Zambia Travel Guide

ZAMBIA T R A V E L

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A GUIDE TO TRAVELING IN ZAMBIA. IMPORTANT INFORMATION. WHERE TO STAY. WHAT TO DO & SEE. PLUS MUCH MORE. URECON / LOGSTOR

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TRAVEL GUIDE: ZAMBIA

TRAVEL TO

ZAMBIA

FO R E X P E R I E N C E S T H AT WILL LAST A LIFETIME Welcome to this special Zambia Travel Guide, a partnership between the Zambia Tourism Agency and Sustainable Business Magazine.

The Zambia Tourism Agency is a statutory body under the Ministry of Tourism and Arts, with a mandate to market Zambia as a tourism and travel destination of choice, as well as to regulate the tourism industry.

Zambia is endowed with a rich tourism resource, from our beautiful environment to our diverse culture. We are home to one of the natural wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We also have 73 different language dialects, and over 50 different traditional ceremonies across the country. We’re also proud to have a continuous 54-year record of peace since independence.

Recently, the Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization declared our South Luangwa National Park to be the world’s first ‘Sustainable Wildlife Park’. For us, this sets a precedent to embrace issues of sustainable tourism to benefit local communities. Our lodges co-exist with nature, and they are required to leave everything in its natural habit. They also employ local community members, and they source farm produce and sell locally-made

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arts and crafts. There are a number of activities available at various lodges which allow tourists to participate in the communities.

In 2018, under a new statutory instrument, the regulation of tourism was assigned to the Zambia Tourism Agency, empowering us to license all enterprises dealing in tourism, as well as to start grading all tourism facilities. By licensing and grading tourism-related businesses, we’re able to give tourists a sense of security. By the end of this month, we will have graded 20 hotels, offering quality-assured destinations for tourists.

At the moment, we’re in the process of reintroducing our national carrier, Zambian Airways. This development will make Zambia more accessible. We’re also opening Zambia up as a meetings, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE) destination. Lastly, we’re trying to promote more domestic tourism, by encouraging local rates in the off-peak season, to allow local Zambians to visit places like the Victoria Falls and stay in our lodges.

In 2018, we saw more than a million tourist arrivals, and by 2021, we’re aiming to have over 5 million tourists visiting Zambia.

We’re excited to be collaborating on this Zambia Travel Guide with Sustainable Business Magazine, and we hope to welcome many new visitors in 2020.

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TRAVEL GUIDE: ZAMBIA

WHERE TO START

YOUR ADVENTURE ZAMBIA KEY FACTS

Capital: Lusaka Population:

17.86 million

Language(s):

English, Nyanja, Tonga, Bemba, Luvale, Kaonde and Lozi

Currency:

Zambian kwacha - approx. ZMW15.22 to US$1

Time zone:

Central Africa Time

Dialling code: +260 Major resort areas: Livingstone, Lusaka,

Central Zambia,

Western Zambia,

Eastern Zambia Tourist season:

May - August

Annual visitors: 931,782 Annual tourism earnings:

ZMK 4,408 million

Avg. temperature: 81-86 °F (day),

68-73 °F (night) Highest point:

Mafinga Central (7,674 ft)

KEY ATTRACTIONS Kasanka National Park

Market Place

Bike Tour

Safari

Bird Watching

Kuomboka Ceremony

History

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park

Viewing Point

Rafting

Snorkeling

Waterfalls

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KEY REGIONS Livingstone Lusaka & Central Zambia Western Zambia Eastern Zambia

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TRAVEL GUIDE: ZAMBIA

GO WHITEWATER RAFTING ON THE ZAMBEZI RIVER With rapids ranging from Grade 3 to 5, the Zambezi River below the Victoria Falls offers some of the best whitewater rafting in the world, with half-, full-, and multi-day trips available. And if “extremely difficult, long, and violent rapids, steep gradients, big drops and pressure areas” wasn’t enough, you may even see a crocodile or two on your journey. Other adrenaline-fuelled activities available in the area include bungee jumping and the ‘gorge swing’ over the Victoria Falls.

