ZAMBIA (Commonwealth Union)_Zambia has fared better as a tourist destination than nearly all of its close neighbours throughout the post-colonial African upheavals, despite having high levels of poverty and an excessive reliance on copper prices to fund the government. This is a nation of democracy and foreign investment, not of coups and countercoups. It’s a country where incredible engineering achievements coexist with global natural beauties like the winding Zambezi River and the thundering Victoria Falls (simply look at the Kariba Dam to understand what we mean).
Siavonga
The lush town of Siavonga has made a name for itself as one of Zambia’s top vacation places, cascading down to the banks of Lake Kariba in a mosaic of acacia trees, palms, rosewoods, and forest figs. It is dotted with good hotels that have cafes and patios with lake views where guests may relax while watching boats bob in the distance and the Zambezi Valley’s hills erupt across the horizon. Numerous water sports and leisure activities can be enjoyed on this, the largest reservoir in the world, while Siavonga itself is surrounded by lovely beaches and walking paths.
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
Some of the most dramatic and iconic portions of the Victoria Falls are found in Mosi-oa-Tunya, the fabled “Smoke that Thunders”. It is understandable why that section of Zambia’s magnificent river has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site given that it is the second-largest single cascade on the planet. It becomes much simpler to understand why so many tourists rush to this region of the country each year when you consider the populations of white rhinos, Angolan giraffes, zebras and the occasional elephants that also travel this route.
Kasanka National Park
Kasanka, a little location in the heart of Zambia near the DRC’s southwestern border, gives a unique look at the region’s wildlife. Mongooses and pangolins prowl the countryside and hartebeest and sable antelope congregate in the green meadows.
While the so-called Big Five game may be scarce or non-existent here, there are other, more specialised opportunities to experience the continental ecology. These include meandering boat trips and fishing excursions on the Luwombwa River, stalking sitatunga antelope through swamps and some of the most incredible bat migrations ever recorded!
