Zambia is a well kept secret in the heart of Africa.
It has emerged in recent years as an engaging
attraction to tempt even the most well travelled. The
country is endowed with a wealth of beautiful
sceneries, magnificent physical features, unspoilt
swathes of plains and an abundance of wildlife. The
highlights for the visitor are its national parks – for
the animals and bird-life; Victoria falls -one of the
world’s most outstanding natural attractions, and the
Zambezi river- which offers adventure types great
canoeing, white-water rafting and bungee jumping.

Zambia lies in the northern frontier of southern
Africa, and is squashed between East and Central
Africa. This landlocked country has more neighbours
than any country needs. It shares its borders with
eight countries: Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi
and Mozambique to the east, Zimbabwe to the south-east,
Botswana and Namibia to the south, Angola to the west
and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the north-west.

Zambia’s capital and its largest city is Lusaka. The
city sits on the site of a historic village, and is
named after Lusaaka -the village headsman at its
modern foundation. The railway arrived here in 1905,
and for this reason and its fairly central location
in the country, Lusaka snatched the privilege of
hosting the capital from Livingstone in 1935.

The city today serves as Zambia’s nerve centre for
its social, economic and cultural life. Lusaka is
the country’s transport hub and is the usual entry
port for international visitors. It is linked by
direct flights from Europe, and has connections via
regional hubs in Kenya and South Africa.

Almost half of Zambia’s people live in urban areas.
The people are predominantly Bantu, and converse in
more than 70 languages. Some of the common tongues
are Bemba, Lozi, Kaonda, Luvale, Tonga, and English
is widely spoken, and is the country’s official
language. The people’s staple food is nsima -a form
of fire-baked maize meal, which in its many forms is
popular in many other parts of Africa. Nsima is
usually relished with vegetables, meat dishes,
fermented milk and sometimes stewed beans.

Stretching over 750,000 sq. km, Zambia is in the most
an elevated tableland out laid with numerous river
valleys, and occasionally interrupted by hills and
mountains. The flora is mainly woodlands, flooded
grass plains and riverine forests. The woodlands are
commonly of the miombo, mopane and baikraea variety.

The country enjoys a network of rivers, and a good
numbers of lakes. It is cushioned between two of
Africa’s major river basins: the Congo in the north,
and the Zambezi to the south. Within Zambia, mighty
Zambezi is strengthened principally by the Luangwa and
Kafue rivers. The Zambezi ultimately crushes into
Victoria Falls, and then flows steadily into Lake Kariba.

The area between the Zambezi and the Lake Tanganyika
Valley is virtually high plateau. Moving from south to
north, the plateau rises from 1,000 m to about 2,000 m.
Towards the Malawi border, Zambia’s hill country emerges
at Mafinga Hills, which is at its highest at Kongera
(2,187 m) – also the country’s highest point. Towards
the west, the hills face off with the Muchinga
Mountains, standing at 1,892 m.

The territory that is today referred to as Zambia was
originally inhabited by San bushmen -a hunter-gatherer
peoples. Around the 4th century BC, a southward bound
Bantu migration brought new inhabitants to the region.
The Bantu were a sedentary lot of farmers, who also
traded in iron, copper and pottery wares. They
established themselves on their new lands and created
kingdoms such as Barotseland of the Lozi people.

From about 1000 AD, the Bantu were trading with Arabs
from their East African coast bases, and later in the
18th century with the Portuguese who had established
in Mozambique. Ivory, cotton textiles, and slaves were
the most common trade fare, while copper was the means
of exchange.

Dr. David Livingstone in 1851 was the first European on
record to set foot in Zambia. Livingstone was a was a
British missionary, whose business in these parts was
to look for a route into the interior of southern Africa,
and he also hoped to introduce Christianity. Though
not very successful himself, he paved the way for other
missionaries, and fought a good fight against the
terrible slave trade.

By 1888, the territory came under the control of the
British South Africa Company (BSAC). BSAC eventually
named it Northern Rhodesia, and set their base in the
city of Livingstone. In 1924 the territory was put under
the direct control of the British crown. Mineral wealth
kept the British quite busy in this colony, and it is
only after a long struggle that they granted Northern
Rhodesia independence in 1963. The country then changed
its name to Zambia, after the Zambezi River.