WHAT TO DO IN...

LIVINGSTONE VISIT THE VICTORIA FALLS Just 11km from Livingstone, Mosi-oa-Tunya – ‘the smoke that thunders’ – is an African icon. Adventurous travellers have a variety of vantage points from which to marvel at the raw power and sheer drop of the world’s largest waterfall, perhaps the most striking of which is the Devil’s Pool, a naturally-formed ‘ultimate infinity pool’ on the very edge of the Falls. .

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SEE THE RHINOS IN MOSI-OA-TUNYA NATIONAL PARK A herd of 10 endangered white rhinos are the highlight of this small park. Poached to extinction elsewhere in Zambia, you’ll need a guide to approach these extraordinary animals, which are under roundthe-clock observation by anti-poaching rangers. Of course, there’s plenty of other wildlife too, including antelopes, giraffes, zebra, warthog, and elephants. The park is also the home of the small but historically significant Old Drift cemetery, which marks the graves of the early European settlers, who died of illness prior to the founding of Livingstone.

ALSO IN LIVINGSTONE: • See David Livingstone’s journals in the Livingstone Museum.

• Take a walking tour of Livingstone and admire the colonial architecture.

• Find a souvenir at Mukuni Park Curio Market.

WE SHARE THE ZAMBIAN SAFARI EXPERIENCE

Phone : +260216225015 WhatsApp: +260964410524 info@absolutezambiasafaris.com www.absolutezambiasafaris.com

AN UNFORGETABLE EXPERIENCE

WE ARE SPECIALIST IN TAILOR-MADE AND PRIVATE SAFARIS TRIPS TO ZAMBIA. PROUDLY ASSISTING OUR GUESTS TO DESIGN CUSTOMS MADE SAFARIS THROUGH OUR BIG SAFARIS OPERATORS. ZAMBIA, A COUNTRY WORTH EXPLORING Zambia is a landlocked country in south-central Africa with a population of about 14.7 million people and with 16 major cultural groupings, more than 72 different dialects. Zambia is recognized as one of the most secure and friendliest countries in Africa combined with its perfect and personalized safari experience, make it a unique and memorable holiday for vacationists.

One of the famous the 7 Natural Wonders of the World is found in Zambia, the Victoria Falls, and some of Southern Africa’s most beautiful national parks. Which includes include North and South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi and Kafue as well as some lesser-known gems such as Bangweulu wetlands, Liuwa Plains, and Kasanka National parks.

The parks give a wide range of different adventure different birds, mammals, plants and reptiles.

SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDES: WALKING SAFARIS Zambia is the home of walking safaris, with Norman Car

having started these over 50 years ago for guests to get closer to the bush and feel, hear, touch as well as seeing it.

GAME DRIVES This includes night drives to discover many nocturnal animals whichis one of the best ways to experience the safari.

SPECIALISED PHOTOGRAPHY SAFARIS This includes both Professional and learner who are interest in taking amazing pictures of Wildlife and nature in general.

CULTURAL TOURISM Annual festivals, Cultural village, local school experiences, City Tours and Heritage sites.

ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES Sunrise and sunset boat cruises, Unique Zambezi Canoe safaris, Bungee Jump, Devil Pool, Helicopter Flight (Flight of an Angel).

MAGNIFICENT WATERFALLS Apart from the spectacular Victoria Falls, provide ‘cascade followers’ an adventure into the remote, undeveloped rural areas where a taste of village life can be experienced.

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TRAVEL GUIDE: ZAMBIA LUSAKA SHOP FOR ARTISANAL ZAMBIAN PRODUCTS AT THE KABWATA CULTURAL VILLAGE With thatched-roof huts and a variety of local artisanal products for sale, the Kabwata Cultural Village offers a more lively approach to souvenir shopping than the Lusaka malls, with regular visits from local musicians playing traditional music. You can purchase handmade carvings, bowls, jewellery, fabrics, drums, and more at reasonable prices. Enjoy haggling with the cheerfully persistent Zambian salespeople, many of whom crafted their products themselves, and make sure you find your way to some of the huts towards the rear of the village, which have some different products and where prices are often slightly lower.

