Best Safari Parks in Zambia

Zambia’s safari parks present some of the most diverse habitats and unique safari experiences in Africa.

With 20 national parks and 39 game management areas spanning nearly 40% of the country, Zambia is a hidden gem for families seeking something beyond the typical Big Five safari. From remote boating safaris on the Zambezi to the vibrant wetlands of Kafue, each park brings its own distinct appeal—making it easy to feel spoiled for choice. To help you plan your Zambia safari holiday, here’s an expert guide to the best safari parks, including our favourite destinations for family-friendly adventures as well as some hidden gems for a unique addition to your itinerary. 

Kafue National Park

Despite being Africa’s second-largest safari park, Kafue National Park remains one of its most underrated safari parks. Spanning an impressive 22,400 square kilometres of Zambia’s central wetlands, Kafue is home to some of the country’s most diverse wildlife, with at least 161 mammal species, six big cat species, and 22 types of antelope. Conveniently located within driving distance of Livingstone, Kafue offers such an array of experiences and wildlife that it would make a compelling base for an entire trip in itself. The park’s sweeping Busanga Plains, accessible only in the dry season, reward visitors with vast herds of puku and red lechwe. While for bird enthusiasts, the hidden gem of the Nanzhila Plains in southern Kafue is a paradise, where Zambia’s endemic black-cheeked lovebirds can be spotted thriving in their natural habitat.

South Luangwa National Park

South Luangwa, known as the Valley of the Leopards, is Zambia’s crown jewel safari park for big cat sightings. Spanning over 90,500 hectares, the park is incredibly rich with diverse flora and fauna, including four of Africa’s Big Five. South Luangwa is also famed as the location where the conservationist Norman Carr started Africa’s first walking safaris, offering families a chance to connect with the natural environment up close. The park is also home to some of Zambia’s best luxury family camps, including Time + Tide Chinzombo with its private river frontage and the sophisticated Mchenja Tented Camp, making South Luangwa a favourite safari park for luxury family holidays.

Lower Zambezi National Park

One of Zambia’s most scenic safari parks, Lower Zambezi is set along the meandering Zambezi River, offering a backdrop of dramatic escarpments rising in the distance. This park is ideal for families looking for unique safari experiences, from sunset river safaris alongside wallowing hippos to exhilarating attempts to catch the feisty tigerfish. The Lower Zambezi is a great safari park to add a new dimension to a Zambia safari itinerary, blending classic safari camps with a unique boat safari experience.

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park

The UNESCO World Heritage Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is a must-visit for all Zambia family safaris. Home to the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, Mosi-oa-Tunya is also the only place in Zambia where you can walk with critically endangered white rhinos, completing the country’s Big Five safari checklists. Located near the adventure capital Livingstone, families can pair their safari with an array of adventure activities, including white-water rafting, bungee jumping, and scenic helicopter flights over the thundering cascade of water. 

North Luangwa National Park

For those craving an even more off-the-beaten-path experience, North Luangwa safari park offers a truly rugged adventure. With much of the park accessible only by foot and vehicle game drives prohibited in certain areas, it’s the prime destination for Zambia’s famous walking safaris. Its remote location keeps it blissfully free from crowds, providing intimate encounters with Zambia’s diverse wildlife and landscapes. Ideal for seasoned safari-goers and adventurous families, North Luangwa delivers a raw, immersive wilderness experience like no other.

Kasanka National Park

Each year from October to December, Kasanka National Park hosts the world’s largest mammal migration, a spectacular yet little-known natural wonder. During the annual fruit bat migration, over 8 million straw-coloured bats fill the sky after feasting on pod mahogany, musuku, mufinsa, and milkwood fruits—a breathtaking sight from the tree-top hides high above the evergreen swamp forest. Beyond the migration, this small park also boasts one of Africa’s densest populations of the elusive sitatunga, a semi-aquatic antelope that attracts visitors seeking rare wildlife encounters.

Liuwa Plain National Park

Home to Africa’s second-largest wildebeest migration, Liuwa Plain is a lesser-known safari park located in the far west of Zambia. The safari park has one of the oldest conservation histories in Africa, dating back to the late 19th century when the King of Barotseland appointed his people as the custodians of the reserve. Every November, herds of up to 45,000 wildebeest travel across the park’s vast plains, offering the chance to witness the world-famous Great Migration away from the crowds of the Serengeti and the Mara. 

Bangweulu Wetlands

Although not an official safari park, the Bangweulu Wetlands in northeastern Zambia is one of the best safari destinations for families with an interest in birding and Zambian culture. Meaning ‘where the water meets the sky’ in the local Bemba language, this community-owned Game Management Area supports diverse wildlife alongside 60,000 local residents who sustainably use its resources. 

With over 400 bird species, including the rare shoebill and 10% of the world’s wattled crane population, Bangweulu is a haven for birding safaris. Coral Tree Travel founder Tess has stayed at Shoebill Island Camp to witness these striking wading birds, whose wild population has dwindled to just 8,000. Set on a permanent island overlooking a lagoon, the camp offers a rustic yet comfortable base to explore Bangweulu’s incredible birding and cultural experiences. Families can enjoy guided walking safaris, spot the rare shoebill, and visit seasonal fishing camps of the Bemba and Bisa tribes for a unique insight into their migratory lifestyle.

Families who make the journey to this remote region are rewarded with sightings of Zambia’s last black lechwe antelope, stunning landscapes, and very few other visitors. For those looking beyond traditional safari parks, Bangweulu offers an unparalleled, off-the-beaten-path adventure.

Summary 

Zambia’s safari parks offer an unparalleled adventure for families eager to explore beyond the typical safari experience. With a remarkable diversity of landscapes, from the lush wetlands of Kafue to the rugged beauty of North Luangwa, each park provides unique opportunities for wildlife encounters and unforgettable family moments. Whether you’re seeking luxury camping in South Luangwa, thrilling river safaris in the Lower Zambezi, or the awe-inspiring spectacle of the Kasanka fruit bat migration, Zambia’s safari parks promise a holiday filled with discovery and excitement. 

Dreaming of going on a luxury safari in Zambia? See our magnificent selection of itineraries and plush accommodations, strategically situated near the country’s most sought-after wildlife parks and reserves. Contact us now to begin planning your safari adventure.

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Author: Cameron