath tigerfish and Nile perch. Swimming in the lake (in the Mpulungu area only, to avoid crocodiles) is an absolute treat.
Livingstone Town.
It is the Zambian base for exploring mighty Victoria Falls, one of Africa's finest natural wonders. The waterfall marks the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and you can visit the falls on both sides. Named after famed explorer David Livingstone, who was said to be the first Westerner to see the falls, activities on offer here include sailing and rafting on the Zambezi River, abseiling, scenic flights, and much more.
Kasanka National Park.
You don't have to go to Kasanka for lions and rhinos, although elephants and leopards are known to inhabit this tiny 390-square-kilometre reserve. The real attractions in this heavily forested, swampy park are the bats. Huge colonies of fruit bats, millions strong, can be seen erupting from their roosts to feed every dusk, and returning at sunrise to rest. It's a memorable experience to watch them take off in the fading light.
Blue Lagoon National Park.
About 100 kilometres from Lusaka, but worth the trip if you can fit it into your itinerary, is Blue Lagoon National Park. Best visited during the wet season, this seasonal floodplain comprises a series of lagoons and lakes. It's an excellent spot for wildlife spotting, particularly for birdwatchers. And it's home to a healthy population of Kafue Lechwe, an antelope endemic to this part of Zambia.
Bangweulu Wetlands.
This prehistoric bird is bizarre, known for its giant bill and its reputation for familicide. Hatching two chicks in each brood, only one will ever make it to adulthood; the second ignored by the parent and left to starve unless the first chick dies of other causes. The Shoebill is the star species of the Bangweulu Wetlands, Zambia's bird-watching capital.
Chipata.
You pass the main attraction in Chipata as you arrive in this small town, close to the border with Malawi. The colourful welcome arch is a worthy photo opportunity, and the town itself is a popular recharging destination for overland travellers heading south. Once known as Fort Jameson, a visit here is a nice insight into Zambian life.
Lusaka.
The Zambian capital is hardly a tourist destination, but it's worth a stopover for travellers to the country. It's a city on the up, with tarmac roads and a few large high-rise buildings, a symbol of development that has lifted thousands of Zambians out of extreme poverty in recent years. Highlights for visitors include the vibrant Sunday Craft Market. And Lusaka National Park, Zambia's newest reserve, is located just outside the city.
If you're planning for your next summer trip or holiday, please you should put the above tourist attractions into consideration. Let Zambia be your next destination, and you won't regret it. And you will also discover why Zambia is nicknamed " Air-conditioned State."