CANOE IN LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK Formerly the private game reserve of Zambia’s President, the park is less developed than others in Zambia due to the difficulty of access by road. For the waterborne traveller, however, this means the opportunity to see herds of elephants, buffalo, hippopotamus, zebra, and plenty of other wildlife grazing in the floodplain from the serenity of a canoe. A far cry from the intense rapids below the Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River here is placid, and after a long day’s lazy exploration, your lodge will send a speedboat to pick you up. Alternately, you can arrange a multi-day trip with an expert river guide.

ALSO IN LUSAKA • Learn about Zambian history at the National Museum • Support efforts to save elephant calves from poachers at the Lilayi Elephant Nursery • Experience the sunsets at Siavonga on Lake Kariba

Comfort Quality.

T. +260 97 8749943 - E.reservations@mikahotels.com

www.mikahotels.com/chamba-valley-exotic-hotel

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J.K. TINKALILE GUEST HOUSE

The perfect place to chill.

The cool and quiet place to stay nicely situated for you in Kabwe town, Lusaka, Zambia Call +260 97 7891270 Email. kennanjere@gmail.com

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TRAVEL GUIDE: ZAMBIA

WESTERN ZAMBIA GO ON A NIGHT DRIVE IN KAFUE NATIONAL PARK One of the largest parks in the world, the massive Kafue National Park has a strategic growth plan in place which means there are fewer lodges and visitors than other Zambian national parks. It’s also the rare national park in Zambia which is accessible by public transport. Possibly the best place in Africa to see shy leopards in the wild (though they are still uncommon – you’ll need to drive at night), you’ll also find lions, cheetahs, hyenas, wild dogs, elephants, herds of buffalo, antelope, and over 500 species of birds.

Fortunate travellers may see lions climbing the sycamore fig trees in the Busunga Plains to cool down. Because of the large area of the park, Kafue National Park rewards patient travellers with a quieter, more contemplative experience than some of the other parks – you can easily spend a day’s safari never seeing another human being.

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WATCH THE KUOMBOKA CEREMONY Among the best-known traditional ceremonies in Africa, the Kuomboka (‘get out of the water’) celebrates the movement of the Litunga, king of the Lozi people, from the dry-season palace at Lealui to the wet-season palace at Limulunga. The six-hour river journey takes place in late March or early April (though not every year). The king’s majestic nalikwanda, the royal barge, carries the king himself, an open fire, 100 Lozi paddlers in traditional dress, and a huge black replica of an elephant. A cacophony of drumming keeps the rowers in time, and over the course of the day the king changes from traditional dress into a British admiral’s uniform, gifted to the Lozi by Edward VII in 1902. The single hotel in Mongu is typically booked up months in advance, but with the newly-built roads, day trips from Lusaka are easy enough.

ALSO IN WESTERN ZAMBIA • Watch the wildebeest migration in Liuwa Plain National Park • Rent a bike and explore the trails around Kaoma • Go birdwatching in the Nchila Wildlife Reserve

the place to be...

DOLPHIN LODGE is a modren Lodge located in Mongu, the provincial capital of Western province.

dolphinlodges@gmail.com Mongu:+260 974185832 Lusaka +260 971669110

T HE C OMP L ET E

KAFUE E XP E RI E N C E

Come and experience the best of Busanga plains at Kasonso Busanga bush camp and continue on to one of our river based camps namely Kafue River Lodge or Lunga Kikuji. At Northern Kafue Safaris you get the complete package.

We are known for our excellent guides and hospitality.

For enquiries please contact res@kafueriverlodge.com

EASTERN ZAMBIA SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK Named the world’s first sustainable safari park by the UNWTO in 2017, the Luangwa Community and Conservation Fund (LCCF) add a small surcharge to every stay at a lodge to reinvest in community and environmental initiatives which support the conservation of the local ecosystem. The park has one of the most intense concentrations of animals in Africa, and a wide array of accommodation options spans everything from remote tents to eco-luxury.

