Zambia is Africa’s best kept secret. It is the sleeping giant of the African safari. It is also the friendly people and peace that the country safeguards and continues to enjoy. That is what makes the country a haven of peace for refuges from civil strife. … And Zambia is the center of African travel.
Zambia is located in south central Africa with eight neighboring countries. exist 19 national parks and 34 game management areas. So a whopping 30 per cent from the country 752,614 square kms . The country has the largest water resources in southern Africa. There are vast tracts of empty land in a pristine state and a large wildlife property. Zambia’s unique natural resources include minerals such as copper, gemstones, and wood; both native hardwood and exotic pine softwood.
The National Parks
Of the 19 national parks, South Luangwa is the main game reserve in Zambia. Tea South Luangwa National Park it has probably the greatest variety and concentration of game in Africa and perhaps the world. Wildlife safari experts consider the 9,990-square-kilometer park to have some of the best viewing areas. It is ranked as one of the best game reserves in the world with a unique profusion of wildlife. Some animals are rare and only found in the park. An example is the Thornicraft giraffe.
Another game reserve is the Kafue National Park. The sprawling 22,400 square kilometers is the world’s second largest national park and is roughly the size of Wales in Great Britain and twice the size of Yellowstone National Park in the United States. The park is located in west-central Zambia and features excellent animal watching, bird watching, and fishing.
The park has two unique wetlands. Tea Busanga floodplain in the northern sector it is special. The emerald green Lunga, Lufupa and Kafue rivers cross it. Here you will find multiple species of animals and birds. The Busanga Plain is an antelope country. The endemic lechwe fills its plains. The southern boundary of the park is also divided into another wetland, the Nanzhila Plains. The plains are next to Zambia’s newest lake at the Itezhi-Tezhi Dam.
Copper and precious stone reserves
Apart from the fauna and flora heritage, the country has 6 percent of the world’s copper reserves. In addition, Zambia is the leading producer of precious and semi-precious stones, including rare beauty, green emerald. Amethyst, Garnet, Tourmaline, Citrine and its truths are also found in Zambia. Most of the finished and semi-finished gemstone products are exported all over the world.
Extensions of land and desert
The population-land ratio is one of the lowest in Africa. With less than 15 people per km2, it is one of the lowest in the world. The sparse population has left much of Zambia intact and in its natural state.
You have the opportunity to see abundant wildlife in unspoiled nature. The wildlife is completely “wild and untamed”. Some of the animals have had little or no contact with humans. So, national parks present wildlife in its natural habitat, in the same way that nature has always wanted it to be.
The rivers and lakes of Zambia
Zambia’s major rivers, lakes and wetlands are considered to host the largest component of southern Africa’s water resources. There are four main rivers. Tea Zambezi Rivercovers most of Zambia from the northwest to the south and southeast. Tea Kafue.>Luangwa it almost cuts the eastern part of the country. But Chambeshi that discharge into Lake Bangweulu in north-central Zambia has undergone name changes throughout its course. After leaving Bangweulu, it changes its name to Luapula River. It becomes the Congo River as it leaves Lake Mweru and enters the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In the south is Kariba lake in the Zambezi. It was the largest artificial lake until Aswan and Cobara Bassa were dammed. Lake Kariba is the ultimate safari investment destination other than Victoria Falls. Another is Lake bangweulu Surrounded by white sand beaches and by the 10th largest wetland in Africa. The wetland is home to endemic lechwe antelopes and the shoe-billed stork. The third is Mweru lake on the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. AND Tanganyika lake The deepest lake in Africa has its southern tip that extends into northern Zambia.
The wild Zambezi river
One river that deserves to be mentioned is the Zambezi River, which gives the country its name. From its source near the Kaleni Hills in the northwestern corner of the country, the Zambezi cuts a lying “S” shape as it flows through its course a total of 3,450 kilometers before discharging into the Indian Ocean. Its entrance to the ocean is spectacular because it ends in many river channels called delta.
The Zambezi traverses changing landscapes and environments. From the rapids in the northwest across the wide river and the site of the “Likumbi Lya Mize” Luvale village ceremony. It then passes through the Zambezi floodplain where the Ku-omboka The ceremony of the Lozi people takes place. Later, the river runs through a mountainous area and becomes wide and calm. Suddenly, the river becomes the most spectacular waterfall in the world. This is the mystical and inspiring Victoria Falls.
