Zambia: The Real Africa

“Raw Africa”, “untouched”, “authentic”. These are words I use to describe the experience you can expect in Zambia—a destination worth visiting for those looking for adventure. Well known for its walking safaris, this region is one of my top areas to visit for a full, action-packed, “ticking-off-species-on-your-list”, kind of vacation.

I visited Zambia about three years ago and will never forget my time there. I will try to detail the trip in this blog, but the tears I had in my eyes when I left and the wave of emotions that I felt during my time there are something you have to experience for yourself. The people of Zambia are passionate and so focused on sustainability—both for the local communities and conservation of the area. I was blown away by the focus on how we can all make a difference.

The main attractions in Zambia fall within the following areas: South Luangwa, North Luangwa, Lower Zambezi, and then of course the Victoria Falls attraction in Livingstone. The important thing to remember about Zambia is that during the “green season”, (from December until April each year), many of the lodges are closed. We know of some that stay open all year round though! The dry season runs from May to October; it is probably the best time to go if you want to have the best game viewing along with pleasantly mild daytime temperatures. It is important to note though that September and October can get VERY hot. When I was there at the end of October we had sweltering heat. Game viewing was excellent though!

If you share our passion for sustainability, you can hear all about what is being done to uplift the community as well how you can do your part in eco conservation. This is an integral part of the experience and a large portion of the cost of your stay goes right back into the community.

So where to go when going to Zambia? If you have the time, and are looking for an adventurous vacation, I would recommend a circuit starting out in South Luangwa. Easily accessible by flying into Lusaka, this region is perfect for safari walking. I thought I had experienced safari walking prior to my visit to Zambia, but this was a totally different experience all together. The true authenticity of the safari, the wild, and being able to walk through the park on foot is something that I would recommend to all adventure and safari enthusiasts. Most of the lodges here also offer safari drives, as well as mountain biking.

A range of camps is available to suite your style and budget, and we can make the best possible recommendations based on your requirements. For the keen safari walker, we can offer an exhilarating walking experience between camps. This was such a thrilling experience and one I will never forget. Walking across South Luangwa National Park to your next camp! This massive park is a whopping 905,000 hectares! That’s 2,236,000 acres, or 904,000 international rugby fields! So you could even focus on this one area alone, due to its vastness!

Another option of where to start your vacation is the Liuwa Plain—a photographer’s dream location. Don’t get me wrong; the whole trip is a photographer’s dream, novice or otherwise. But this region is known for the second-largest wildebeest migration in Africa—a very special and remote experience for the seasoned safari traveler.

A visit to Lower Zambezi is a must for any Zambia visit. This region is nick-named “the safari playground”—and for good reason. An array of safari activities is available here such as walking safaris, game drives, tiger fishing, boat cruises, and canoeing down the mighty Zambezi. This is the ultimate destination for the safari enthusiast. If you have been going on walking safaris up in South Luangwa, why not have a slightly more luxurious stay in Lower Zambezi, especially if this is your last stop.

If you have the time, why not end with a more luxurious stay in Livingstone? Steeped in history, this city is the Grand Finale to your Zambian itinerary. Whether you choose to stay centrally, or perhaps have a more river-based stay on the banks of the Zambezi River, nothing is too far away. The activities in the Victoria Falls area range from sunset cruises to white-water rafting, and so much more. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or something focused on families, we will point you in the right direction.

At Tailored Ventures we will assist you with the best possible recommendations, a stress-free routing, and our top tips when traveling to this destination.