Located in Southern Africa, Zambia is home of the mighty Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World heritage site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World – the only one in Africa.
The country enjoys a tropical climate –offering a ‘passport’ to sunshine all year round.
With an estimated population of 14 million (2015), Zambia is a country at peace with itself and its neighbours with 73 different ethnic tribes (speaking as many languages), living in harmony since time in memorial.
This rich cultural mosaic culminates into over 40 colourful traditional ceremonies held annually in different parts of the country, each celebrating age old traditions and norms that offer unforgettable cultural experiences to visitors. Two of Zambia’s masquerades; the Gule Wa Mukulu of the Chewa people of Eastern Province and the Likishi of the Luvale and Lunda people of North Western Province have received official recognition by UNESCO as ‘Artefacts of Indelible Culture’.
Zambia is the birthplace of the Great Zambezi River (Kalene Hills), Africa’s fourth largest, whose 2,700-kilometre journey gives life to the mighty Victoria Falls in Livingstone, Lake Kariba in Siavonga and Cahora Bassa Dam in Mozambique, meandering in a total of 6 countries before forming a delta and releasing into the Indian Ocean.
Almost 30% of the country’s land area is dedicated to the preservation of wildlife in 20 national parks and 36 Game Management Areas (GMA’s), offering unrivalled wildlife experience such as walking safaris as well as the opportunity to see ‘The Big 5’ game (Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo and Leopard) and other rare species like the black lechwe, the shoebill stork, Sitatunga and many more.
Zambia is also home to the largest mammal migration on earth – the Kasanka Bat Migration- when every year between October and December, over ten million fruit bats cover the skies of the Kasanka National Park in one of the greatest wildlife spectacles of our times.
Zambia is an award winning destination with a list of accolades : most peaceful country in Africa ( Global Peace Index (2015), in the Top 10 of the 50 destinations that will be ‘hot’ in the next 10 years (Business Insider ), top three fastest growing destinations in the world (UNWTO), surprising places billionaires would like to visit in 2016/2017 (Forbes Magazine 2016), second most attractive destination for French travellers in 2016 (Liloga.com), 11 amazing ways to experience Africa from the air (CNN.com), Top 10 Best swimming pools in the world-the ‘Devils pool’ (Trip Advisor)
Politically, Zambia has been the envy of the world with its thriving democracy characterised by peaceful elections. The smooth and peaceful transition of power from one president to the other has not only made Zambia a role model, but also makes Zambia attractive for foreign investment. With a GDP annual growth rate averaging 5% (2015), Zambia is one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
They say ‘seeing is believing’. Book your trip to Zambia today for an unforgettable five-star experience in Africa’s most peaceful country.
The history of Zambia before the 19th century can be studied only through archaeology and oral traditions. The major waves of Bantu-speaking immigrants began in the 15th century, with the greatest influx between the late 17th and early 19th centuries. They came primarily from the Luba and Lunda tribes of southern Democratic Republic of Congo and northern Angola.
By the beginning of the 19th century, three large-scale political units existed in Zambia, in three different types of geographic environment. On the northeast plateau between the valleys of the Luapula and Luangwa, the Bemba speaking people had established a monarch system of chieftainships; the Lunda kingdom of Kazembe was in the Luapula Valley; and the kingdom of the Lozi was in the far west, in the floodplain of the upper Zambezi river.
In 1888, Cecil Rhodes, spearheading British commercial and political interests in Central Africa, obtained a mineral rights concession from local chiefs. In the same year, Northern and Southern Rhodesia (now Zambia and Zimbabwe, respectively) were proclaimed a British sphere of influence. Southern Rhodesia was annexed formally and granted self-government in 1923, and the administration of Northern Rhodesia was transferred to the British colonial office in 1924 as a protectorate.
In 1953, Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) became a member of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. The British government decided that Northern Rhodesia would participate in the federation.
From 1953 to 1963, Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia) was a protectorate under the jurisdiction of the British crown, within the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. A two-stage election held in October and December 1962 resulted in an African majority in the legislative council and an uneasy coalition between the two African nationalist parties. The council passed resolutions calling for Northern Rhodesia’s secession from the federation and demanding full internal self-government under a new constitution and a new national assembly based on a broader, more democratic franchise. On 24 October 1964, it became an independent republic (Zambia). The constitution of January 1964 was amended in 1968 and in 1972, when it was officially announced that Zambia would become a one-party “participatory democracy,” with the sole party the ruling United National Independence Party (UNIP). A new constitution was drafted and received presidential assent in August 1973. In 1990, multi– party politics was introduced in Zambia and in 1991 general elections were held which ushered in a new government under the Movement for Multi – Party Democracy (MMD).
