Zambia

A landlocked country named after its main river, the Zambezi, Zambia is made up of dramatic floodplains, plateaus and valleys, and hosts the world-famous Victoria falls on its border with Zimbabwe. This is 'real Africa', a true diamond and rough and still relatively undiscovered compared to other Southern Africa neighbours. The parks are home to an abundance of wildlife and the country’s walking safaris and bush camping are legendary.

Step down to earth and learn what each smell and sound of the savannah means in the South Luangwa, the home of the walking safari; dodge hippos in a canoe in the beautiful Lower Zambezi National Park; or discover the floodplain of the lesser known Kafue in the South. And for those thrill seekers out there, the magnificent falls a myriad of adventure activities including white water rafting, micro-lighting, bungee jumping and abseiling.

Wild Frontiers offers unique Tailor Made Safari Holidays and Private Journeys to Zambia.

What to do in Zambia

Please select the regions you are interested in.

Canoe the Lower Zambezi

Lower Zambezi National Park

The mighty Zambezi river is the greatest artery of its country, but it is in its lower reaches, bordering the Lower Zambezi National Park, where you experience the most glorious confluence of water, flora and wildlife. Elephants and buffalo come down to its banks along with a myriad of other animals and following its currents, or stopping on shore to rest and eat, this safari is a truly marvellous way to experience the joys both of water and land. Most safari camps offer guided canoe trips on a daily basis or for the adventurous try a two or three days canoe trail staying in a bush camp on the banks of the river.

Fly fish the Zambezi

Lower Zambezi National Park

The Zambezi River offers some of the most spectacular fresh water sport fishing in the world with plentiful Tigerfish and Tilapia amongst others. Most lodges offer both spinning and fly fishing, both strictly catch and release in accordance with the principles of the National Park. Fishing is successful all year round, however the warmer months (August - December) are the best time to catch Tigerfish and draws anglers (both novice and experienced) to the banks for the Zambezi year on year.

Microlight over Victoria Falls

Livingstone

A soaring one off, and not for any with a fear of flying, there is no more dramatic way to take in the thunderous Victoria Falls than by microlight. Piloted by the experts, this is an encounter with the clouds, open to the elements, a chance to see and touch the raw power of the world's highest waterfall. Climb above the thundering falls, your heart will be in your mouth - guaranteed.

Shop at Tribal Textiles

South Luangwa National Park

If Wild Frontiers can make shopping a rare adventure we will, so Tribal Textiles, on the edge of the Luangwa National park, is a destination to bring back some of the spun beauties of African and Zambian hand painted cloth. Founded by the aritist Gillian Lightfoot and supporting the craft, community and livelihood of many Zambian families and villages, in a country where unemployment is as high as 52%, this is an Aladin's cave of painted cloths, fabrics and furnishings, as varied and unique as the colours in a blazing Zambian sunset.

Spot Eles On The Chobe River

Livingstone

The famed Chobe National Park is the undisputed Elephant capital of the world with the largest herds in Africa. It may be in Botswana but it's less than 2 hours from Livingstone, and if time allows it's great to do a full day trip into the park in search of profilic wildlife both by boat and game drive. There is nothing better than sipping a cocktail while cruising down the Chobe river viewing game along the river bank and you can see many thousands of elephants and buffalo splashing at the water's edge.

Spot hippo on a river safari

Kafue National Park

Explore the wetlands of the Northern Kafue on a boat safari along the the Kafue River and Lufupa channels. The enormous floodplains similar to the Okavango Delta reveal incredible hippo populations complemented by a constant array of colourful waterbirds, reptiles and other life amongst the riverine vegetation. Sit back and relax, and enjoy the tranquility of this lesser known park.

