Though it is a country that is known for expansive national parks, bird watching and the spectacular Victoria Falls and Zambezi River, surprisingly few travellers book flights to Zambia. Although tourism has grown in recent years in the country, most of the footfall is within a very small zone, which means that holidaymakers travelling off the beaten track can easily experience the real lifestyle and meet its incredibly friendly people. Away from the capital, Lusaka, and the Victoria Falls, travellers are infrequently seen, so locals are keen to say hello, and often offer exceptional hospitality. The people who make up the population of Zambia come from a huge range of different tribes, with more than 70 official tribes counted and at least 20 languages spoken.
A large majority of tourists arriving from Zambia flights are extreme adventure-seekers looking for a taste of pure outdoor excitement. Whitewater rafting, canoeing, power boating, and even bungee jumping are all part of the tourism draw, and mostly situated around the Vic Falls. In the past, most tourism at the Victoria Falls was on the Zimbabwean side, but recent troubles in that country has meant a huge boom on the northern, Zambian side. If you need a break from the rapids, head toward one of Zambia’s natural parks full of birds and wildlife.
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There are three distinct seasons. December to April is warm and wet. May to August cool and dry. September to November hot and dry. Average summer temperatures are in the 25 to 35-degree range, while winter temperatures hover between 6 and 24 degrees.
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Peak season:
The dry months (May to November). The hottest month is October. Temperatures can climb past 40 degrees. The best times of year to view wildlife are June to August when water holes are full from the rainy season.
Off season:
December to March is off-peak. Due to the often heavy rains, many roads can become impassable and activities such as river rafting on the Zambezi River are not advised.
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Airwaves Zambia flies to Zambia’s most popular tourist destinations including the Luangwa Valley, Livingstone and nearby Victoria Falls, The Lower Zambezi, and The Northern Circuits. Zambian Airways also flies to the tourist draws: Livingstone, Lower Zambezi and South Luangwa National Park. Proflight offers schedule and charter flights around the country. There are also several charter airlines.
There are good bus services within Zambia, and there is also a fairly decent rail network. Zambia has three main train lines: from Livingstone to Lusaka, Lusaka to the Copperbelt and from Kapiri Mposhi to the north.
While Zambia has almost 40,000km (25,000 miles) of roads, about 8,000km (5,000 miles) are tarred and a further 8,000km (5,000 miles) are all-weather gravel. The rest are dirt roads, which may become impassable during the rainy season. There are several car-rental companies in Lusaka and it is also possible to hire a chauffeur-driven car.
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- Victoria Falls is about 1.7km (1 mile) wide and 128 m (420 feet) high. It was “discovered” by David Livingstone, the Scottish missionary and explorer in 1855, who named it after Queen Victoria. To the locals however, it is Mosi-O-Tunya, translated as "the smoke that thunders". The best time to see the falls is between April and June, when the waters are at their highest. The Mosi O Tunya National Park is quite small at 66 sq km (25 sq mi), but is home to an impressive collection of wild animals including giraffe, zebra, elephant, baboon, white rhino, wildebeest, buffalo and impala (a type of antelope).
- Apart from standing and watching the falls with awe, there are plenty of other ways to see the waters including whitewater rafting, bungee jumping, canoeing, river boarding, abseiling, and microlighting over the falls in a small light airplane.
- Kalambo Falls, on the Kalambo River between Tanzania and Zambia, are the second-highest falls in Africa. It has a fall of 221 metres (725 feet).
- There are a couple of authentic tribal villages in Livingstone town, near the falls. Mukuni Village is more than 700 years old and has thousands of residents. There is a regular market selling traditional arts such as baskets and wood carvings. Songwe Point is another such village.
- Zambia has several reserves. Kafue National Park in the west of the country is Zambia’s largest park at 22,000 sq km (8500 sq mi). There are more than 400 types of birds, black-maned lions, leopards and elephants.
- The Lower Zambezi National Park – the newest park – covers 3000 sq km (1200 sq mi). It is in the south, near Lusaka. The North and South Luangwa national parks, through which the Luangwa River flows south to the Zambezi, offer fantastic wilderness experiences such as walking safaris. Lochinvar National Park, in the south east, is renowned for its birds – more than 428 species – and the Gwisho Hot Springs.
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Lusaka International Airport (LUN) is located 26km (16 miles) east of Lusaka.
Mfuwe Airport (MFU) is situated in the South Luangwa National Park, a one-hour flight from Lusaka International Airport.
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A visa is required to enter Zambia. Visas can be obtained from the Zambian High Commission in London. Single entry visas cost US$50, double-entry visas are US$80. Single entry visit visas are available at all ports of entry, but multi-entry visas must be applied for in advance of travel.
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Passports should be valid for at least six months on arrival and have at least two blank pages.
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