Lower Zambezi National Park is part of the much larger Zambezi River Valley. The ‘Lower Zam’ is a relatively small park within the larger ecosystem, but one that has gained a reputation for being one of Africa’s most beautiful game-viewing areas. It is one of our favourite parks.
Lining the Zambian side of the mighty Zambezi, Lower Zambezi is opposite Zimbabwe’s famous Mana Pools and shares its northern border with the huge rift escarpment. The different habitats encourage a great variety of flora and fauna. The park’s diversity of safari activities is a major attraction. You can game drive at day and night, as well as walk, boat and canoe here. The park offers the widest range of safari activities in Africa. Boating is especially good. The quality of tiger-fish fishing on the Zambezi River is another attraction for some visitors. Keen fishermen travel to Lower Zambezi solely to fish the river.
What to do in Lower Zambezi National Park
Game driving by day and by night, and walking safari. The camps here also offer boating and canoeing, as well as tiger-fish fishing.
When to visit Lower Zambezi National Park
Lower Zambezi is a classic dry-season reserve, with the game getting progressively better, the later you travel. June through to October sees large herds concentrate around the Zambezi. As the game viewing improves, the heat increases, with October the hottest month. Lower Zambezi’s main camps are shut from December through to April – we advise against trying to travel here during that period.
Top tips for your safari holiday
Many clients rebook Lower Zambezi, choosing to return and stay for longer. We therefore recommend that clients stay for a minimum of three nights. The game inside the park is substantially better than the game outside the park boundary, (in the neighbouring Chiawa Game Reserve) and so when it comes to choosing accommodation, we highly recommend that clients stay in camps inside the park, if at all possible, or at least in camps close to the park's entrance.