Africa Zambia Travel and Tips Information
When you really want to appreciate nature, solid structures are more of a hindrance than a blessing. When you arrive at a Zambian game viewing spot, you’ll find easy-to-open structures made of porous canvas and indigenous materials with the majesty of nature all around you: the towering desert trees, the open house at the camp for scouts and even the strange Puku. . When you’re in your tent, reed bungalow, or thatched cottage, you’re part of the warp and woof of the wilderness.
The songs of birds, the rustle of grass, the distant roar of a hunting lion float directly into your hearing range and you experience the sweetness of nature’s breath. Within easy roaming, open common rooms and airy enclosures allow you to meet your fellow safari guests for casual conversations…outdoor daydreams under the stars…and hearty meals that set you up for restful sleep, leading to surveillance for game viewing excursions.
Explorer’s Africa will always be in style… but Welcome Tourism Services believes that a good measure of luxury is also in style.
Zambia is often described as the “real Africa” and it’s easy to see why. The country is famous for its vast protected wilderness areas and South Luangwa National Park is home to possibly the most diverse range of game in Africa. Birds are also found in rich profusion.
With Africa’s wildlife areas rapidly disappearing, Zambia remains the least disturbed and commercialized and is still blessed with lush vegetation, abundant water and a steadfast commitment to preserving its vast expanses of African wildlife, spread across 19 national parks and 33 game management areas.
A safari in Zambia offers a legendary wildlife experience on safaris in open vehicles, walking safaris through the virgin forest or canoe safaris on the Zambezi.
Some of the world’s most knowledgeable wildlife experts run safari operations in Zambia. This, coupled with strict training standards for guides, rangers and trackers, ensures that wildlife enthusiasts get an in-depth and entertaining exploration of the African bush. The warm welcome of the Zambian people and culture provide an added dimension to an unforgettable experience.
Welcome Tourism Services believes that, like Botswana, Zambia is best suited for customized tours and safaris. Although we have highlighted some special interest itineraries and opportunities, there are a multitude of safaris, accommodation options and activities available. Our specialist consultants will tailor-make the ideal Zambian adventure based on client interest, budget and available timeframes, ensuring that each safari embodies the spirit of Africa.
Covering 750,000 square feet. km Zambia sits on a plateau averaging 1,300 meters above sea level. Although situated in the tropical belt of south central Africa, Zambia’s elevation gives it a moderate climate. There are three seasons: hot and humid between December and April; cool and dry from May to August; hot and dry from September to November. The rainy season (particularly October) is notably wet in the Zambezi and Luangwa valleys.
Zambia gained its independence in 1964 under Dr. Kenneth Kaunda and became a Commonwealth republic. In 1972, the country was declared a one-party state, but returned to multi-party politics in December 1990.
The basis of Zambia’s economy is copper and cobalt mining, which together provide more than 90% of the country’s foreign exchange earnings. Great efforts are being made to diversify its economic base with agriculture, manufacturing and international tourism becoming more important and the country remains one of the most prosperous nations in Africa.
Starting life as a simple railway halt in 1905, Lusaka has been the capital of Zambia since 1935 and today is one of the fastest growing cities in Central Africa. Of special note are the impressive Munda Wanga Botanic Gardens and adjoining zoo, the Holy Cross Anglican Cathedral, the Zambia Gemstone and Polishing Factory (which produces fine jewelery from precious and semi-precious stones), and the bustling Market. of Luburma.
Before 1935, Livingstone was the capital of what was then called Northern Rhodesia and is situated about 10 km from the magnificent Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River. The Livingstone Museum is the country’s national museum, tracing the history of man in Zambia and has a particularly good collection of memorabilia relating to explorer/missionary Dr David Livingstone. The Victoria Falls Field Museum is located on an archaeological site and displays stone tools from about 2.5 million years ago.
The Railway Museum traces the history of rail transport in Zambia and has a collection of locomotives and rolling stock dating back to the early 20th century. The Maramba Cultural Village on the outskirts of Livingstone offers an interesting look at Zambian culture and the Hukini Village on the way to the Victoria Falls Gorges offers interesting craft and carving demonstrations. Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is home to some of Zambia’s remaining rhinos. A wide variety of adventure activities, including rafting, kayaking, canoeing, ultralight and river cruises, are available at all Livingstone hotels and lodges.
Covering 22,500 m2. km, Kafue National Park is bordered by the blue-green Kafue River and stretches from the vast plains of Busanga in the north to the miombo forests of Nanzhila in the south. The park remains as it has been for centuries and offers a great diversity of landscapes and habitats, making it one of the most exciting and rewarding parks in Africa.
A profusion of animals including elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, buffalo, roans, sables and a wide variety of other antelope can be seen regularly and bird life is extensive and rich in variety. A short distance downriver from Lake Kariba is the Zambezi Valley, lined with sheer cliffs and a veritable menagerie of wildlife. Drawn by the lush floodplains, verdant forests, and permanent water, elephants, buffalo, and antelope move in large herds. The lion, leopard, and hyena maintain checks and balances. A river teeming with fish and a land of diverse habitats has resulted in an astonishing variety of bird species. Canoe safaris have become a popular way to explore the Lower Zambezi, allowing visitors to get up close to wildlife in their natural environment.
Just a three hour drive from Lusaka is the World Heritage Wetlands site of Lochinvar National Park. Although larger mammals are not in abundance, Lochinvar has excellent bird-watching opportunities, with over 428 species recorded. The park is situated at the southern end of the Kafue Flats and is particularly known for the large herds of Kafue Lechwe, Blue Wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, Greater Kudu, bushbuck, oribi, hippo, reedbuck, waterbuck, and the elusive Sitatunga are also here.
The Luangwa Valley stretches across eastern Zambia. Framed by sheer cliffs and supported by the dynamic Luangwa River, the valley is home to the North and South Luangwa National Parks. With a combined reach of 20,000 square feet. km, the two parks encompass a wild wilderness of abundance and diversity where the relentless daily drama of survival plays out for a small, privileged audience.
The valley is home to more than 50 species of mammals, predators are common, buffalo and elephants are abundant, and hippos drown the river in herds a hundred strong. More than 400 species of birds have been recorded and seasonal migratory birds enhance this bird lover’s paradise, where storks and pelicans enjoy boisterous “fishing parties,” thousands of Carmine Bee-eaters nest, crowned cranes screech in flocks and vultures fill the sky along with 38 other birds of prey. species.
