Five reasons to visit Zambia

5FIVE REASONS to visit ZAMBIA [ WRITER: Mindy Roberts ] [ PHOTOS: Time + Tide ]

Over the years I’ve heard people confuse Zambia with Zimbabwe and the former Zaire. A guest actually said to me once, not too many years ago as we stood in the South Luangwa, Zambia: “I’m so happy to be here in Zaire, I’ve always wanted to come,” and I’ve previously been asked: “So whereabouts in South Africa is Zambia?”

But Zambia should be taken seriously in its own right, thanks to the unbeatable wildlife viewing, incredibly diverse landscapes, and not to mention, one of the world’s natural wonders, the Victoria Falls. As someone who lived in the country for almost a decade, I wanted to put together my top five reasons to visit one of the continent’s lesser lauded countries.

1

The Guides

Zambia has some of the best guides in the world. Most guides are born and bred in the Zambian bush, so understanding the natural world is second nature to them. They genuinely love what they do and have a passion for wildlife. I’ve often seen a guide of 15 or 20 years come back more excited than the guests with what they’ve just witnessed. Every year more than one of the companies in Zambia have their guiding team nominated for ‘best guiding’ awards around the world. And many of them have won those awards year after year. Safety is of utmost importance when it comes to guiding, and the Zambian guides have to continuously complete stringent exams for walking in the bush, canoeing, and boating, as well as maintain advanced driving and first aid skills.

2

Remote, vast and magical – Liuwa Plain National Park

Liuwa Plain National Park is one of Africa’s greatest secrets; home to the second largest migration of wildebeest in the world. Located in the western part of Zambia, it is an exclusive and remote area spread across over 3,600km2 .

Liuwa is a photographer’s dream with hyena displaying amazing apex hunting behaviour and their pups so cute. One of my favourite safaris ever was sitting by a den for hours,the only people in the Park…I was never sure if we were watching the hyena or they were watching us; their gaze so curious and clever. The birdlife is also extraordinary – even non birders will be captivated.

One of the last great wilderness experiences

Over 33% of the country is designated as part of its protected area network, which means there is a huge variety of different habitats, activities, animals and vistas to explore – you don’t need to go anywhere else to get a whole safari experience.

I’ve heard Zambia described as what many Eastern or Southern African countries used to be like 10 years ago. It is a lot less commercialised than other parts of Africa, and one still gets the chance to see wildlife without competing with other vehicles or tourists.

Although there is 5-star accommodation available, the soul of Zambia is still to be found in the smaller, remote bush camps that use natural materials as part of the construction and give a much more intimate experience with nature.

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Family Travel

There are wonderful options for family travel in Zambia with family units being offered in many camps. Here is some information if you are traveling to Zambia with your family:

- Intergenerational travel is hugely popular in Zambia – the country has private villas and houses as well as interconnecting family tents in camps which are still small and intimate and feel like a bush home, not a hotel in the bush.

- Although walking and canoeing are for kids 12 and over, there is plenty to keep kids under this age entertained. I’ve seen kids in the kitchen, cooking with chefs, on poo walks in an open area near camp or chatting with the guides and waiters to learn more about local culture.

- Most camps offer pretty good child rates – often at 50% for kids under 18, as does

Proflight for all scheduled flights within the country.

There is a legacy in Zambia of the camps being owner-operated; this is still the case for many of the top camps around the country. This means the people managing the company, own the company.

Why does this make a difference?

- Guests can have a meal with someone who lives and breathes the values of the business.

Many camps have a very high repeat guest rate and the teams have created long term friendships with guests over many years.

5Owner operated - Personal Pride – as the people who own the camps, managers feel a personal responsibility; issues are sorted quickly and there is pride in giving guests the best safari of their life. - Atmosphere – in effect you are being invited into a ‘home’ which provides for a relaxed and very personal safari. - The camps still retain an authentic feel with every one being different and not having to adhere to a corporate standard.