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Zambia - Facts for the Traveller
Full country name: Republic of Zambia
Area: 752,600 sq km
Population: 10.4 million
People: African (98%): main ethnic groups are Bemba, Nyanja, Lozi and Tonga. Smaller groups include Ngoni, Lunda, Kaonde, Luvale and Asian (1%); European (1%)
Language: English, Bemba
Religion: Christian (50-75%), indigenous beliefs (50-75%); many people follow both
Visas: Most visitors to Zambia 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, typhoid, yellow fever
When to visit Zambia
If you want to spot wildlife in Zambia, August to October is the best time to visit, though an average of around 32°C (89°F) during the day by the end of that period, especially in low-lying areas - which includes the major national parks. If you want cooler weather and greener landscapes, visit during the cool, dry months of May to August. During the November to April rainy season most of the national parks are closed, and animals are harder to spot because of the lush vegetation, although the lodges that remain open offer very attractive rates. Getting around at this time is also harder as many rural roads become impassable rivers of mud. Zambia is an excellent place for bird-watchers; November to December is the best time, although conditions are good year-round.
Zambia Travel Tips
For independent travellers Zambia is still a challenge - distances are long, and getting around takes persistence, particularly once you get off the main routes. Because of this Zambia is not an ideal self-drive destination, as distances are vast, and the present infrastructure means that 4-wheel drive is often the best option.
What to Pack for Zambia
You will require comfortable, casual and semi-casual clothes for your safari to Zambia. Please note that bright colours are not suitable for game-viewing. It is best to have some warm clothing for early-morning and evening game-drives, especially in winter.
Livingstone
Livingstone is named for missionary and explorer David Livingstone. Livingstone is the Zambian side of the spectacular Victoria Falls where you can stay in some of the best hotels in the area, such as the Royal Livingstone or The River Lodge, situated right on the Zambezi River and enjoy the many activities offered in this area.
One of the natural wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls is situated on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia and occurs where the powerful Zambezi River plunges down a series of basalt gorges in an awe-inspiring display. Known to locals as Mosi-oa-Tunya, the smoke that thunders, it is here that nature is at her most powerful. The mist from the falls can be seen from more than 30 kilometres away and the thundering roar of the widest curtain of falling water in the world can be heard long before the falls can be seen. The river above the falls is sluggish and tranquil, characterized by deep pools filled with crocodiles and hippos, while below the falls the river narrows and tears its way through the Bakota Gorge in a stunning display of power
Kafue
Kafue National Park is Zambia’s oldest park and by far the largest. It was proclaimed in 1950 and is spread over 22 400 square kilometres - the second largest national park in the world and about the size of Wales.
Despite the Park’s proximity to both Lusaka and the Copperbelt, it has remained underdeveloped until the most recent years. Despite the depravations of poaching and lack of management, the Park is still a raw and diverse slice of African wilderness with excellent game viewing, birdwatching and fishing opportunities.
Wilderness Safari's have moved into the Kafue and have established 3 beautiful lodges. I was there recently and had an outstanding safari and wildernes experience.
South Luangwa
The South Luangwa National Park is the Luangwa Valley's most accessible and popular park. It is 9050km² and the concentration of game around the river is of the highest in Africa. situated at the tail end of the Great Rift Valley, in the Luangwa Valley, South Luangwa National Park is wild and remote. It has an abundance of wildlife that is rarely seen in other game reserves and is one of the finest wildlife sanctuaries in the world. This huge area of pristine wilderness is home to a large variety of game and birds, as well as the bigger predators.
The survival of the South Luangwa valley depends on the winding Luangwa River. The South Luangwa is well-known for its large herds of elephants. Some herds numbering up to 70. Buffalo and various antelope species are prolific throughout the park. In the river and adjoining pools, hippos and crocodiles can be seen in great numbers. Thornicroft's giraffe are indigenous to the park. Lion, hyena, buffalo, waterbuck, impala, kudu, puku, bushbuck and Crawshay's zebra, particular to the South Luangwa can be seen everywhere. Few parks can match the phenomenally high game density or the South Luangwa, nor do they have the ability to show visitors such remarkable wildlife in so remote and isolated a wilderness
The now famous walking safaris were pioneered in the South Luangwa and are still one of the finest ways to experience this pristine wilderness first hand. The changing seasons add to the Park’s richness, ranging from dry, bare bushveld in the winter, to a lush green wonderland in the summer months.
