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For wildlife fans, the excellent national parks are teeming with birds and animals, and boast some of the finest safari camps and lodges in the whole of African continent. Zambia shares the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls - two of the region's major tourist highlights with her Southern Neighbour Zimbabwe.
| Visas: Most visitors need visas, which are good for three months, plus an International Health Certificate showing proof of a yellow fever vaccination within the past 10 years |
| Health risks: Cholera, malaria, polio, typhoid, yellow fever, HIV/AIDS |
| Electricity: 220V |
| Weights and measures: Metric |
Travelling is still a challenge - but for many people, the challenge is the main attraction. Without a doubt, in Zambia you come pretty close to finding the 'REAL AFRICA'.
The dry winter months (May to October) are the most comfortable for travelling, but you'll miss the green landscapes that characterise the hotter and wetter summer season (November to April). In winter, night-time temperatures can fall below freezing but the days are best for wildlife viewing because animals tend to concentrate close to water holes and are therefore easily observed.
Victoria Falls: One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Victoria Falls is divided into six separate waterfalls namely – Devil's Cataract, Main Falls, Horseshoe Falls, Rainbow Falls, Armchair Falls and Eastern Cataract. Great clouds of spray rise some 400-600m into the sky, giving rise to the local name ‘Mosi-Oa-Tunya' or ‘smoke that thunders'. In mid April the waters are swollen by the summer rains and at their most impressive, but it is a worthwhile sight at any time of the year. Waterproof clothing (can be hired locally) is useful, or go in your swimming costume.
Livingstone: Livingstone dates from just after the turn of the century. The town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe eclipsed Livingstone in the 1970s, though Livingstone has been battling back ever since. Still, it's not the tourist trap its southern neighbour is. Livingstone is located about 300km (185mi) south-west of Lusaka.
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South Luangwa National Park: South Luangwa National Park is rated one of the best known national parks in Africa. Vegetation ranges from dense woodland to open grassy plains, and oxbow lakes act as natural water holes. Mammals include lion, buffalo, zebra and thornicroft's giraffe. The park is also home to one of Africa's largest elephant populations, and is particularly noted for its leopards. In the Luangwa River you'll spot hippo and crocodile. Game drives and walking safaris are available, as are horseback safaris. The park is located about 250km north-east of Lusaka. The park is closed during the rainy season of December to April.
Kafue National Park: Kafue National Park is the largest national park, home to bushveld plains stretching for hundreds of kilometres, forests lining the banks of the Kafue River, and critters big and small everywhere you look. Kafue is prime safari territory, with the lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, antelope, zebra, even the ultra-rare yellow-backed duiker, to prove it. One highlight is the Busanga Plains at the northern end of the park. This 750 sq km (290 sq mi) area floods from March to May, when it becomes a giant bathing ground for thousands of hippos and millions of birds. Another good birdwatching spot is Lake Itezhi-Tezhi, where herons, spoonbills and many other waterbirds roost. The park is about 200km (125mi) west of Lusaka.
Siavonga & Kariba Dam: Located at the north-eastern end of Lake Kariba, the town is quiet and low-key; the dam offers great views of the lake on the south-western side and the Zambezi River gorge on the other. There's fine fishing and boating on the lake. About 40km (25mi) north is the Chirundu Fossil Forest, with 150 million year old trees and Stone Age artifacts. Siavonga is about 100km (62mi) south of Lusaka.
Ngonye Falls: Ngonye Falls is a wonderful place that's free of the tourist trappings of its better known counterpart. Ngonye Falls only fall a few metres - but the broad expanse of the cascade is a magnificent sight. There's good white-water rafting below the falls. Nearby is Sioma Ngwezi National Park, where you can spot elephants taking a nighttime drink. The falls are 600km east of Lusaka, and about 200km south of the town of Mongu. |
