|
Destination
Zambia Click
for 10 Best Reasons to Visit
Zambia Lake
Tanganyika is another place of special
interest, although it is seldom associated
with Zambia. Lake Tanganyika's waters
touch Tanzania, Burundi, the Congo and
Zambia. It is the longest freshwater lake
in the world and the second deepest after
Lake Baikal in Russia. It reaches a depth
of 1,433 meters (4,700 feet), which is an
astounding 642 meters below sea level.
Another special site is Kafue National
Park which is the largest game reserve in
Africa. Stretching from Lake Itezhi-Texhi
in the south to the spacious Busanga
Plains in the north, it is home to an
abundance of wildlife and lush vegetation,
watered by the Kafue and Lunga Rivers.
The lower
Zambezi National Park is a peaceful place
where the Zambezi River &endash; although
one of the largest on the continent
&endash; spreads its banks wide to create
endless vistas of slowly flowing waters.
The subsequent flood plains provide
sanctuary for big game and a myriad of
species of bird life. Fishing is also an
essential pastime for visitors to the area
and those who are more adventurous can pit
their skills against the fierce tiger
fish. The Bangwuelu Flood plains in the
north of the country present magnificent
displays of migratory wildlife, depending
on the season. On the headwaters of the
Kafue River, sixty kilometers west of
Chingola, lies the Chimfunshi Wildlife
Orphanage. Its name is something of a
misnomer as Chimfunshi is a chimpanzee
rehabilitation center and
sanctuary. FACTS
AND FIGURES: The Republic of Zambia,
formerly known as Northern Rhodesia, has
been independent since October 24, 1964.
The current Head of State is President HE
Levy P. Mwanawasa. Zambia's population is
estimated at 9.7 million with 56% living
in rural areas. The Capital City of Zambia
is Lusaka with a population of over two
million. Other major towns include Maramba
(formerly Livingstone), Kitwe, Ndola,
Kabwe and Mufulira. English is the
official language and there are some
seventy-three regional dialects, which
fall into the main language groups of
Nyanja, Tonga, Bemba, Lozi, Kaonde,
Kilunda, Luvale and Lunda. Approximately
twenty percent of the population is
Christian with some Hindu and Muslim. The
rest of the population practices
traditional African beliefs. With such a
large variety of ethnic groups, there are
vast differences between the local
cuisines. However, most of the traditional
dishes depend on a staple of vegetables
combined with either meat or
fish. Most of
the country falls into a plateau region,
which has a pleasant climate and is a land
of unspoiled forest, lush Savannah's and
vast plains. The valley of the Zambezi
River is a low-lying area, ranging from
marshy coastal areas running the length of
the western and southern borders, with a
hotter and more humid climate. The extreme
northern areas, rising to a plateau and
mountain ranges, have a more usual
tropical climate as they reach the shores
of Lake Tanganyika. Despite the tropical
location, the altitude of the Zambian
plateau ensures a comfortable climate
throughout the year in the river valleys
where it is markedly hotter. Zambia has
three basic seasons &endash; cool and dry
from May to August, hot and dry from
September to November and warm and wet
from December to April. The local
currency is the Kwacha and Zambia's low
cost of living and favorable exchange rate
represent excellent value for money for
all tourists and foreign visitors.
Zambia's time zone is GMT +2. The country
code is 260 and the following area codes
apply: Lusaka 01, Chipata 062, Chirundu
01, Kapiri Mposhi 05, Kasma 04, Kitwe 02,
Livingstone 03, and Ndola 02. There is a
workable telephone and postal service
throughout the country, as well as cell
phone and Internet facilities in the
capital. Outside of urban areas and major
resorts, drinking water should be boiled
and filtered or treated with purification
tablets. Electricity, of which 99.5
percent is generated by the Kariba
hydroelectric scheme, runs at 220.240V AC,
50Hz. ECONOMY ACCOMMODATION:
Apart from the first-rate facilities
available at all of the main tourists
destinations, outside of the major cities,
commercial accommodations is scarce and,
when found, very basic. There are a few
backpackers' lodges but few campsites
except in the tourist areas. Visitors
intending hiking or backpacking excursions
are strongly advised to carry their own
tent and camping equipment. The National
Parks usually offer four types of
accommodation: camping (about US$5 per
person), self-catering (US$10 to $25),
mid-range fully catered lodges (between
US$50 to $100) and top-end lodges (US$200
to $250 inclusive). GETTING
THERE: Lusaka International Airport is
thirty kilometers from the city. Flights
from North America can be arranged with
either British Airways or South African
Airways. European airlines such as KLM,
Air France and Lufthansa also fly to
Lusaka. Zambia Airways is the national
airline carrier and Southern African air
carriers that fly direct to Lusaka include
South African Airways, Air Namibia, Air
Zimbabwe, Kenya Airways and Ethiopian
Airlines. All visitors require valid
passports and roundtrip air tickets.
United States citizens are required to
obtain visas that are valid for up to six
months. Ferry
boats exist across the Zambezi River into
Botswana and via Lake Tanganyika, to both
Tanzania and Burundi. Land transport
includes two main rail links from the
border of Zambia into Tanzania and onto
Dar es Salaam or across the Victoria Falls
Bridge to Bulawayo and Harare in Zimbabwe.
By road there are coach services available
to Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe and
Malawi which run frequently. Internal
travel is most conveniently accomplished
by using the large number of private air
charter companies and, with about 130
airports and landing strips across the
country, access can be gained to almost
any region of Zambia. HEALTH:
Recommended precautions &endash;
especially if you are visiting game
reserves &endash; include current or
boosted inoculations for hepatitis A and
polio as well as an anti-malarial
prescription. It is also preferable to use
an effective insect repellent as a
precaution for malaria and, in the case of
remote areas, sleeping
sickness. ITEMS
TO BRING: A good pair of binoculars is
recommended for all visitors exploring
wildlife areas as well as any photographic
or video equipment and a good supply of
spare batteries. Remember that this is a
sunny country so make sure that you have a
hat, sunglasses and plenty of sun-block
lotion. Clothing for game areas should be
neutral or earth colors, sensible walking
shoes should also be included and a
windbreaker jacket will be useful for the
cooler times of the day such as for early
morning or late evening game
drives. WHAT TO
BUY: Zambia is a good place to buy
gemstones, fine basketry and a wide
variety of wood and stone carvings. Also
look out for the beautiful wall hangings
and bed covers from across the Luanwa
Valley. TEN
BEST REASONS TO VISIT ZAMBIA For
more information about Zambia visit:
http://www.zambiatourism.com
|
|||||||||||
The
name "Zambia" is derived from the Zambezi
River, and boasts a wealth of natural
highlights as well as a tourism industry
geared towards exhibiting the country's
splendor. The Republic of Zambia is the
most centrally located country in the
southern region of Africa and is therefore
the ideal destination from which to fully
explore the region. Zambia shares its
borders on the north with the Democratic
Republic of the Congo and Tanzania; on the
east with Malawi and Mozambique; on the
south with Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana;
and on the west with Angola. With a
surface area of 750,000 km2 there are
nineteen national parks, six major lakes,
more than twenty different ethnic groups,
several museums, archaeological sites and
the incomparable natural wonders of the
Victoria Falls and Zambezi River. For
those looking for a fantastic African
wildlife experience, Zambia has much to
offer, including all of the "Big Five" and
more than 700 species of birds. The rich
wildlife of the country can be easily
explored on walking safaris, all terrain
(4X4) vehicles and/or canoeing safaris.
PLACES
OF INTEREST