Copper was for long Zambia’s main foreign exchange
earner, and for the first 5 years after independence the
country did well. The vagaries of the world’s commodity
markets caught up with Zambia in the 1970’s, throwing the
economy into disarray. After a long period of denial, it
was only in the early 1990’s that serious efforts to
reform the economy were embarked on.

After the shock of over reliance on copper, Zambia is
now taking tourism seriously. Wildlife tourism revolves
mainly around 8 of its 19 national parks: South Luangwa,
Kafue, Nsumbu, Lochinvar, Lower Zambezi, Kasanka, North
Luangwa and Mosi-oa-Tunya. These are parks with a viable
tourist infrastructure, including good lodge
accommodation and camp facilities. Most of the others
are hardly accessible, and are still largely in their
natural state.

Zambia’s jewel in the crown for an African safari is
South Luangwa National Park. It was founded in 1938 as
a game reserve, and converted to a national park in
1972. The park is set in Zambia’s eastern region,
overlooking the Muchinga Escarpments. It covers 9,000
square km, including most of the Luangwa River Valley
on the west bank of the Luangwa River.

The river is the lifeblood of this mostly savannah
woodland park. Miombo woodlands rule the heights, while
the valley harbours mopane woodlands. The regions
around the river serve as flood plains.

The park is popular for its immense wildlife
populations. Relative to its size, the density of
wildlife is unmatched, and it ranks with Africa’s
top-of-the-list safari destinations. With a count of 60
animal species and over 400 varieties of birds, South
Luangwa is colourful and full of life year round.
Grazers, browsers, predators and scavengers of all
manner of shapes and sizes roam the parks’ horizons.

Common residents here include elephant, buffalo,
giraffe and a variety of antelopes. Some species such as
Thorneycroft’s giraffe, Cookson’s wildebeest, and
Crawshay’s zebra are almost exclusive to the park.
Lions and hyenas are also regulars, and share the wilds
with the elusive leopard and the rare Africa wild dog.
March to June is the best time to catch up with the
African wild dog here.

The Luangwa River is afloat with numerous waterfowl and
large families of crocodile. More abundant though are
the hippopotamus, and it is at Luangwa that the world’s
largest single population of hippos is found. Birdlife
is prolific, and the variety on display includes egrets,
wood ibis, vultures, crested cranes and saddle bill
storks among numerous other local species.

South Luangwa is always brilliant- whether on 4X4
vehicle, horse or elephant back, river canoe, or simply
on foot. Said to be the home of ‘walking safaris’, the
park offers very good up-close game viewing- but remember
the animals are wild, and it is not a good idea to walk
without an armed game ranger. On these jaunts, the songs
of birds, rambling of buffaloes, trumpeting of elephants,
roaring of lions, buzzing of insects and chirping of
crickets fill the air.

The park is at its best at the start and end of the
summer rains in November through to December, and April
through to May. At this time, the park is lush with
vegetation and rampant with new life. The best time to
view wildlife is during the winter season- particularly
between August and September, when the water levels are
at their lowest and animals congregate in huge numbers
around the waters edge.

The South Luangwa has come a long way, having survived
a dark period in 1980s and early 1990’s. At that time
unbridled poaching saw its black rhinos wiped out, and
its tuskers seriously depopulated. All this is now in
the past and it today offers Zambia’s best safari
experience. It is also the country’s most accessible
game sanctuary and has well regarded accommodation and
amenities.

The Luangwa for all its accomplishments is hardly
crowded, and it receives few visitors than equivalent
parks in more popular safari destinations. The park is
easily accessible by road from Mfuwe, but those with
less time to spare prefer to fly in.

Kafue National Park is the oldest and largest of
Zambia’s game parks. At 22,400 square km, it is the
size of a small country, and is Africa’s second largest
national park. It was established in 1924 and named
after the river of the same name. Stretching over the
country’s North Western, Central and Southern Provinces,
the park lies in close proximity to Lusaka and the
Copperbelt and is accessible from all sides of the
country’s 4 main highways.

