The Lower Zambezi valley is home to one of Zambia's most beautiful wildlife havens - the Lower Zambezi National Park and its equally beautiful,  community owned Chiawa game management area. This is where the mighty Zambezi River meets breathtaking mountains and vast floodplains filled with baobabs and rich, riparian forests that are home to a cornucopia of wildlife species. Paradise? Absolutely!

The combination of the towering peaks of the Zambezi escarpment, the rich diversity of life and the wide river, dotted with islands and sandbanks, is simply jaw-dropping. The Zambezi at this point is controlled, being dammed upstream at Kariba and downstream in neighbouring Mozambique at Cahora Bassa. This allows it to spread and form channels through the floodplains, creating indescribably beautiful areas of lush wetland and dense riverine thickets.

Canoeing these channels is a wonderful way to explore, taking in the incredible birdlife along the way and marvelling at the rich diversity of wildlife that calls this wonderful valley home. Huge herds of elephants can be seen crossing the Zambezi and grazing on the wide islands, as can buffalo and the larger antelope species able to negotiate the river's steady current and avoid its crocodiles.

With a stunning variety of simply outstanding lodges and bush camps on offer and the additional lure of tiger fishing and access to one of Africa's most legendary rivers, the Lower Zambezi is perhaps Zambia's most well-rounded safari destination and an absolute must for any safari itinerary.