Visit Livingstone Island

Livingstone

Victoria Falls is one of the world's natural wonders and among the most spectacular sights in all of Africa. One of the best places to witness this immense mass of water up close is on tiny Livingstone Island, the place where Dr David Livingstone first glimpsed Mosi-oa-Tunya (The Smoke That Thunders). Retrace Livingstone's approach by twin-engine boat, that carries up to 12 people, taking you through the fast-moving channels of the Zambezi. Once on the island, you will be given a guided tour, learning about its history from ancient times, enjoy sundowners, tea or lunch and a chance to cool off in Devils Pool at the lip of the tumultous falls.

Walk the South Luangwa

South Luangwa National Park

The walking safari was pioneered here, and there is no better way to explore this pristine wilderness than by foot. When in a vehicle you cover more ground and are indeed likely to see more animals but "see them" is all you can do. On a walking safari you become a part of it, you can hear, smell and feel the bush as well as see it. To see a lion up close from a vehicle is a wonderful experience but to watch him watching you from 50 meters away, flicking his tail and darting for cover is a privilege you will not forget. Accompanied by an armed escort and a proffessional guide, walks are usually enjoyed in the coolness of early morning and late afternoon, and are conducted at a slow pace with breaks for a cup of tea on the river bank under the shade of the trees.

Where to stay in Zambia

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Chongwe River Camp

Lower Zambezi National Park

This family owned camp looks onto the confluence of the Zambezi and its tributary, the Chongwe River, on the western...

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Chundukwa River Lodge

Livingstone

Chundukwa is a small simple lodge set on the grassy banks of the Zambezi River just 25km upstream from the mighty...

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Islands Of Siankaba

Livingstone

This idyllic five star lodge is set on two densely forested islands in the Zambezi river, 24km upstream from Victoria...

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Kafunta River Lodge

South Luangwa National Park

Kafunta River Lodge is set in the riverside forest on the river bank overlooking the South Luangwa National Park. An...

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Kasaka River Lodge

Lower Zambezi National Park

Kasaka River Lodge is a 20 bed safari camp nestled on the northern banks of the Zambezi River, just outside the western...

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Nsolo Bush Camp

South Luangwa National Park

Nsolo is one of four seasonal bush camps operated by Norman Carr Safaris, the original safari company in the South...

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Pioneer Camp

Lusaka

Pioneer Camp is a located on the outskirts of Lusaka, a 25 minutes drive from the airport and ideal for budget...

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Sindabezi

Livingstone

Selected by The Sunday Times as one of the best remote places to stay in the world. Sindabezi is a rustic retreat set...

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Flat Dogs Camp

South Luangwa National Park

Set on the banks of the hippo-filled Luangwa River bordering the National Park, Flat Dogs Camp is something of a...

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The Chikoko Trail

South Luangwa National Park

Slightly upstream from the parent camp Tafika, Chikoko Trails is compromised of two camps: Chikoko Tree Camp and...

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Busanga Bush Camp

Kafue National Park

Busanga Bush Camp is one of our favorite camps in the Kafue. Originally a privately run camp, Wilderness Safaris now...

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Waterberry Lodge

Livingstone

Sited on the banks of the river, 30 mins drive from Victoria Falls on the Zambian side, Waterberry Lodge offers a...

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Suggested Itineraries

Zambia Travel Guide

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Livingstone

The small town of Livingstone sits along the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, close to the ‘smoking waters’ of Victoria Falls. Named after Dr David Livingstone, the famous Scottish explorer, Zambia's vibrant tourist capital is located just 10 kilometres from the spectacular Victoria Falls Bridge and provides a great base from which to enjoy some of the areas major attractions, including scenic helicopter flights, white water rafting and bungi jumps off the famous bridge itself. The town is also home to the Livingstone Museum, which houses a collection of memorabilia related to the explorer’s travels around the area in the 1850s. Upsteam there are some stunning small lodges along the banks of the river, giving some peace and respite from the bustle of the town. From these you can visit the Victoria Falls as well as go on sunset boat trips, kayak trips, walks and visits to village markets.

