Top National Parks to Visit in Zambia: A Few Hours on the Wild Side

If you’re visiting Zambia, then a wildlife safari has to be on your itinerary, as the country’s natural landscapes and wildlife are too breathtaking to miss. Here are the top National Parks where you can enjoy an intimate adventure to experience nature in all its beauty.

South Luangwa National Park

Located near the Luangwa River, this national park is home to large concentrations of game. As you make your way through the woodland savannah, you’ll encounter a fair share of giraffes, elephants, antelopes, lions, leopards and more.

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park

If you’re based at hotels like The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara, then this park is your most convenient option. Despite being Zambia’s smallest national park, visiting it is still one of the best things to do in Zambia, as it features a number of habitats and is home to the iconic Victoria Falls.

Kafue National Park

Spanning roughly the same size as Wales, this is the largest national park in the country and one of the largest on the continent. So it’s no wonder that Kafue National Park is home to over 150 animal species, including elephants, leopards and cheetahs.

Liuwa Plain National Park

Image by Steffen Pieper from Pixabay

Despite being one of the more remote national parks in Zambia, this is the perfect choice if you want to enjoy some quiet time in nature. Featuring broad open plains, the park will really test your patience, as you’ll have to travel long distances for animal sightings.

Exploring the Best National Parks in Zambia – Exciting Escapades in the Wilds of Africa!

Zambia is a dream come true for safari lovers, offering some of the most awe-inspiring national parks in Africa. These sanctuaries promise incredible wildlife encounters and here are some of the best spots where adventure and nature meet in perfect harmony!

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park

If you are staying at a Livingstone hotel, Victoria Falls is not the only famous attraction to visit since you will also find the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park here. As there are no predators at the park, the wildlife is more relaxed, making for fantastic photo opportunities.

Look to be based at properties like The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara and head off on game drives to spot white rhinos, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and more. The Zambezi River flows along the park’s edge, so a river cruise to see hippos and crocodiles is highly recommended too.

Lower Zambezi National Park

The Lower Zambezi National Park lies on the Zambezi River’s northern bank and offers thrilling wildlife sightings. Here, you will find elephants, lions, buffalo, leopards, crocodiles and an abundance of birdlife, including African skimmers and fish eagles. Canoe safaris are a standout experience, letting you glide through the park’s waterways, and you may even get to see elephants drinking water from the riverbanks!

Kafue National Park

Kafue National Park is another haven for wildlife, boasting four of the ‘Big 5’ animals; other than rhinos, you can see lions, leopards, elephants and buffalo. The Kafue River offers sightings of elephants and buffalo while spotting elusive African wild dogs and cheetahs adds to the excitement. With over 500 bird species including African finfoot and Zambian barbet, the park is a must-visit for birdwatchers too.

Jae zambia, Animals in Kafue National park 07, CC BY-SA 4.0

Nsumbu National Park

Located on the northern tip of Zambia along the shores of Lake Tanganyika, Nsumbu National Park combines wildlife encounters and stunning lake views with activities like scuba diving and angling. Amidst the protected areas, you may spot elands, hartebeests, zebras, and occasionally, elephants, lions or leopards. Adding to its allure, the park is home to sacred sites treasured by the local Tabwa people.

Diverse Safaris in Zambia That You Can Enjoy – Thrilling Wildlife Encounters Await

From national parks home to exotic wildlife to stunning natural landscapes, Zambia offers much to discover on a safari and the great thing is, you get various adventure-filled options too!

Game Drive Safaris

A great way to explore national parks is while being driven in 4×4 open safari vehicles that take you to the heart of these reserves home to plenty of wildlife. An ideal place for this is Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park near The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara; on your game drive, you will get a chance to see white rhinos, zebras, giraffes, monkeys, antelopes and much more.

Canoeing Safaris

Apart from game drive safaris, you can look to enjoy those on water too! For example, for travellers staying at a Livingstone hotel, Victoria Falls is not the only natural attraction to experience here; one can also embark on exciting canoeing safaris along the Zambezi River to spot wildlife and birdlife. Other areas for such escapades include the Kafue and Luangwa rivers as well as various lagoons in the country.

Image via The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara

Walking Safaris

For more up-close exploration, certain areas can be toured on a walking safari. As you would expect, such excursions, be it on short trips or longer mobile safaris, are done with highly trained guides. Getting closer to animals will be truly rewarding and unforgettable and places, where you can look forward to such experiences, include the South and North Luangwa and Lochinvar national parks. 

Other Safaris

For something different, look to set off on a safari in Zambia on horseback or even atop an elephant! Such excursions are available for those staying at hotels in Livingston close to Victoria Falls. Since the country is a place where one can see over 740 bird species, it has also become a prime destination for bird-watching safaris at spots like the Lower Zambezi and Lochinvar national parks.