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Areas of Interest | Best Time to Travel | Climate | Currency | Electricity | Entrance Fees | Flights | Health | Information | Languages | Roads-Transport | Topography | Visas | What to Pack
Best time to Travel The whole year is good for travel in Zambia although summer is the rainy season. With its long warm to hot summers and mild winters Zambia can be enjoyed all year round. During the winter, from around May to August, days are generally dry and sunny with temperatures averaging 18 degrees C, nights can be cool with occasional cold spells. During the summer months, temperatures average 25 degrees C although much higher temperatures can be experienced, especially in the northern areas. Rainfall is generally confined between the months of November and April. Rains normally occur as frequent heavy showers, but they tend to clear rapidly with sunshine still predominant.
Communications The international dialling code for calling Zambia is +260. A direct international dialling service is available from the hotels in major towns. Both local and long distance calls are metered on a time basis. Top hotels and businesses have fax and e-mail services. Hotels levy a substantial surcharge on all calls. Guests staying at private game lodges can communicate with the "outside world" via the Zambian telephone system or by satellite telephone. The unit of currency is the Kwacha, which is divided into 100 Ngwee. Visitors are allowed any sum of foreign currency as long as it is declared on arrival. Banks and foreign exchange bureaux will accept major international currencies. The establishments gladly accept US$ and Rand. Victoria Falls - US$3 - make sure you have the exact change Electricity in Zambia is 220-240 V. Most outlets take a 13 amp fused square pin: International adapters are generally available in the main cities. Please note that the more remote camps and lodges may operate on generators or solar power only. Nationwide flies into Livingstone from Johannesburg on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The flight departs Johannesburg at 11h35 arriving in Livingston at 13h00. The flight then returns from Livingston at 13h45. SA Airlink flies into Livingston on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The flight departs Johannesburg at 11h35 arriving in Livingston at 13h00. The flight then returns from Livingston at 13h45. British Airways flies into Lusaka daily from Johannesburg. Europe has the best air connections with Zambia. British Airways, KLM and Air France all have regular service to Lusaka. African carriers flying to the capital include Air Zimbabwe, Ethiopian Airways, Kenya Airways and South African Airways. Lusaka Airport is 20km east of downtown. There's no airport bus, but taxis and hotel courtesy vans meet international flights. General standards of hygiene in Zambia are good, with tap water being safe to drink in most tourist areas. Anti-malaria precautions are strongly advised, with treatment commencing prior to arrival. Consult your doctor for advice on the currently recommended precautions for the area that you will be visiting. A mosquito repellent is advisable, as are precautions to cover up against insects after sunset. It is advisable not to swim in dams or rivers, as bilharzia is a problem throughout Africa. Certain vaccinations, e.g. Cholera and Yellow Fever, may be required for entry into certain areas. The Zambia boasts 19 national parks, 31 game management areas, six major lakes, more than 20 different tribes and of course the great Zambezi River with the spectacular Victoria Falls. Most of Zambia forms a plateau at approximately 1300 metres above sea level, which causes it one of the gentlest climates in Africa. Zambia has two main points of entry, namely Livingstone for all the Zambezi properties and activities, and Lusaka - the capital city- for access to Kariba and the interior of Zambia, namely the South and North Luangwa National Parks. Zambia, a landlocked country with little industrial development, faces serious rural and agricultural environmental problems. The name "Zambia" is derived from the Zambezi River, which forms the country's southern boundary, and flows down from its Northwest border with Angola. Other neighbours are Congo, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia. Zambia is deep in the heart of Africa, a land of unspoilt forests, savannah and vast plains. While the capital city, Lusaka, has a population of over 2 million, you'll enjoy wide open spaces in most of the country, which has one of the lowest ratios of population to land in all of Africa, and an abundance of national parks. Insurance Clients are urged to ensure, prior to arrival, that they have sufficient insurance against all possible risks including, death, personal injury, medical expenses, baggage loss, theft and cancellation or curtailment of tour. Speak to your travel agent or order from our Website. Mostly English The best way of getting around is by car, preferably 4WD. There are several rental agencies in Lusaka and a few in Ndola, north of Lusaka on the Congo border. Aside from the main route between Lusaka and Chitapa, most paved roads are in pretty bad shape, and dirt roads can range from bad to impassable, especially after the rains. If you haven't