Zambia is situated mainly on a vast plateau 3000 metres above sea level and boasts the Zambezi, Kafue and Luangwa Rivers. One of the largest waterfalls in the world, Victoria Falls, is found in Zambia and is shared with neighbouring Zimbabwe. Zambia’s neighbours are: Democratic Republic of Congo to the north and north-west, Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi to the East, Mozambique to the south-east, Zimbabwe to the south, Botswana and Namibia to the south-west and Angola to the West. Lusaka is the country's capital. Livingstone is well known to travellers as the 'adventure capital' and is just ten kilometres from the Victoria Falls.

When it comes to wildlife, Zambia offers impressive diversity as well as large concentrations and numbers along with some of the wildest and most remote game areas on the continent. Endemic subspecies of giraffe and wildebeest are found in the Luangwa, while enormous herds of black lechwe inhabit the floodplains of the Bangweulu. Birdlife is particularly prolific, with 740 bird species found here, including many specials; it is the southernmost extreme of the bizarre-looking African shoebill's range for example and one of the best places to see this sought-after species.

It was in Zambia that the concept of walking safaris originated as the best way of enjoying the rich flora and fauna of the country's 19 national parks. Add to this numerous adrenalin activities on the Zambezi River, such as river rafting, bungee jumping, abseiling and canoeing, Zambia qualifies as an all-round excellent travel destination. Here one can catch some of the biggest tiger fish in Africa within sight of a large elephant herd on the Lower Zambezi, fly over the mighty Victoria Falls, or view leopard on a kill at night.

The Victoria Falls

Described by the Kololo tribe living in the area in the 1800’s as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ - ‘the Smoke that Thunders’ and in more modern terms as ‘the greatest known curtain of falling water’, Victoria Falls is a spectacular sight of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur on the Zambezi River. Columns of spray can be seen from miles away as 546 million cubic meters of water per minute plummet over the edge (at the height of the flood season) over a width of nearly two kilometres into a deep gorge over 100 meters below. The wide basalt cliff, over which the falls thunder, transforms the Zambezi from a wide placid river to a ferocious torrent cutting through a series of dramatic gorges.

Facing the falls is another sheer wall of basalt, rising to the same height and capped by mist-soaked rain forest. A path along the edge of the forest provides the visitor who is prepared to brave the tremendous spray with an unparalleled series of views of the falls.

One special vantage point is across the Knife Edge Bridge, where visitors can have the finest view of the Eastern Cataract and the Main Falls as well as the Boiling Pot where the river turns and heads down the Batoka Gorge. Other vantage points include the Falls Bridge and the Lookout Tree which commands a panoramic view across the Main Falls.

The Royal Livingstone Hotel is a stones throw away from the Victoria Falls.



The Zambezi River

The Zambezi is Africa’s fourth largest river system, after the Nile, Zaire and Niger Rivers. Running for a length of 2700 kms, it begins its journey as an insignificant little spring in the corner of north-west Zambia in the Mwinilunga District and runs through six countries on its journey from central Africa to the Indian Ocean.

Its unique value is that it is less developed than others in terms of human settlement and many areas along its banks enjoy protected status. Its power has carved the spectacular Victoria Falls and the zigzagging Batoka Gorge and its beauty has attracted tourists from all over the world providing opportunities for a myriad of water sports and game viewing.

The River Club and Tongabezi are all situated on the banks of the Zambezi River, close to the Victoria Falls.



Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is situated along the upper Zambezi stretching from and including the Falls for about 12 kms up river. It is only 66 square kilometres but provides a home for numerous antelope species, zebra, giraffe and the recently acquired white rhino. These are the only rhinos to be seen in Zambia. Since there are no predators, the animals are very relaxed and afford some excellent photo opportunities.

Sussi and Chuma Lodge are situated in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.



Lower Zambezi National Park

The Lower Zambezi National Park lies on the north bank of the Zambezi River in south eastern Zambia. It gently slopes from the Zambezi Escarpment down to the river, straddling two main woodland savannah eco-regions distinguished by the dominant types of tree, Miombo and Mopane: southern Miombo woodlands on higher ground in the north and Zambezian and Mopane woodlands on lower slopes in the south. At the edge of the river is floodplain habitat.

Most large mammals in the national park congregate on the floodplain including buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard, many antelope species, crocodile and hippopotamus. There are also numerous species of birds.

Zambezi Kulefu Camp is situated in this area.



Kafue National Park

Kafue National Park is the largest national park in Zambia, covering an area of about 22 400 square kilometres (similar in size to Wales or Massachusetts). It is the second largest park in Africa and is home to over 55 different species of animals. Busanga Bush Camp, Kapinga Camp, Lunga River Lodge and Shumba Camp are situated in the Kafue National Park.

