ZAMBIA

Zambia is a big and very beautiful country situated in the heart of the African sub-continent, untainted by commercial tourist development, but nevertheless well-equipped to allow visitors to experience the warmth, excitement, challenges and adventures of the real Africa. Zambia beckons with an abundance of natural attractions and extreme sports, which has earned it the reputation of being the 'adventure center' of the continent.

The country's prime attraction is the spectacular, breathtaking Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Not only do the falls provide unmatched scenery as the water plunges into the depths of the gorge, but they are also the setting for a multitude of adrenaline pumping activities, like whitewater rafting, bungee jumping from the 364ft (111m) high bridge, canoeing, abseiling, micro-lighting over the falls, elephant-back safaris, jet-boating through the rapids and many more.

If dry land is more to your taste, Zambia offers dozens of superb game parks stocked with a profusion of birds and wildlife. Chief among the parks is South Luangwa National Park, centered on the most intact major river system in Africa, which hosts a huge concentration of game. The legendary 'Zambian walking safari' originated in this park and still offers one of the finest ways to experience the African wilderness.

Visitors to Zambia seldom linger in the towns, being bent on safaris or destined for game lodges and adventure camps, but those who choose to explore the somewhat disheveled capital, Lusaka, will find it has an interesting charm. More than half of the inhabitants of this over-populated city are unemployed, yet the atmosphere is far from despondent as the people hustle and bustle, determined to survive. Thousands of stalls line the streets offering a fascinating array of services and goods. Lovers of the outdoors cannot fail to find everything and more to satisfy them in the wetlands and wilderness of Zambia.

CLIMATE IN ZAMBIA
Zambia is warm all year round, but has three distinct seasons. Between December and April the weather is hot and wet; from May to August it is cooler and dry; between September and November conditions are hot and dry. Average summer temperatures range between 77°F to 95°F (25°C to 35°C), while in winter the variation increases ranging from 43°F to 75°F (6°C to 24°C).

VISA REQUIREMENT FOR ZAMBIA
A return ticket or proof of onward travel, and proof of sufficient funds is also required. There is a special provision for day visitors coming across the border from Zimbabwe into Livingstone. For those nationalities requiring a visa for Zambia, a fee of US$10 is paid for a 'Day Tripper Visa', but visitors must exit Zambia on the same day.

Americans: United States citizens must obtain a visa to visit Zambia. It can be issued on arrival and is valid for the period of stay. A valid passport is also required for entry to Zambia.
UK nationals: British citizens require a passport and a visa to visit Zambia. However, tourists on an organized tour arranged by established Zambian tour operators do not need a visa. Visas may be purchased at the port of entry, and will be valid for the period of stay, although it is often best to organize one in advance.
Canadians: Canadians require a valid passport and a visa to enter Zambia. Visas may be obtained on arrival and are valid for the period of stay.
Australians: Australians require a valid passport and a visa to enter Zambia. Visas can be obtained on arrival and are valid for the period of intended stay.
South Africans: South Africans do not need a visa to visit Zambia for 90 days within a 12-month period, whether taken together or in sections. A valid passport is required.
Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a valid passport, but a visa is not necessary for a period of 90 days in a 12-month period, whether taken at once or in sections.
New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals require a valid passport and a visa, which can be issued on arrival. Visas are valid for length of stay.

TRAVEL ATTRACTIONS AND THINGS TO DO IN ZAMBIA
Game viewing
Visitors to Zambia come for an African safari and are usually headed for game lodges or safari companies. Chief among the parks is South Luangwa National Park, centered on the most intact major river system in Africa, which hosts a huge concentration of game, among the richest on the continent. Game concentrations are at their most intense during the dry season, from April to October. The legendary 'Zambian walking safari' originated in this park and still offers one of the finest ways to experience the African wilderness.

White-water rafting
Nearly half the rapids on the Zambezi River below the Victoria Falls are classified as Grade 5 (Grade 6 is commercially unrunnable), which means that the steep gradient of the river causes long and extremely turbulent rapids with big drops and a high volume of water. Half and full-day rafting expeditions provide what is internationally acclaimed to be the wildest and best white-water rafting experience in the world. The most exciting time to do rafting is during the dry season (July to mid-February) when the water is at its lowest and the rapids at their biggest.

River boarding
Nearly half the rapids on the Zambezi River below the Victoria Falls are classified as Grade 5 (Grade 6 is commercially unrunnable), which means that the steep gradient of the river causes long and extremely turbulent rapids with big drops and a high volume of water. For those that want even more adrenalin than the white water rafting can supply, river boarding allows individuals to surf their way down the mighty Zambezi armed with only a body board, fins, helmet and lifejacket. The attraction is the physical freedom and the sense of achievement felt after tackling the Zambezi on your own.

Stay in a lodge in the South Luangwa National Park amongst elephants, hippos, lions, zebras, giraffes, antelopes, buffaloes, monkeys and wild dogs with blossoming trees and exotic flowers forming the background.

• Explore one of Africa's most spectacular surviving wilderness areas - the North Luangwa National Park covering 4,636 sq km (1,790 sq miles) and home to the beautiful Mwaleshi river, huge herds of buffalo and over 350 bird species.

• Go birdwatching in the exceptionally diverse Lochinvar National Park on the southern edge of the Kafue Flats, a wide floodplain of the Kafu river, famous for its large herds of lechwe, an antelope unique to the Kafue Flats.

• Enjoy the sandy shorelines of Lake Tanganyika in Sumbu National Park, where there are three all-year beach resorts: at Kasaba, Ndole and Nkamba bays. The park's spectacular sunsets are not to be missed.

• Find more animals in the Kasanka National Park, one of Zambia's smaller parks, that encompasses eight lakes and four rivers, the largest being the beautiful Luwombwa. Attractive and diverse, it is home to specialised mammals, including the rare blue monkey, and birds.

• Take a canoe safari along the Zambezi River in the Lower Zambezi National Park, 100km (62 miles) downstream of the Victoria Falls. Try fishing for tiger fish, bottle-nose fish or bream.

• Get adventurous in Livingstone, Zambia's centre for adventure sports. Bungee jump off the 111m (364ft) bridge linking Zambia and Zimbabwe across the River Zambezi, or abseil or high-wire down or across the gorge.

• Go white-water rafting on the Zambezi. Longer and quieter river trips usually follow the Victoria Falls-Lake Kariba itinerary, with Lake Kariba also offering the possibility to relax for a week on a luxurious houseboat.