See spectacular Livingstone on a Zambia safari

Wednesday, 4 July 2012 4:07 PM

Livingstone is the perfect option for those who fancy something a little different from their safari holidays in Zambia, with this African city providing a range of options for wildlife lovers.

While it is largely known for the Victoria Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in the world, this postcolonial settlement in the south of the country has much more to offer tourists hoping to learn all about the continent's endemic plant and animal life.

Named after intrepid explorer David Livingstone, the city allows you to try traditional safaris and trips via elephant back, as well as providing the opportunity to walk with lions.

The latter enables you to get up close and personal with these renowned kings of the jungle, with visitors introduced to lion cubs and their handlers in an isolated area of the bush.

You will be given a talk about how the big cats interact with man, as well as being told about long-term plans for re-integrating captured lions back into the wild.

This is a truly exciting and educational experience and you can even get a video of your encounter to take home with you.

However, for a real taste of the Victorian Falls wilderness, you should consider an elephant-back safari, which offers a unique and exciting insight into these majestic creatures and still allows you to see the sights at a leisurely pace.

Being guided through the grasslands and forests of Zambia, you will not only get to see beautiful natural landscapes from the best angle, but you will also form a bond with your elephant.

Trainers will tell you more about how elephants survive in the wild, and you will also learn about some of the issues that face wildlife conservationists trying to prevent them from dying out.

If you prefer to be on steady ground, a rhino walk at Mosi Oa Tunya National Park may be a better option, providing you with some excellent close-up photo opportunities with one of the region's most iconic animals.

Here you can spot the white rhino, which is considered the most sociable of the species, while learning about some of the other interesting flora and fauna commonly found in the area.

Most rhino walks take around four hours, and you will also have the opportunity to stop at various picnic spots to have snacks and a drink of water.

Last but not least, Mosi Oa Tunya National Park also offers a more traditional safari trek, where you can see a variety of animals in their natural habitats.

Experienced guides will accompany you and tell you about each creature, with buffalo, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra and antelope all on show.

If you are more interested in the local plant life, make sure to see the lush vegetation clinging to the banks of the impressive Zambezi River - Africa's fourth longest river.

You will also get the chance to see Old Drift, a crossing point and settlement for Livingstone's first residents.

Each game drive takes around 2.5 hours and you can book parties of up to 50 people, although a minimum of two is required.

There is so much choice in Livingstone safaris that you may find it difficult to pick just one, although you can rest assured that whatever selections you make, you will not be disappointed.

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