Zambia's game drives are excellent — but the country has far more to offer than what you can see from a 4x4. Home to 73 ethnic groups and some of Africa's most striking waterways and wetlands, it rewards travellers who mix cultural stops, paddling and birding into their itinerary. Here are five alternatives worth building a trip around.

Start in Mongu, the capital of Barotse Province and home of the Lozi people, one of Zambia's most culturally distinct groups. The Nayuma Museum walks you through Lozi history via artefacts, traditional dress and oral narratives, and the Mumwa Craft Association showcases regional craftsmanship — better still, you can buy pieces straight from the artisans who made them.

For something more active, swap the vehicle for a paddle. The Victoria Falls Canoeing Company runs canoe safaris on the Zambezi River, from half-day trips to full-day island-hopping routes, with crocodiles and hippos as your riverside company. If you'd rather be above the water than on it, book a microlight flight over Victoria Falls — known locally as the "Flight of Angels." Flights from Livingstone's Adventures last 15 or 30 minutes and take in the falls, the Zambezi, Batoka Gorge and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park from an angle no land-based visit can match.

Zambia is also the birthplace of the walking safari, and South Luangwa National Park remains the classic place to try one. Exploring the bush on foot with an expert guide gives you a genuine chance of spotting leopards — often up in trees — plus hippos, crocodiles and elephant herds. Kafunta River Lodge, on the park's edge, is a solid pick for an overnight stay between walks.

Finally, head north to Lake Bangweulu, whose name translates as "where the water meets the sky." This enormous wetland of floodplains, swamps and open water is a birdwatcher's dream, most famously for the endangered Shoebill — one of Africa's most coveted and strange-looking birds. Wattled cranes, saddle-billed storks and swamp flycatchers also live here. Shoebill Island Camp arranges boat safaris, fishing trips and guided walks in the area.

Why does this matter? Zambia can feel like an expensive, tightly scheduled destination if you book nothing but safari lodges. Mixing in canoeing, a museum morning, a microlight flight or a birding excursion adds variety, spreads your budget across different operators and gets you beyond the wildlife-checklist version of the country. It's the difference between visiting Zambia and actually getting to know it.