From African Plains to Chinese Karsts: Contrasting Outdoor Adventures

Lusaka itself serves primarily as your gateway to Zambia's wilderness, but don't rush through the capital without experiencing its emerging art scene and vibrant markets. I spent two nights acclimating at the Royal Livingstone, where zebras casually grazed on the hotel lawn as I planned my expedition over coffee each morning.

The real adventure began with a private charter flight to Lower Zambezi National Park, where I stayed at Chongwe River Camp. This luxury tented camp sits at the confluence of the Chongwe and Zambezi rivers, offering front-row seats to wildlife spectacles that unfold continuously. Unlike the more trafficked safari destinations, Lower Zambezi offers a rare opportunity: walking safaris with armed guides who can track the Big Five through terrain their vehicles can't access.

On my third morning, we followed lion tracks for over two hours, moving silently through tall grass that whispered secrets with each breeze. The moment we finally spotted the pride—three females lounging in dappled shade with cubs tumbling nearby—stands frozen in my memory. There's something profoundly different about encountering apex predators on foot rather than from a vehicle's safety. The experience demands complete presence and awakens ancient instincts you didn't know you possessed.

For capturing these once-in-a-lifetime moments, my telephoto zoom lens proved invaluable, allowing me to document intimate wildlife behavior from respectful distances.

Both destinations offer extraordinary water-based adventures, yet the experiences couldn't be more different. On the mighty Zambezi, I spent three days on a luxury canoe safari, paddling between islands and camping on pristine sandbanks. The river here is a highway of wildlife—hippos snorting territorial warnings, elephants crossing at shallow points, and crocodiles sunning themselves on banks. Each night, camp staff created five-star dining experiences under the stars while the sounds of Africa played their nightly symphony.

The Li River near Yangshuo offers a more serene but equally mesmerizing experience. Rather than wildlife encounters, here you're surrounded by what looks like nature's own sculpture garden—hundreds of limestone karsts rising dramatically from mist-covered waters. I opted for a private bamboo raft at dawn, launching well before the tourist boats. My guide, Mr. Wu, a former fisherman whose family has navigated these waters for generations, pointed out formations with names like 'Painting of Nine Horses' and 'Beauty Admiring Her Reflection.'

For early morning river excursions in both locations, I relied heavily on my waterproof dry bag to protect camera equipment and essentials. The difference in photography between these environments is striking—in Zambia, you're shooting wildlife with telephoto lenses in harsh contrasting light, while in Yangshuo, wide-angle lenses capture ethereal landscapes in soft, diffused morning mist.

The water itself tells different stories too. The Zambezi feels ancient and powerful, carrying the lifeblood of ecosystems downstream. The Li River feels contemplative and artistic, as if designed specifically to inspire landscape painters and poets through millennia.

For advanced outdoor enthusiasts, both destinations offer world-class climbing experiences that couldn't be more different in technique, culture, and aesthetic.

In Zambia, I arranged a specialized expedition to climb the basalt cliffs near Victoria Falls—a less-known but spectacular climbing destination. These climbs offer unparalleled views of the Zambezi gorge with the thundering falls as your soundtrack. The routes here are technically demanding, with the additional challenge of intense heat during midday. My guide Samuel, a Zambian climbing pioneer, has established dozens of routes ranging from 5.9 to 5.13. We focused on multi-pitch routes in the early mornings, including the spectacular 'Nyaminyami's Ladder,' named after the Zambezi river god.

Yangshuo, by contrast, has developed into one of Asia's premier climbing destinations, with over 800 bolted routes on its distinctive karst towers. The climbing style here demands extreme flexibility, technical precision on tiny holds, and comfort with exposure on dramatic overhangs. I spent seven days climbing with local legend Abond, tackling classics like 'White Mountain' and 'The Egg,' as well as some newly developed areas away from the more popular crags.

The climbing cultures differ dramatically too. In Zambia, climbing feels exploratory and adventurous—you might be one of only a handful of climbers in the entire region. In Yangshuo, you'll join an international community of dedicated climbers who gather at legendary spots like Bridge Café to share beta and stories.

For both destinations, my climbing shoes proved essential for the technical demands, while my climbing helmet protected against rockfall in these developing climbing areas.

The beauty of contrasting these destinations extends beyond natural landscapes to the rich cultural tapestries that frame your adventures. In Zambia, I spent evenings in villages near Lower Zambezi learning traditional fishing techniques and participating in community conservation initiatives. The Goba people shared their deep knowledge of the region's ecology and demonstrated how traditional practices are being adapted for sustainability. One particularly moving experience was joining a women's cooperative that creates intricate beadwork while monitoring local wildlife movements—a perfect marriage of cultural preservation and conservation.

In Yangshuo County, I dedicated rest days between climbing sessions to exploring ancient farming villages that remain largely unchanged by tourism. In Xingping, I studied traditional cormorant fishing methods with Mr. Huang, whose family has practiced this art for 18 generations. Though now primarily sustained as a cultural demonstration for visitors, the intimate connection between the fishermen, their birds, and the river reveals centuries of environmental adaptation.

The contrast between these cultural experiences—African communal traditions versus Chinese familial heritage—provides a fascinating lens through which to understand how different societies develop sustainable relationships with challenging environments. In both locations, I was struck by how outdoor adventure tourism, when thoughtfully managed, can help preserve traditional knowledge and provide economic alternatives to extractive industries.

To document these cultural exchanges respectfully, I used my mirrorless camera with a quiet electronic shutter and flip screen that allowed for discreet shooting without disrupting authentic moments. The ability to capture images without being intrusive proved invaluable in both locations.

One of the joys of a luxury adventure is returning to exceptional accommodations after pushing your physical limits. Both destinations offer remarkable options that blend seamlessly with their environments while providing world-class comfort.

In Lower Zambezi, I divided my stay between Chongwe River Camp and the more exclusive Anabezi Luxury Tented Camp. The latter sits on an ancient elephant pathway, with spacious tents perched on platforms overlooking the floodplains. Each morning, I woke to elephants feeding directly in front of my deck. The camp's commitment to sustainability is impressive—solar power, water conservation systems, and farm-to-table dining that rivals fine restaurants in major cities.

In Yangshuo, I discovered Alila Yangshuo, a boutique hotel converted from a 1960s sugar mill. The architectural restoration thoughtfully preserves industrial elements while creating serene spaces that frame the karst landscapes through floor-to-ceiling windows. The contrast between my accommodation experiences mirrored the landscapes—in Zambia, the luxury was in the immediacy to wildlife and pristine wilderness; in China, it was in the artistic dialogue between human design and natural beauty.

Both destinations understand that luxury in remote locations isn't just about thread counts and amenities—it's about creating meaningful connections to place. After climbing all day in Yangshuo, the hotel's underground spa with a natural cave pool provided perfect recovery therapy. In Zambia, evening game drives concluded with sundowners set up on scenic riverbanks, complete with linen-covered tables and premium South African wines.

Despite being a seasoned traveler, I still find that quality sleep makes all the difference during physically demanding adventures. My travel pillow has accompanied me worldwide, ensuring consistent rest regardless of location.