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Introduction
LUSAKA: Attractions in the capital include nightclubs, restaurants, cinemas, the Kabwata Cultural Village (devoted to the preservation of indigenous arts and crafts and displays of traditional dancing), the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, the Munda Wanga Botanical Gardens and Zoo and the Lusaka National Museum (opening hours: daily 0900-1630).
NATIONAL PARKS: The Zambian government has long recognised the economic importance of its wildernesses and is acutely aware of environmental concerns: almost one third of the country is given over to national parks and game reserves. Tourism is mostly concentrated in nine of the 19 parks – Sumbu, Kafue, Lochinvar, Luangwa, Mosi-oa-Tunya, Lower Zambezi, Kasanka and Sioma Ngwezi (described below) – the remainder, as yet, having fewer facilities. The Zambia National Tourist Board also recommends the following national parks: Nyika, Blue Lagoon, and Sioma Ngwezi.
All the main national parks are accessible by car and plane. National parks require an entry permit bought from the main gate during opening hours. For further and more detailed information about safaris, see also the Sport & Activities section or contact the Zambia National Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses section).
Note: Most tourist organisations are controlled by tour operators and prices of tours need to be fixed well in advance.
Kafue National Park: Situated in the centre of the southern half of the country, Kafue encompasses a huge area (22,500 sq km/8687 sq miles) and is one of the biggest game sanctuaries in Africa. Noted for its beauty, the park is bisected by the Kafue River, which attracts hundreds of species of birds and offers good game fishing. Eight-day walking and driving tours are available. The principal attraction is the prolific wildlife. Accommodation is provided throughout the year at Mukambi Lodge (no guided safaris during the rainy season, November to April), and the Musungwa Lodges, and at New Kalala Camp (full catering) and others. There are also several seasonal non-catered camps.
South Luangwa Valley National Park: Regarded as one of the most exciting game reserves in the world, the Luangwa Valley is home to a huge variety of animals: among many others, elephants, hippopotami, lions, zebras, giraffes, antelopes, buffaloes, monkeys and wild dogs. Blossoming trees and exotic flowers set the scene. The main rainy season runs from November/December to May. There are lodges at Chichele, Mfuwe, Kapani (all year) and Tundwe (dry season), and catered camps at Chibembe, Tena Tena, Kaingo Camp (dry season) and Chinzombo (all year). There are also several seasonal non-catered camps. Facilities in the park include luxury double rooms in chalets, private baths and toilets, full three-course meals, bar facilities and swimming pools.
Lochinvar National Park: Exceptional diversity of birdlife (over 420 recorded species). The park is situated on the southern edge of the Kafue Flats, a wide floodplain of the Kafu river, famous for its large herds of lechwe, an antelope unique to the Kafue Flats. There is one lodge, open throughout the year.
Sumbu National Park: The sandy shorelines of Lake Tanganyika provide the setting for three all-year beach resorts: at Kasaba, Ndole and Nkamba bays. There is also a small non-catered camp at Ndole Bay. Activities include swimming, sunbathing, boat rides and freshwater big-game fishing for the Goliath tigerfish (up to 35kg), giant catfish and the Nile perch (both up to 50kg and more). It is possible to arrange visits into the surrounding bush to watch game. Kasaba Lodge boasts an afternoon tea service, a bar and beach barbecues. Nkamba Bay Lodge offers exactly the same facilities as Kasaba but facilities are housed in rondavels. The park’s spectacular sunsets are not to be missed.
Victoria Falls/Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park: Located on the southernmost edge of Zambia bordering Zimbabwe, the astonishing Victoria Falls are the mightiest cataracts in the world – the 2.5km-wide (1.5 miles) Zambezi River drops 100m (330ft) into a narrow chasm at a rate of 550 million litres every minute. The spray can be seen 30km (20 miles) away. The Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park nearby is small by Zambian standards but is home to most of Zambia’s more common wild animals. Also nearby is Livingstone, ‘Tourist Capital of Zambia’, with several luxury hotels, a casino, and the National Museum, housing Livingstone memorabilia and anthropological exhibits. The Railway Museum is also situated in Livingstone.
Kasanka National Park: This is one of Zambia’s smallest parks, with an area of 390 sq km (150 miles). It encompasses eight lakes and four rivers, the largest being the beautiful Luwombwa. Kasanka is an attractive and diverse park with forest and swamp, home to specialised mammals and birds. Animals include elephant, hippo, reedbuck, waterbuck, hyena, warthog, baboon, jackal, leopard and the rare blue monkey, which can be found in the forests that flank Kasanka’s rivers.
Lower Zambezi National Park: This lies along the Zambezi River, 100 km (62 miles) downstream of the Victoria Falls. It has abundant wildlife, including elephant, hippo, buffalo, zebra, lion and leopard together with a great variety of birds. Game drives and walks will often reveal big cats and on occasion, the cheetah. Canoe safaris, fishing for tiger fish, bottle-nose fish or bream and birdwatching activities are available.
North Luangwa National Park: This is one of Africa’s most spectacular surviving wilderness areas. It covers 4636 sq km (1790 sq miles) of primarily woodland park with numerous small rivers including the beautiful Mwaleshi which all play an important role. The park is particularly noted for its huge herds of buffalo. Walking safaris here will also reveal elephants, leopards, wildcat, hyena, puku, impala, zebra, baboon and velvet monkey. Over 350 bird species are found here, including the crested leorie, crowned crane, carmine bee-eater and giant eagle owl.
Copyright © 2003 Columbus Publishing Ltd.
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