Kafue’s landscape varies greatly but most prominent are
miombo woodlands, riverine forests and marshy grasslands
known as ‘dambos’. The north of the park is dominated by
floodplains and rich wetlands, where the stunning
unspoilt plains of Busanga harbour an abundance of game
and bird-life. The area lies between the Lunga, Lufupa
and Kafue Rivers, and enjoys luxuriant vegetation.

The south of the park is characterised by miombo and
mopane woodlands, open grasslands, rocky outcrops and
Kalahari sandveld. Nanzhila Plains, Lake Itezhi-Tezhi
and Ngoma Forest are the main attractions.

Kafue has 55 species of animals, but it is largely
antelope country. The red lechwe, sitatunga and Defassa
waterbuck are the stars. Others of their species that
roam the vast wetlands include: impala, eland, duiker,
roan, blue wildebeest, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest,
grysbok, oribi, sable, kudu, puku, oribi, and reedbuck.

Other common residents include elephant, zebra and
buffalo, and a good count of predators such as lion,
cheetah and the occasional leopard. You will also find
wild dog, hyena, jackal, serval, civet, genet, bushpig,
warthog, porcupine, vervet monkey, and baboon. At the
Kafue River, numerous hippos, water monitors and
crocodiles have found a welcome.

Birding at Kafue, especially at the river and the swamps
is excellent, and over bird 400 species have been
sighted. Here you will find numerous water birds, and
others such as spoonbills, Fulleborn’s longclaw, fish
eagles, African finfoot, Pel’s fishing owl, goliath Heron,
Bohms bee-eater, purple crested loerie, great cormorants,
half collared kingfisher and the wattled crane.

In addition to game viewing and bird watching, a bonus
at Kafue is the excellent game fishing. At the end of
the line a good day may reel in bream, fresh water pike,
catfish and barbell. An annual fishing competition is
held every September at Lake Itezhi Tezhi.

The Lower Zambezi National Park is third ranked among
Zambia’s wildlife habitats. It is situated just east of
Lusaka, and is on the northern banks of the Zambezi
River. Game viewing and birdwatching here are excellent.
You can also take canoe safaris, and your fishing day
out will be made by the tiger fish, bottle-nose fish and bream.

Nsumbu National Park near the country’s border with
Tanzania spreads over 2,000 square km. It touches the
shores of Lake Tanganyika, enjoying an 80 km stretch of
beach. Nsumbu’s landscapes are picture perfect, with
its lakeside cliffs and sandy shorelines. Wildlife is
in good measure, and there are good opportunities for
a walking safari, boating and sport fishing. Fish to
catch here include Tigerfish, Lake Salmon, Nile Perch,
Yellow Belly, Golden Perch and Vundu Catfish.

Be on the look out for beautifully plumaged birds,
including the flamingo. The beach looks made for a
memorable sun and sand holiday. But only the intrepid
would dare, owing to the presence of weighty hippos and
giant Nile crocodiles. There are a few good accommodation
spots at Nsumbu.

Kasanka National Park in the central region is Zambia’s
first privately-funded and managed national park. Though
a national park since 1942, Kasanka was nearly de-listed
in the 1980’s having greatly devalued as a wildlife
sanctuary due to poaching and poor management. It was
saved by collaboration between wildlife experts and the
local community. You can watch game at the park including
such delights as the slender snouted crocodile, and the
rare sitatunga antelope.

The Lochinvar National Park -part of which is a World
Heritage Wetland site, is renowned for its wonderful
birding opportunities. Together with the Blue Lagoon –
a 500 sq. km wildlife haven 100 km west of Lusaka –the
two parks are favourites with birders. Lochinvar is
found to the south west of Lusaka.

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park at the border between
Zambia and Zimbabwe, is home to Zambia’s share of the
awe inspiring Victoria Falls. Mosi-oa-Tunya is a UNESCO
World Heritage Site and lives off the Zambezi River
which draws the boundary between the two countries.
Covering just 66 sq. km- it is pretty small as far as
national parks go. It divides into two sections: a
wildlife sanctuary on one side, and the mighty falls
on the other –each of which has a separate entry.

