Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Zambia
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Zambia

Zambia is a gorgeous country which has so much to see. If you’re a nature lover, there’s so excuse for missing out on this one.

Zambia is home to Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall in the whole world. For thrill seekers, take a microlight over them for the view of a lifetime.

If you get there at the right time of the year, take a dip in the famous Devil’s Pool. Experience the beautiful views from your own personal pool. For something a little more thrilling, try white-water rafting down the Zambezi. But make sure you watch out for crocs!

Zambia is also home to incredible wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for hippos, giraffe and hundreds of beautiful birds.

Zambia focuses on fantastic walking safaris in wonderful national parks like South Luangwa and the Lower Zambezi. In the latter, you can also do canoeing and fishing in addition to the game drives and walks,” says Hippo Creek Safari’s Daniel Saperstein. “The game is very good and the experience in Zambia feels like Kenya did 30 years ago—still very raw and real.”

Respect the Wildlife

Going out on a safari in one of Zambia’s National Parks to admire the wildlife may seem like a nostalgic dream, but be aware that it’s not a theme park ride. The African wilds are a truly rugged place and the animals who live there should be respected as such. Crocodiles, lions, and hyenas are obviously deadly when provoked, but the lesser-known hippos and monkeys can also be dangerous. Hippos, in particular, have jaws with incredible crushing force, can be easily agitated, and kill about two thousand people each year. It is advised to stay away from the deep water with hippos. And don’t feed the animals! Doing so will only make it worse.

Zambia Warnings and Dangers

The landlocked African country of Zambia is famous for its savannah wildlife and safaris, and the stunning Victoria Falls. It’s important to note, though that there are warnings and dangers from both man and beast to take heed of in the land of the ‘Smoke that Thunders.’

Visa and Currency Exchange Considerations

While some local government sources claim that no visa is required to travel to and from Zambia, others have reported having to pay fines for not having one. Your best bet to avoid this issue is to have a visa with you at all times and to make sure it is current while you’re traveling.

If you plan to exchange currency, consider bringing larger bills with you. Visitors have reported receiving almost 400 fewer kwacha per dollar in some places when they exchanged their 10 and 20 U.S. dollar bills. Watch out for swapping your home country bills with kwacha bills too worn to be legible.

Lets explore the best places to visit in Zambia:

1. Siavonga

Cascading down to the banks of Lake Kariba in a patchwork of acacia trees, palms, rosewoods and forest figs, the verdant town of Siavonga has established itself as one of the premier holidaying spots in all of Zambia.

It’s peppered with excellent hotels that boast sunning terraces and cafes overlooking the water, while boats bob along the shoreline and the hills of the Zambezi Valley erupt all across the horizon.

On this – the largest reservoir in the world – it’s possible to enjoy oodles of watersports and recreational activities, while Siavonga itself is fringed by pretty beaches and walking trails.

2. Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park

The legendary ‘Smoke which Thunders’, Mosi-oa-Tunya is home to some of the most striking and unforgettable sections of the Victoria Falls.

As the second-largest single cataract on the globe, it’s easy to see why that part of Zambia’s mighty river has garnered itself a UNESCO heritage tag.

And when you add in the populations of white rhinos, Angolan giraffes, zebras and the occasional elephant that also tread this way, it’s even easier to see why quite so many visitors flock to this corner of the country every year.

You’ll need good walking boots and a daring disposition at hand, ready for the narrow platforms of the so-called Knife-Edge Bridge that arches over the falls themselves!

3. Kasanka National Park

A pint-sized place close to the straight-line border with the DRC in the middle of Zambia, Kasanka offers up a curious cross-section of Central African fauna.

Pangolins and mongoose stalk the countryside, while sable antelopes and hartebeest coalesce on the grassy meadows.

Granted, there are few – if any – of the so-called Big Five game here, but there are other, more niche opportunities, to encounter the continental ecology – think meandering boat journeys and fishing outings on the  Luwombwa River, sitatunga antelope stalking amidst the swamps, and some of the most amazing bat migrations known to man!

4. Livingstone

The onetime capital of Zambia now bears the honorific moniker of perhaps the most famous explorer of the African continent who ever lived: David Livingstone.

In fact, the place is a fitting memorial to the Scottish expeditionary and anti-slavery campaigner, not least of all because it’s the gateway to the roaring cataracts of the Victoria Falls (Livingstone is said to have been the first explorer to have set eyes on the wonder!). It’s also one of the best-loved places for safari goers and adventure travelers heading to Central Africa, famed for its ease-of-access to the legendary Zambezi National Park (in Zimbabwe), and the whitewater rapids of the Zambezi River to boot!

5. Nsumbu National Park

Ranging from the sandy shores of Lake Tanganyika to the scrub-clad hills of the country’s Northern Province, the Nsumbu National Park is a diverse and enthralling experience of the Central African hinterland.

It’s also something of a wildcard safari choice, only opening to mainstream visitors in the last couple of decades with the inauguration of gravel road connections to Kawambwa.

Highlights of the park include the gorgeous reaches of Kasaba Bay, where elephants can be seen wandering the swamps, and the meanders of the Lufubu River, which host everything from snapping crocs to water buffalo.

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