EXPERIENCE ZAMBIAN VILLAGE LIFE The Kawaza Village Project, administered by Project Luangwa, is an award-winning tourism project started by Robin Pope Safaris.

Guests can spend a few hours, a day and night, or longer staying in Kawaza Village in a traditional mud-and-thatch hut. Visitors meet the Kunda villagers, and participate in their daily life, helping with chores like drawing water and grinding maize. You’ll meet the Senior Chief, visit the traditional healer and the clinic, and see the children studying at

the Kawaza Basic School, which is supported by the project. In the evenings, you’ll eat a traditional meal and then enjoy local music and dancing. It’s a remarkable opportunity to spend some time with real rural Zambian families, and due to the success of the project, proceeds are now shared with many local schools in the region.

WITNESS THE BAT MIGRATION AT KASANKA NATIONAL PARK The largest mammal migration in the world takes place between October and December every year, when 10 million fruit bats come in from the Congo basin to feed upon the ripening fruit in Kasanka’s small evergreen swamp forest. Tree branches have been known to break from the weight of sleeping bats in the day, and every night, the bats eat a collective 5,000 tons of fruit.

If you’re staying at a local lodge, you’ll have access to specially-built wooden platforms in the trees to watch the bats at dawn and dusk; but even if not, there are publiclyavailable viewing places.

ALSO EASTERN ZAMBIA • Go snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters of Nsumbu National Park, on the edge of Lake Tanganyika • Stay in a decaying English manor at Shiwa House and visit the nearby hot springs • Marvel at the Kalambo Falls, one of the tallest uninterrupted waterfalls in Africa

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TRAVEL GUIDE: ZAMBIA

THE

ULTIMATESAFARI With its spectacular national parks and extraordinary wildlife, Zambia offers some of the best safari experiences in Africa – and, as a lesser-known destination, visitors will have some of the most remarkable wildernesses on earth virtually to themselves.

30% of Zambia is designated as protected game space, home to countless endangered species, from cheetah and rhinos to Cape wild dogs and Cookson’s wildebeest.

It’s a far cry from the low days of the 1980s, when a combination of poaching and traditional practices like hunting wild animals and cutting trees led to the extinction of the black rhino in Zambia and the severe depletion of other species.

Since then, responsibly-managed national parks and local, community-led interven-

tions have transformed the ways people interact with wildlife in Zambia, and in turn have led to a resurgence of safari-driven tourism to the country.

Responsible safaris bring important tourist dollars to Zambia, and disincentivize poaching and other destructive practices. Many of the lodges in and around the national parks donate part of their proceeds to community projects, creating jobs and opportunities from conservation.

Sustainability-minded tourists can participate in the efforts to conserve Zambia’s living heritage and simultaneously improve the lives of local communities by inquiring at their lodges. Many lodges will offer opportunities to make donations to the communities, or even to get involved, which will allow visitors to remain a part of Zambian development long after they leave. You can also donate to WWF’s African Elephant Program, sponsoring anti-poaching teams and community training.

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TRAVEL GUIDE: ZAMBIA WHAT TO DO - Take a walking safari Zambia is the birthplace of the walking safari, a unique opportunity to experience African wildlife from ground-level.

Alternatively, river safaris are a great opportunity to see wildlife like hippos and crocodiles.

- Follow your guide’s instructions Local guides have a wealth of knowledge about the national parks, which they’re sure to share with you. Just make sure to follow their lead when they’re giving instructions, even if a situation seems perfectly safe to you – their assessment will be based on years of experience.

- Contribute to local organizations In the rural areas around Zambia’s national parks, there are dozens of fantastic local organizations making a difference.

Speak to members of staff at your lodge about the best way to donate to community organizations, and ask to visit projects they support. Just make sure

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to avoid visiting schools during lesson times, which is not helpful for students or teachers.

