Zambia is an undiscovered African jewel. The pristine environment and laid-back people, unspoilt by commercial tourism, will make you feel like you’ve been to the true heart of Africa. Zambia’s highlights include the Victoria Falls, Livingstone, Kafue National Park, South LUangwa National Park, Lower Zambezi National Park..
Basic facts
Full name Republic of Zambia (formerly Northern Rhodesia)
Capital Lusaka
Independence 24 October 1964
Time GMT + 2 hours
Population 9 663 535 (July 1999 est.)
Currency KWACHA (ZK)
Area 752 610 km2
Language English (official) and most urban Zambians speak it fluently. In the rural areas, it is used less, though only in truly remote settlements would there be problems communicating in English.
Geography & Landscape
Zambia is a landlocked country, bordering eight countries. It is a vast plateau covered by deciduoud savannah, small trees, grassy plains and marshland.
The plateau slopes down in the south to the fertile Zambezi plain, with Victoria Falls at the southern end of man-made Lake Kariba. The region around the falls can be described as rainforest. The major rivers are in Zambezi, Kafue and the Luangwa.
Climate
Summer : November to March
Winter : April to August
Zambia’s elevation on a plateau gives it a moderate to tropical climate. There are three seasons, cool and dry from April to August, hot and dry from September to October, warm and wet from November to March.
Average temperatures range from 23 degrees in winter to 30 degrees in summer, when conditions can be humid. IN the river valleys of the Zambezi and Luangwa, it only becomes very hot in the month of October.
When to go & what to bring
Zambia’s distinctive seasons provide visitors with different perspectives depending on the time of year. The Victoria Falls are spectacular in April and May after the rainy season. At the end of the dry season, October to December, the water levels are
low and one can see the magnificent rock formations. Game viewing is excellent year round, particularly from June to October.
Generally, casual comfortable clothing is suitable throughout the year. The most practical items to package for safari are : khaki, brown, green and beige colours. Light cotton tops and cotton trousers. Sweater or fleece heavy jacket for game drives (especially during the winter months). Socks and comfortable walking shoes / boots, sun block, hat, sunglasses and insect repellent are essential. Swimsuit as many lodges has swimming pool.
Layers are most practical for the fluctuating day/night temperatures of Zambia. Dull and/or neutral colours are more suitable for safari; white is not practical. It is best to pack hardy, durable clothing.
Very important : packing space is limited on all modes of safari transport, so you will need to restrict your baggage to 15 – 22 kg (preferably packed in a soft bag) plus reasonable amount of camera equipment.
Attractions and National Parks
Livingstone
Livingstone town, former capital of Zambia, was named after the famous Scottish explorer, Dr David Livingstone.
The town has much to interest the visitor, including the Livingstone Museum, which houses many of the explorer’s possessions and journals, and the Railway Museum, with a rich history of seam trains and railway memorabilia. A few kilomeres upstream of the falls the Mosi-ua-Tunya National Park which runs along a strip of riverine forest. Altough the park is only 66 km2 it provides a home for numerous antelope specis, zebra, giraffe and white rhinoceros.
Victoria Falls
One of the worlds greatest natural spectacles. Declared a World Heritage site, the Falls are a place of legend, romance and myth. Long before the Dr David Livingstone “discovered” them on November 16, 1855, the local Batonga people had name them Mosi-oa-Tunya meaning “the smoke that thunders”.
Activities includes : bungi jumping, helicopter flights, white water rafting, body boarding, microlight, sundowner cruises on the Zambezi river, canoeing and many more.
Lower Zambezi National Park
This is Zambia’s newest park and as such, is still relatively undeveloped, but its beauty lies in its absolute wilderness state. The park lies opposite the famous Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe, so the whole area on both sides of the river is massive wildlife sanctuary. The river’s edge is overhung with a thick riverine fringe. Further inland is a flooplain fringed with Mopane forest and Winterthorn trees. The lower Zambezi National Park covers an area of 4092km2, but most of the game is found along the valley floor. There is an escarpment along the northern end, which acts as a physical barrier to most of the parks animal species. The sparkling waters
of the Zambezi are a focal point for the abundant wildlife that includes large herds of elephant, hippo, buffalo, zebra, lion, leopard, various anelope species and tigerfish.
Kafue National Park
Kafue is Zambia’s oldest park and by far the largest, covering 22 400km2. From the astounding Busanga Plains in the north-western section of the park to the wilderness and the lush dambos (wetlands) of the south, the park is endowed with great diversity of landscape and rich variety of wild animals and birds.
The vast plains of Busange team with herds of Zebrea, blue wildebeest, buffalo, puku, roan, sable, impala and their attendant predators, several cheetah, lion and leopard. The souther section of the park is known for large herds of elephant, zebra and buffalo.
South Luangwa National Park
The LUangwa valley is one of Africa’s prime wildlife sanctuaries, with concentrations and varieties of game and birdlife that have made it world famous. As the Luangwa valley forms part of the Great Valley, its scenery is varied and dramatic.
The valley floor drops down some 800m below the surrounding plateau, with the LUangwa river carving its tortuous course through the centre. Vegetation ranges from dense woodland to open grassy plains, and oxbow lagoons at as neutral water holes.
Bird-watching is superb in the valley, as there are over400 different bird species.
Health requirements
Remember to get malaria prophylactics before entering Zambia. Take precautionary measures to prevent contact with mosquitoes, like : sleep under a bed net or in a room/tent with mosquito proofing, spray your accommodation with insecticide; make use of a mosquito repelling lotion or stick; and wear long sleeved clothing, trousers and socks when outside at night. Recommended vaccinations : Hepatitis A, Meningitis and Tetanus.
It is advisable to obtain medical insurance prior to arrival. Private Health care standards in Namibia are high, with the best hospital being in Windhoek. All main towns have well-stocked pharmacies, but it is recommended that you bring any medicines you may require
Visa requirements
All visitors are required to carry a passport that is valid for six months beyond the intended length of stay. There should be sufficient blank pages for entry stamps upon arrival.
Please heck with your nearest Zambian Consulate for up-to-date information depending on your passport nationality. The onus is on the traveler to ensure all visa requirements are met.
Tipping
Tipping is not legal in Zambia. A service charge of 10 % is included in the bill. Bargaining for local goods is acceptable.
Souvenirs
Local crafts, including wooden and soapstone carvings, ban be purchased from markets and at roadside stalls along major tourist routes. Traditional instruments including drums, whistles and thumb pianos can be purchased, which make fascinating souvenirs.
