TRAVEL TO ZAMBIA
20 years down the line when talking about your travels to your kids or grandkids, one of the places that are sure to impress them is telling them that you have visited one of the Seven Wonders of the World! You could even casually mention it at a party and turn some heads…
Zambia is a beautiful country and if you have an opportunity you should take the time to visit. One of its famous attractions is the spectacular Victoria Falls which is the world’s greatest sheet of falling water.
Zambia is a landlocked country based in the Southern part of Africa, surrounded by Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, and Congo. Its capital city is Lusaka. Zambia itself is a God breathed country, full of sights and wonders that would excite the adventurous spirit and beauty that would without doubt captivate the eye. Zambia is full of stunning waterfalls, beautiful national parks, breath-taking rich rivers, not to mention gorgeous major towns and cities.
Some information on Zambia
Zambia is one of Africa’s most urbanised countries, with over 44% of the population living in its towns and cities. And as Zambia’s economy continues to grow (at one of the fastest rates in the developing world), it seems this trend will increase in years to come, with more and more poor rural dwellers moving to urban areas, many of which have already seen substantial development since the 1990s.
The capital Lusaka is at the core of this movement and has become one of Africa’s fastest-growing cities. The steady increase of tourism throughout the country as a whole has brought further development and better tourist infrastructure to once small provincial towns like Livingstone and Chingola, as well as to commercial and industrial centres like Ndola and Kitwe
There are so many amazing things to see and do in Zambia if you were up for the adventure, but if you did not have all the time in the world here are a few activities you should consider trying.
THINGS TO DO IN ZAMBIA
Bungee jumping.
Jump from the highest commercial bridge in the world at Victoria Falls. Talk about an adrenaline rush and adventure.
Hiking
If you love adventure and the outdoors you can go hiking.
Go on a safari
To view the falls take your pick amongst a variety of different tours and safaris offered, such as the Elephant Back Safari offered by the Safari Par Excellence over the Victoria Falls, or a horseback riding safari offered by the Victoria Falls Horse Safaris in Livingstone.
Fly over the Falls
Book yourself on an air-chartered flight to tour above the misty falls where you can get a bird’s eye view. This experience is offered by the United Air Charter in Livingstone.
Go rafting, kayaking, and canoeing.
Those who are into water sports and boat tours will be right at home as Zambia is literally overflowing with water. Safpar Rafting Company offers White Water Rafting.
Go on a cruise.
The Lady Livingstone Sunset Cruise gives you a relaxing view of the gorgeous waters.
Try out a speed boat.
Check out The Jet Extreme Boat in Livingstone, which ensures that you will get wet, and enjoy it!
Places to check out
If all you wanted to do was to get your tourist on and see the great historical sights and landmarks there are plenty of that in store.
1. Victoria falls.
Victoria Falls is by default a must-see. The best time of the year to visit the Falls is between July and September when the waters are aplomb and overflowing. During the November to December months, it gets quite dry.
2. Livingstone
This beautiful city which is quite close to Victoria Falls is also full of tourist attractions. Check out the Railway Museum, and the Wayiwayi Art Studio and Gallery to add a bit of the local culture and history to your experience.
3. Ndola
This is the third largest city in Zambia and is the capital of the Copper Belt Province. As such I would suggest when in this town stop by the Copperbelt Museum.
4. Lusaka
Going back to the capital city of the beautiful nation of Zambia, make sure you pass by the Namwane Art Gallery for a culturally enlightening experience.
5. South Luangwa National Park
This is one of the many national parks in Zambia but is the most popular because it is filled with abundant wildlife.
6. Lake Kariba
Enjoy a weekend at the world’s largest artificial Lake, located in the Southern province of Zambia at the Zimbabwean border.
