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Why Visit Zambia? An Answer in Pictures

June 2, 2016 By Jen Ambrose 16 Comments

Zambia's not the most popular destination, but it has so much to offer. Our photos and introductory guide will convince you to visit!

When it comes to popular African destinations, Zambia takes a backseat to Kenya, South Africa, and other better-known locales, which is really a shame. Zambia’s got amazing experiences to offer backpackers, adventure junkies, and nature lovers who are looking for a slightly more off-the-beaten-path adventure.

I was lucky to spend a whole summer in Zambia for an internship during graduate school, working in both the capital of Lusaka and a much smaller Eastern town called Chipata. While I loved my time in both places, especially the opportunities to stray from the beaten path and get to know the local culture, the huge draws for visitors are in other parts of the country.

Contents

  • Victoria Falls
  • South Luangwa National Park
  • More Thoughts on Zambia

Victoria Falls

Zambia’s most famous landmark is undoubtedly Victoria Falls – the world’s largest waterfall, which straddles the country’s border with Zimbabwe. It’s known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, or “The Smoke That Thunders,” which is a actually a pretty apt description.

Victoria Falls spans over a full mile and reaches 355 feet in height (for comparison, Niagara Falls is 167 feet tall), so the sheet of water that pours over it, particularly during high season, is massive.

Zambia's not the most popular destination, but it has so much to offer. Our photos and introductory guide will convince you to visit!

If looking at the waterfall from a distance isn’t thrilling enough, you can literally hang over the edge of it and get a whole new perspective. At the top is Devil’s Pool, a deep hole just behind the rock wall that forms the edge of the falls – which means the water flows slowly enough to sit on the edge without being swept over. (Note that Devil’s Pool can only be visited as part of a tour to Livingstone Island, and only with a local guide.)

Zambia's not the most popular destination, but it has so much to offer. Our photos and introductory guide will convince you to visit!

Near the waterfall, the Victoria Falls Bridge connects Zambia and Zimbabwe. The bridge is recognized as the brainchild of Cecil Rhodes, who envisioned it as a link in the Cape to Cairo railway he wanted to build to connect Britain’s territories in Africa.

Zambia's not the most popular destination, but it has so much to offer. Our photos and introductory guide will convince you to visit!

Zambia's not the most popular destination, but it has so much to offer. Our photos and introductory guide will convince you to visit!

Today, you can take a historical tour of the bridge on the Zambian side – and afterward, you can throw yourself off it. At 365 feet over the Zambezi, it’s home to one of the world’s highest bungee jumps. Bungee jumping had always been on my bucket list, and Zambia seemed like the perfect place to do it.

Zambia's not the most popular destination, but it has so much to offer. Our photos and introductory guide will convince you to visit!

Before pouring over Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River runs down the western half of the country – and offers a plethora of activities. You can raft, kayak, and canoe at various points, take relaxing sunset river cruises, and pitch a tent to camp near the riverbank. Spending some time on the mighty Zambezi, in one way or another, is a must in Zambia.

Zambia's not the most popular destination, but it has so much to offer. Our photos and introductory guide will convince you to visit!

Zambia's not the most popular destination, but it has so much to offer. Our photos and introductory guide will convince you to visit!

Zambia's not the most popular destination, but it has so much to offer. Our photos and introductory guide will convince you to visit!

South Luangwa National Park

With large populations of giraffes, elephants, and other wildlife, South Luangwa National Park is Zambia’s premier safari destination, and it’s also one of the best-known parks for walking safaris in all of Africa. Being turned off by the extravagance of luxury safaris, I was pleasantly surprised to find that South Luangwa has several relatively budget-friendly and rustic options, which put much less of a strain on local resources.

We spent three nights at Wildlife Camp and had a wonderful experience there. The food and service were great, and early one morning, a herd of elephants even walked right past our chalet.

Zambia's not the most popular destination, but it has so much to offer. Our photos and introductory guide will convince you to visit!

Zambia's not the most popular destination, but it has so much to offer. Our photos and introductory guide will convince you to visit!

Zambia's not the most popular destination, but it has so much to offer. Our photos and introductory guide will convince you to visit!

Zambia's not the most popular destination, but it has so much to offer. Our photos and introductory guide will convince you to visit!

Zambia's not the most popular destination, but it has so much to offer. Our photos and introductory guide will convince you to visit!

Zambia's not the most popular destination, but it has so much to offer. Our photos and introductory guide will convince you to visit!

Zambia's not the most popular destination, but it has so much to offer. Our photos and introductory guide will convince you to visit!

Zambia's not the most popular destination, but it has so much to offer. Our photos and introductory guide will convince you to visit!

The wildlife aren’t only in Zambia’s parks, though, and you never know when a herd of elephants might create a veritable traffic jam right on one of the country’s major highways.

Zambia's not the most popular destination, but it has so much to offer. Our photos and introductory guide will convince you to visit!

More Thoughts on Zambia

One of the most surprising places I visited in Zambia was Munda Wanga, an animal sanctuary not far from Lusaka. Perhaps unsurprisingly, some of the conditions are not great, and in a country with twenty national parks, a zoo isn’t the best place to see animals.

However, Munda Wanga is an educational and recreational resource for Zambians who live in the city and might not otherwise have access to their country’s animals. In addition, some of the animals are rescues, and staff care for them and rehabilitate them for re-entry into the wild.

But, regardless of the issues with the zoo itself, the botanical gardens adjoining it are absolutely beautiful. It’s a great place for a picnic and a welcome respite from the chaos of the city.

