Lower Zambezi National Park stretches for about 120 km along the northern bank of the Zambezi River, facing Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools across the water. Its floodplains, channels and islands attract elephants, buffalo and predators, and the best way to experience them is from a canoe, drifting silently along side channels with elephants feeding on the banks.
At a glance
| Best time | June to October |
| Getting there | 30 to 40-minute flight from Lusaka, or about 3 to 4 hours by road |
| Time needed | 3 to 5 nights |
| Big draws | Canoeing, elephants, hippos, walking, fishing |
| Good for | Active travellers, second safaris, combining with South Luangwa |
Canoe safaris
- Most camps offer half-day canoe trips with an experienced guide, usually in stable two-person Canadian canoes, on quieter channels away from the main river.
- Multi-day canoe trails of two to four nights paddle downstream by day and camp on islands or riverbanks at night.
- Guides keep to shallow water near banks, read hippo behaviour carefully and plan routes to avoid danger. Previous experience is not required, but you should be comfortable in a canoe and follow instructions exactly.
Wildlife
- Elephants: often seen swimming between islands and feeding on the floodplains.
- Hippos and crocodiles: very common in the river.
- Predators: lions, leopards and wild dogs; spotted hyenas at night.
- Grazers: buffalo, waterbuck, zebras, impala, kudu and eland.
- Birds: carmine bee-eaters (colonies in the riverbanks from about September), African skimmers, fish eagles and many kingfishers.
Other activities
- Game drives (day and night) on the floodplains.
- Walking safaris with armed scouts.
- Boat cruises on the main river.
- Tiger fishing: catch-and-release fishing for the powerful tigerfish, best from about September to November.
When to go
- June to October: the dry season, with the best game viewing. Heat builds from September, and October can exceed 40°C.
- November to May: the rains. Most camps close from mid-November to April, and many roads become impassable.
Getting there
Scheduled light aircraft from Lusaka fly to Jeki and Royal airstrips in 30 to 40 minutes. By road, the drive from Lusaka to Chirundu and then along the river takes three to four hours, with a final section on rough track.
Where to stay
Camps along the river inside the park and in the Chiawa Game Management Area range from mid-range to luxury, most including all activities.
Frequently asked questions
Is canoeing on the Zambezi safe? With a licensed, experienced guide and by following instructions, canoe safaris have a good safety record. Guides avoid hippo pods and deep water.
Do I need canoeing experience? No, but you should be reasonably fit and able to follow instructions quickly.
Can I combine Lower Zambezi with other parks? Yes. It pairs well with South Luangwa (a short flight away) and Victoria Falls.
What is the best month for Lower Zambezi? August to October for the best game viewing, with September often a good balance of heat and wildlife.
Related guides
- South Luangwa walking safaris
- Mana Pools National Park
- Walking safaris: where to go
- Animal profiles: African elephant, Hippopotamus, African buffalo
Cover photo: Joachim Huber from Switzerland, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons