Zambia tours promise something rare: a wilderness still raw enough to feel discovered. Walking safaris and lantern-lit nights remain the rhythm here, much as when this style of safari was first invented.
Zambia tours offer a rare kind of safari experience in a wilderness that still feels untouched. Walking safaris and lantern-lit evenings remain part of the rhythm here, just as they were when this style of safari first began. South Luangwa National Park is the highlight of most Zambia holidays we offer — one of Africa’s finest wildlife destinations, where game drives along the Luangwa River regularly bring sightings of leopards, elephants, hippos and crocodiles. For those wanting a broader experience, Kafue National Park and the Lower Zambezi add even more depth to a Zambia safari itinerary.
Our small group Zambia tours focus on South Luangwa, where wildlife encounters often unfold right along the riverbanks. Many of our Zambia itineraries can also be combined with Malawi for a more complete regional journey, including our popular 15-day Malawi and Zambia Encompassed tour. Whether you choose a group safari or a tailor-made Zambia holiday, each trip is designed to be flexible, comfortable and deeply immersive in the natural world.
Zambia
Small-group departures led by local experts, plus private tailor-made itineraries shaped around your interests, pace and dates.
South Luangwa National Park is where the guided walking safari was pioneered, and Zambia holidays still deliver that experience in its most authentic form — small groups, expert guides, and wildlife encountered at ground level.
Zambia's national parks see far fewer visitors than their East African counterparts. South Luangwa offers game drives along the Luangwa River where wildlife comes to the vehicle, not the other way round.
Leopards, elephants, hippos and crocodiles appear in remarkable concentrations around the Luangwa River. Wildlife ratings on our tours place Zambia at 5/5 — the highest score we award.
Our Zambia tour packages include the option to combine South Luangwa with Malawi — adding Lake Malawi, Liwonde National Park and community experiences for a complete Southern African journey.
See itinerariesZambia rewards travellers who slow down — the best stories are found off the tour-bus route.
From the field
Our Zambia tours depart in August and November — both excellent times to visit South Luangwa National Park. August falls in Zambia's dry season, when vegetation is lower, animals concentrate around water sources, and game viewing conditions are at their best. Temperatures are warm and dry during the day with cool evenings, ideal for game drives at dawn and dusk. November marks the start of the green season, when the landscape transforms with fresh growth, birdlife intensifies, and the park feels vivid and alive. Rain is possible but typically brief, and wildlife remains highly visible.
Looking to travel outside the typical windows? Our Zambia tailor-made team can advise on the best time for you.
Dispatches, field notes and practical advice from our specialists.
Reviews from across our small-group programme. Independently rated 4.9 Excellent on AITO by 250+ travellers.
“Many very good game drives with excellent guides who were very experienced, so I saw a lot of wildlife. Excellent.”
Eric
Malawi
“An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!”
Anna
“This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!”
Grete
“My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.”
Frank
“Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.”
Cathy
“Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.”
Lynn
“We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.”
Andy
“We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.”
Jennie
“Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.”
Debbie
“Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.”
Alexis
“Many very good game drives with excellent guides who were very experienced, so I saw a lot of wildlife. Excellent.”
Eric
Malawi
“An amazing trip! We had the most amazing holiday — over two weeks we had a taste of the cities, the culture, the mountains, a safari, and time at the beach. Our driver/guide made the whole trip very relaxing, and we were welcomed warmly by everyone we met, enjoying fabulous food and drink along the way. Undiscovered Destinations planned a really amazing itinerary for us with great hotels, a fabulous guide/driver, and interesting places to visit — they took great care to ensure we had an excellent holiday. We look forward to booking another holiday with them in the future. Thank you, Mark!”
