Zambia

Considered to be one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in the world, South Luangwa National Park is a popular destination for walking safaris. with its meandering Luangwa River creates scenic oxbow lagoons set amongst beautiful riverine vegetation of evergreen mahogany and ebony trees. The area is a magnet to outstanding wildlife with numerous common large animals like elephant, Cape buffalo, hippo, lion, Nile crocodile, warthog, puku, impala, spotted hyena, greater kudu and eland. Unique to the park are the Thornicroft's giraffe, Cookson's wildebeest and Crawshay's zebra, which are found nowhere else. Undoubtedly world’s highest naturally occurring population of leopard.

Victoria Falls is the crown jewel of Zambia, one of the most impressive sights in the world. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Falls straddles Zambia and Zimbabwe with a 2km sheet of water falling off the cliff. Wet weather gear is necessary at the falls, thanks to the heavy mist that drenches those who take the opportunity to touch the water before it plummets to the river below.

African markets are full of colour, noise, goods and people. In Zambia’s capital city, Lusaka, there are several markets offering different experiences to match individual tastes. For people looking to buy souvenirs, the Arcades Shopping Centre vendors have a variety of wares to browse through. For a more authentic market experience with fruit, vegetables, meat and consumer goods, the Town Centre Market and Lusaka City Market are the places to be. The atmosphere is more intense, as the market is thriving with locals going about their days.

Kafue National Park is one of the largest parks in Africa, yet doesn’t have the number of safari camps and lodges compared to other places due to the careful growth plan in place, which includes increasing levels of wildlife protection. Kafue doesn’t have massive numbers of wildlife, but they do have a large variety. You don’t come here to tick off the Big 5, but to see elusive species of antelope among others. The locals know it as being one the best places to see leopards in the wild.

Finding an authentic experience in Zambia can be tricky, with the safaris and Victoria Falls seeing towns built purely to support the demands of tourism. Kawaza Village has done its best to remain unchanged. The village is opened to tourists every day. Located near the South Luangwa National Park and three km from the nearest town, there’s an opportunity to stay overnight in mudhouses or you can spend a few hours in the village interacting with the locals and watching them go about their day-to-day lives.

The Kapishya Hot Springs are a family-run business that you can visit for a day or stay in overnight. The warm hot springs are natural and sulphur free, and are a short walk from the six chalets (you can also camp). The other unmissable activity at the hot springs is a tour of Shiwa Ngandu House, a large English manor house built by a Stewart Gore-Browne after WWI. Mark Harvey, who currently runs the Kapishya Hot Springs with his wife, is the grandson of Gore-Brown and has continued to preserve the building as his father did.