Preparing for Zambia

• Walking safari with an armed guide and a scout, often in South Luangwa
• Canoe and boat safari on the Lower Zambezi's channels
• Remote, small-camp travel for repeat safari travellers who want fewer vehicles
• Victoria Falls from the Zambian side, usually combined with a park or two

South Luangwa National Park

River-bank game viewing, leopard density and a strong walking tradition.

Lower Zambezi National Park

Canoeing, boating and game drives along a broad river frontage.

Kafue National Park

Very large and varied, from the Busanga Plains to miombo woodland.

Livingstone and Victoria Falls

The Zambian side of the falls, plus river activities upstream.

Liuwa Plain

Remote seasonal plains travel for experienced safari-goers.

• Many camps operate seasonally and some close in the heaviest rains — access, not preference, often sets the window.
• The drier months typically suit walking and concentrate wildlife near water.
• Victoria Falls water flow changes dramatically through the year: high flow means spray and volume, low flow means clearer views and different activities on the Zambian side.
• River levels, camp access and activity availability all vary by season and cannot be promised.

Visa requirements, including any regional KAZA arrangement, depend on nationality and routing. Confirm current conditions with the Zambia Department of Immigration before booking.

Requirements change. Always verify current entry, health and fee information with official government and travel-health sources before you book or travel.

• Zambia Department of Immigration — information for visitors
• Zambia Department of Immigration — e-services portal
• U.S. Department of State — Zambia

Ask a travel-health professional about routine vaccinations, malaria prevention and any yellow fever documentation relevant to your routing. Walking safaris also have their own briefing and fitness expectations. Personal medical advice should come from a clinician.

• CDC Travelers' Health — destination pages
• World Health Organization travel advice

Berngo Safaris provides general planning context only and does not give medical advice.

Each link is owned by the authority named beside it and opens in a new tab.

• Zambia Department of ImmigrationVisa and entry information ↗ (opens in a new tab)
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and PreventionCDC Traveler View — Zambia ↗ (opens in a new tab)
• U.S. Department of StateCountry information — Zambia ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Last link review: August 7, 2026. Requirements depend on nationality, routing and current policy. Verify directly with the issuing authority before booking or travel. Berngo Safaris provides planning links, not legal, immigration or medical advice.

Avoid unofficial visa agents. Beware of unofficial visa agents and copycat visa websites. Several look almost identical to government portals and charge inflated fees. Apply only through the official government domains linked here, and never share passport or payment details with a site you reached through an advertisement.

• Hot valley heat in the Luangwa and Zambezi, especially late in the dry season.
• Cool mornings on drives and on the river; warm layers still matter.
• Green-season storms are heavy and short, and can change road access quickly.

What to pack for

• Neutral, quiet clothing suitable for walking safaris — no bright colours or rustling fabrics
• Comfortable walking shoes or light boots that are already broken in
• A soft bag for light-aircraft transfers, plus sun protection and insect repellent
• Binoculars, and a waterproof cover for camera gear on boats

• Lusaka (LUN) and Livingstone (LVI) are the main gateways, with light-aircraft or road transfers into parks.
• Light-aircraft soft-bag weight limits apply on most park transfers.
• Some camps are seasonal, so routing depends on what is open for your dates.

• Follow walking-safari briefings exactly; the rules exist because you are on foot in wildlife areas.
• Ask permission before photographing people, especially near villages.
• Support camps with visible community and anti-poaching commitments.

Bring these to your planning conversation — they change the itinerary more than most travellers expect.

• Is walking or canoeing suitable for everyone travelling, and what alternatives exist for those who prefer to stay in a vehicle?
• Are there heat, mobility or balance considerations to plan around?
• Do any camps have age minimums for walking or boating activities?
• What medical or dietary details should remote camps receive well in advance?

These pairings share flight routings or complement each other in pace. Each links to its own preparation guide.

• Zambia & Zimbabwe

  Victoria Falls sits on the border — many trips see both sides.

• Zambia & Botswana

  Chobe and the Delta combine easily via Kasane or Livingstone.

• Zambia & Malawi

  A lake finish after the Luangwa Valley is a natural pairing.

Are walking safaris safe?

They are led by trained, licensed guides with strict protocols, but they carry inherent risk and are not for everyone. Age minimums and fitness expectations vary by camp.

Which side of Victoria Falls is better?

They offer different views and activities, and the answer changes with water flow. Many itineraries include both.

Is Zambia a good first safari?

It can be, though its strengths — walking, remoteness and small camps — are often most appreciated by travellers who have been on safari before.