Anna
“This adventure was always going to be very full-on, which is how we like our trips. I didn't count on getting bronchitis and ending up in hospital, however. The itinerary was quickly amended to avoid high-altitude destinations as much as possible while still making sure we had a chance to enjoy interesting experiences. While obviously sad to have missed some of the original sites, the revised itinerary was the only sensible option under the circumstances. I was extremely impressed with how Undiscovered Destinations and their local team handled the situation — taking the stress out of it, smoothing the way, rearranging the itinerary and booking new hotels, translating for me with the medical staff, and making sure I always had transport, medicines and anything else I needed. Nothing was too much trouble, and they kept in touch with me, each other, and the insurance company throughout. I can't recommend them enough!”
Grete
“My wife and I had a wonderful tour with Undiscovered Destinations. We had a different guide at each stop, and all of them were friendly, cheerful and knowledgeable. The local people were welcoming, and we always felt safe and comfortable. The beaches were spectacularly beautiful and empty of people, with warm, clear water, and each stop had its own character — some we loved for their unspoiled scenery, others for their history and the warmth of the welcome. We took the opportunity to snorkel on one of the most pristine reefs we've experienced, swimming with sea turtles and enormous manta rays that came right up to us out of curiosity. A wonderful destination for nature lovers.”
Frank
“Excellent. Action packed. Our local agent was excellent, and a good choice by Undiscovered Destinations. Because there were only two of us on the holiday, we had different guides at each stop, each one making sure we were handed over safely. All manner of transport was used, and we appreciated the different guiding strategies, the wealth of information given, the high level of English, and the genuine wish to show off their country at its best. Excellent.”
Cathy
“Far exceeding my expectations, this was one of the best trips I've ever done. A beautiful destination, with interesting history, lively ceremonies, lovely people and — surprisingly, for somewhere that sees so few tourists — absolutely no hassle on the streets. Excellent service from start to finish, with a first-class tour leader.”
Lynn
“We had a two-week trip with Undiscovered Destinations, flying in for two days first to break up the journey. It was a great trip, because we managed to see so much more than just the capital cities. This was the fourth trip we've taken with Undiscovered Destinations, and each one has been wonderful. Our guides were lovely — very professional and helpful. We rate UD very highly.”
Andy
“We had a fabulous trip with an excellent local guide, who took great care of us and enthusiastically shared his knowledge of both ancient and recent history, with lots of fascinating personal stories of his own life. We highly recommend this trip — Undiscovered Destinations were great to work with, and we hope to use them again.”
Jennie
“Everything was great — we got to witness a wonderful variety of wildlife, and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery and the hospitality of the people. A fabulous trip from start to finish.”
Debbie
“Excellent all-round trip. Drivers were conscientious and careful, accommodation was better than expected, and the scenery was stunning throughout.”
Alexis
Every one of our Zambia journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.
We’ll build one around you.
If you'd like to travel to Zambia outside our scheduled group departures, or prefer a private Zambia holiday designed around your interests and timeline, we can build a tailor-made itinerary for you. Whether you want to focus solely on South Luangwa National Park and the Luangwa River, combine a Zambia trip with time in Malawi - including Liwonde National Park and Lake Malawi - or extend into the wider Southern African region, we'll create a journey that fits. All our tailor-made Zambia travel packages include the same expert local guides and carefully chosen lodges as our group tours. Contact us to start planning.
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Our Zambia tours depart in August and November. August is in the heart of the dry season — widely considered the best time for game viewing in South Luangwa, when animals gather around the Luangwa River. November brings the green season: lush scenery, excellent birdwatching, and reliable wildlife sightings in a more vivid landscape.
Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.
We constantly monitor the travel advice issued by the FCDO and will always advise clients of any warnings before departure. At the time of writing, there are no warnings against travel to the parts of Zambia included in our tours. You can view the latest official guidance here UK Foreign Travel Advice – Zambia. Please contact us if you have any specific concerns or would like further information on the safety measures in place to ensure your trip runs smoothly.
Please note this information applies primarily to British citizens. Nationals of other countries should check the latest advice from their own government travel authority.
Join a small-group departure, or let our Zambia specialists craft a private journey shaped around your dates and interests.
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