Lusaka

Zambia’s capital and its largest city, Lusaka lies along the southern expanses of the country’s central plateau, some 1300 metres above sea level. The commercial and administrative centre of the country, the city began life as a European settlement back in 1905, eventually replacing Livingstone as the capital of British Northern Rhodesia. Central to the rising independence movement of the 1950s, the city became the capital of Zambia in 1964 and today plays host to the National Assembly, the country’s National and Political Museums and the University of Zambia. In recent years it has also developed a thriving international community.

Lower Zambezi National Park

Zambia’s newest park, the Lower Zambezi provides excellent opportunities to get closer to the resident wildlife along the Zambezi channels. Covering an area of some 4,092 square kilometres, the park is made up of game rich flood-plains hemmed in by towering escarpments. Renowned for its birdlife and its populations of hippos and crocodiles, the park is a great destination for the serious safari enthusiast, with canoe safaris and walking tours particular favourites, whilst the river’s populations of Tiger Fish attracting sports fishermen from all corners of the world.

South Luangwa National Park

Experts have dubbed South Luangwa National Park as one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world, and not without reason. The concentration of game around the Luangwa river and it’s ox bow lagoons is among the most intense in Africa. The Luangwa River is the most intact major river system in Africa and is the life blood of the park's 9000 square kilometres. It provides a rich haven for some 60 different species of animals and 400 species of birds including 14 types of antelope, baboons, nocturnal bush babies and a healthy population of leapards. The river is also blessed with an astonishing number of crocodiles and hippos. The ‘walking safari’ originated here and is still one of the finest ways to experience this pristine wilderness first hand. The changing seasons add to the Park’s richness ranging from dry, bare bushveld in the winter to a lush green wonderland in the summer months.



Kafue National Park

Zambia’s oldest park, Kafue is the second largest in Africa and covers an area roughly the size of Wales. Named after the Kafue River, it stretches across the North-western, Central and Southern provinces, an area of some 22,400 square kilometres. Established as a national park in 1924, it lies amongst the Zambezian Miombi woodlands and is home to large herds of red lechwe, sable and roan, as well as lion, cheetah and leopard. The area is also superb for bird watching, especially along the rivers, and provides some excellent fishing opportunities.

Zambia Travel Information

Visa Information:
UK passport holders require a visa to enter Zambia.

Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your trip, and it must have at least one blank page for each visa required. Please ensure the passport details we hold for you are correct.

Please note it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa documentation when starting your trip. Country entry regulations can alter daily and it is always best to check with the relevant embassies for any changes.

Your visa can be bought at the border for $50US but if you’d rather get one beforehand they can be obtained through:

Travcour (UK)
Tempo House
15 Falcon Road
Battersea
London SW11 2PJ
Tel: 020 7223 5295
Fax: 020 7738 2617
Email: info@travcour.com
Website: www.travcour.com

If you are travelling on a non-UK passport, please contact your nearest consulate/embassy for up to date visa information.

Insurance:
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours.

You should be aware that many standard insurance policies may not cover you adequately for all aspects of a Wild Frontiers trip and so we strongly recommend that you purchase a suitably designed insurance policy.

One such policy is the "Wild Frontiers" policy underwritten by Ace European Group Limited (ACE " firm reference 202803), which is available to EU residents (which excludes Norway & Switzerland) through our website or via the insurance company direct on 0845 345 3456. Under this policy there are two different levels of cover available.

Standard policy: a comprehensive travel insurance policy that provides cover for all Wild Frontiers activities, including trekking up to 6,000m. This policy does not provide cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel.

Elite policy: provides the same comprehensive level of cover as the standard policy. In addition the Elite policy also provides cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel. The policy will not provide cover for any claims arising from or relating to the reasons why the FCO is advising against travel.

If purchasing the Elite policy you also have the option to extend the cover provided by the policy to include cover for claims arising from a terrorist act in an area where the FCO is advising against travel. You can add this cover to your policy when purchasing online or over the telephone.

These policies are only available to those travelling on a Wild Frontiers holiday.

For more information and to purchase your policy online please visit the Insurance section of our website.

