What are the Top National Parks in Zambia?

Four people observe an elephant walking near a riverbank with trees and water in the background under a clear sky, capturing the beauty of one of the best parks Zambia has to offer.

Zambia

The Top National Parks in Zambia

The Ultimate Guide to Zambia’s Best National Parks for Safari

For a truly wild and remote safari experience, look no further than Zambia. It’s also one of the lesser-touristed African safari tour destinations, and its national parks are vast, varied, and wild—they include South Luangwa National Park, the birthplace of the walking safari; Lower Zambezi National Park where you can safari via canoe; and Kafue National Park, so huge that parts are untouched. The raw beauty of Zambia’s national parks has made them top destinations for seasoned and first-time safari-goers alike, as more travelers look for less-visited places that still have all the creature comforts.

south luangwa

kafue

lower zambezi

A leopard stands partially hidden in tall, golden grass, facing the camera in a sunlit savannah landscape—one of many unforgettable sights in the best parks Zambia has to offer.

best parks in ZAMBIA

South Luangwa National Park

This park is famed for its walking safaris, pioneered here, and its high density of leopards. The Luangwa River attracts an abundance of hippos, crocodiles, and bird species. A walking safari is the ultimate wilderness experience of South Luangwa, which absolutely teems with wildlife. In these unpopulated wilds, the terrain and habitats are varied and the game is shy and unused to humans.

When to Go

July to October

Reasons to Visit South Luangwa National Park

Go on a walking safari. There’s nothing quite like tracking lions and leopards with an expert guide and feeling the earth rumble as waterbuck and impala leap through the bush. From examining a bird’s nest to tracking a lion (and perhaps hearing its roar), or following a leopard’s tracks through the tall grass, learn the many facets of the bush and gain a deep understanding of how the complex ecosystem works.
Spot elusive leopards and river wildlife. Luangwa National Park is one of the best spots in Africa to see leopards, with a thriving population of the big cats—there are about three leopards per square kilometer in the park. The Luangwa River also supports tons of wildlife, and you might spot waterbuck, hippos, buffalo, or warthogs on a walking safari along the Mupamhadzi River, a major shallow, clear-water tributary of the Luangwa.

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Zambia Walking Safari

A honey badger walks on dry grass near a fallen tree branch, holding a cub in its mouth—an intriguing sight in one of the best parks Zambia has to offer.

best parks in ZAMBIA

Kafue National Park

Zambia’s oldest and largest national park (and one of the largest parks in all of Africa), Kafue is named after the river that bisects it north to south. It’s roughly the size of Massachusetts, meaning it’s so big, in fact, that much of the park remains uncharted. It’s this remoteness and diversity of landscapes that makes that park home to an array of typically difficult-to-spot wildlife.

When to Go

June to October

Reasons to Visit Kafue National Park

Spot rare and diverse wildlife. While some safari parks are all about the sheer numbers of wildlife you’ll see, Kafue is the place for diversity—it has over 150 species of mammals alone. You might see harder-to-spot safari animals like cheetahs, leopards, hippos, African wild dogs, pangolin, aardvark, honey badgers, and elusive antelopes like sitatunga and lechwe.
Discover a birder’s paradise. Home to over 500 bird species, Kafue is a birding hotspot. Notable species include Pel’s fishing owls, Malachite kingfishers, black-cheeked lovebirds, the elusive Chaplin’s barbet, and the endangered wattle crane.
Enjoy boat-based activities. The Kafue River, the largest tributary of the Zambezi River, provides the backdrop for some unforgettable water adventures. On a kayak journey you might spot hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and buffalo. Fishing is also a popular activity, and many of the park’s lodges offer river cruises.

best parks in ZAMBIA

Lower Zambezi National Park

Within Zambia, already a more uncrowded place for safari, Lower Zambezi National Park remains a quieter, less trafficked safari destination. You’ll find no paved roads and little light pollution at night. Lower Zambezi’s higher fees and comfortable accommodations lend an exclusive feel, but the park still has the biodiversity Zambia is known for—lions, wild dogs, elephants, buffalo, waterbuck, hippos, and zebras roam among the park’s rolling hills and rivers overhung with fig trees. There are no fences in this wildlife sanctuary, so animals might roam right up to your lodge.

When to Go

July to October

Reasons to Visit Lower Zambezi National Park

Experience thinner crowds. Located in the remote eastern part of Zambia, Lower Zambezi is named for its location along the north stretch of the Zambezi River. It’s one of the quieter Zambia safari destinations, and because there are no paved roads, you might not encounter any other safari-goers at all, even on an all-day game drive.
See the night sky of a lifetime. This remoteness also gives you one of the most breathtaking night skies you’ll ever see. Without light pollution, you’ll observe a stunning stretch of thousands of stars shimmering against the cosmic Milky Way.
Safari by foot or canoe. Lower Zambezi’s exclusive lodges can give you some unforgettable safari experiences. You might see hippos, buffalo, and birdlife on a canoe trip, or head out on a walking safari, which Zambia is known for.

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