 |
The words “Victoria Falls”, “Lake Kariba” and “Zambezi River” alone evoke day dreams of the untamed African wilderness. Zambia is everything the adventurous and luxury traveler dreams of and more. It is the “real Africa”, untamed nature and abundant wildlife with world class service and unsurpassed hospitality.
|
|
|
|
HIGHLIGHTS |
|
|
 |
VICTORIA FALLS
The impressive falls on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe are known by locals as "Mosi-oa-Tunya" (thundering mist). A fitting description for the place where the Zambezi river plunges in a single drop of almost 2 km wide. During the flood season (March to May) the spray of the 108 meter high fall can shoot up in the air to over half a kilometer. Wearing a rain coat is not a bad idea... There is an almost permanent rainbow hanging over the fall, during full moon a "moonbow" becomes visible.
|
|
|
|
SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK
This nature lover's paradise in the eastern part of the country is dominated by savannah woodlands. A local elephant herd is known to peacefully march through Mfuwe Lodge every November on their way to a mango grove. Other inhabitants of South Luangwa include hippos, buffaloes, wildebeest and the rare, endemic Crawshay zebra - although even Zippy can hardly differentiate it from the common plains zebra.
|
|
|
|
LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK
Formerly the private game reserve of Zambia's president, Lower Zambezi NP is one of the most pristine pieces of African wilderness. Except for the rhino, the Big 5 is well represented here and the park has a very rich bird life.
|
|
|
|
KAFUE NATIONAL PARK
With over 22 thousand square kilometers Kafue is Zambia's largest reserve and is one of Africa's biggest national parks. Easily accessible from capital Lusaka, Kafue is still very much untamed African wilderness. The Busanga plains in the north counts as one of the best places in Africa to spot wild cheetahs.
|
|
|
|
LAKE KARIBA
This 220 kilometer long lake, located along the Zambezi river near Zimbabwe, is in fact man-made as it is the result of a nearby dam. This human intervention ironically boosted the ecological diversity of the region. Nile crocodiles, hippos, the African figh eagle are now common sights in the lake. Those familier with Scientology literature might know Lake Kariba as the setting of L Ron Hubbard's "Battlefield: Earth".
|
|
|
 |
FAST FACTS:
Area:
752,618 km2 or 290,587 sq mi
(bigger than the US State Texas but smaller than the country of Chile)
Capital:
Lusaka
Other major cities:
Ndola
Kitwe
Kabwe
Chingola
Luanshya
Livingstone
Anthem:
Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free
Currency:
Zambian kwacha (ZMK)
Dialling code: +260
Time zone:
London (Greenwich) + 2 hrs; New York + 7;
CET Winter +1; CET Summer +0; China -6 hours; Sydney -8
There is no summer or winter time.
|
|
|
|
Population
Zambia has no less than 70 ethnicities. Especially in the rural areas groups can differ from village to village. However, almost half of the 12.9 million Zambians live in the cities. As a matter of fact Zambia is one of the most urbanised countries in Africa. Lusaka alone has about 3 million inhabitants. |
|
|
 |
Infrastructure/roads
There are many entrance points to Zambia. Popular choices are by ferry from Kazungula in Botswana and over the Katima Mulilo Bridge in Namibia. Please feel free to contact us about visa regulations.
|
|
|
 |
Climate
Zambia has a tropical climate with mostly warm temperatures. Along the Zambezi valley and in the south-west the climate is semi-arid. Most of the rain falls in the summer months, from November to March. The winter months are typically dry and mild. Spring (August to November) is warm and dry. |
|
|
DID YOU KNOW?
Many presume Sir David Livingstone was the first European to visit present-day Zambia but the earliest European account comes from Portuguese explorer Francisco de Lacerda in the late 18th century. In 1855 Livingstone does become the first known non-African to lay eyes on what locals call "Mosi-oa-Tunya, the "thundering mist". He names the natural spectacle Victoria Falls after the then ruling British monarch. In 1871 journalist/explorer Henry Morton Stanley becomes the first to "discover" Livingstone in Africa but it remains a mystery whether the words "Dr Livingstone. I presume?" were really uttered on that occassion.
|
 |
|
Victoria Falls
Photo: ZippingZebra.com
Dr Livingstone I presume?
Statue of the great missionary/explorer.
Photo: ZippingZebra.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Scheduled tours
|
 |
This 14-day scheduled takes you on a chauffeured 4x4 off the beaten track adventure to the hidden treasures of Zambia. Take a canoe ride through the Mutinondo Wilderness Area, take a hot bath in the natural springs of Kapishya and go on safari in the pristine north Luangwa National Park, a wildlife walhalla undiscovered by mass tourism. From only U$ 4,400 per per person sharing. |
|
|
Read more...
|
|
Scheduled tours
|
 |
This scheduled tour with a private driver shows you the best of the breath-taking beauty of Zambia. Take a cruise over Lake Kariba, feel like a present-day Dr. Livingstone as you explore Kafue, one of the most pristine National Parks in the World and stand in awe at the Victoria Falls. From only U$ 3,300 per person. |
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
|
|
