Beat the tourists to Liuwa Plains

Deep in eastern Zambia, the South Luangwa National Park sits firmly off the tourist trail. Remaining a true wilderness and haven for elephant, African painted dog and leopard (watch their stealthy activities on a night drive), a visit to South Luangwa is a safari in the purest form.

In fact, it is the origin place of walking safaris and they remain a staple at every camp in the park. Led by some of the finest guides on the planet, you’ll set out to follow the tracks of the big cats, examine the handiwork of birds and insects, and learn to ‘read’ the bush. For the most adventurous, there’s also the option to plan a multi-day expedition where you’ll trek through sandy riverbeds and overgrown forests, spending each night in a fly-camp under the stars.

Don’t get us wrong, open-topped game drives are incredible as well as boating safaris, specifically after the rainy season when the Luangwa River has risen dramatically. It’s home to one of the largest populations of hippo and crocodile in Africa, and a plethora of birdlife!

As you might have guessed, the Lower Zambezi National Park and its myriad activities are centred around the mighty river running through it. Droves of animals travel to the river, including herds of zebra, elephant and buffalo - and you might even see them grazing on the tiny isles in the middle of the water. Idle down the river on a canoe, eyeing hippo, crocodile and a flurry of birdlife, or explore by boat followed by sundowners on the riverbank. There is abundant tiger fish in the Zambezi if you fancy a few hours of angling too.

For a close-to-nature experience, leave at dawn on foot to examine fresh tracks and clues from the night’s activities. All lodges conduct a morning or afternoon game drive, but a night drive offers a different cast of wildlife, where bushbabies ogle you from the trees, shy civets and servals slink past, and you could watch lion and leopard on the hunt.

A highlight on any Southern Africa trip, seeing Vic Falls in all its pounding, dramatic, mesmerising glory is unforgettable – and there is plenty to keep you busy in the area. Firstly, we recommend a walk (guided or unguided) to get a feel for the sheer enormity of the waterfall, before taking to the skies and marvelling from above in either a helicopter or a microlight. Both offer incredible views and big, bucket-list ticks.

To really get the adrenalin going, there’s a selection of daredevil activities to choose from – bungee jumping, gorge swinging, white water rafting and trips to the iconic Devil’s Pool spring to mind – but if something more sedate is on the cards, there are languid boat trips on the Zambezi, sundowner cruises and wonderful afternoon teas to enjoy.

If safari is on your mind, there are a couple of options to choose from. Zambia’s Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park offers good game viewing of elephant, buffalo, giraffe and zebra (sadly no big cats) as well as fantastic rhino tracking opportunities and walking safaris. Otherwise, take a day trip to Botswana’s Chobe National Park for the Big Five and river cruises to see the hundreds of elephant the park is rightly famous for.