Climate
Zambia lies in the tropics and as such receives good rainfall. It has a dry season which runs from May to the end of October and a wet season from November to April. Eastern and higher areas generally receive more rain than western and lowland areas.
The dry season is divided into the cool dry (May to August) and the hot dry (September and October).
June, July & August – Temperatures are around 10°C/50°F. So it is advised to bring warm winter clothing. Afternoons will be more pleasant with temperatures around 23°C/73°F. South Luangwa, Lower Zambezi and other parks at lower altitude will generally be hotter.
September & October – Daytime temperatures will be around 29°C/84°F in September and 31°C/88°F in October which is the hottest month. In the lower-lying parks, temperatures often peak at over 40°C/104°F and the rising humidity can make it quite hot.
November – This month is unpredictable as the rain season is about to commence. Temperatures are between 18°C/64°F in the morning and 29°C/84°F in the afternoon.
December – April – These are the wettest months, characterized by heavy rains. Afternoon temperatures are around 26°C/78°F and the humidity is high.
Location
Zambia is an entirely landlocked country covering an area of 752,612 square kilometres (290,566 square miles). The country is located in Southern Africa, neighbouring 8 countries namely Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Namibia, and Angola. The capital city is Lusaka, in the south-central part of the country. The population is concentrated mainly around Lusaka and the Copperbelt in the northwest. The two are the core economic hubs of the country.
The country’s location sits on a gently undulating plateau, which is between 900 and 1,500 metres above sea level. This plateau is a mix of woodland and savannah regions interspersed with lakes, rivers, hills, swamps and lush plains. Zambia has a latitude of 10 degrees and 18 degrees South & longitudes 22 degrees and 33 degrees east. This butterfly shaped country is one of Africa’s biggest countries. The physical setting of the country varies between the valleys and high rising plateaux. The valleys would include the famous Luangwa valley, superbly experienced in the South Luangwa National Park, with abundant species of wildlife.
By Air
Zambia has four (04) International Airports namely: Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula Airport in Livingstone, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe in Ndola, Copperbelt and Mfuwe (South Luangwa) Airport.
Airlines flying to Lusaka, Zambia are as follows;
International Airlines
1. Emirates
2. South African Airways
3. Ethiopian Airlines
4. Kenya Airways
5. RwandAir
6. Air Namibia
7. South African Express
8. South African Airlink
9. Turkish Airlines
Local Airlines
1. Proflight Zambia
2. Mahogany Air
By Train
Tanzania-Zambia Railways Authority (TAZARA) operates trains from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania to Kapiri Mposhi, Zambia.
Zambia run’s a local train service (Zambia Railways) from the Copperbelt to Livingstone (Victoria Falls) however, this is a Locomotive train with a maximum speed of 70km/Hr.
By Water
There is a ferry service (MV Liemba) to Mpulungu in northern Zambia across Lake Tanganyika from Kigoma in Tanzania and Bujumbura in Burundi.
A pontoon ferry crosses the Zambezi River from Botswana to southern Zambia at Kazungula.
BY ROAD
Zambia shares borders with the following eight countries: Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
1. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
The boarder is in Chingola on the Copperbelt with Lubumbashi in Katanga Province, via the border towns of Chililabombwe (Zambia) and Kasumbalesa (DRC).
2. Malawi
The boarder is in Mchinji, which is 30km, southeast of Chipata (Eastern Province in Zambia) which is between Lusaka and Lilongwe.
3. Mozambique
The main border is in Mlolo (Eastern Province, Zambia) and Cassacatiza (Mozambique), alternatively you can reach Mozambique through Malawi.
4. Namibia
The border is in Sesheke (Zambia), on the northern and southern bank of the Zambezi River, while the Namibian boarder is at Wenela near Katima Mulilo.
5. Zimbabwe
The boaders to use are Chirundu (Zambia), between Lusaka (Zambia) and Harare (Zimbabwe); Siavonga and Kariba, about 50km upstream from Chirundu; and Livingstone (Zambia) and Victoria Falls town (Zimbabwe).
6. Tanzania
The border to use is in Nakonde (Zambia) and Tunduma (Tanzania). Bus services run from Lusaka to Nakonde and on to Mbeya.
7. Botswana
The border to use is Kazungula (Zambia) along the Zambezi River.
8. South Africa
The border is via Harare and Masvingo in Zimbabwe.
For travel information on Zambia, contact us:
Email. lochinvarsafarilodge@gmail.com
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