UCSF Radiology in Africa

The Zambia safari industry is growing faster than any other in southern Africa as more and more visitors realize this heretofore hidden gem of a land.  The wildlife, once nearly decimated by hunting and poaching in the 1970's, has since rebounded and today Zambia offers a safari experience which competes and compliments those of its more established neighboring countries to the south.

Zambia's best safari areas include Kafue National Park, the Luangwa Valley and the Lower Zambezi.

Please note that we have limited space reserved at the most popular safari lodges... we strongly encourage you to reserve your safari accommodation with us as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.  Please use our Reservations Form to start the reservations process.

Kafue National Park
Our Zambia packages focus on the new Wilderness Safaris camps in Kafue. It is remote, wild and diverse with vast tracts of pristine ‘pure wilderness’. The team who initially visited the area came back raving about the wilderness aspect (‘The wildest area I’ve ever seen’ according to one experienced safari) and also the diversity of the region.

The Lunga River in the east is a permanent tributary of the Kafue River and beyond its narrow strip of riverine forest the landscape is patterned with broad-leafed woodland, open plains, floodplains and island thickets. In the north west of Kafue the Busanga Plains is a vast savannah of seasonally inundated grasslands dotted with riverine islands and areas of broad-leafed woodland.

Birdlife is abundant and includes many species that do not occur elsewhere in southern Africa. Zambia’s single endemic species, Chaplin’s Barbet, does occur, but the thrill is to be found in the diversity and abundance with nearly 500 species recorded and good concentrations of species such as Wattled Crane (Zambia contains more than half the world’s population) and various pelicans, storks and herons. Other specials of the plains are Locust Finch, Rosy-throated and Fülleborn’s Longclaws, Kori and Denham’s Bustards, while birds of the woodland and riverine areas include Ross’s Turaco, Blue-breasted Bee-eater, Pale-billed Hornbill, Miombo Pied Barbet and Red-capped Crombec.

Mammals are equally diverse and aside from the high profile species, such as Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo and Cheetah, commonly seen in countries like Botswana and Zimbabwe, a number of other species, not readily encountered further south are often seen. Chief among these are Puku, Defassa Waterbuck and Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest with rarer species such as Oribi and Roan regularly encountered. A further unusual species for those accustomed to game viewing further south is the Tree Hyrax – a small population of which is resident in the camp at Lunga, their calls echoing through the camp at night.

This notwithstanding it is the high profile species that most guests are after and in this regard Kafue certainly delivers the goods! Good Lion and fantastic Cheetah (some of the best in Africa) sightings are common, Leopard viewing is a regular highlight, Wild Dogs are occasionally seen, Elephant and Buffalo sightings are excellent, and there are abundant Hippo and good numbers of plains game such as Zebra and Wildebeest.

The game viewing experience of Kafue is not the wooded savannah of the South African lowveld, the woodland and floodplain of northern Botswana, the broad-leafed woodland of Hwange or the Albida woodlands of Mana Pools, rather it is a combination of all of these and is well suited to itineraries which include any of these destinations or indeed Zambia alone.

(All pricing is per person sharing in $US)

SOUTH LUANGWA National Park Safaris
Choose from numerous private camps and lodges
Price: Customized quotes upon request

The Luangwa Valley is known for its huge herds of elephants, large pods of hippos and huge numbers of crocodiles which inhabit the muddy Luangwa River. Thornicroft's giraffe are indigenous to the park. Lion, hyena, buffalo, waterbuck, impala, kudu, puku, bushbuck and Crawshay's zebra (a subspecies of the Plains zebra) are also plentiful. Small herds of Cookson's wildebeest, unique to Luangwa, may also be seen. Leopard are frequently seen, especially on the excellent night drives in the park. In all, there are 60 different animal species and over 400 different bird species found in the park.

We can offer you a customized safari to any of the many South Luangwa safari camps upon request.
Click for More Info:  South Luangwa National Park

LOWER ZAMBEZI National Park Safaris
Choose from several private camps and lodges
Price: Customized quotes upon request

The Lower Zambezi National Park is located along the Zambian side of the Zambezi River, downstream from Lake Kariba and directly opposite from Zimbabwe's Mana Pools National Park. The Lower Zambezi is a relatively new National Park, officially gazetted in 1983.

The Lower Zambezi National Park covers an area of 4,092 square kilometers, but most of the game is concentrated along the valley floor. Enormous herds of elephant, some up to 100 strong, are often seen at the river's edge. ‘Island hopping’ buffalo and waterbuck are also quite common. The park also hosts good populations of lion and leopard and the bird life is very good.

Canoeing here is a must. The lodges in the park provide hourly or day long canoeing trips. Float down the river at your leisure and they’ll pick you up in a speedboat at the end of the day to bring you back.

We can offer you a customized safari to the Lower Zambezi upon request.
Click for More Info:  Lower Zambezi National Park

Shumba Camp

Shumba Camp comprises six spacious luxury safari tents on raised platforms with breathtaking views of the surrounding plains. A maximum of 12 guests can be accommodated at any one time and great emphasis has been placed on the “guided” experience - being led by qualified, enthusiastic people with in-depth knowledge of the area and its wildlife.

Guests have the option of game drives and walking safaris in and around the Plains and night drives provide the added excitement of the nocturnal wonders of the area. For those interested in birding, the Park boasts 491 species of birds, including endemics such as Chaplin’s Barbet.
  Shumba Camp Photos

Kapinga Camp

Kapinga Camp is designed to blend in with the environment and natural products have been used as much as possible in the construction of the camp. Interiors are spacious and have all the modern conveniences that one would wish for. With only three luxury safari tents accommodating a maximum of 6 guests, one can be assured of exceptional personal attention.

Guests can take part in game drives and walking safaris in and around the plains and night drives offer the added excitement of the nocturnal wonders of the area. All these are led by qualified guides who are extremely knowledgeable about the area and its wildlife. For those interested in birding, the park boasts 491 species.
  Kapinga Camp Photos

Lunga River Camp

Lunga River Camp has six spacious thatched rooms with private decks that overlook the river, ensuring breathtaking views. A maximum of 12 guests can be accommodated at any one time and great emphasis has been placed on the “guided” experience - being led by qualified, enthusiastic people with in-depth knowledge of the area and its wildlife.

Activities include game drives, walking safaris, guided canoe and boating trips as well as fishing. Night drives provide the added excitement of the nocturnal wonders of the area. For those interested in birding, Kafue National Park boasts 491 species of birds, including endemics such as Chaplin’s Barbet.
  Lunga River Camp Photos