The cover is underwritten by Ace European Group Limited (ACE), and is arranged by Travel & General Insurance Service Limited. Both companies are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Wild Frontiers Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Travel & General Insurance Company plc, details of which can be found at the FSA's website www.fsa.gov.uk.

To contact them please visit their website at www.travel-general.com or call 0845 408 0583.


Health and Vaccinations:
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Zambia though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. We recommend protection against malaria and that you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.

We also recommend:
• A dental check-up prior to travelling.
• You inform us of any pre-existing medical conditions or medication.
To be on the safe side you can also check on www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk

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More useful information when travelling to:
Zambia

Flight Information

Flight time to Lusaka is a little more than 10 hours and direct flights are available with British Airways.

Useful Tips

• Avoid wearing navy or black on game drives as these attract Tsetsi flies.

• In the South Luangwa pick up some incredible hand-painted fabrics at Tribal Textiles

• Take some decent walking shoes and try a walking safari - it's a magical way to experience the wilderness

• For the best views of the falls, don't forget to visit the Zimbabwe side too

When To Go

Weather patterns across Africa are becoming increasingly unpredictable with rain sometimes arriving in the middle of deserts and damaging droughts when rains should be falling.

December " March are generally the wettest months, although the further north you are the earlier it starts and later it finishes. It tends to rain more in the east and up high than it does elsewhere and during this time many of the camps in Zambia close as some of the poorer roads become impossible to pass through.

By April and May most of the rain has faded away, leaving a landscape that's still green, but starting to dry out. Night time temperatures start to drop, especially in higher and more southerly locations.

By British summer time the nights are much cooler with the days being generally clear and warm, the bush-camps open up again and game viewing is on the rise.

Temperatures really rise as September and October arrive; the lower-lying rift valleys " Lower Zambezi, Mana Pools and Luangwa Valley " can get very hot in October. Game viewing tends to be at its best as animals congregate around the rare watering holes.

November is variable; it can be hot and dry like October, or it can see the season's first downpours. Often it's a very interesting month as you can see both patterns on successive days.

Packing List

Below is a list of general items you might take with you on a Wild Frontiers trip to Syria. With your booking confirmation you will receive a packing list specific to your tour, so please treat this as a general guideline only.

Luggage:
It is best to use a soft bag - rucksack/hold-all/duffel bag - so it can be transported and stored more easily.

On all our trips a small daypack is practical for keeping general items (e.g. camera, books, wallets etc.) at hand when your main pack is out of reach. It is also handy for day trips and excursions.

Clothing:
In general you should bring clothes you feel comfortable with. However, All clothing should be neutral, khaki or bush coloured for walking.
Therefore as a guide we suggest a packing list like this:
• 4 x Light cotton shirts or T-shirts, short sleeved and long
• 3 x T-shirts
• 2 x Lightweight jumpers or sweatshirts
• A warm jacket
• Rainproof jacket
• 2 x Pairs of cotton trousers
• Socks
• Sun hat
• Swim suit or trunks
• Shorts " for the midday break
• Pair of sandals, trainers or pumps

Equipment:
The following is useful extra equipment for your trip:
• Travel towel, travel soap and toiletries
• Torch (LED head-torch keeps your hands free)
• Pair of good quality sunglasses
• Plug adapter

Personal First Aid Kit:
While we do carry a large medical kit on our group tours, we would advise that you take some of the basics with you. This should include:
• Any prescription medication required (please inform the tour leader at your pre-departure meeting about these)
• Antibacterial dry hand wash
• Painkillers: paracetamol & ibuprofen
• Rehydration salts (Gastrolyte)
• Malaria Tablets (if necessary)
• Travel motion-sickness tablets if required (e.g. natural ginger tablets)
• Diarrhoea remedies
• Antihistamines
• Cold/flu decongestants
• Mosquito Repellent
• Insect bite cream
• Laxatives
• Plasters/Bandage/Steri-Strips/Blister pads
• Sunscreen (30+ factor)
• Moisturiser/after sun cream/lip balm
• Contact lenses and solution if required
• Tweezers
(A kit with most of this in is available at www.nomadtravel.co.uk)

