Zambia is one of Africa’s premier destinations for nature lovers, boasting vast wilderness areas, abundant wildlife, and some of the most remote and unspoiled landscapes on the continent. With 19 national parks and numerous game management areas, the country offers exceptional safari experiences, from thrilling big game encounters to rare and elusive species. Whether tracking lions on foot in South Luangwa, spotting a shoebill in the Bangweulu Wetlands, or watching millions of bats fill the skies in Kasanka, Zambia is a haven for those seeking both iconic and unique wildlife encounters.
Zambia is home to many of Africa’s most famous animals, often seen in large numbers in the country’s most celebrated national parks. South Luangwa National Park is particularly renowned for its leopard population, earning it the nickname ‘Valley of the Leopard.’ Lower Zambezi National Park, with its vast floodplains and waterways, is an elephant stronghold, where herds can often be seen wading through the river at sunset. Kafue National Park, one of Africa’s largest, supports diverse predators, including cheetahs and the endangered African wild dog. Meanwhile, the annual bat migration in Kasanka National Park – featuring millions of fruit bats – is one of the most spectacular wildlife events in the world..
The Big Five
Zambia offers excellent opportunities to see four of the Big Five, but rhinos remain elusive due to past poaching. Lions thrive in South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi, and Kafue National Parks, while leopards are particularly common in South Luangwa, where sightings are among the best in Africa. Large herds of elephants roam the floodplains of Lower Zambezi and the open savannahs of Kafue, while buffalo can be seen in huge numbers in Liuwa Plain and South Luangwa. Though rhinos were wiped out from Zambia’s national parks due to poaching, a small population has been reintroduced in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park near Victoria Falls, so it is theoretically possible to see all of the Big Five in Zambia.
Unique species
Beyond the Big Five, Zambia is home to several rare and endemic species that set it apart from other safari destinations. Thornicroft’s giraffe, found only in South Luangwa National Park, is distinguished by its unique markings and is one of the park’s most iconic residents. Cookson’s wildebeest, a distinct subspecies, roams the Luangwa Valley, while the semi-aquatic Kafue lechwe can be found wading through the floodplains of Kafue National Park. Perhaps the most sought-after species among birdwatchers is the shoebill, a prehistoric-looking stork-like bird that inhabits the Bangweulu Wetlands and is one of Africa’s most extraordinary avian sightings.
Birds and aquatic life
With more than 750 recorded bird species, Zambia is a paradise for bird enthusiasts. The African fish eagle, Zambia’s national bird, is a common sight along the Zambezi River, its haunting call often echoing across the water. Rare and elusive species, such as Pel’s fishing owl and wattled cranes, can be found in the country’s wetlands. The rivers and lakes of Zambia also teem with aquatic life. The Zambezi River is home to large populations of hippos and crocodiles, while Lake Tanganyika, one of the world’s oldest and deepest lakes, hosts an astonishing diversity of cichlid fish found nowhere else on Earth.
Endangered wildlife
While Zambia remains a stronghold for many species, some face significant threats due to poaching, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict. Black rhinos, once widespread, were heavily poached and are now only found in small, managed populations, and only in one small, fenced area at Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, rather than freely roaming the larger parks where the rest of the Big Five can be found. African wild dogs, one of the continent’s most endangered predators, have stable but vulnerable populations in Kafue and South Luangwa National Parks. Pangolins, the world’s most trafficked mammal, are still present in Zambia’s woodlands but remain under serious threat. Conservation efforts are ongoing, with national parks and private reserves working to protect these species and restore their populations.
Something different
For those looking for a unique wildlife experience, Zambia offers several extraordinary opportunities. The annual bat migration in Kasanka National Park, where millions of straw-coloured fruit bats fill the skies between October and December, is the largest mammal migration on the planet and a sight to behold. Zambia is also the birthplace of the walking safari, allowing visitors to experience the bush on foot and encounter wildlife in a truly immersive way. For a different perspective, canoe safaris in the Lower Zambezi offer close-up encounters with elephants, hippos, and crocodiles as you paddle along the river. Liuwa Plain National Park, a remote and untouched wilderness, hosts Africa’s second-largest wildebeest migration, offering an off-the-beaten-track safari with far fewer tourists than the Serengeti.
If these wildlife species of Zambia impress you and you’re dreaming of a holiday we’d love to help. Please do reach out via telephone or email.
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