The capital
Lusaka is where most international flights land and where many diaspora families live. It is a busy, friendly working city with good markets, galleries, malls and restaurants, plus a small national park with rhino on the edge of town. Spend a night or two here to adjust, change money and buy a SIM card before flying on.
Victoria Falls
Livingstone and Victoria Falls is Zambia's adventure capital. The falls are a UNESCO World Heritage Site shared with Zimbabwe, and the Zambian side offers Devil's Pool, Livingstone Island, rafting, bungee jumping and sunset cruises on the upper Zambezi. Three or four nights is ideal.
The great parks
South Luangwa is the country's flagship park and the birthplace of the walking safari, famous for leopards and big herds along the Luangwa River. The Lower Zambezi is a river park where you canoe past elephants with Zimbabwe on the far bank, and it is the easiest major park to reach from Lusaka. Kafue National Park is vast and quiet, with the Busanga Plains in the north and good value camps along the Kafue River.
Putting it together
A classic first trip is Livingstone plus one or two parks, joined by scheduled flights through Lusaka. Travellers on a tighter budget can use intercity buses between Lusaka, Livingstone and Chipata, then a transfer into the parks. Use the free trip planner to fit the pieces to your dates, and browse the places to visit list for food, culture and stays in each area.