Scuba Diving in Zambia

Zambia has no coastline, but it has one of the great freshwater dive destinations on earth. Lake Tanganyika’s clear water and endemic fish make it a bucket-list dive — and you can learn the basics in Lusaka before you go.

Beginners: start in Lusaka

Never dived before? Our sister company, the Zambian Outdoor Adventure Company, runs beginner scuba sessions in Lusaka. You learn the equipment and core skills in calm, controlled water with an instructor, so you arrive at the lake confident — or simply discover whether diving is for you. It fits neatly into a day in Lusaka at the start or end of a safari.

Experienced divers: Lake Tanganyika

For certified divers, Lake Tanganyika is the main event. Expect rocky slopes and boulder fields alive with cichlids — hundreds of species found nowhere else, many brightly coloured and fascinating to watch as they guard nests and young. Visibility is often excellent and the water is warm. Because the lake sits at about 770 metres, dives are planned as altitude dives, and your guides will brief you accordingly.

What to bring

• Your certification card and logbook, if you have them.
• Your own mask and computer if you prefer; other equipment can be provided — confirm when you book.
• Travel insurance that covers scuba diving.

Plan your flights so you don’t fly within the recommended interval after your last dive.

Diving and safari

A dive trip pairs beautifully with a Zambian safari: start with a beginner session in Lusaka, head out to the Lower Zambezi or South Luangwa, and finish with several days diving and relaxing at Lake Tanganyika.

Full disclosure: the Zambian Outdoor Adventure Company (ZOAC) is Safari.today’s sister company. We recommend it because we know its guides and sites first-hand — and we’ll always tell you when another operator suits you better.

Frequently asked questions