driven in Africa before, this is no place to start. All drivers need an International Driver's Licence. Driving is officially on the left, but drive defensively and be prepared for anything. Crowded conditions and long hauls over potholed roads make travelling by bus wearisome. All the lines are privately owned, but prices are relatively standardised and most routes run fairly regularly. Minibuses are available for shorter runs and tend to be faster and slightly more expensive than regular buses. The train is a good alternative if you don't plan on going far from the Livingstone-Lusaka-Nakonde corridor. There's another branch to Kitwe. The Lusaka-Livingstone route has an express three times a week and a local daily. Zambia's land surface area is 752,620 square kilometres, about half the size of Europe made up of three main topographic parts: mountainous range, rising up to 6000ft. and more, high plateau and low valley areas. Much of the topography is flat, broken by small hills. Considerable mineral wealth lies in a 90 mile long Copper belt located in the northwest. The country's vegetation is mainly Savannah, with areas of tropical grassland and woodland comprising a variety of grass and tree species. Several seasonal flood areas also exist in flat swampy and marshy plains such as the Kafue flats and the Bangweulu and Lukanga Swamps. Zambia's three great natural lakes are Lake Tanganyika, second deepest natural lake in the world, plus Bangweulu and Mweru. Lake Kariba on the southern border, the largest man made lake in Africa, flows from the historic, spectacular Victoria Falls . Its generally high elevation provides Zambia with a more pleasant climate than that experienced in most tropical countries, with three basic seasons - cool and dry from May to August, hot and dry from September to November, warm and wet from December to April. South African Passport holders do not require visas but should ensure they have a yellow fever certificate to be let back into South Africa. Most persons who have confirmed bookings with tour operators in conjunction with Zambian registered tour operators shall not require a visa for Zambia. Please check with the Zambian High Commission. A tourist travelling to Zambia sight-seeing for less than 24 hours will be issued with a visa for the hours of stay at US$10. Luangwa Valley Parks How to get there. British Airways flies from Johannesburg into Lusaka. You can either take a Zambian Airways flight from Lusaka to Mfuwe or charter a flight from the airport. A lodge will collect you at the airport. A secondary offshoot of the Great Rift Valley, running for 700 km through Zambia's northeastern sector, the Luangwa Valley is indeed a rather extraordinary and dynamic habitat. In the rainy season the Luangwa River meanders muddily brown, spilling its waters over into lagoons, oxbow lakes and new waterways. In the dry winter months it again shrinks into pools. The Luangwa is famous for its leopard. There are three National Parks that lie along the Luangwa River's course, namely the South Luangwa National Park, Luambe National Park and the North Luangwa National Park. 1 North Luangwa National Park A wild, untouched area of bushveld about 4000 square kilometres in area, the North Luangwa National Park is one of the finest wilderness experiences left in Africa. There are still no permanent structures in the park, only 2 rustic safari camps and very few roads. Camp in North Luangwa Buffalo Camp
This vast area of 9050 square kilometres form part of the Great Rift Valley and would cover half of the Kruger National Park. It is bordered on the west by the Muchingas and to the east by the Luangwa rivers. For scenery and game-spotting, South Luangwa is the best park in Zambia. Vegetation ranges from dense woodland to open grassy plains, and oxbow lagoons act as natural water holes. Mammals you're likely to see include lion, buffalo, zebra and Thorncroft's giraffe. This vital African ecosystem is sanctuary to unusually large numbers of leopard and one of Africa's most important elephant populations. You will see the largest concentration of Nile Crocodile in Africa as well as pods of hippo numbers in the hundreds. The sight of a single herd of one thousand buffalo is an unbelievable experience. More than 400 species of birds are found in the vacinity including Lilian's Lovebird, Crowned Crane, Green Indigo bird and Madagascar Bee-eater. South Luangwa is probably the finest wildlife habitat left in Africa. It does not have the grassy savanna plains or large concentrations of game found in the Masai Mara, but its wetlands and mopane woodlands sustain a wide variety of game at full carrying capacity. Game outings in open vehicles are conducted through the reserve day and night making it unusual. Most people arrive by air at Mfuwe Airport, 20km (12mi) south-east of the village of Mfuwe and the park's main gate. The park is closed during the rainy season of December to April. Camps include Flatdogs Camp, Nsefu Camp, Tena Tena Camp, Tafika, Chinzamba, Chichele, Kafuntu, Kapani, Tundwe, Kaingo, Chibembe, Mfuwe Lodge, Kasansanya Camps, Nsolo, Chinzombo Camp, Nkwale, Kapamba, Luamfwa
