12-Day Family Holiday to Zambia: Safari & Victoria Falls

Begin your Zambia family safari adventure with wildlife-watching in South Luangwa National Park via morning and evening game drives. Big game favourites to look out for include giraffe, wildebeest, elephant, leopard, zebra, buffalo, lion and hyena. Don’t miss out on Zambia’s speciality walking safaris. Head out into the open bush with a local guide and park ranger, who can show you a higher level of detail about the environment, tiny critters you may otherwise miss, and how they track animals. (Note that age limits can apply for this activity). Look out for some of Zambia’s endemic sub-species, such as Thornicroft’s giraffe, Crawshay’s zebra and Cookson’s wildebeest.

Next, you’ll exchange Kafue for Lower Zambezi National Park, taking a domestic flight to Jeki and a transfer to the park. You’ll be staying at the five-star Potato Bush Camp comprised of three canvas and rosewood safari tents, as well as a two-bedroom family house. Enjoy the luxurious facilities, including a private balcony area and a large plunge pool.

Located at the southern limit of Africa’s Great Rift Valley, Lower Zambezi National Park covers over 4,000 square kilometres and is bordered by the might Zambezi River. Here, you’ll be able to see elephant, impala, lion, hyena, hippo, bushbuck, kudu, leopard, buffalo and zebra, as well as lesser-known and rarer species such as the African wild cat, mongoose, serval, porcupine, African wild dog, side-striped jackal, genet, civet, honey badger and aardvark.

Continue your Zambia family safari adventure with game drives and walking safaris, but there are also options for canoeing, birdwatching, river cruises and fishing trips. Try your hand at tackle or fly fishing, to try and hook a toothy tigerfish. Potato Bush Camp also runs activities for children in two age groups, including bush walks, children’s game drives, marshmallow roasting, sandbank soccer, first aid and survival skills, as well as stargazing.

After 10 days of exciting safari activities, it’s now time to leave the national parks behind and head to Livingstone, the gateway to Victoria Falls. You’ll take a domestic flight to Livingstone. On arrival, transfer to your accommodation at Chundukwa River Lodge’s family house, complete with a private deck and swimming pool. This riverside property offers peace and privacy just 25 kilometres out of town with stunning views of the Zambezi River. Your meals will be prepared at the family house by a dedicated team of staff, who will look after you and your family during your stay.

Known to locals as Mosi Oa Tunya (the Smoke that Thunders), Victoria Falls boasts status as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and can be explored in a multitude of different ways, depending on your preferences. Kids full of energy will love abseiling, zipling and white-water rafting, whilst smaller children may enjoy a walk along the footpaths to beautiful views of the falls, spotting rainbows in the billowing clouds of spray.

Continue your second day at the falls with more enjoyable family activities. If you’re feeling brave, take a helicopter ride over the falls for a bird’s eye view, bungee jump off the Victoria Falls Bridge or swim out to the lip of Devil’s Pool, right on the edge of the cascades. If you’re looking for something a little tamer, you can explore the surrounding bushlands on horseback with Ride Zambezi Horse Trails, which can be enjoyed by riders of all levels, including children.

Your Zambia family holiday comes to a close, transfer to Livingstone Airport to catch your flights home. From wildlife-watching in some of Africa’s best national parks to witnessing the Natural Wonder of Victoria Falls, Zambia is a feast for the senses for all the family. You will leave with endless photos and fond memories to look back on for years to come.