Known for its expansive national parks and astounding bird watching, travelers book flights to Zambia and enter a world dominated by birds and game, blessed by the Victoria Falls and Zambezi River. Zambia is landlocked with Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Angola and Zaire touching its borders. But when your flight to Zambia arrives, you’ll see that this small country delivers big.
Zambia is relatively free from commercial tourism, but extreme adventure-seekers book Zambia flights for a taste of pure outdoor excitement. Whitewater rafting, canoeing, power boating, and safaris are all part of the tourism draw. If you need a break from the rapids, head toward one of Zambia’s natural parks full of birds and wildlife. Unless the Zambia flight arrives at odd hours before departing for one of the many safaris or outdoor adventures, visitors who book flights to Zambia rarely stay in town. The capital, Lusaka, has plenty of outdoor offerings for overnight travelers and those who find themselves in the capital city for a few days will be welcomed by Zambia’s citizens
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Zambia’s tropical climate makes it a hot year-round destination. If you’re booking flights to Zambia from December through March, you’ll experience the country’s wet season. If you’re heading there between May and November, you’re in for a completely different, dry climate. Depending on the altitude, you’re bound to get a switch in temperatures and precipitation. Zambia’s three seasons consist of hot, wet, and dry. Its dry season spans from April to August, when temperatures drop at night, and the land is full of green and lush vegetation. From September to November, the heat rolls in and it’s the best time to see wildlife in its natural habitat. A bit later, from November to April, cold nights sneak passed warm days, and rain frequently falls.
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Peak Season: Most travelers book flights to Zambia between May and November, when the hot, dry climate makes for perfect day trips, and the post-rain conditions provide wildlife with the perfect setting.
Off-peakSeason: Although the amount of vacationers drops in the rainy season (December to March), it’s also a great time to find great deals on accommodations and cheap flights to Zambia. Some national parks are closed, and animals are more difficult to spot, but if you’re looking for a trip of peace and solitude, then this is the season to travel to Zambia.
Find flights to Zambia
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Among the many methods of Zambia travel offered, you may want to make the most of your time by booking domestic Zambia flights to get you from one side to the other as quickly as possible. Airwaves Zambia will bring you to and from regional airports within and beyond Zambia’s borders.
For backpackers booking flights to Zambia, there are plenty of options to get around the country. Regional buses are large, although sometimes crowded, and have five seats across to optimize as much room as possible. Even with superb road conditions, these vehicles manage to make it a bumpy ride, so make sure to watch your head and your belongings. For shorter distances, mini buses are much faster, but you will pay more for the efficiency. Trains are limited and quite slow, and rarely travel further than the Livingstone/ Lusaka/ Nakonde area. There are “express” trains three times a week, as well as local daily departure times. Plan your time wisely, because schedules are not always reliable. Get there early, and don’t expect a prompt trip.
If you’re experienced in 4WD’s, there are several rental agencies in Lusaka. Most main trails go to Chipata, Mongu, and Nakonde, but conditions vary from easy to very difficult. Beginners aren’t typically recommended to try long distance off-road driving, especially since the direction of traffic runs on the left.
Despite not being able to hop on a 4WD, beginners are more than welcome to partake in an organized safari. Remove the trouble and stress of planning aside, while travel agents in Lusaka create tailor made trips to bring you a unique version of Zambia travel.
Find Zambia flights
The following chart gives approximate journey times from
Lusaka (in hours and minutes) to other major cities and towns in Zambia.
| | Air | Road | Rail |
|---|
| Livingstone | 1.20 | 6.30 | 11.00 |
|---|
| Ndola | 1.00 | 4.00 | 6.30 |
|---|
| Kitwe | 1.00 | 4.30 | 7.00 |
|---|
| Mfuwe | 1.30 | - | - |
|---|
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- Kafue National Park: Book cheap flights to Zambia to see one of the biggest national parks in the world. Kafue National Park spans from the forests of the Kafue River to the grasslands of the Busanga Plains. For travelers’ convenience, a road runs between Lusaka and Mongu, dividing the Northern and Southern halves, and rangers are stationed at each half’s headquarters at the Chunga camp and the Musa gate to organize walking safaris and other camping necessities.
- Victoria Falls: Victoria Falls is a sight not to be missed by anyone booking flights to Zambia. You can get as close as you want to the Zambezi River drop into the gorge, and even swim at the edge of the falls if you’re on Livingstone Island. A footbridge filled with mist gives watery views of the eastern cataract, and a close-up to the falls as they rush down from above. For more daring fun, go white water rafting, abseiling, river boating, jet boating, or bungee jumping to experience the unique thrill of the steep plunge.
- Lower Zambezi National Park: One of the newer, more relatively undeveloped places to add to your Zambia travel agenda is the Lower Zambezi National Park, where wilderness and diversity of animals is the top priority. Known for its easy access to the game, the Park has a wildlife sanctuary on either sides of the river, and the river’s edge offers many exotic plant species leading to the Mopane Forest. Explore the woodland as lions leopards, elephants, and buffalo run freely in the grassland, or take a canoe out for a day trip and view the many breeds of fish frolic in the clear Zambezi Channel.
- Horse Riding Trails: Right along the Zambezi River, the forests and wilderness areas offer a fun and hands-on way to experience the outdoors. Settled just outside Lukasa, the Lilayi Lodge provides horseback riding trails for tourists booking flights to Zambia. Short rides last around two hours, and begin once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Long rides last two days, and you’ll camp each night on the banks of the river. Either way, you’re sure to experience a new and amazing part of your Zambia travel on horseback.
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Your cheap flight to Zambia arrives at Lusaka International Airport (LUN), 16 miles east of Lusaka.
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A return ticket or proof of onward travel, and proof of sufficient funds is also required. There is a special provision for day visitors coming across the border from Zimbabwe into Livingstone. For those nationalities requiring a visa for Zambia, a fee of $10 is paid for a "Day Tripper Visa", but visitors must exit Zambia on the same day.
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United States citizens must obtain a valid passport and a visa to book Zambia flights. The visa can be issued on arrival and is valid for the period of your stay.
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