If you’re like me, you like to travel to places at that optimal moment when there’s enough touristic infrastructure for a unique adventure with all the creature comforts, but not so much yet that the tourist masses and chain hotels have arrived. Zambia is on the verge of that moment. Which is why I’m there right now, doing reconnaissance for you.

I brought along my advance team—my kids, Charlie (15) and Doug (13), and my husband, Tim. We heard from Cherri Briggs, who is one of the African safari travel specialists on my WOW List and who lives in Zambia part of the year (she has a house on the Zambezi river), that because Zambia is still under the radar, you can enjoy a high-value-for-your-dollar safari there that will have you alone amid sweeping landscapes, just you and the animals, no other Land Rovers or camera-clicking tourists in sight. It sounded like a great August vacation for the family, so Cherri designed an awesome two-week itinerary for us—which we’re now halfway through.

Most people thinking about an African safari choose between the two regions that are best known for it because they’ve been doing it the longest—southern Africa (e.g., South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe) and East Africa (e.g., Kenya, Tanzania). Zambia sits smack in between those two regions and, I’m finding, combines some of the best characteristics of each. I’ll be writing in detail about the pros and cons of Zambia soon—who should go, who shouldn’t, what’s the smartest itinerary, etc.—so stay tuned. In the meantime, here are a few snapshots from Week 1.

African wild dogs are highly endangered. There are only about 6,000 of them in all of Africa. Today in Zambia we saw four. Look at their gorgeous fur!

A post shared by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on Aug 13, 2017 at 10:32am PDT

Don’t worry: They’re full. These lions just ate a Cape Buffalo and are sleeping it off. I’ve seen Uncle Al look like this after Thanksgiving dinner.

A post shared by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on Aug 13, 2017 at 12:28pm PDT

Pretty vegetables, eh? The ladies sell these in the village near Mfuwe Lodge. #Zambia #southluangwa

A post shared by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on Aug 13, 2017 at 10:44pm PDT

Kids I met in the village yesterday. They’re 6, 10, 11, and 12. #Zambia #southluangwa

A post shared by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on Aug 13, 2017 at 10:57pm PDT

At Mfuwe Lodge you can watch the animals while you eat. That field you see in the background is a lake in summertime (e.g., February). It dries up in winter (e.g., August) and was full of zebras and impalas early this morning. #zambia #southluangwa @bushcampcompany

A post shared by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on Aug 13, 2017 at 11:32pm PDT

You’ll see animals wandering all over the grounds here at Mfuwe Lodge. This leopard was peeking inside the spa last night. #zambia @bushcampcompany

A post shared by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on Aug 13, 2017 at 11:56pm PDT

Like father like son. #Zambia #SouthLuangwa

A post shared by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on Aug 18, 2017 at 4:31am PDT

Greetings from Chamilandu, a remote 6-guest bush camp in #Zambia. #SouthLuangwa @bushcampcompany

A post shared by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on Aug 18, 2017 at 10:43pm PDT

At Chamilandu Bush Camp, the chalets are on stilts. Those benches in front are where we grab breakfast around a campfire at 6 am before our morning game drives. #Zambia #SouthLuangwa @bushcampcompany

A post shared by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on Aug 19, 2017 at 9:53am PDT

Zambian roadblock. #SouthLuangwa

A post shared by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on Aug 19, 2017 at 10:20am PDT

Why we look forward to sundown. It’s when our car turns into a bar. @bushcampcompany

A post shared by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on Aug 19, 2017 at 11:03am PDT

Sundowners with a view. #Zambia #SouthLuangwa #hippos

A post shared by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on Aug 19, 2017 at 12:04pm PDT

Safari vehicles can vary a lot. We’re glad @bushcampcompany’s Land Rovers are open-air and shaded, with cushioned seats for rocky roads, clear sight lines from each row, and even bean bags for cameras. #Zambia #SouthLuangwa

A post shared by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on Aug 20, 2017 at 10:36am PDT

A parade of elephants. #Zambia #southluangwa

A post shared by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on Aug 20, 2017 at 11:21am PDT

Shower with a view. At Chamilandu Bush Camp, the chalets have three walls. @bushcampcompany #Zambia #southluangwa

A post shared by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on Aug 20, 2017 at 11:58am PDT

Lunchtime surprise in the bush: Make your own pizzas! @bushcampcompany #zambia

A post shared by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on Aug 20, 2017 at 1:31pm PDT

Can you believe this is in the remote bush? #makeyourownpizza #middleofnowhere #Zambia

A post shared by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on Aug 20, 2017 at 2:29pm PDT

Inside our chalet at Chindeni Bush Camp. Those white canopies are mosquito netting that is unfurled to enclose the whole bed at night. #Zambia @bushcampcompany

A post shared by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on Aug 21, 2017 at 3:45am PDT

Chindeni Bush Camp takes only 8 guests, in 4 chalets. Our terrace was as peaceful as it looks–bird calls, hippo grunts, baboon howls, and elephant trumpets notwithstanding. #Zambia

A post shared by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on Aug 21, 2017 at 4:22am PDT

#onthetable #inthebush #Zambia

A post shared by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on Aug 21, 2017 at 9:47am PDT

Zambia is known for its walking safaris. Our first-rate guide turned our walk into an episode of C.S.I., teaching us how to deduce from pawprints which animals (of which gender) were headed in which direction at what speed and for what purpose.

A post shared by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on Aug 21, 2017 at 10:18am PDT

Bush brunch. #Zambia

A post shared by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on Aug 22, 2017 at 4:55am PDT

These school chums grew up together in the same village. Now they’re both guides and camp managers for @bushcampcompany. Thank you, Peter and Fannuel, for making our time in #southluangwa so fun. #Zambia

A post shared by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on Aug 22, 2017 at 5:08am PDT

“Hold still, Doug!”

A post shared by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on Aug 22, 2017 at 5:10am PDT

You never know what’s around the corner in the bush.

A post shared by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on Aug 22, 2017 at 9:34am PDT

Look who trekked three hours from Mfuwe to join us for sundowners on the Luangwa: @Bushcampcompany founder and native Zambian Andy Hogg. Thank you, Andy, for being a champion for your country and for environmentally friendly travel.

A post shared by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on Aug 22, 2017 at 6:39am PDT

Our last sundowners in #SouthLuangwa. Thank you, Cherri Briggs and @explore_inc, for recommending #Zambia and choreographing our trip. Week 1 in South Luangwa National Park has been awesome. Looking forward to Week 2 on the Zambezi and in Victoria Falls!

A post shared by Wendy Perrin (@wendyperrin) on Aug 22, 2017 at 7:49am PDT

Inspired to start your own safari vacation?

 

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