Zambia

Zambia — “the Real Africa” is no idle boast. Zambia was first colonized by the British South African Company in 1889 but ceded to the British Crown (whereupon it became the colony of Northern Rhodesia) in 1924.

Zambia covers 750,000 square kilometers and is a vast plateau bordered by Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia. The Zambezi River, together with Lake Kariba, forms the frontier with Zimbabwe. Victoria Falls, at the southern end of the man-made Lake Kariba, is one of the most spectacular sights in Africa (if not the world). In the east and northeast the country rises to a plateau 1,200 meters high, covered by deciduous savannah, small trees, grassy plains or marshland. The magnificent Luangwa and Kafue National Parks have some of the most prolific animal populations in Africa. Most tourism is concentrated in nine of the 19 parks - Luangwa, Kafue, Lower Zambezi, Sumbu, Lochinvar, Mosi-o-Tunya, Kasanka and Sioma Ngwezi - the remainder such as Liuwa Plains, as yet, having fewer facilities.

Unlike its younger, more refined southern Africa neighbors, Zambia represents the power of raw Africa — from rafting beneath the thundering Victoria Falls to tracking lion on foot in the South Luangwa to canoeing in the Lower Zambezi, Zambia has a well deserved reputation with those looking for Africa unadorned - small personal safari camps and lodges, great food, a variety of luxury and rustic accommodations, rich culture, top notch guides, excellent wildlife, an informal character, and adventurous activities around every corner.

Zambia is in many ways like Zimbabwe in its wildlife and wilderness offerings. Moreover, Zambia is a stable, democratic nation. Famous for its multi-day walking safaris through wildlife rich national parks, visitors to Zambia may also enjoy day and night wildlife viewing drives in open 4x4 vehicles, boating safaris, canoeing safaris, white water rafting, and exciting cultural opportunities. In the hands of highly trained professional guides Zambia offers the safari enthusiast true wilderness and abundant wildlife.

From the mighty Zambezi River where guests canoe past hippos and crocodiles from one of the exclusive Lower Zambezi camps, to the South Luangwa Valley, renowned for its untouched wildness and abundant wildlife including exceptional leopard densities and over 15,000 elephant (hence the name "Last Kingdom of the Elephants"), from the lion prides of the Busanga Plains in Kafue (the Kafue is reputed to have the widest variety of antelope in southern and central Africa) to the mighty Victoria Falls, Zambia offers travelers an exceptionally real safari experience.

In 2006, our partner Wilderness Safaris opened four exclusive safari camps on the wildlife rich Busanga Plains in the northern region of the Kafue National Park. The Busanga Plains is one of Zambia's most significant wetland resources and boasts some of the best lion and cheetah viewing in Africa.

Finally, the Luangwa Valley, which marks the end of the Great Rift Valley, is one of the last unspoilt wilderness areas and possibly the finest wildlife sanctuary in Africa. It covers an area of over 9,000 square kilometers through which the meandering Luangwa River runs. The oxbow lagoons, woodland and plains of the valley host huge concentrations of game - including elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion, giraffe, hippo - and over 400 species of birds.

To explore this wilderness, our partners Wilderness Safaris, Robin Pope Safaris, Shenton Safaris and Norman Carr Safaris own and operate a number of intimate and highly personalized camps situated throughout the South Luangwa Valley, with a focus on Zambia's world-renowned walking safaris. A to A Safaris are happy to discuss a variety of mobile safaris, walking trails and fixed safari camps with you.