Home of the walking safari, Zambia offers the ultimate twist on conventional wildlife safari destinations. The wilderness areas in parks and reserves offer regular sightings of popular predators, including lions, leopards and hyena.
If you head south to the plains of Busanga and Kafue National Park you can spot cheetahs. Large herds of elephant and buffalo roam the savannah plains whilst hippos and crocodiles wallow in their suited aquatic habitats. You may see elephant herds crossing the Luangwa River, tail to trunk as they protect their young. Other wildlife you may encounter includes wild dogs, vervet monkeys, spotted hyena, giraffe, warthog, antelope and porcupines, as well as some reptile species. Hear the boisterous alarm calls of baboons flying through the trees or witness an elusive leopard stealthily greeting the night as you return to your lodge after sunset.
The African hunting dog, also known as the African wild dog, is a species of canid found in various parts of Africa, including Zambia. These dogs are known for their unique hunting techniques, which invlve chasing prey over long distances until the prey becomes exhausted. In Zambia, African hunting dogs can be found in several national parks and game reserves, including South Luangwa National Park, Kafue National Park, and Lower Zambezi National Park. These dogs typically live in packs of 6 to 20 individuals, and their pack size can vary depending on factors such as food availability and habitat quality. Despite being highly skilled hunters, African hunting dogs are considered an endangered species, with populations declining due to habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and disease. Conservation efforts are underway in Zambia to protect these animals and their habitats.
Widely distributed throughout Zambia, leopards are found in many different habitats including savannas, woodlands, forests, and even in urban areas. Leopards are considered a protected species and are listed as "near threatened" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, they are still facing numerous threats, including habitat loss, poaching, and conflict with humans. Conservation efforts in Zambia are working towards protecting leopard populations through initiatives such as anti-poaching patrols, community education programs, and the creation of protected areas. The leopards that live in the South Luangwa National Park are anything but shy, you can see them lounging in the trees, lurking and hunting. Despite the threats they face, in South Luangwa, leopards rule in the “Valley of the Leopard.”
The entirety of this 10-day safari will be spent in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in this rich wildlife destination. From your secluded lodges and camps you'll be able to head into the bush and search for giraffes, hippos, zebra, thousands of elephants and a prodigious predator population, including lions, leopards, painted dogs and more.
From 8500 per person
“Suddenly they were there, lean, ghost-like shapes in the moonlight with Mickey Mouse ears; wearing their dappled coats of black, tan and gold, like ink spots on blotting paper.” - CD McClelland, Shadows in the Forest
From 11180 per person
Visit Lower Zambezi National Park and Kafue National Park in Zambia with acclaimed wildlife photographer Nick Dyer in search of wild dogs. At Natural World Safaris we firmly believe in right time, right place, and Zambia is the perfect destination to take advantage of good sightings of a large pack of wild dogs.
From 11140 per person
The largest migration of mammals on the planet is in Kasanka National Park from late October to early December, when up to 10 million straw-coloured fruit bats migrate from the Congo Basin in search of specific trees.
With over 740 species of bird recorded, Zambia is also well known by ornithologists, particularly in the Central African Plateau where woodlands and the wet evergreen forests of the north are perfect habitats for an astonishing array of birdlife. One of Zambia’s unique species is the African shoebill; these quirky creatures seem almost Jurassic and are non-migratory so can be seen year-round.
