Zambia (Lower Zambezi National Park)
Zambia lies landlocked between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Equator, shaped like a butterfly and covering about 752,610 square kilometers. The Lower Zambezi National Park – located in southeastern Zambia - was declared a national park in 1983, serving as a private park of the Zambia president before that. Because it was private for so long, the park was protected from mass tourism, thus sustaining its pristine wilderness. Due to the CITES ban on the world ivory trade and because of the presence of ZAWA teams carrying out law-enforcement patrols daily, the park and its wildlife population (especially elephants) have remained remarkably stable ever since.
What makes this park a great destination for a safari is the concentration of wildlife around the water. The Lower Zambezi covers a vast area of 4,092 square kilometers, but most of the game is concentrated along the valley floor. There is also an escarpment along the northern end, which acts as a physical barrier to most of the park’s animal species. Expect some terrific photo-opportunities as enormous herds of elephants, some up to a hundred strong, gather at the Zambezi River’s edge to quench their thirst and splash around. During a canoe trip on the river, you might face ten or more hippos, peeking curiously above the water surface. Also, ‘island hopping’ buffaloes – there are several rocky islands in the Zambezi River - and waterbucks are commonly seen, not to mention prolific birdlife and fishing. There is simply too much to tell ;-)
Due to the surrounding area and terrain, one of the few wildlife that can’t be found there are Giraffes, Rhinos and Cheetahs. But everything else, including the famous and rare African Wilddogs can be found easier, than in most other southern African Countries.
To us Zambia was one of the best wildlife and safari experiences ever. Zambia is very rough, wild and definitely not overrunned by Masses of tourists like many places in Southafrica, Kenya or Tanzania for example. Most of the sightings within the Lower Zambezi Nationalpark we had for ourselves, or maybe shared with 1-2 other cars or boats. Compared to the Masai Mara in Kenya, where you often have to share a sighting with another 30-40 vehicles, this is something very special. Also the Zambian people are extremely friendly, helpful and the guides there go all in for you, to make sure you get the best experience possible.
Wild&Untamed definitely plans to offer wildlife photographic tours to Zambia for fall 2024. If you are interested, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you might have.