Seasonal changes are very pronounced in the Luangwa Valley. The dry season begins in April and intensifies through to October, the hottest month, when game concentrations are at their height. Warm sunny days and chilly nights typify teh dry winter months of May to August.
The wet season begins in November as the leaves turn green and the dry terrain becomes a lush jungle. The rainy season lasts until the end of March and migrant birds arrive in droves. Lodges in South Luangwa stay open for as long as access is possible, depending on their location.
There are all types of camps and lodges that cater for walking safaris. The smaller camps have accommodation in whitewashed, thatched-chalets more reminiscent of African style. They are still reasonably comfortable with supplies of clean linen, mosquito nets and refrigerators. Washing facilities are in separate blocks. At each camp, armed game-scouts are available to assist you with your viewing.
Lower Zambezi
The Lower Zambezi is Zambia’s newest Park and as such is still relatively undeveloped, but it’s beauty lies in it’s absolute wilderness state. The diversity of animals in the Lower Zambezi is not as wide as the other big parks, but the massive herds of elephant and buffalo more than make up for it and the opportunities to get close to game wandering in and out of the Zambezi channels are spectacular. The Lower Zambezi lies opposite the famous Mana Pools Reserve in Zimbabwe, so the whole area on both sides of the river is a massive wildlife sanctuary.
The Lower Zambezi National Park covers an area of 4092 square kilometers, but most of the game is concentrated along the valley floor. There is an escarpment along the northern end which acts as a physical barrier to most of the parks animal species. Enormous herds of elephant, some up to 100 strong, are often seen at the rivers edge. ‘Island hopping’ buffalo and waterbuck are common. The park also hosts good populations of lion and leopard and listen too for the ubiquitous cry of the fish eagle.
In the Lower Zambezi fishing is good along the river, all lodges offer fishing with rods and simple tackle provided. Healthy Tiger fish and bream catches are common as well as vundu, a member of the catfish family, weighing up to 50 kilograms. Strangely, cheap strong smelling soap is an excellent bait.
The Lower Zambezi National Park has a distinct tourist season based on the local weather conditions. April to November is the dry-season in the Lower Zambezi and the period when the lodges are operational.
During April to Jully the weather is warm and dry with cool nights. Warm clothing is needed for night drives.
September to the end of November is hot and dry with temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celcius during the day. The occasional shower is possible at either end of the season (April and November), hence some lodges offer reduced rates during these months.
The best time is mid season from June to September, but all lodges and canoeing operators are open from April to November. Kayila lodge is open all year. Fishing is at its best in September / October
North Luangwa
The remote North Luangwa, covering 4636 square kilometres, is most one of the most spectacular surviving wilderness areas in Africa and has been called one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world today
The North Luangwa only has limited access for the public and there are only 3 safari lodges within the reserve. Access is with one of the few safari operators granted permission to conduct walking safaris there. This means that when you are on safari in the North Luangwa you can be sure not to see any other people and you can delight in the solitude of the bush. The beauty of visiting the North Luangwa is the truly remarkable opportunities to experience Africa as it was. It is wild and untouched and you are simply an unobtrusive witness to its natural beauty and drama
Although declared a wilderness area, the North Luangwa Park, was not open to anyone other than Game Department rangers for more than thirty years. In 1984, Major John Harvey and his wife Lorna sought permission to conduct walking safaris in the area and for many years they were the only operators in this remote wilderness.
The North Luangwa is noted for its massive herds of buffalo, a spectacular sight if they’re seen on the run, kicking up dust for miles behind them. Large prides of lion inhabit the North Luangwa territory and it is not uncommon to witness a kill. Other common mammals are hyaena, Cookson’s wildebeest and zebra. Elephant and leopard are also seen, but not as frequently as in the South Luangwa Park.
One can fly in to either Mfuwe International Airport, about four hours away and be picked up, or be brought in from the Mpika side of the escarpment. There are two airstrips that are open for charter traffic. Operators in this region conduct safaris in the dry season from June to October when animal sightings are at their peak. Access in the wet season is virtually impossible
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