Zambia has for many years been neglected due to political and logistical
problems. It is certainly on the comeback trail with a number of prominent
and well-respected conservation and tourism-driven companies taking advantage
of the opportunities opening to them.
Livingstone is situated on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls offering
trips to the Falls and canoeing safaris above the Falls.
The country also has two of the undiscovered gems of the African bushveld in
the Lower Zambezi National Park and Luangwa Valley. Both are stunning reserves,
relatively undeveloped and offering amazing game experiences - a real throwback
to the Africa of old.
Situation
Zambia takes its name from the Zambezi River, which forms it's southern boundary
with Zimbabwe. Its neighbours include Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi in the
east, Congo to the north, Mozambique to the south-east, Zimbabwe, Namibia and
Botswana to the south and Angola in the west. Zambia is 750 000 square kilometres
and contains a spectacular variety of people, places and wildlife which provides
the ultimate African experience.
The Real Africa
The tourist slogan adopted by the Zambian National Tourism Board describes the
country to perfection. "The Real Africa" evokes images of a land, which is
somehow reminiscent of the Africa of old, an Africa where many of the people
cling to traditional lifestyles, of wide-open spaces and of wild places where
animals and birds dictate the pace of life. Zambia offers all of this and much
more in abundance. The spectacular Victoria Falls is Zambia's premier and
best-known tourist attraction, however the country, covering a vast area in
south central Africa, has many almost unknown attractions.
The Luangwa Valley
The Luangwa Valley is probably the best known of the wildlife safari destinations
in Zambia. Large concentrations of elephant, hippopotamus and buffalo are a feature
of this area. The lion and leopard encounters in the Luangwa Valley are legendary.
A number of operations have been established both within and on the periphery of
the South Luangwa National Park. The North Luangwa National Park remains practically
untouched. This is a vast area adjoining the spectacular Luangwa River and the area
is a wildlife paradise and provides a wildlife experience unequalled in Africa. The
special attraction of this area is its wildness and remoteness and the fact that
very few tourists visit the area at present.
The Bangweulu Swamps and Lakes
The enormous Bangweulu Swamps and Lakes situated in the northern part of the
country remains virtually untouched. This vast area is home to an incredible
variety of aquatic and other bird life and the rare and unusual Shoebill. The
bird count in the area numbers some 400 separate species. The endemic black
lechwe, which occurs only in this area, congregates in enormous herds of up
to 10 000 animals. The shy and elusive sitatunga is also found in the swamps
together with a wide variety of other species. This area rivals the world
famous Okavango Swamps in Botswana.
The Liuwa Plains
The Liuwa Plains, in the western areas of Zambia, is the venue for southern
Africa's only substantial migration, where thousands of wildebeest and zebra
migrate across the plains from Angola at the beginning of the rainy season.
The area is remote and beautiful and because of the absence of large numbers
of tourists, is evocative of an Africa untouched by western influences and in
touch with its primeval roots. The area is a mecca for birding enthusiasts and
is a superb safari destination. Further south from Liuwa Plains the Zambezi
traverses the Barotseland floodplains before spilling over the Ngonye Falls
at Sioma. The river is a mecca for fishing and canoeing and for tranquil days
under the blue African skies.
Victoria Falls and Lake Kariba
The Zambian bank of the Zambezi River, in the vicinity of Victoria Falls is far
less developed than the Zimbabwean bank. An incredible variety of activities
including white water rafting, bungi jumping off the Victoria Falls bridge,
elephant-back safaris, sundowner cruises on the upper Zambezi River and safaris
into nearby wildlife reserves can be enjoyed.
The Zambezi River spills into the enormous man-made Lake Kariba. Most of the lakes
shoreline is wilderness and a number of islands dot the lake. The lower Zambezi valley
below Lake Kariba is a wildlife wonderland, which can be enjoyed simultaneously with
spectacular fishing and boating on the magnificent Zambezi River. The valley is host
to large concentrations of wildlife and especially elephant can be seen in large
numbers along the banks of the river.
Kafue National Park and other features
The Kafue National Park, west of Lusaka, is one of Africa’s largest and least disturbed
wildlife areas. Vast floodplains, waterways and grasslands stretch seemingly to infinity
and the area is a superb wildlife destination. Other spectacular wildlife and natural
features of Zambia include the water wilderness of Lake Tanganyika and Lake Mweru in the
far north of the country and the Nyika Plateau National Park in the north-east adjacent
to Malawi, which is a spectacular highland area of rolling hills and gentle mountain streams.
Travelling
Zambia is a spectacular slice of modern and ancient Africa. It is a land of warm and
friendly people and spectacular scenery and wildlife. It is also unspoilt by large
volumes of tourists and consequently its essential character is unchanged. Direct
flights from Europe to Lusaka and via Nairobi and Johannesburg provide easy access
to Zambia. Daily flights from Johannesburg to Lusaka and Victoria Falls provide easy
regional access to the country.
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