Nature in the area is varied and rich. Numerous
antelope species, zebras, giraffes, and hippos are
found here. More importantly, Mosi-oa-Tunya is home
to Zambia’s only surviving rhino. There are also
several herds of elephant, buffalo, wildebeest,
klipspringer, vervet monkey, baboon and the occasional
lion and leopard. The upstream and downstream sides
of the falls each hosts distinct fish fauna. Below the
falls, the fish species count is 39, while upstream it
is 84. Some of the fish species are endemic to the Zambezi.

Victoria Falls is listed among the Seven Wonders of
the Natural World, in the exalted company of the Grand
Canyon (US), Great Barrier Reef (Australia) and Mount
Everest (Nepal).

The western world first heard of the falls in 1855
from David Livingstone – the Scottish missionary and
explorer. The spellbound explorer reported: “No one can
imagine the beauty of the view from anything witnessed
in England. It had never been seen before by European
eyes; but scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by
angels in their flight”. He named the falls after Queen
Victoria, then England’s monarch.

Victoria Falls is the world’s largest curtain of falling
water. The magnificent, awe-inspiring spectacle arises
as the mighty Zambezi River spreading over nearly 2 km
plunges into a narrow chasm 120 metres below. It gives
rise to a ferocious torrent of mist and thunder. The mist
can rise to a height above 1.5 km, and can be seen from
up to 40 km away. When the Zambezi is in full flood-
around February and March, the flow over the falls
exceeds 8 million litres of water per second.

The Kololo people of Zambia called the falls
Mosi-oa-Tunya – ‘The Smoke that Thunders’. Victoria
Falls is Zambia’s most popular destination for
international visitors. The country has somewhat
benefited from the decline of Zimbabwe, previously the
more popular base for viewing the falls. The city of
Livingstone in particular has done well from the recent
growth of the tourist trade, and it has many new luxury
hotels, lodges, and shops. You can get into Livingstone
by flying from Lusaka or Johannesburg.

Victoria Falls has in recent years developed into a
centre for extreme sports and adventure travel. At the
Batoka Gorge, you can experience 23 white water rapids,
within the high and hard basalt walls. For this
incomparable thrill, you go over the rapids in large
rubber rafts. Most visitors take the half-day, full day
or two-day option. But hardened adventurers go for a
week-long ride to the mouth of Lake Kariba. To go over
all the rapids, you need to go between June and
February. The rest of the year water levels are high
and you can only do the last thirteen.

For a rush of adrenaline, take a helicopter flip over
the falls or down the Batoka Gorge. But no extreme
sports lover will leave without taking the world-
renowned bungee jump at the Victoria Falls Bridge. The
jump is taken in the no-man’s land between Zambia and
Zimbabwe.

You can undertake river boarding to experience some of
the best fresh water surfing you will ever encounter.
There are also opportunities for kayaking and jet
boating. At the high walls of the Batoka Gorge, more
thrills can be experienced by way of abseiling, cable
swinging, gorge swinging and rap jumping.

The most stunning views of the falls are from air. There
are micro flights featuring open cockpits that enable
game viewing upstream of the falls over Mosi- oa- Tunya
Park or an aerial perspective of the rapids through the
Batoka Gorge. Another aerial option commonly referred
to as the “Flight of the Angels” is conducted using
light aircraft. With the angels, you will experience
splendid views of Zambezi, the tremendous spray, and
the winding gorges curved by the awesome power of the
falls. In addition, you can take a flight in a tethered balloon.

In spite of its promise, Zambia has over the years lost
a substantial lot of its wildlife heritage to poaching.
The country received 6500,000 foreign visitors in 2005.
With on-going reforms, and improved infrastructure,
Zambia stands a good chance of becoming a significant
safari destination. To see the highlights of the country,
it is generally recommended you take an escorted Zambia
safari package that includes transport, guide, park fees
and accommodation