Johannesburg was initially developed in response to the discovery of gold in the mineral-rich area called Witwatersrand. Today, it is the business center of the country and has an urban area population of around 15 million people, making it one of the world’s largest cities in both area size and population. Johannesburg, affectionately known as Joburg or Jozi to its residents, has also re-incorporated Soweto (once one of the largest townships in the world) back into it. Soweto, which stands for “southwestern townships,” was separate from the city during apartheid and was home to many of the city’s gold and diamond workers.
Located on the Zimbabwean border in the southern reaches of Zambia, the Lower Zambezi region is best known as the home to the Lower Zambezi National Park which features exceptional, undeveloped wildlife areas. It is renowned for its abundant game - hippos, buffalo, crocodiles, fish eagles, and herds of elephants can be spotted, among other species. The landscape is characterised by rugged, unspoilt wilderness of vast floodplains, scattered with indigenous woodlands. Visitors can look forward to an array of wonderful activities along the Zambezi including game drives, walking safaris, canoe trips, and excellent tiger fishing.
Kafue is Zambia’s largest national park, comprising two distinct sections, of which the northern section is the biggest and shelters the highest concentrations of game. Resident species include elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo and antelope, while hippos and waterbirds thrive in the wetlands of the Busanga Plains. This marshy wilderness extends across approximately 750 square kilometres which, during the rainy season, becomes a veritable deluge. Once the rains cease and the waters subside, a blanket of lush, grassy vegetation if left behind, attracting vast numbers of antelope and other grazers. Several camps are situated in Northern Kafue, offering a variety of accommodation, ranging from budget to luxury.
“Victoria Falls” was the name given by the well-known European explorer Dr. David Livingstone when he first laid eyes upon them in 1855. The local Batonga people had named them Mosi-oa-Tunya which translates to “the smoke that thunders” – both names are still in use today. The falls are believed to be the largest in the world in terms of the sheer volume of water that crashes over them (over 300,000 gallons of water go over the Falls every second during the rainy season). The entire falls area is protected; Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park makes up the Zambian side, while Victoria Falls National Park makes up the Zimbabwean side. Livingstone, or Maramba, once a small town is now a bustling tourism centre, rich in culture and history with a host of adrenaline-infused experiences to choose from including bungee jumping, abseiling, gorge swinging, white water rafting, kayaking, canoeing, and jet boating. For visitors seeking a more relaxed experience, there are countless other activities on offer too. Visit the fascinating Livingstone Museum, take a helicopter flight over the roaring fall, or experience a superb game drive in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.
