13 Reasons to Visit Zambia:
1. WORLD FAMOUS VICTORIA FALLS
In the local language Victoria Falls is called "Mosi-O-Tunya" means "smoke that thunders". Victoria Falls is a spectacular view of the water plunging into the gorge and is at one of the greatest natural wonders in the world. People who have been to Africa and seen the Victoria Falls in Zambia claim that it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is unlike any other waterfall. On the Zambezi River, Victoria Falls – "greatest known curtain of falling water” – is a stunning sight of awe-inspiring beauty. The experiences you get from visiting Victoria Falls at different times of the year will be completely different.
2. THE WILD AND UNSPOILT SAFARI EXPERIENCE OF ZAMBIA
Zambia's national parks are still off the beaten path, and the night game drives in the parks, especially, showcase nature at its best. The majority of Zambia's national parks are inaccessible by car from November to March due to the country's extensive rainy season, you can still visit them by air. The ecosystem as a whole – including wildlife, plants, and birds – is in full bloom throughout the year. Nature lovers adore the ecology's one-of-a-kind experience and it is not surprising that the well-known Zambian proverb applies naturally: Zambia, "The Real Africa."
3. FAMOUS WALKING SAFARIS IN AFRICA
Zambia is the only country in Africa that can guarantee and claim to have pioneered the ability to see wildlife, birdlife, and ecology on foot, providing an unforgettable experience under the supervision of Africa's best-trained guides. This is all thanks to Norman Carr, who established professional standards for walking safari and camp experiences and is considered to be the founder of walking safaris in Zambia and Africa.
4. ADVENTUROUS ACTIVITIES IN ZAMBIA
Specifically in Livingstone, Zambia has an incredible selection of adventure tour activities, some of which are packed with adrenaline and others that are just for fun. You could be canoeing down the Zambezi River, gliding over the Victoria Falls in a microlight with specialised wings and a single small engine for a once-in-a-lifetime view, or taking a plunge off the bridge that separates the Victoria Falls. When you stay at one of the hotels in Livingstone, you can go on any adventurous expedition you want, depending on how comfortable you are with them. Horseback riding, river fishing, boat cruises, and numerous other adventure activities are also available.
5. ZAMBIA’S DIVERSE NATIONAL PARKS
Zambia has 20 national parks and protected areas, with Lower Zambezi, South Luangwa, North Luangwa, and Kafue being the primary wildlife concentration areas. Each of these parks offer experiences that are one-of-a-kind. In addition to other activities on land, the Lower Zambezi, which is open to the Zambezi water levels thanks to the Kariba Dam, offers river-specific activities. Along its entire length, the Luangwa River's lifeline and the Luangwa Valley provide wildlife and birds with an ecological pilgrimage. The Busanga grasslands can be accessed through the Kafue National Park, which gives visitors the chance to wander the plains in search of wildlife in one of Africa's most remote and untouched areas.
6. BREATH-TAKING VIEWS
Imagine a stunning sunset as it fades into the distance, with views of the trees between the mountains, water flowing at the foot of the hills, and birds silhouetted against the sky, with no one around but you. This sounds like a painting but it’s actually a real-life experience in Zambia.
7. ZAMBIA'S PEOPLE
There are 74 tribal communities in Zambia, and one powerful fact unites all of these tribes and their related cultures: Zambians are among the most welcoming people you will ever encounter. When attempting to engage and participate in the numerous national ceremonies, their cordial nature is particularly appealing and pleasant. Tribal communities are eager to demonstrate and explain Zambia's rich cultural diversity. You can participate in the Kuomboka Ceremony of the Lozi Tribe or volunteer at the Kawaza Cultural Village in South Luangwa—the cultural safari experiences are endless.
8. ZAMBIA IS SAFE FOR TOURISTS
Most people don't want to go on vacation in a country where there is a civil war. If you go to Zambia, you won't have to worry about that! Over 70 distinct tribes speak more than 20 distinct languages in Zambia, and they generally coexist peacefully. Since its independence, the country has been fairly stable.
9. THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF TOURISTS
Have you ever traveled extensively across the globe only to arrive to find yourself surrounded by tourists from your own country? In Zambia, you won't get as much of that. Although there will be more tourists in South Luangwa, it is still nothing compared to the traffic jams in Kruger National Park in South Africa, for example. Zambia still has a strong sense of being "off the beaten path."
10. BUSH CAMPING
Bushcamps in Zambia's national parks range from ultra-stylish chalets to more rustic bamboo and thatch chalets. Bushcamps typically have no more than a dozen rooms and are typically located in remote locations. It is an unforgettable experience to have a candlelit dinner of expertly prepared Zambian cuisine while a curious hippo rustles nearby.
11. RARE SPECIES & MIGRATIONS
Even the most jaded safari-goer will be excited by Zambia's rare species and migrations. In November and December, eight million fruit bats as well as many sitatungas, a semi-aquatic and highly elusive antelope, are common sights in Kasanka National Park in the northeast of Zambia. Herds of thousands of black lechwe roam the Bangweulu wetlands nearby; this is the only place in Africa where you can see large numbers of these antelope. In November, tens of thousands of blue wildebeest congregate on the plains of Liuwa Plain National Park, and lions can be observed swimming in swamps and even scaling sycamore trees in Kafue National Park. You can also see wild dogs, a rare carnivore that is endangered, in these two parks.
12. URBAN VITALITY
Lusaka, Zambia's capital, deserves to be more than just a stop on the way between national parks. Its modernity and multicultural population provide a window into the country as a whole. Many of the best restaurants and clubs in and around Manda Hill and Arcades Shopping Centre attract the city's fashionable young crowd. Even though they are admittedly overwhelming to the senses, the city's outdoor markets are worth going to to see how the everyday people of Lusaka shop.
13. ECO-TOURISM
Recently, the Lower Zambezi National Park was named one of the first carbon neutral parks in the world. This means that it completely offsets the greenhouse gas emissions it gets from tourism. The park's birdlife is exceptional, and visitors can see lions, buffalo, hippos, monkeys, and other mammals. The same status was also given to Luambe National Park in December 2017. Despite its smaller size and fewer animal species than Lower Zambezi, the park is ideal for those seeking a more tranquil experience in a national park. As the park is still relatively unexplored, it is common not to see any other guests while staying there. Lower Zambezi is just a three-hour drive from Lusaka, whereas Luambe is in the eastern province of Zambia.