Lusaka, Zambia will surprise you. You land at a modern airport, and the drive into the bustling capital city immediately grabs your attention. But that’s just the start. Zambia is the heart of southern Africa, sharing borders with eight countries like Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, Mozambique, and more. Fly in directly or road-trip from a neighbor which also offers exciting African adventures.
A Rising Destination
The country is a rising as one of Africa’s most exciting destinations, earning major international recognition for its beauty, culture, and sustainable tourism. In 2024, it was crowned Best Leisure Destination in Africa at the Global Traveller Awards. A year later, Green Safaris Zambia won Gold at the WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards for its solar-powered lodges and “Silent Safaris.” Frommer’s also placed Zambia on its list of the Best Places to Go in 2025.
It wasn’t always like that and in the 1980s the biggest advert was for the best chicken food on black and white TV. Lodges in Livingston in the vicinity of Victoria Falls sold drinks in sealed plastic bags, and at least one of them had no roof, using canvas instead.
Fortunately, time brought changes and prosperity and nowadays, it rivals in the field of stunning and even unusual destinations. Read on for the best places to visit in 2025.
Lake Kariba
Just across the wall at Kariba, getting away from the bustling Zimbabwean side, you will find Siavonga. It’s not much more than a village really, but along the shoreline, charming hotels and overnight stays allow for comfort as you take in the local culture. Not awash with the big five, there are still adventures. For example, you can take a walk down to the massive wall at the hydro dam.
Just a few hours by road from Lusaka, it’s a much easier drive than the one from Harare to Kariba on the southern border. Houseboat cruises, fishing, and lovely gardens at cozy hotels offer a pleasant and relaxing stay. From there you have two options: visit the Victoria Falls, or swing east to the lower Zambezi.
Victoria Falls
Often, you will hear Zambians complain that Zimbabwe takes all the credit for Victoria Falls. However, it’s shared by both countries. While Zimbabwe undoubtedly has some great views, so does the Zambia side. Get there on the road from Siavonga and pass through the agriculturally thriving areas of Mazabuka.
Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya (“The Smoke that Thunders”), Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. On the Zambian side, visitors get heart-pounding close-ups from the Knife-Edge Bridge or views from a helicopter ride. For adrenaline junkies, there’s the Devil’s Pool on the lip of the massive falls. Alternatively, take a leisurely cruise up the river. Adventure lovers can raft the Zambezi’s Class V rapids.
Take your passport and easily cross into the Zimbabwean side to participate in a bungee jump off the famous bridge, or simply soak up Livingstone’s colonial charm, museums, and craft markets.
South Luangwa
Unless you are super-organized with 4x4s, it’s probably best to book a trip to the South Luangwa area. South Luangwa National Park is Zambia’s most famous safari destination, offering close encounters with elephants, lions, leopards, and the rare Thornicroft’s giraffe. With over 90 species of mammals and 400+ bird species, it’s a wildlife haven.
Unlike busier parks elsewhere in Africa, South Luangwa feels uncrowded, and its walking safaris let travelers connect with the bush on a deeper level. And be sure to put Mfuwe Lodge on your itinerary. Imagine checking into your lodge and an elephant family walks through the lobby.
This isn’t a fantasy; it’s an annual event at Mfuwe Lodge. A matriarch dubbed “Wonky Tusk” started leading her herd on a direct route through the reception to feast on wild fruit. And her legacy still lives on, creating a spectacle you have to see to believe.
Kasanka National Park
For a truly unique Zambian adventure, head to Kasanka National Park. Tucked away in the Central Province near the Congo border, this small park is home to one of Africa’s most incredible spectacles: the world’s largest mammal migration.
From October to December, millions of fruit bats arrive, darkening the sky at dusk. Beyond the bats, you can track the elusive shoebill stork and spot the shy sitatunga antelope from a unique tree-top hide. Explore its rivers by boat, go on guided walks, or simply enjoy game drives in this unspoiled, crowd-free wilderness.
Bangweulu Wetlands
For those seeking a true off-the-grid adventure, the Bangweulu Wetlands are a must. This is a place where the horizon disappears into a vast, watery landscape, living up to its name which means “where the water meets the sky.”
The star attraction is the prehistoric-looking shoebill stork, but the wetlands are also where you’ll find massive herds of the endemic black lechwe antelope thriving in the swamps. The best way to explore is by taking a guided walking tour or a boat trip for a rare remote experience.
What makes Bangweulu special is its unique approach to conservation. Unlike a traditional national park, it’s a Game Management Area that is home to tens of thousands of local people. The focus is on protecting the incredible wildlife while directly supporting the communities that made it their home for generations.
The community-led model, managed in partnership with organizations like African Parks, ensures the wetlands’ future. As a sustainable tourism area, it’s a success in allowing wildlife and people to thrive together. Visiting Bangweulu means you’re supporting a living, breathing ecosystem where your adventure directly contributes to its durability.
Lower Zambezi National Park
The Lower Zambezi is a vast, untouched wilderness stretching along the Zambezi River. Once again, Zimbabwe can’t claim to offer the only stunning wilderness area like Mana Pools. Shielded by dramatic escarpments, its landscape of floodplains and forests was once a presidential reserve, protecting it from crowds and preserving its pristine beauty.
The park delivers incredible wildlife encounters. You’ll find large herds of elephant and buffalo, alongside predators like lion and leopard. The real magic happens on the river, where activities like canoeing bring you face-to-face with animals and offer world-class tiger fishing.
Its remote nature means you’ll likely arrive by boat or small plane and the best time to visit is the dry season (May to November), when animals gather at the water’s edge.
Off The Bucket List For Now
You might notice that we haven’t mentioned the Kafue National Park yet. Normally, Kafue National Park is one of Zambia’s highlights, but a mining disaster in February 2025 released millions of liters of toxic waste into the Kafue River.
The spill killed wildlife, damaged farmland, and contaminated water supplies, even reaching areas near the park. While conservation teams are responding, the long-term impact is unclear, so for now, travelers are better off choosing Zambia’s other pristine parks.
Plan Your Trip
Many of the destinations in Zambia are far apart and not all that easy to access. Based on what we know, some safari operators stand out. For planning your perfect trip, we’d point you toward Wild Planet Adventures, Green Safaris, Wayfairer Travel, and Absolute Zambia Safaris.
Have you ever been to Zambia? Let us know in the comments below, and remember to come back here often for all your travel news and updates.