- Bring something home Ethical souvenirs can be a great way to have a positive impact on the community around your safari. Ask for advice at your lodge, and seek out craftspeople who have made their products themselves.

- Marvel at nature’s magnificence Zambia has over 700 species of bird, and some of the most iconic animals in existence, all in their natural habitats. A safari in Zambia can be awe-inspiring. Make the most of it!

WHAT NOT TO DO - Don’t approach the animals The animals in Zambia’s national parks are wild, and mostly timid. Don’t approach them or attempt to attract their attention. At best, you are likely to stress the animals; at worst, you could provoke protective behaviours, and put yourself and your fellow safari-goers in danger.

- Don’t leave any trace of your visit If you generate any trash while on safari, take it with you. In particular, do not smoke in the national parks. The scent of cigarette smoke alarms the animals, and can cause destructive fires.

- Don’t buy animal-based or illegal souvenirs Products made from ivory, turtle shells and eggs, and the fur, skins, and bones of protected species encourage illegal poaching. Also to avoid: illegally logged hardwoods, like African ebony or Zambezi teak. Ask a reputable guide for help selecting ethical, locally-made souvenirs.

- Avoid unethical ‘sanctuaries’ Avoid ‘sanctuaries’ which offer elephant rides or opportunities to pet or walk with lions and other predators. The animals have been subjected to cruel, violent training, may be drugged, and can no longer be released to the wild, which means they are likely to either be kept captive for life or sold to hunting farms as easy prey for trophy hunters. c

Kamukonzo COMMUNITY

CAMPSITE

Delightful and beautiful. the perfect place to stay and explore Luambe

The campsite is located at the Luangwa River and located about 7 km from the northern entrance gate to Luambe National Park.

This is an excellent base to explore Luambe NP, from Chipuka (Northern entrance) Gate.

Travellers have reported this as being an excellent campsite with good access roads.

Kamukonzo COMMUNITY

260-978-671-841

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CAMPSITE

kamukonzocommunitycampsite@gmail.com

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TRAVEL GUIDE: ZAMBIA

TOP PICKS SBM TOP PICKS SAFARIS

SBM TOP PICKS RURAL STAYS

Photo Credit: Robin Pope Safaris

Photo Credit: Robin Pope Safaris

Absolute Zambia Safaris +260 21 6225-015 absolutezambiasafaris.com/

AVANI Victoria Falls Resort +271 00 038-977 avanihotels.com/en/victoria-falls

Mbizi West Safaris +260 97 8016-191 pioneercampzambia.com/pioneer-safaris

Kamukonzo Community Campsite +260 97 8671-841 kamukonzocommunitycampsite@gmail.com

Robin Pope Safaris +260 95 7090-441 robinpopesafaris.net/zambia.php

Pioneer Camp Zambia +260 97 8016-191 www.pioneercampzambia.com/

SBM TOP PICKS URBAN STAYS

SBM TOP PICKS EXPERIENCES

Kamukonzo COMMUNITY

CAMPSITE

Photo Credit: Robin Pope Safaris

Dolphin Lodge +260 21 1243-819 dolphinlodges@gmail.com

DOLPHIN LODGE

Catch-and-release fishing at Matoya +278 22 5318-14 matoyalodge.com/

J.K. Tinkalile Guest House +260 97 7891-270 kennanjere@gmail.com

J.K. TINKALILE GUEST HOUSE

Whitewater rafting at Victoria Falls +260 21 6225-015 absolutezambiasafaris.net/white-water-rafting.htm

Chamba Valley Exotic Hotel +260 96 8749943 mikahotels.com/chamba-valley-exotic-hotel

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Visit and contribute to Kawaza Village +260 95 7090-441 www.robinpopesafaris.net/responsible-tourism.ph

VISIT ZAMBIA FOR THE

ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME

www.zambia.travel

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ZAMBIA T R A V E L

G U I D E

SBM Media Ltd, T: +44 (0)1603 516519 info@sustainablebusinessmagazine.net www.sustainablebusinessmagazine.net

SUSTAINABLE

B U S I N E S S

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