Go on a trip to Zambia and experience the real Africa
Going on a trip to Zambia means coming face to face with untamed and vast nature, a rich culture, living traditions, and a welcoming people. That’s why the Ministry of Tourism calls this country “the real Africa”. The name Zambia comes from the Zambezi River, which flows through the country and marks its southern border. Along the border with Zimbabwe the river plunges over the Victoria Falls, one of the most magnificent natural spectacles in the world, protected within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.
Most of the population is concentrated around Lusaka, the capital, and in the north-central region. This has allowed vast protected areas to develop away from the urban areas, covering 31% of the national territory: today there are 20 national parks, 35 game management areas, and 3 wildlife reserves.
Among this multitude of natural sanctuaries stand Lower Zambezi National Park and Kafue National Park. Their biodiversity is one of the most compelling reasons to travel to Zambia. Ecosystems range from highlands and forests to grasslands, creating an extraordinary variety of wildlife. Beyond traditional 4×4 safaris, you can also take walking safaris, which originated in Zambia, specifically in South Luangwa National Park.
Park excursions offer the chance to see elephants, buffalo, zebras, giraffes, impala, numerous antelope species, snakes, chameleons and predators such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas and the rare African wild dog. Crocodiles and hippos inhabit rivers and wetlands, and over 750 bird species have been recorded across the country. In Kasanka National Park you can witness a unique global spectacle: the migration of more than five million bats.
In short, Zambia is a paradise for anyone who loves nature, wildlife and outdoor activities. It is also a land with a valuable cultural heritage and a deep historical legacy, with archaeological sites that reveal prehistoric civilisations.
The first European to explore Zambia was the Scottish missionary David Livingstone, who, during a journey along the Zambezi in 1855 discovered Victoria Falls. He was so captivated by the landscapes that he continued his expeditions for over twenty years, until his death.
In 1924, the United Kingdom established a British protectorate in these lands, known as Northern Rhodesia. The Zambia we know today, with its “modern” name, was born only in 1964 when it gained independence. It is the result of the union of over 70 ethnic groups, each with its own language and traditions.
A trip to Zambia is the experience of authentic Africa, ideal for those seeking both culture and adventure. Discover more about the places of interest covered by AWT tours, and remember you can always add extra activities beyond those in the program by choosing from the available extensions. Or ask us to design a customized itinerary for you: it will be our pleasure to make your dreams come true and guide you through this incredible country.
Attractions and places of interests
Victoria Falls
Straddling the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, the largest waterfall in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Shiwa Ng’andu
A magnificent English country house hidden in the heart of the African wilderness.
Liuwa Plain National Park
Floodplains of wild beauty, home to a rich and varied wildlife heritage.
South Luangwa National Park
An exceptional wildlife sanctuary home to an extraordinary variety of animals, best explored on game drives and walking safaris.
North Luangwa National Park
Wild and remote, one of the last truly untouched wilderness areas in Central Africa.
Kasanka National Park
Wetlands and forests support a rich variety of wildlife, while the skies host the world's largest bat migration.
Kafue National Park
Zambia's oldest national park and one of the largest in Africa, much of it remains untouched wilderness.
Livingstone Memorial
A memorial marking the place where the heart of British explorer David Livingstone was buried in Africa.
Lusaka
Zambia's largest city and capital, Lusaka blends modern development with local traditions and provides easy access to some of the country's most celebrated national parks.
Livingstone
Livingstone, the former capital of British Rhodesia and an ideal base for discovering Victoria Falls and the surrounding region.
Lake Kariba
So vast it feels like an inland sea, transformed landscape and the lives of the people.
Lower Zambesi National Park
A wildlife-rich floodplain best explored on a boat safari along the Zambezi River.
Bangweulu Wetlands
"Where the water meets the sky": one of the most important wetland ecosystems on earth.