What a wonderful waterfall
The main attraction within Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is the roaring Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Take a boat ride to Livingstone Island when flood waters are optimal and take a dip in the Devil’s Pool. Experience the misty Victoria Falls up close and personal when you sit in the Devil’s Armchair, located near a rocky, 100-metre drop. The Zambezi River provides adventure-seekers with white-water rafting challenges and bungee jumping from the bridge above. If you’re not up for those activities, enjoy the falls from the safety of a private helicopter tour.
Blame it on the rain
The stark contrast between the wet and dry seasons is what drives movement in Zambia. Stay in different camps along the Luangwa River during peak flood time to get a unique vantage point of native wildlife in the South Luangwa National Park. You’ll likely see more than half the Zambian bird species as well as giraffes, hippos, lions, leopards, buffalo and many more. As the Luangwa flood waters feed into the mighty Zambezi River, the Lozi tribe celebrates the end of rainy season with the Kuomboka Traditional Ceremony, a beautiful event to witness.
Unique gifts galore
For cheap flights to Zambia, plan to arrive in Lusaka, Zambia’s capital city. See traditional patterns, colours and traditions at the Saturday Dutch Craft Market, which is hosted the last Saturday of every month in Kabulonga in the Lusaka Province. Bring back something for everyone: handmade copper plates, artisanal jewellery or exquisite wooden cookware. Be sure to check out the local produce and traditional cuisine to fully experience what Zambia has to offer. The Sunday Market at the Arcades Shopping Centre in Lusaka offers visitors another chance to find handmade crafts and souvenirs.
When to go
The dry season from May to October is the best time for safaris. Temperatures are pleasant, and the vegetation is not as dense, making animal sightings much more likely and enjoyable. May to August offers more favourable temperatures, while temperatures in September and October can be overwhelmingly hot.
The rainy season lasts from November to April. Vegetation is thick, making animal sightings difficult. Furthermore, some lodges close during the rainy season due to flooding and inaccessible roads. If you do end up travelling during the wet season, the Mfuwe sector of the South Luangwa National Park has fortified roads and can be accessed all year long.
Victoria Falls is full of life from March until May, thanks to the rainy season. Toward the end of the dry season, the falls may be completely dry, so plan accordingly. If you wish to go white-water rafting or swimming in Devil’s Pool, the middle of the dry season is perfect, since the water level is still high, but is starting to go down.
Airports and airlines
Finding flights to Zambia is easier than ever thanks to the ‘Compare Flights’ option on Netflights. Select your departure and arrival cities and sort flights by the lowest fare or shortest flight time. After that, see side-by-side comparisons to help you decide which flight deal is right for you.
Flying out of London’s airports – especially in May – can sometimes lead to great bargains on Zambia flights. Booking your trip well in advance is recommended if you want to save money; this is especially true if you plan to travel sometime between July to October as this is peak season.
Carriers that offer flights to Zambia include Emirates, British Airways, South African Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Lufthansa. Take advantage of stopovers by spending a few days there; you may even save some money by doing so. Popular stopover destinations include Dubai, Johannesburg, Frankfurt and Nairobi.