Zambia Travel Guide

Some say Zambia is the best kept secret in Africa, an undiscovered mecca for a variety of safari and game viewing activities. It is a raw slice of Africa  friendly and with many unspoilt wild places worthy of any pioneer!

Zambia is a landlocked country situated mostly on a plateau with great valleys hills and some mountains, the Zambezi is the main river with its tributaries of Luangwa and Kafue.

Zambia shares borders with several countries namely Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi and Tanzania.

There are 3 great natural lakes in northern Zambia, Bangweulu, Mweru (shared with the DR of Congo) and the southern section of Lake Tanganyika - one of the deepest natural lakes in the world.

On the southern border of Zambia is Lake Kariba, which is the largest man-made lake in Africa and one of the largest in the world, further round is the magnificent Victoria Falls, the source of endless fascination and adventure.

Zambia is characterised by its miombo woodlands, large lakes and vast floodplains as well as spectacular waterfalls and mighty rivers. It is one of the last true wilderness areas in Africa, some say an undiscovered gem, either way the wildlife is abundant and the people are friendly.


Zambia accommodation options include these Zambia Safari Lodges

Climate:

There are 3 very distinct seasons in Zambia:

1. December to April is very warm and wet with heavy downpours usually late in the day.
2. May to August is dry and cool, getting cooler toward the end of this period.
3. September to November is dry and hot, getting hotter toward the end of this period.

The average temperature in summer is between 25C to 35C (77  95 Fahrenheit) and in winter from 6C to 24C (43  75 Fahrenheit).  Zambia generally has a moderate climate with intense heat felt usually in the valleys.

The nights are generally cool throughout the year. The best time to view game is during the dry season as the flora is sparse affording better opportunities to see the game.

History:

Zambian history stretches far back in time with evidence of occupation from 3 million years ago. The interesting progression through the Stone Age years changed with the arrival of immigrants from northern Africa between 300BC and 400AD, early in the Iron Age.

Great changes occurred again with the arrival of the European traders in the 15th Century and the advent of slavery, also with movement of Zulu tribes on to the land from Southern Africa in the early 19h Century.

English explorers also started expeditions into the interior from Southern Africa and yet another new era began, culminating in British colonial rule for Northern Rhodesia as the country was known then.

The discovery of copper and the mining thereof in the late 1920s made this Copperbelt world famous. Independence and membership of the Commonwealth came about in 1964.

Population:

Zambia has many different tribes, more than 70, and numbers about 10 million. Urban areas have the most concentrated populations.

Zambians are friendly people, very keen to talk and learn about others as they are to share knowledge about their own country and assist travellers where possible, many villagers along main roads will offer tyre mending services for a small fee!

Language

Zambia has over 70 different dialects but the official language is English which is widely spoken, most Zambians have a fair grasp of the language. The next most widely understood language is Bemba followed by at least 6 others.

Religion

Christian beliefs are followed by most Zambians; there are also Muslim and Hindu communities. Traditional African beliefs are widespread also.