Zambian Traveler? Here Is What You Should Know!General information Are you a Zambian traveler? Welcome to Zambia, the land of the big five: the Lion, the Leopard, the Elephant, the Rhino and the Giraffe.
The following are the facts and figures on the country… Ranked as one of the best countries where to spend your holidays, Zambia welcomes you to the heart beat of Africa. Never short of wild game, has plenty of waters and sun shine. Zambia is apparently a multi-ethnic and multi-racial country run by an elected president. Currently, the Zambian government is headed by President Rupiah Bwezani Banda. The country has experienced a massive increase in tourism and trade. Name it: traditional ceremonies, game viewing, natural resources, social life - it’s all there. Accommodation ranges from five to three rated hotels, motels and lodges to back packers inns and camps. English is the official language and the Kwacha is the national currency and is convertible. The major local languages spoken are Bemba, Lozi, Luvale, Kaonde, Tonga and Senga. But don’t be fooled, the country is made up of several tribes, estimated to be around seventy, each one with its own language or a similar of other larger languages. Situated in the Southern part of Africa, Zambia is a landlocked country bordered by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Tanzania. The country is about seven hundred and fifty three thousand square kilometers. Most of which is made up of savannas or sparsely wooded grassland. With a population of about 12 million, the countryside is sparsely populated. The population consists of 98% African, 1.1 % European and 0.2% other races. Of these, Christians dominate, followed by Islam, and Hindu. Some people still believe in traditional beliefs. This captivating country’s biggest industry is copper mining. Although most of the population, about 85%, depends on agriculture, 6% are in the service industry and the rest are in other industries. You can get into the country by road through any of its neighbors or alternatively you can fly into Zambia by using any of its airports. Public and religious holidays Through out the year, Zambia commemorates over 12 public and religious holidays Seasons The country has three seasons: the cool and the dry Season, the hot and dry season and the hot and wet season. Zambia is divided into nine provinces and each share a border with a neighboring country. Lusaka province Lusaka city, centrally located is not only the capital of the country but of Lusaka province as well. With a population of over a million, it is the biggest city in the country. You can travel from Lusaka to any part of the country either by road or by air to such places as Ndola, Livingstone, Mfuwe in Luangwa national park and Solewzi. It is serviced by major international carriers like British Airways, South African Airways etc. Central province Further north is Kabwe, the provincial capital of central province. The province is home to the excavations of the broken hill man. This town lies on the great north road and can be accessed using the afore-mentioned road and by rail. Copperbelt province Up north is the copperbelt province. As the name implies, the province derives its name from its rich copper deposits. All the major cities on the copperbelt i.e. Ndola, the capital, Kitwe, Luanshya, Mufulira and Chingola were originally copper mining towns. Mining still remains the most common occupation in this province. The province is the most urbanized in the sub Sahara region. Traveling within the province is easy and accommodation is easily accessible. The Zambian economy is still driven by revenue from the mines on this stretch of land. You can fly directly to the copperbelt by using the Ndola international airport. If you happen to be in the province in early July, you are welcome to the Ndola international trade fair. The fair attracts exhibitors from all over the world, including the host country, Zambia and you the Zambian traveler! North Western province The copper mining trend has grown further north to the North-Western province, where new mines are being developed and new ones being revamped. Solwezi town is the capital of this province and is its biggest town. The North-Western province is home to the source of the Mighty Zambezi River, which stretches up to the Indian Ocean. Western province South of North Western province lies the western province, famous for the Kuomboka Ceremony of the Lozi people. The ceremony, done annually is a movement of the Lozis from their flooded plains to higher ground. Traveling to this area is by road or air. Mongu, a vibrant young town with a rural surrounding, is the capital of this province. Southern province Livingstone befits the itinerary of the Zambian traveler. This is the home of one the wonders of the world, the Mighty Victoria Falls or as the local people call it, the Mosi-O-Tunya, i.e. the smoke that thunders. Named after the Scottish explorer, David Livingstone, the city is the capital of southern province and is a favorite destination for a Zambian traveler. Located on the Zambia-Zimbabwe boarder, it’s one place endowed with natural wonders. The scenery is beautiful and is full of wild game. Home of Africa’s biggest man made lake; the city is full of historical buildings. Constructed in 1909 is the North Western hotel, now a historical monument. It’s the oldest existing hotel in the country, and also the Barotse garden is now historical. Visitors can enjoy Helicopter rides over the Victoria Falls, white water rafting, canoeing and river safaris, open vehicle safaris and many more. Eastern province Of the four international airports in the country, Mfuwe airport has a unique setting. Situated in the Luangwa game park in Eastern Province, it is the only one not found in an urban area. Chipata town, south of the Mfuwe is the biggest town in the province and also the capital. Reclusively situated, Mfuwe is serviced by direct flights or chartered flights from Lusaka. Are you a Zambian traveler? This is a place to be if you need a quiet working holiday. Northern province Out of Zambia’s nine provinces, the most northern and the biggest is the Northern Province. This is where you find the town of Mpulungu, the only port in the country. Mpulungu port is on the shoes of Lake Tanganyika which is shared by the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania. Fishing is the most popular activity in Mpulungu and for game lovers, you can go to the nearby Nsumbu National park. The biggest town in the province is Kasama, which is on the route to Mpulungu. Apart from the fresh water of Lake Mpulungu and the wild life, a visit to the breath-taking Kalambo Falls is a place the Zambian traveler should not miss. Traditional ceremonies Almost all provinces in Zambia have a traditional Ceremony. Ukusefya Pang’wena of Chief Chitimukulu is one ceremony you can’t afford to miss in Northern Province. The Bembas, in this ceremony are celebrating and remembering their ancestors who traveled from the Luba-Lunda Kingdom. This ceremony comes in August and is not restricted to the Bembas only. All ceremonies in Zambia are celebrated by people from all walks of life, tribe, and race. The Luvale people of the North Western province hold their Likumbi Lya Mize Ceremony towards the later half of the year. Likumbi Lya Mize simply means ‘Mize’s day’. Shimunenga ceremony of the Ila takes place in October. If you happen to be in Southern province during this time, this is one event you sure would not miss. Kulamba traditional ceremony of the Chewa people in the Eastern Province had for many years brought together Chewa chiefs and their subjects from the three republics of Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. Be sure to put one or all of these ceremonies on your calendar. The most interesting aspects about this beautiful country is its richness and abundance of nature and its beautiful landscape. With so many places to visit and so many smiles for her people, as a Zambian traveler, you will be glad that you are home away from home! Are you a Zambian traveler? A Zambian traveler who has packed her bag and ready for a long journey? Well you surely have known every thing about Zambia now!
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