The park is named after the Kafue River. It stretches over three provinces: north-western, central and southern. The main access is via the Great West Road from Lusaka to Mongu which crosses the park north of its centre. Seasonal dirt roads also link from Kalomo and Namwala in the south and south-east and Kasempa in the north. Most of the park lies in the Central Zambezian Miombo woodlands eco-region characterised by savanna grasslands with Miombo tree species, growing thickly in some patches, with a few small dambos (grasslands which become marshy in the rainy season) interspresed among them.

In the south there are stony hills and rocky outcrops where the sparser Zambezian and Mopane woodlands eco-region takes over and Mopane trees adapted to hotter drier conditions replace Miombo. A thin belt of evergreen forest lines the banks of the Kafue River.

A large number of plains game such as puku, lechwe, zebra, buffalo, wildebeest and roan antelope can be experienced. Another big attraction is the predators including wild dog, lion and cheetah.



South Luangwa National Park

South Luangwa National Park in eastern Zambia, the southernmost of three national parks in the valley of the Luangwa River, is a world-renowned wildlife haven. It is here that you will find Chichele Presidential Lodge. It supports large populations of thorneycroft's giraffe, herds of elephant and buffalo often several hundred strong, while the Luangwa River supports abundant crocodiles and hippopotamuses. One can also experience lion, spotted hyena, leopard, puku, impala, waterbuck, warthog and kudu. Puku Ridge Camp is situated in the South Luangwa National Park.

It is one of the best-known national parks in Africa for walking safaris. Founded as a game reserve in 1938, it became a national park in 1972 and now covers 9,050 square kilometres. The Muchinga Escarpment in northern and central Provinces forms the park's western or north-western boundary, it slopes down from there to the river, lying mostly on its western bank.



Zambia’s Climate

The general height of the land gives Zambia a more pleasant climate than that experienced in most tropical countries. There are three seasons - cool and dry from May to August, hot and dry from September to November, warm and wet from December to April.

Only in the valleys of the Zambezi and Luangwa is there excessive heat and humidity, particularly in the wet season.

In the warm wet season, frequent heavy showers and thunderstorms occur, followed by spells of bright sunshine. Plants grow profusely and rivers and streams fill up almost overnight.

During the cool dry season, night frosts may occur in places sheltered from the wind.

Temperatures rise during the hot, dry season but new leaves appear on the trees before the start of the rains and new grass brightens the countryside. The main growing period of woody vegetation is between August and November.

The Republic of Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in the southern part of the continent of Africa. Zimbabwe is blessed with fertile soils, mineral wealth and wonderful scenery.

It borders South Africa to the south, Botswana to the south-west, Zambia to the north-west and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe also meets Namibia to the west at a single point. To the south, Zimbabwe is separated from South Africa by the Limpopo River. The north-western border is defined by the Zambezi River. Zimbabwe's highest peak is Mount Nyangani (formerly Mount Inyangani), at 2,592 m (8,504 ft); it lies within the Nyanga National Park in the east of the country. The lowest point of Zimbabwe is the junction of the Runde and Save Rivers 162 m (531 ft).

The official language of Zimbabwe is English, however the majority of the population speaks Shona which is the native language of the Shona people and one of the native languages of Zimbabwe along with Sindebele which is spoken by the Matabele people.

Victoria Falls/Zambezi River

Situated just 40 kilometres upstream from the magnificent Victoria Falls, Matetsi Water Lodge extends over 45 000 hectares (111 200 acres) of pristine African wilderness ­ the largest private wildlife concession in the country. With 15 kilometres (nine miles) of exclusive Zambezi River frontage, Matetsi offers an unrivalled river experience in addition to spectacular game viewing and bird watching.



Malilangwe Private Wildlife Reserve

Singita Pamushana Lodge is situated in the Malilangwe Private Wildlife Reserve which is set on105 000 acres of private wilderness in Zimbabwe. The region is embraced by the Malilangwe Mountain range and is famous for its cathedral Mopane forests and majestic African Baobab trees. Malilangwe is an area where you will also find over one hundred rock art sites that date back more than two thousand years.

The region is home to a wide variety of game including seventy black rhino (one of the highest concentrations of this endangered species on the continent) as well as the rare roan antelope and sable. Malilangwe also offers elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion, klipspringer, oribi, grey duiker, steenbok, grysbok, suni, nyala and the African wild dog. Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve is teeming with birds and is home to 14 types of eagle.



Zimbabwe’s Climate

Zimbabwe's climate is largely tropical; however this is moderated by altitude. It has a short rainy season which lasts about four months between November and March. The terrain of Zimbabwe is mostly high plateau with higher central plateau (high veldt) and a mountainous range in the east.