Lusaka, Zambia’s cosmopolitan capital, is a typical modern African city. Set on open plains at the heart of the country, northeast of the capital, the city serves as Zambia’s rapidly developing economic and transport hub with new buildings popping up everywhere and many chain stores and shopping malls springing up all over the sprawling suburbs. Lusaka’s wide, tree-lined boulevards feature a range of tourist facilities including hotels, guest houses, coffee shops, fast food outlets, nightclubs, and pubs. Visitor attractions include the Henry Tayali Gallery, showcasing local artworks; The National Museum, covering Zambia's colonial history; the Lilayi Elephant Orphanage; and a number of colourful markets. Don’t miss the popular Munda Wanga Environmental Park where you will find a Wildlife Park and Sanctuary, Botanical Gardens, Recreational Village, and an Environmental Education Centre.
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.
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.
Bordering the Luangwa River, the northern and southern Luangwa National Parks contain some of the most breathtaking and untouched wilderness in Africa. As a result of this and the parks’ successful anti-poaching campaigns, the area has developed into a world-renowned wildlife haven. The South Luangwa National Park is renowned for its walking safari, which allows visitors to view elephant, hippo and even lion close-up under the supervision of professional and knowledgeable armed guides.
Although in Mozambican waters, Likoma Island is Malawian territory and is the larger of the two inhabited islands of Lake Malawi, measuring seventeen square kilometres across. The island boasts some lovely beaches, friendly locals, and predominantly flat terrain with a baobab dotted southern side. It is home to the headquarters of the University Mission to Central Africa, Livingstone’s mission, and hence it remained British territory when the Lake was divided politically after World War Two. The island is famous for the large, beautiful St. Peter's Cathedral, featuring numerous stained glass windows and intricate soapstone details. Visitors can relax on pristine beaches, snorkel and dive in the crystal-clear waters, and enjoy a variety of watersports.
