Zambia
Zambia: Land of Water and Wildlife
Zambia is a popular tourist destination, known for its wildlife safaris, stunning scenery, and rich culture. The country is home to a wide variety of animals, including elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos, and buffalo. Visitors can also go on canoe safaris on the Zambezi River and see the Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
In addition to its natural beauty, Zambia is also a culturally diverse country. The country is home to over 70 different ethnic groups, each with its own unique traditions and customs. Visitors can learn about Zambian culture by visiting villages, attending traditional ceremonies, and tasting local cuisine.
Zambia has a rich history, dating back to the Stone Age. The country was once ruled by the powerful Mwata Kazembe kingdom, and was later colonized by the British. Zambia gained independence in 1964, and has since become a vibrant and democratic nation.
Interesting Facts About Zambia
Geography
Zambia is a landlocked country, with vast mountains and hills, measuring at 752,614 km2, making it the 39th largest country in the world, which is bordered by the Congo to the North, North East Malawi, South East is Zimbabwe and Botswana and a Southern border with Namibia. It has a population of 17,351,708 inhabitants. The north of Zambia is mostly flat with broad plains, which usually flooded during the rainy season. The Victoria Falls is situated in the South of Zambia, contributing to the Batoka Gorge. Several rivers flow throughout Zambia, and drain through the two major river basins, which contributes to the Chobe river an diverts into Angola.
History
Zambia was originally inhabited by the Khoisan people around 300AD, during such time early hunter gatherers had inhabited the land.
Early history of Zambia was passed down through word of mouth by elder generations, during the 18th century the British colonised the country, on the 24th October 1964 Zambia became independent from Britain. The country held a vast mineral wealth during this time, but due the lack of education or training of the local government after gaining its independence, it became a battle for the new government to govern. As the country was dependent on foreign trade through copper mining and minerals.
Since then Zambia, has become a prosperous tourist destination, with some of the best safari destinations!
Languages
Most guided safaris are usually conducted in English.
Other spoken languages: Bemba, Nyanja, Tonga, Lozi, Lunda, Kaonde and Luvale.
Climate
Zambia has a generally moderate climate, which is tropical. The country is classified as humid subtropical or tropical wet and dry, with small stretches of semi-arid steppe climate in the south-west and along the Zambezi valley.
November – April is the rainy season, corresponding to summer, and the dry season
May/June – October/November is the dry season, which is subdivide into a cool dry season, corresponding to winter.
May/June – August is usually the hot dry season, with frequent droughts.
However, the country has a remaining temperature of 20 °C, over most of the country giving it a warm climate throughout the year.
Electricity
Current is at a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.In Zambia there are three associated plug types, types C, D and G. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins, plug type D has three round pins in a triangular pattern and plug type G is the plug which has three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern.
Telephones and dialling codes
Zambia’s International Dialling Code is +260. Calling to Zambia, you need to dial 00 260, followed by an area code); calling from Zambia, you need to dial the relevant country code (e.g. +44 for the United Kingdom, or +1 for the United States of America).
Time difference
Zambia doesn’t operate daylight saving time and is two hours in the advance of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2) during the entire year.
Customs allowances
- Alcoholic beverages not exceeding 1.5 litres of spirits,2.5litres of wine and 2.5 litres of clear beer per person over the age of 18.
- 400 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars or 500gm tobacco per person over the age of 18.
- Perfume not exceeding 50ml and eau de toilette not exceeding 250ml per person.
- New or used goods to the value of US$ 1000.
Prohibited Items
You are not allowed to bring into Zambia prohibited goods such as narcotics, illegal drugs in any form, automatic weapons, military weapons, unnumbered weapons, poison and toxic substances. Counterfeit bank notes and coins, obscene material, pirated or counterfeit goods.
Driving
Drive cautiously on these roads, as on most there are no side walks for pedestrians. Provincial/ main roads are well maintained, otherwise the general condition of the roads are not amazing, but you wont be on the roads for long, as most tourist would be 4X4 game driving and enjoying the divers culture and warm local hospitality.