Zambia

What to see

Lusaka

Bustling, multicultural capital whose energy and vibrancy epitomises the country as a whole. Visit the markets, eateries and nightclubs for a lively flavour of what to expect elsewhere.

Victoria Falls

Described by the local tribe as Mosi-oa-Tunya, the Smoke that Thunders, these spectacular falls, one of the world’s natural wonders and one of the most breathtaking spectacles on the planet, see 546 million cubic metres of water plummet into the gorge below every minute. Take a flight in a microlight, small plane or helicopter to fully appreciate the scale and spectacle.

Zambezi River

One of Africa’s great waterways, which boasts some of the best riverine landscapes and wildlife spotting on the continent. Its tributaries and waterways are home to a wide variety of fauna and birdlife that can be seen from a canoe safari, and also offer opportunities for fishing and adrenaline-fuelled adventure activities including white water rafting and abseiling.

Top experiences / sites of particular interest

Kafue National Park

This vast nature reserve, classic African safari territory, is home to more than 400 species of wildlife, and represents your best chance of seeing leopard in Southern Africa.

South Luangwa National Park

Abundant wildlife on offer in one of the country’s best parks, best seen from a walking safari, which allows you to intimately explore this unforgettable landscape.

Chimfunshi Wildlife Orphanage

The world’s largest chimpanzee sanctuary and an excellent place to get close and personal with these remarkable animals.

Lake Bangweulu

Popular with fishermen, this large, tranquil lake is a good place to escape the crowds and revel in the country’s beauty.

Lake Tanganyika

The longest freshwater lake in the world as well as the second deepest, Tanganyika is home to more than 350 different species of fish and is consequently a haven for anglers.

When to go

Weather & Seasons: Zambia has a varied climate: from May to September it is cool and dry, from October to November it is hot and dry and from December to April it is rainy and hot. Wildlife viewing is best from August to October, when roads are driest and bush thinnest. If you want to see Victoria Falls at their thunderous best, head there just after the rains finish.

Important Dates and Festivals: There are a number of festivals and celebrations throughout the year including the three-day Kwanga festival in January, and Kuomboka in March, both of which feature drumming, dancing, drinking and feasting.

Getting there / around

Flights: There is an international airport in Lusaka (LUN). The network of internal flights is fairly limited but essentially reliable.

Road: The road network is improving but quite run down in places.Car hire is also available in most major cities.

Bus: Bus services are increasingly widespread.

Potential itineraries

Short Trips: Getting around Zambia can be tricky, but if you want to check off some of the main sites close to Lusaka, you can do so relatively easily in just over a week: from the capital head south to Lake Kariba, to cruise on one of the largest artificial lakes in Africa, before meandering southwest to the Kafue Flats before pushing on to Livingstone, gateway to Victoria Falls, where you can stand breathless in the spray or throw yourself into some of the activities on offer.

Longer Trips: If you want to see more of the country and don’t mind a bit more effort, head north to the less-visited wilderness region. In two weeks you can take in a couple of national parks, including Bangweulu, before exploring the rolling hills of the Mutinondo Wilderness. Visit Shiwa Ng’andu, the magnificent manor house built by Stewart Gore-Browne and continue to the border with Tanzania where you’ll find Kalambo, the second-highest single-drop falls in Africa.

Guides

Overall Country Guides: There are very few dedicated country guidebooks available for Zambia. Lonely Planet producing a combined guidebook to Zambia and Malawi.

Nature Guides: Naturalists should look out for Important Bird Areas in Zambia, available from Natural History Book Services.

Maps

Road Map: There is a decent country road map of Zambia available from Reise Know-How. Alternative maps of Zambia are also produced by ITMB and Freytag & Berndt.

Read More

In Scribbling the Cat, Alexandra Fuller journeyed through Zambia and other southern African countries to explore the lasting legacy of conflicts in the region and the effects that they have had on the peoples living there.

Dervla Murphy cycled through Africa, passing through Zambia, as part of her trip in Ukimwi Road, detailing everyday life as she encountered it and observing the impact of Aids on the countries she passed through.

In The Africa House, Christina Lamb looks at the love affair a young British army officer, Stewart Gore-Browne, had with a lake in Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia, where he built the impressive manor house Shiwa Ng’andu and determined to make a life. Drawn from letters and diaries, it paints a vivid portrait of a country in a state of flux.

Sight & Sound

Music: Each of Zambia’s ethnic groups has their own distinct musical traditions, the most well-known being the Lozi, who are famous for the large drums that are beaten during the Kuomboka festival. The Bemba are also renowned for their rhythmic drumming.

Language

English is widely spoken.

Currency

Kwacha (K) made up of 100 ngwee.

Visas

UK and US citizens would need a visa to travel to Zambia.

Health issues

Inoculations are recommended for cholera, diphtheria, hep A, hep B, meningitis, rabies, typhoid and yellow fever. Malaria is also present in parts of the country.

Safety, FO travel advice

Generally safe, although visitors should exercise caution in urban areas.

Useful Telephone Numbers

There are Zambian country representatives

In the UK at

and in the US at

There is a tourist boards

in the UK at

For more information visit: www.zambiatourism.com, www.zamnet.zm or www.zambia.co.zm.