What makes Zambia Safari unique?
Zambia is Africa’s best kept secret. It is the sleeping giant of the African safari. It is also the friendly people and the peace that the country protects and continues to enjoy. That is what makes the country a haven of peace for refugees from civilian life. … And Zambia is the center of African travel.
Zambia is located in south central Africa with eight neighboring countries. There is 19 national parks and 34 game management areas. so a whopping 30 per cent from the country 752,614 square kilometers . The country has the largest water resources in southern Africa. There are large tracts of vacant land in pristine condition and a large wildlife property. Zambia’s unique natural resources include minerals such as copper, precious stones, and timber; both native hardwoods and exotic pine softwoods.
the National Parks
Of the 19 national parks, South Luangwa is Zambia’s main game reserve. 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 second largest national park in the world and is about the size of Wales in Great Britain and twice the size of Yellowstone National Park in the US. The park is located in the central-west of Zambia and boasts excellent game viewing, bird watching and fishing.
The park has two unique wetlands. Tea Busanga floodplain in the north sector is special. The emerald green rivers Lunga, Lufupa and Kafue flow through it. Here are multiple species of animals and birds. The Busanga Plain is antelope country. Endemic Lechwe fill its plains. The southern boundary of the park also empties into another wetland, the Nanzhila Plains. The plains adjoin Zambia’s newest lake at the Itezhi-Tezhi Dam.
Copper and precious stone reserves
In addition to the heritage of fauna and flora, the country has 6 percent of the world’s copper reserves. Furthermore, Zambia is the leading producer of precious and semi-precious stones, including rare beauties, emerald green 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.
expanses of land and desert
The population/land ratio is one of the lowest in Africa. With less than 15 people per square kilometer, it is one of the lowest in the world. The sparse population has left a large part of Zambia untouched and in its natural state.
You get to see the abundant wildlife in the untouched nature. The wildlife is completely ‘wild and untamed’. Some of the animals have had little to no contact with humans. So national parks present wildlife in their natural habitat, the way nature has always intended 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 kafu.>Luangwa almost cuts through the eastern part of the country. But Chambershi that discharge into Lake Bangweulu in north-central Zambia has undergone name changes throughout its course. After leaving Bangweulu, it changes its name to the Luapula River. It becomes the Congo River as it leaves Lake Mweru and enters the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
in the south is Lake Kariba on the Zambezi. It was the largest artificial lake until the Aswan and Cobara Bassa were damaged. Lake Kariba is the newest destination for safari bucks besides Victoria Falls. Another is bangweulu lake surrounded by white sand beaches and by the tenth largest wetland in Africa. The wetland is home to endemic lechwe antelopes and the rare shoebill stork. the third is lake mweru on the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. AND lake tanganyika The deepest lake in Africa has its southern end extending as far north as Zambia.
The wild Zambezi river
One river that deserves mention 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 prone “S” shape as it flows along its course a total of 3,450 km before emptying into the Indian Ocean. Its entrance to the ocean is dramatic because it ends in many river channels called deltas.
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” ceremony of the Luvale people. It then passes through the Zambezi floodplain, where the Kuomboka Lozi village ceremony takes place. Later, the river goes through a mountainous area and becomes wide and calm. Suddenly, the river breaks into the most spectacular waterfall in the world. This is the mystical and imposing Victoria Falls.
Before the waterfall, the Zambezi passes a point near Kazungula where four countries meet; Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Nowhere else do countries converge to one point in such a way.
Downstream of the waterfall, the Zambezi collects in a lake at the Kariba Dam. Downstream it joins firstly the Kafue, Zambia’s second largest river, and secondly 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 and largest lake in the Cobara-Basa Dam in Mozambique.
The beautiful Victoria Falls
Now Victoria Falls is something worth talking about. It is stunning, beautiful and a world heritage site. Chief Mukuni’s Toka-Leya people who have always lived there have built many shrines to his deities and ceremonies. Because of the continuous thunder from the larger curtain of falling water and the accompanying mist that rises from the bottom of the gorge, it has been called a 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 medical missionary and explorer could not resist writing in his diary, “…scenes so beautiful must have been beheld by angels in their flight.” Because beauty is impressive. 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 Kalahari sands. In front of the waterfall it rains 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (24/7). This misty rain nurtures a small rainforest. And two rain arches too. One is seen during the day and the second occurs at night with a full moon. These are the popular solar and lunar rainbows of Victoria Falls… but that’s another story!
Adventure Center and Safaris
After Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River passes through nine gorges that it has cut 122 meters deep. The nine gorges are in fact ancient waterfalls at different stages of upstream development and migration of the falls. 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: whitewater rafting on 22 rapids, bungi jumping through 122 meters, canyoning, rappelling, river rides, motorboat rides, etc. It is for this reason that the town of Livingstone, near Victoria Falls, is now recognized as the Adventure Center of Southern Africa.
If you have a reckless spirit, take to the air on an ultralight flight. Soar over Victoria Falls, spot animals in nearby Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park…and get up close and personal with the world’s largest falling curtain of water cascade. But if you prefer a mundane pastime, you might 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 many lodges and camping spots. A visit to the Zambezi waterfront might just be what you want. However, what is 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 inclusion 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 a few minutes from Victoria Falls and the other real living stone it is real five star opulence.
The red walls of the Zambezi Sun represent decorative symbols of prehistoric times. The color of these African drawings is similar to the Kalahari sands found at the bottom of the falls. But the luxury of the Royal Livingstone is very different. The ever-present butlers and staff wear uniforms reminiscent of Dr. Livingstone’s attire when he discovered the falls a century and a half ago. He named the falls after Victoria, then Queen of England.
Beside Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park it is another new hotel. Chrismar Hotel has just been completed close to the 60 square kilometer national park. It’s like hotels and hostels are ‘popping up’ every day!
In Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, you will find other interesting hotels and hostels; the 5-star Taj Pamodzi, the 5-star Intercontinental Hotel, Holiday Inn and other fine hotels.
Private game lodges are all within thirty miles. The popular ones are Lilayi Lodge, the Protea Safari Lodgeand chaminuka..>How to get to Zambia
The choice is wide. You can choose to arrive by air and by land at any of the four international airports that have full immigration and customs facilities. Mfuwe International Airport borders Zambia’s main game reserve, South Laungwa National Park. Another is at Ndola in Zambia’s copper belt. And another one is the Lusaka International Airport, 22 km from the capital of Zambia. But Livingstone International Airport is special. Only 8 km 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.
Hop on a plane or car and come to Zambia…and you will leave never forgetting the Zambia safari!