Zambia's not the most popular destination, but it has so much to offer. Our photos and introductory guide will convince you to visit!

Of course, most of these destinations in no way represent life for the average Zambian. While parts of the country have well-developed infrastructure and amenities, many regions remain very poor. The majority of Zambians work as subsistence farmers, earning low wages and relying on unpredictable rainfall and crop prices. In many rural parts of the country, electricity and plumbing are rare, literacy levels are low, and rule of law is weak.

If you’re interested in donating to an organization working to improve living standards and provide opportunities for Zambians, take a look at the work Room to Read and Oxfam are doing there. And as in any place, if you visit Zambia, try to spend your money with local businesses rather than large chains when possible.

Zambia's not the most popular destination, but it has so much to offer. Our photos and introductory guide will convince you to visit!

Zambia's not the most popular destination, but it has so much to offer. Our photos and introductory guide will convince you to visit!

Zambia's not the most popular destination, but it has so much to offer. Our photos and introductory guide will convince you to visit!

Zambia has so much more to offer than the highlights I’ve shown here, but hopefully this is enough to whet your appetite for a fascinating and exciting country that won’t disappoint.

PIN IT!

Zambia's not the most popular destination, but it has so much to offer. Our photos and introductory guide will convince you to visit! Zambia's not the most popular destination, but it has so much to offer. Our photos and introductory guide will convince you to visit!

Filed Under: Africa, Off the Beaten Path, Zambia Tagged With: Lusaka, South Luangwa, Travel Styles, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Comments

  1. gettyonthego says

    February 25, 2017 at 6:24 pm

    First off, the picture of you on the edge of that waterfall almost gave me a heart attack!
    I’m from Congo so I love the fact that you are visiting African countries that aren’t as “popular”. Congo next right? Kidding!! Looks like you had a grand time, I might have to pop by Zambia soon myself!

    Reply
    • Jen Ambrose says

      March 11, 2017 at 5:02 am

      Devil’s Pool really wasn’t as scary as it looks! I actually spent a couple years in Rwanda, so I’ve seen the DRC even if I haven’t been there. 🙂

      Reply
  2. I do what I want to says

    February 25, 2017 at 5:21 pm

    The only part of Zambia we’ve visited is South Luangwa while I was volunteering in Malawi, and it was beautiful! Absolutely fantastic. I think Malawi and Zambia (probably Zimbabwe too) are still perfect gems in Africa

    Reply
    • Jen Ambrose says

      March 11, 2017 at 5:00 am

      Ohh, I was bummed to never make it over the border while I was in Zambia. Malawi is a place I’ve been dying to go – the pictures I’ve seen of Lake Malawi are stunning!

      Reply
  3. Lindz says

    February 25, 2017 at 5:11 pm

    Wow, Zambia looks absolutely breathtaking! Victoria Falls absolutely blows my mind… I think it’s now on my list of must-see waterfalls. Not sure if I could manage that almost-over-the-edge shot though, I’d be terrified! ?

    Reply
    • Jen Ambrose says

      March 11, 2017 at 4:58 am

      It really is a stunning country, and there’s so much to do and see. Another couple on my Victoria Falls trip didn’t think they’d go to the edge, but they did it! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Megan Johnson! says

    February 25, 2017 at 5:03 pm

    I would love to visit Zambia! And definitely want to see the wildlife!

    Reply
    • Jen Ambrose says

      March 11, 2017 at 4:57 am

      I definitely recommend it as a destination 🙂

      Reply
  5. Courtney says

    June 11, 2016 at 3:26 pm

    This looks like a dream! I loved your pictures. They’re so stunning. I don’t know if I’m -that- bold to take a photo that close to the waterfall so kudos to you. Awesome post and thanks for sharing your photos.

    -Courtney from thirty30courtney.com

    Reply
    • Jen Ambrose says

      June 22, 2016 at 9:01 pm

      Thank you, I’m so glad you liked the pictures! Sometimes I look back and can’t believe I actually laid at the edge of Victoria Falls, hehe.

      Reply
  6. TheGoddessPrinciples.Net says

    June 10, 2016 at 1:15 pm

    I love Zambia. I was lucky to visit 6 months ago, and was overwhelmed by its beauty and the warmth of its people. What surprised me the most is how at one people are with nature. Your itinerary was almost identical to mine, and brought back good memories. xoxo

    Reply
    • Jen Ambrose says

      June 22, 2016 at 8:59 pm

      I’m glad you loved Zambia, too! We had such a great time on this itinerary, but I’d love to go back and explore more off-the-beaten path parts of the country someday 🙂

      Reply
  7. hugshomemadegmailcom says

    June 10, 2016 at 11:50 am

    wow! This look amazing. Definitely adding to my travel list. Thanks for sharing:)

    Reply
    • Jen Ambrose says

      June 22, 2016 at 8:58 pm

      Thank you! I definitely recommend adding it to your travel list 🙂

      Reply
  8. Janet says

    June 2, 2016 at 1:20 pm

    Beautiful and amazing! Sharing with a friend going there this year!

    Reply
    • Jen Ambrose says

      June 5, 2016 at 11:27 am

      Thanks so much for the kind comment – and I hope your friend has a great time on their trip!

      Reply

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Hi! We’re Jen and Ryan, an American couple on a journey to travel the world while working from the road. We’re passionate about outdoor adventure, responsible travel, and getting off the beaten path. Passions and Places is a space for us to share our stories and tips with you, but most importantly, we hope to inspire you to seek your own adventure.

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