The Lower Zambezi National Park is 4092 square kilometres and is the most recent of Zambia's National Parks. The extraordinarily beautiful reserve lies between the rolling hills of the Zambezi Escarpment and the Zambezi River, opposite Mana Pools in Zimbabwe. The waters of the Zambezi are the focal point for the wildlife, which includes the "big 5" with the exception of the rhino. It is truly a stunning location with a combination of open plains, dense palm groves, thickly wooded clusters and deep sandy riverbanks. Camps Kulefu, Mwambashi River Lodge Victoria Falls One of the 7 natural wonders of the world is to be found just outside Livingstone. The Victoria Falls are one of the world's most spectacular plunges: the 2km wide (1.2mi) Zambezi River drops over 100m (330ft) into a steeply-walled gorge. The Zambian side of Victoria Falls is sometimes forgotten, but it provides an entirely separate experience to its better-known Zimbabwean counterpart. First off, the views are different: you can sidle right up to the falling water by walking down a steep track to the base of the falls and following spindly walkways perched over the abyss. One of the best spots for a close-up is at Knife Edge Point, reached by crossing a hair-raising (but safe) footbridge through swirling clouds of spray to a cliff-girt island in the river. If the water is low and the wind favourable, you'll be treated to a magnificent view of the falls and the yawning abyss below the Zambezi Bridge. Other breakneck ways of taking in the scene include flying over the area, parachuting, white-water rafting and making the world's longest bungi-jump - 111m (364ft) - from the Victoria Falls Bridge. In the dry months, June to September, the Falls almost dry up and may lead to disappointment. Souvenir hunters can raid the line of curio stalls near the falls, where there's an excellent selection of crafts and the sellers are keen to barter. Nearby are an archaeological site and a small museum with exhibits on the dig showing that humans and their ancestors have inhabited this region for 2.5 million years. The falls are 11km (7mi) south-west of Livingstone, and the best way to reach them is by bus or hired car. Sumbu National Park Set in the ancient Rift Valley, Lake Tanganyika is the longest and deepest lake in the world being 677 km long and 97km at its widest point. Reaching 1435 metres in depth, the lake contains one sixth of the world's fresh water. Sumbu National Park, a 2020 square kilometre park, includes 80km of shoreline of Lake Tanganyika. The park has some of Africa's rarest birdlife, which can be found in widely differing ecosystems, ranging from savannah plains and rain forest fragments to extensive wetlands. A dazzling display of lesser known bird species including Pel's Fishing Owl, Palmnut Vulture, Yellow-bellied Hyloita and Angola Pitta have been recorded in the park. The lake is home to 600 species of fish and is renowned for both excellent game and Fly-fishing. Lusaka Lusaka, Zambia's capital, is a sprawling, swollen city that's grown too fast and has little appeal for travellers, though it is the capital and you're likely to spend some time in it. Lusaka started to grow in the 1960's since then, most of Lusaka's middle class have headed for the suburbs, leaving a population consisting mainly of civil servants, diplomats and poor Zambians. Downtown is in the western part of the city; the government district lies a few blocks east. The city is surprisingly rich in galleries featuring local artists. Among the best is the Henry Tayali Visual Arts Gallery at the showgrounds a few kilometres east of the centre, the Mpala Gallery about halfway between the two, and the sculpture garden at the Garden House Hotel, a few kilometres west of the centre. Just north-west of the centre is the Zintu Community Museum, which exhibits traditional arts and crafts. The other major attraction in the capital is bustling open-air Kamwala Market, a few blocks south of the centre. The capital is in the southern part of the country, about 100km (62mi) from the Zimbabwe border. It's accessible by air, rail and bus. Livingstone Livingstone dates from just after the turn of the century, springing up when the Zambezi Gorge was first bridged in 1904. Tourists were among the first to cross the bridge, and Livingstone remained the area's tourism hub for the next 70 years. 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. Anyone who knows their narrow-gauge from their standard should drop into the Railway Museum - the short name for the Zambezi Sawmills Locomotive Sheds National Monument, which lies a few hundred metres west of Livingstone's train station. The rag-tag collection of old engines and rolling stock will warm a rail buff's heart, but to someone else it might look like a rusty pile of junk. The National Museum has a slightly broader appeal, featuring a collection of archaeological and anthropological relics. One highlight is a copy of a Neanderthal skull estimated to be over 100,000 years old. There are also examples of ritual artefacts and Tonga crafts, an African village mock-up, a collection of David Livingstone items and a display of Africa maps dating back to 1690. If that all sounds too tame there's a creepy collection of witchcraft paraphernalia, but you have to ask to see it. Livingstone is located about 300km (185mi) south-west of Lusaka, and is accessible from the capital by bus or train. |
2 South Luangwa National Park
Lower Zambezi National Park