7. The Shiwa Ngandu
The Shiwa Ngandu, is a grand English-style country house and estate in the Northern Province of Zambia, halfway between Mpika and Chinsali. Its name is based on a small lake nearby, Lake Ishiba Ng’andu which in the Bemba language means ‘lake of the royal crocodile’. The house itself is also known as “Shiwa House”. It was the lifelong project of an English aristocrat, Sir Stewart Gore-Browne who fell in love with the country after working on the Anglo-Belgian Boundary Commission determining the border between Rhodesia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
8. The Dag Hammarskjoeld Memorial
The Dag Hammarskjoeld Memorial marks the place of the plane crash in which Dag Hammarskjöld, the second and then-incumbent United Nations Secretary-General (1953–1961) was killed on 17 September 1961, while on a mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is a great historical landmark in Ndola, Zambia.
Accommodation
Here is a list of a few of the best-reviewed hotels to stay at in Zambia.
• In Livingstone the Tongabezi Lodge
• At Victoria Falls The Three Cities Thorn Tree River Lodge
• In Lusaka the StayEasy Lusaka Hotel
• In Lower Zambezi National Park the Kanyemba Lodge
The beautiful female species cannot be forgotten, for with the valid question, ‘are there any good places to shop?’ comes the answer, ‘yes!’
Zambia is full of street and flea markets, such as the Sunday Crafts Market in Lusaka or Mukuni Village in Victoria Falls, where you can get amazing deals on valuable or culturally inspiring objects. There are speciality and gift shops where you can get gifts for loved ones awaiting your arrival at home. A good place to check out would be the Kabwata Cultural Village in Lusaka, which is full of little artefacts, trinkets, and curios. We also must include shopping malls for the little splurges here and there and the necessities. With a collection of over 20 shops the Cairo Mall in Lusaka offers an interesting variety of shopping experiences.
If all you want to do is sit down, relax and enjoy a well-deserved holiday you could also just spoil yourself and go to a Spa. Go and check out the Bush Spa in South Luangwa National Park, you definitely will not regret it.
Tourist Information
Zambia uses the Kwacha as its currency. 1 Zambian Kwacha is equivalent to 0.016 Kenyan shillings.
Flights
• Nairobi, Kenya is 985 miles from Ndola, Zambia
• There are 4 weekly flights from Nairobi, Kenya to Ndola, Zambia
• Kenya Airways has the most nonstop flights between Nairobi, Kenya and Ndola, Zambia
• 2 direct flights are operating from Nairobi, Kenya to Ndola, Zambia today
• KLM has the most direct flights between Nairobi, Kenya and Ndola, Zambia
• Johannesburg, South Africa – Johannesburg Intl is the most popular connection for one-stop flights between Nairobi, Kenya and Ndola, Zambia.
• The flight takes around two hours and forty minutes.
Generally, most countries need visas to Zambia but there are the chosen few amongst the commonwealth countries who are allowed in without one, giving Kenyans the opportunity to stay as long as 90 days without a visa.
Things to buy
Curios and artefacts are the best things to bargain for in Zambia
The best time to travel to Zambia would of course be based on your interests and personal preferences.
Some great famous guy (I can’t remember who) once said, “If your life is a book, and every country you ever visited was a page, how many pages would you have by the end of it?” Don’t miss out on allowing yourself the luxury of turning the page once in while, who knows maybe the next time turn it to Zambia.
Zimbabwe and Zambia launch new common tourist visa – KAZA UNI-VISA
Travel:14 things to do in Zimbabwe
Travel: 7 Tourist Attractions in Congo
References:
http://www.placesonline.com/africa/zambia/lusaka/introduction.asp
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g293842-Activities-c61-Zambia.html#TtD
http://www.zambiatourism.com/destinations
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Africa/Zambia/Shopping-Zambia-TG-C-1.html
http://thebestofzambia.com/directory/shopping/where-to-shop/
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotels-g293842-Zambia-Hotels.html
http://www.zambia-travel-guide.com/bradt_guide.asp?bradt=1108
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_Kenyan_citizens
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Flights-g479764-o294207-Nairobi_to_Ndola.html
http://www.zambiatourism.com/towns
http://www.zambia-travel-guide.com/bradt_guide.asp?bradt=1150
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiwa_Ngandu
