Zambia · Southern Africa
Lower Zambezi.
The Lower Zambezi is a river park where canoeing and fishing sit alongside game drives, opposite Zimbabwe's Mana Pools.
Photo Nicole Olwagen / Unsplash
The escarpment holds game down onto a floodplain along the Zambezi, and the river itself is the activity: canoe safaris past elephant crossing between islands, tiger fishing, and boat-based game viewing.
It pairs naturally with South Luangwa because the two are so different — one a river, one a valley — and both are reached by light aircraft from Lusaka.
How do you get to the Lower Zambezi?
Most visitors fly from Lusaka by light aircraft to one of the park's airstrips, a short flight that lands close to the river camps. The road from Lusaka runs south to Chirundu and then along the river through Chiawa, and takes several hours before the final stretch, which is often completed by boat.
What is a canoe safari on the Zambezi?
A guided paddle down the quieter channels between the islands, in stable two-person canoes, with the guide leading the way past hippo pods. Elephants cross the channels and graze the islands. Canoeing is combined with game drives, walks and boating from the same camp.
Can you fish in the Lower Zambezi?
Yes. The river is known for tigerfish, a hard-fighting predator with prominent teeth, and for bream. Fishing inside the national park is catch and release.
What is the difference between the Lower Zambezi and Mana Pools?
They face each other across the same stretch of the Zambezi, Zambia on the north bank and Zimbabwe on the south. Mana Pools is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for walking on its open floodplain; the Lower Zambezi is known for canoeing and boating. Combining the two usually means flying or going round by the Chirundu border.
How long should you spend in the Lower Zambezi?
Three or four nights is usual. It is often paired with South Luangwa, a valley park reached from Lusaka in the same way, and finishes well at Victoria Falls.
What is there to see in Lower Zambezi?
Sample journeys that stop here
- Timeless Luxury Zambia →Experience Zambia's wild beauty through unforgettable safaris, breathtaking landscapes, and warm African hospitality. From the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls to the wildlife-rich plains of South Luangwa and the tranquil waters of the Zambezi River, Timeless Zambia offers an authentic safari experience where adventure, luxury, and nature come together to create memories that last a lifetime.
What does Lower Zambezi pair well with?
- South LuangwaSouth Luangwa is the home of the walking safari and one of the most concentrated wildlife areas in Africa.
- Victoria Falls and LivingstoneThe Zambian side of Victoria Falls gives the closest, wettest views, and Livingstone is the town that serves it.
- Mana Pools, ZimbabweMana Pools is a World Heritage Site on the Zambezi and one of the few African parks where you may walk unguided — though almost nobody should.
- Kafue and the Busanga PlainsKafue is one of the largest national parks in Africa and among the least visited for its size.
Planning
Start planning your adventure