GENERAL INFORMATION - ZAMBIA
The Victoria Falls in Zambia · Livingstone · Lower Zambezi NP
The Zambezi River · South Luangwa NP · Kafue NP
Ngonye(Sioma) Falls · Lochinvar NP
The
Victoria Falls from the Zambian side:
The Victoria Falls are one of the world's most spectacular plunges:
the 2km (1.2mi) wide Zambezi River drops over 100m (330ft) into
a steeply-walled gorge. The Zambian side of Victoria Falls is
sometimes forgotten, but it provides an entirely separate experience
to its better-known Zimbabwean counterpart. First off, the views
are different: you can sidle right up to the falling water by
walking down a steep track to the base of the falls and following
spindly walkways perched over the abyss. One of the best spots
for a close-up is at Knife Edge Point, reached by crossing a hair-raising
(but safe) footbridge through swirling clouds of spray to a cliff-girt
island in the river. If the water is low and the wind favourable,
you'll be treated to a magnificent view of the falls and the yawning
abyss below the Zambezi Bridge.
Livingstone:
Situated 8km from Victoria Falls, it was originally the capital
of Northern Rhodesia until 1935. It was named in honour of the
great explorer David Livingstone. (Brazzaville was named in honour
of Savorgnan de Brazza. Brazzaville has kept its name but Stanleyville
named after Henry Morton Stanley became Kisangani in 1971). The
national museum has a collection of memorabilia relating to Dr
Livingstone, with personal letters, notebooks, maps and items
of clothing on display. There is also an interesting natural history
gallery.
Livingstone
died at Chitambo village near Lake Bangweuleu in Zambia. His servants,
Susi and Chuma, carried his body to Zanzibar and he was buried
in Westminster Abbey in 1874.
Lower
Zambezi National Park: The most recent of Zambia’s
national parks was a forgotten wilderness for many years. The
Park covers an area of 4092km2. The waters of the Zambezi are
a focal point for the wildlife during the dry season. The Park
is totally undeveloped with only one track accessible during the
dry season.
Zambezi
River: This is the fourth largest river in Africa
after the Nile, Congo and Niger rivers. The river flows for 2700km.
Rising in the northern corner of Zambia, it turns south flowing
through eastern Angola and western Zambia, before entering Zimbabwe
at Kazangula. Some 65km east of Kazangula, the river plunges over
the Victoria Falls. It then enters the Batonka Gorges before reaching
Lake Kariba and the Kariba Dam. Flowing through the Kariba gorges
and some falls and rapids it reaches Cahora Bassa Lake and dam
wall in Moçambique, and thereafter on to its delta mouth
on the Indian Ocean near Chinde, south of Quelimane. The main
tributaries are the Chobe, the Kafue, Luangwa, and the Shire River
flowing from Lake Malawi.
Several
millions of years ago the Zambezi was flowing through a different
course which was the Okavango Delta, Makgadikgadi, the Kalahari
and into the Atlantic Ocean. Due to plate movement the outlet
to the Atlantic was closed and the Makgadikgadi Pans, Okavango,
Savute and Mababe area became a huge lake. Afterwards, the Zambezi
changed its course in the direction of the present Victoria Falls
and the Indian Ocean. The huge lake started to dry out, forming
the numerous Makgadikgadi lakes, Nxai pan, Savute, etc.
South
Luangwa National Park: For scenery and wildlife,
South Luangwa is the best national park in Zambia. Vegetation
ranges from dense woodland to open grassy plains, and oxbow lagoons
act as natural water holes. Mammals you're likely to see include
lions, buffalos, zebras and Thornicroft's giraffes. The park is
also home to one of Africa's largest elephant populations, and
is particularly noted for its leopards and birdlife. In the Luangwa
River you'll spot hippos and crocodiles. Day, night and walking
safaris are available, as are horseback rides. Accommodation includes
rustic camp sites, barebones hostels, comfortable chalets and
full-service resorts. The park is located about 250km (155mi)
northeast of Lusaka. Most people arrive by air at Mfuwe Airport,
20km (12mi) southeast of the village of Mfuwe and the park's main
gate, although you can also arrive by public transport. The park
is closed during the rainy season of December to April.
Kafue
National Park: This vast park is Zambia's largest,
home to grassland plains stretching for hundreds of kilometres,
forests lining the banks of the Kafue River, and critters big
and small everywhere you look. Kafue is prime safari territory,
with the lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, antelopes, zebras
and even ultra-rare yellow-backed duikers to prove it. One highlight
is the Busanga Plains at the northern end of the park. This 750
sq km (290 sq mi) area floods from March to May, when it becomes
a giant bathing ground for thousands of hippos and millions of
birds. Another good bird-watching spot is Lake Itezhi-Tezhi, where
herons, spoonbills and many other waterbirds roost.
There are a number of places to stay in the park, including camp
sites, chalets and lodges. Most are along the Kafue River. The
park is about 200km (125mi) west of Lusaka and is accessible by
car, though the roads are generally horrible and most visitors
who can afford it fly in by chartered plane.
Ngonye
(Sioma) Falls: If it weren't for Victoria
Falls 300km (185mi) downstream, the Ngonye Falls would be a major
attraction. Luckily for visitors, it's a wonderful place that's
free of the tourist trappings of its better known counterpart.
Admittedly, the plunge isn't nearly the same - the Ngonye Falls
only fall a few metres - but the broad expanse of the cascade
is a magnificent sight. There's good white-water rafting below
the falls. Nearby is Sioma Ngwezi National Park, where you can
spot elephants taking a night-time drink. The falls are 600km
(370mi) east of Lusaka, and about 200km (125mi) south of the town
of Mongu. If you aren't driving your own vehicle, the bus from
Mongu to the Namibian border can let you off less than a kilometre
west of the falls.
Lochinvar
National Park: The Lochinvar Estate has a genuine
history as an “Out of Africa” colonial cattle ranch
and farm. Bequeathed to the nation in 1904, the old colonial farmhouse
still stands, under a preservation order. But Lochinvar’s
huge swath of unique wetland and floodplain savanna was returned
to its wild state. Today it is a World Heritage Wetland Site.
Situated on the Kafue River floodplain mid way between Livingstone
and Lusaka, the Park is now the last stronghold of the Kafue Lechwe,
an aquatic antelope of extraordinary grace.
The
exotic and beautiful Lechwe Plains Tented Camp
is an African fantasy under canvas. The lodge, built onto teak
decking, shelters in a mature grove of acacia trees on the edge
of the wide Chunga Lagoon. Just six double units cater for a maximum
of 12 guests at any one time, making this a tranquil hideaway
far from the main safari circuits. The close-up experience of
living in the same environment as the wildlife offers a new perspective
to the visitor. Peace and beauty together with ever-changing waterscapes
will offer opportunities for special interest groups and individual
visitors alike. Guests will have the undivided attention of the
hosts and staff, including a professional ornithologist and guide.