Optional Extras:
• Ear plugs (if sharing a room / camping)
• Alarm clock
• 3-4 plastic carrier bags are very useful for dirty washing, dirty shoes and rubbish
• Binoculars
• Small packs of tissues
• Money belt or secure pouch for money and passport etc.
• Eye patches if light affects your sleep
• Sewing kit/scissors
• Writing materials
• Spare batteries/camera memory cards
• Swiss Army knife

NB: If you wear glasses, it is advisable to bring a spare pair since opticians are rare. If you wear contact lenses you may find that climatic changes and dust can create visual irritation, therefore, it is advisable to bring a pair of glasses. You might be tempted to buy a few souvenirs here and there, so leave a little room for those extra purchases!!

Hand Luggage:
Although it is very rare that luggage goes missing on flights, it has been known to happen and so it’s a good idea to carry a spare top, toothbrush, wash kit, underwear and any other essentials in your hand luggage so that you can at least freshen up while waiting for your bags to catch you up. If you wear your sturdy shoes/boots it will also reduce weight in your luggage and keep them safe.

Practical Information

Time:
Zambia is 2hrs ahead of GMT.

A useful website to check the time zone differences is www.worldtimezone.com

Food and Alcohol:
When on safari the cooks prepare a solid three meals a day although depending on where you are and what you are doing lunches are often taken in picnic form. Emphasis is made on fresh vegetables and salads while fresh bread is baked daily. Vegetarians are can easily be catered for although like much of Southern Africa the locals do eat a considerable amount of meat. Alcohol is readily available.

Electricity:
In most hotels you can charge from the mains using a travel adaptor plug, camps can vary.

Money:
In Zambia the official unit of currency is the Zambian Kwacha.
To check out the latest exchange rate for the places that you are visiting you can go to www.oanda.com

A few points to help you plan:
• Payments are mainly made in cash.
• Increasingly more shops and hotels will accept credit card payments, though a cash advance is unlikely.
• You can easily exchange Euros, US Dollars and UK Sterling cash.
• ATM machines are available in the larger towns but best not to be relied upon.
• If using ATM machines, be sure to notify your bank before you travel.

Language & Religion:
The official language in Zambia is English, used to conduct official business and act as a medium of instruction in schools. Main local languages include Lusaka, Bemba and Nyanja. Zambia has 85 languages in total including the 13 dialects that stand as independent languages. According to the 1996 constitution the country is officially a Christian nation. There are however a wide variety of religious traditions. A wide range of Christian denominations are practiced and a small minority of the population are praise Islam and Judaism.

Cultural Sensitivity:
At Wild Frontiers we are very aware of the ethical impact tourism can have on ancient cultures. We realise that taking a group of tourists through such a region can have a negative impact on the lives of those who live there and on all our tours we therefore go to great lengths to minimise the negative and accentuate the positive…after all, there are also many good things that the tourist can bring.

To help this process we ask that our clients do not hand out pens or sweets to children. As one sign in Egypt emphatically put it, ‘Please don't make beggars out of our children!' No matter how well intentioned, in our opinion the dolling out of free gifts fosters a ‘beggar mentality' that is ultimately extremely destructive to a society. In addition we do not condone giving out money to beggars or ‘students'.

However, we also realise that we are exceptionally privileged to be travelling in areas where most of the people have far less than us and that the desire to ‘help' can be very powerful. As a result we ask that you refer to your trip dossier for information on the Wild Frontiers Foundation which supports specific projects in the areas where we travel.

Photography:
Please remember, we are guests in the countries through which we travel and we may sometimes inadvertently cause offence by taking photographs without first asking permission.

Also many countries have very strict rules about taking photos of army, police or any official personnel; restrictions apply at borders, bridges and any government building. Please exercise care in this regard as the penalty may be to have your film and/or camera confiscated.

Walking with Lions

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