Zambia

If you think Africa is all safari and wild animals, a trip to Zambia will come as a huge surprise. From adrenalin-pumping extreme sports, to chilling at the edge of the glorious Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya or ‘Smoke That Thunders’, there’s plenty else to bring you here.

If you head there to see the falls, they’re at their most powerful in March and April, with so much mist it may be impossible to see them. They’re at their driest in November and December, which makes it a good time to check out the unique geology that would otherwise be unseen. Alternatively, you can relax on a sunset river cruise, and enjoy an evening of hippo-watching as you drift down Zambezi River. Nature lovers can ‘safari’ in jeep, on foot and via canoe through several National Parks, taking in baboons, elephants and lions.

If you’ve never done a safari before, Zambia is a surprisingly good place to try one. Consistently good in terms of animal discoveries, the parks offer a wider range of activities than those you may find elsewhere in Africa. With a backdrop of the thundering mists of the Victoria Falls (see how close you can get to them on Knife-Edge Bridge), a trip to Zambia would truly be a holiday you’ll never forget.