Neighboring Zambia and Zimbabwe every provide distant wilderness experiences present in few different African locations. Zimbabwe’s tourism almost disappeared attributable to political turmoil within the early 2000s however has since returned to stability. Its economic system is recovering and welcoming locals are wanting to share their nation’s exceptional wildlife and pristine landscapes. In the meantime, Zambia stays comparatively undiscovered by all however probably the most avid safari vacationers.

Tourism is crucial in each nations for wildlife conservation, serving to defend threatened habitats and animals from competing pursuits.

Contemplating a safari to Zambia or Zimbabwe? Right here’s what you must know:

Uncover Africa on foot with unmatched strolling safaris in Zambia. © Mark Hickey

Safari Experiences in Zambia & Zimbabwe

Zambia’s Luangwa Valley is famend because the birthplace of the strolling safari, offering unparalleled wildlife experiences on foot. On our Zambia safaris, you’ll keep at small, secluded camps in prime wildlife habitat inside South Luangwa and Decrease Zambezi nationwide parks.

Zimbabwe additionally consists of guided bush walks, however with its abundance of rivers and lakes, safaris sometimes deal with exploring by boat and canoe. Search for hippos, crocodiles and elephants alongside Lake Kariba’s shoreline.

Nat Hab selects secluded lodging strategically situated close to wildlife areas, typically permitting for distinctive sightings proper from camp.

Zimbabwe is famous for Africa’s largest herds of elephants and buffalo. © Rick Guthke

Zimbabwe is known for Africa’s largest herds of elephants and buffalo. © Rick Guthke

Wildlife in Zimbabwe & Zambia

Each international locations boast extraordinary wildlife in seldom-visited parks. Zimbabwe is well-known for its immense elephant and buffalo herds. Zambia supplies alternatives to identify distinctive subspecies like Crawshay’s zebra and Thornicroft’s giraffe.

Witness exceptional animal behaviors in each locations: elephants in Zimbabwe’s Mana Swimming pools stand upright on their hind legs to succeed in excessive branches, whereas Zambia’s Kafue Nationwide Park hosts tree-climbing lions.

The secretarybird, a striking bird of prey standing nearly four feet tall. © Eric Rock

The secretarybird, a placing chicken of prey standing almost 4 ft tall. © Eric Rock

Birdwatching in Zimbabwe & Zambia

Zimbabwe and Zambia are celebrated birdwatching locations, every residence to greater than 700 chicken species. Zimbabwe’s Hwange Nationwide Park is famend for its dense chicken populations, and greater than 400 species are present in Zambia’s South Luangwa Nationwide Park.

Victoria Falls, known locally as "Mosi oa-Tunya"—the smoke that thunders. © Wilderness Safaris

Victoria Falls, recognized regionally as “Mosi oa-Tunya”—the smoke that thunders. © Wilderness Safaris

Visiting Victoria Falls

Each Zambia and Zimbabwe border Victoria Falls, one of many Seven Pure Wonders of the World. Zimbabwe provides the perfect vantage factors for images, as many of the falls lie inside its borders. Nevertheless, the Zambian facet permits guests nearer encounters, together with the thrilling expertise of swimming on the fringe of the falls in Satan’s Pool.

By Marsea Nelson, WWF visitor blogger