Before the waterfall, the Zambezi passes through a point near Kazungula where four countries meet; Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Nowhere else do countries converge at one point in a way like this.
Downstream from the waterfall, the Zambezi collects in a lake at the Kariba Dam. Downstream it is joined first by the Kafue, the second largest river in Zambia and second by the Luangwa River at a confluence where three countries meet: Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. … And before its mouth in the Indian Ocean, the Zambezi River forms the second largest lake in the Cobara-Basa dam in Mozambique.
The beautiful Victoria Falls
Now the Victoria Falls are something worth talking about. It is impressive, beautiful and a world heritage site. The Toka-Leya people of Chief Mukuni, who have always lived there, have built many shrines for their deities and ceremonies. Due to the continuous thunder from the larger curtain of falling water and the accompanying mist coming out of the bottom of the gorge, they have named the waterfall. “Mosi-Oa-Tunya” that is, the “smoke that thunders”. But I like the other name. “Shungu wa Mutitima”.
Little wonder Dr. David Lingstone the famous Scottish doctor and missionary explorer could not resist writing in his dairy: “… such beautiful scenes must have been contemplated by angels in their flight.” Because beauty is amazing. Dr. Livingstone was the first European to see the waterfall on November 16, 1855. He named it after Queen Victoria.
At the bottom of the falls are red sands of the Kalahari. In front of the waterfall it rains 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (24/7). This mist shower nourishes a small tropical forest. And two rain bows too. One is seen during the day and the second occurs at night on a full moon. These are the popular solar and lunar rainbows of Victoria Falls … but that’s another story!
Adventure and safari center
After Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River passes through nine gorges and has cut 122 meters deep. The nine gorges are, in fact, ancient waterfalls at different stages of the development and migration of the falls upstream. This migration covers the last 150 million years!
Now the gorges are a spectacular sight. They are also part of the area where adrenaline-filled adventures take place: rafting on 22 rapids, bungi jumping through 122 meters, gorge swinging, rappelling, river boarding, jet boat, etc. It is for this reason that the town of Livingstone near Victoria Falls is now recognized as the Southern Africa Adventure Center.
If you have a reckless spirit, take to the air on an ultralight flight. Fly over Victoria Falls, watch animals in nearby Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park … and get up close to the world’s largest falling curtain of water. But if you prefer a worldly hobby, you may want to enjoy the “Flight of Angels”. Rent a helicopter or even a rigid wing plane. Even this choice will be the memorable experience of your life.
Where to stay
The banks of the Zambezi River are dotted with numerous lodges and camps. A visit to the Zambezi Boardwalk might be just what you want. However, the most interesting are the thematic designs of most of the lodges. They have a strong African architectural style.
The Sun International complex is the latest listing and is built closer to Victoria Falls. The complex is a combination of two hotels: one, the Zambezi Sun It is a three-star hotel just minutes from Victoria Falls and the other from Royal livingstone It is a real five star opulence.
The red walls of the Zambezi Sun represent decorative symbols from prehistoric times. The color of these African drawings is similar to that of the Kalahari sands at the foot of the falls. But the luxury of the Royal Livingstone is very different. The ubiquitous butlers and staff wear uniforms reminiscent of Dr. Livingstone’s dress when he discovered the waterfalls a century and a half ago. He named the waterfalls in honor of Victoria, then Queen of England.
Next to Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park it is another new hotel. Chrismar Hotel has just been completed near the 60 square kilometer national park. It is as if hotels and hostels appear every day!
In Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, you will find other exciting hotels and hostels; the 5-star Taj Pamodzi, the 5-star Intercontinental Hotel, the Holiday Inn and other excellent hotels.
The private hunting cabins are fifty kms. The popular ones are Lilayi Lodge, the Protea Safari Lodge, and Chaminuka..>How to get to Zambia
The choice is wide. You can choose to arrive by air or land at any of the four international airports that have full immigration and customs facilities. Mfuwe International Airport is on the border with Zambia’s main game reserve, South Laungwa National Park. Another is at Ndola in the Copperbelt of Zambia. And another one is the Lusaka International Airport, 22 kms from the capital city of Zambia. But Livingstone International Airport is special. Just 8 kms from Victoria Falls, whose first sighting is obtained from the air on the approach to landing.
And then you can choose to arrive by road from any of the eight neighboring countries, but mainly from Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
Get on a plane or a car and come to Zambia … and you will leave without forgetting the Zambia safari!