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Copious wildlife and woodlands

The Flora and Fauna of Zambia

The dominant vegetation type across of the escarpments is woodlands; made up of Acacias and Sausage Trees (Kigelia africana), as well as thorn bushes and a variety of grasses. The north of the country is marked by lush vegetation, whilst in the drier southern regions, the plant life is comparatively sparse.

Open woodlands such as the Miombo Woodlands are characteristic of both the north and east of Zambia. In the south west, Baikiaea plurijuga, a Zambian Teak can be plentifully found.

The national parks of Zambia aim to effect the conservation and future wellbeing of rare and endangered animal species, particularly those such as the Cookson Wildebeest, Sitatunga antelope, the Thornicroft's Giraffe and the Red Lechwe. The range of antelopes also includes Kudus, Impalas and Duikers. The Luangwa Valley is home to Giraffe, Zebra, Rhino, Elephant, Baboon, Cheetah, and Leopard, Lions, Wild Dogs, Bat-Eared Fox and Hyaena. You may also see Honey Badger, Anteater and Warthog, whilst at the night you might enjoy sightings of both Civet and Bush Babies as well as Aantbears.

Zambia is home to a large variety of bird species including Eagles, Gulls, Terns, Kingfishers, Swifts, Redwings, Larks, Sunbirds, Sociable Weavers, Red-billed Queleas, Storks, Lapwings, Song Thrushes, Sparrows, Skimmers, Bee-eaters, Geese, Wagtails, Red-backed Shrikes, Nightingales, Doves, Goatsuckers and the occasional Ostrich. In the reserves you may come across White Pelican, Flamingo, Grey Heron, Ibis and the Crowned Crane.

In the reptile world, there are more than 78 snake and reptile species, including Pythons, Mambas, Vipers and Cobras, together with Crocodiles, Tortoises and Geckos.

Fish to be found in the rivers are manifold indeed; Bream, Butterfish, Tiger Fish, Gorge Fish, Mudfish, Catfish, Whitebait, Pike, Perch, Carp and also Utaka, a kind of sardine.

If you are interested in insects, you will have the opportunity to marvel at the myriad, intense colours and bizarre shapes of thousands of species, especially in the Bangweulu Floodplains.