ZAMBIA

Being host to some of the largest and most diverse rivers in Africa namely the Kafue, Luangwa and the mighty Zambezi this country is home to an abundance of bird and wildlife. These rivers are the main arteries of three magnificent eco systems and have given rise to national parks.

Zambia has for long been a favourite for dedicated safari enthusiasts but has only started emerging as a top wildlife destination in the last 5 years. The Kafue National Park is one of the oldest wildlife reserves in Zambia and certainly the largest. Bird life is exceptional and rich in variety. A wide diversity of habitats in the Kafue includes the ancient mopane forests to the south and the outstanding Busanga plains, home of the famous tree-climbing Busanga lions to the north. The Busanga floodplain also boasts large herds of antelope, zebra, buffalo, sable and the predators that complete the chain.

Opportunities for waterside game-viewing of the plentiful wildlife and birdlife along the banks of the Zambezi River in the south-eastern part of Zambia await visitors to the Lower Zambezi National Park. The Zambezi Escarpments on either side of the valley, through which the river has been meandering for the last few hundred years, provide a dramatic backdrop to this magnificent scenery. Home to the tiger fish (the worlds best freshwater fighting fish) angling efforts are usually rewarded.

The Luangwa Valley, which situated on the end of the Great African Rift Valley, is arguably the finest wildlife sanctuary in Africa and is well known for its walking safaris. Exploring the wilderness of North Luangwa on foot is an experience well worth the effort. South Luangwa National Park has an abundance of game and birdlife that is rarely seen in other game reserves. The concentration of wildlife around the Luangwa River during the dry season is remarkable and the “hippo battles of the Luangwa” are staged in this area. Its oxbow lagoons and shallow channels are filled with hippos, crocodiles and the banks lined with animals queuing for a well-deserved drink. The dry season Luangwa experience is amongst the most intense wildlife experiences in Africa.