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Africa Safari Articles > Zambia Safari Articles

BUT WHY ZAMBIAN SAFARIS AND TOURISM?

But Why Zambian Safaris and Tourism?
 by: Enestle Zimba

…Because Zambian safaris are Africa's best kept secrets! They’ve made Zambia the most enticing destination in African safari today.

Livingstone in Zambia is now acclaimed, and rightly so, the southern Africa Adventure Centre!

The World Tourism Organisation (WTO) has ranked Zambia as Africa's No 1 emerging tourist destination.

The UK 2004 Trends and Spends Survey also awarded Zambia the No 10 ranking in the "best long-haul destinations". At No 10 Zambia is the only other African country in the top ten ranking

Zambia, the Land

Covering a total surface area of 752,614 square kilometers, Zambia is a large country. It is slightly larger than Texas State in the USA or slightly larger than France and Belgium combined. Zambia is generally a high plateau averaging between 1,060 metres (3,500 ft) and 1,363 metres (4,500 ft) above sea level. This makes the country’s weather mild and pleasant.

Zambia’s water surface is 11,890 square kilometers equivalent to 2% of the land surface. The water bodies are mainly from the three natural lakes in northern Zambia. The fourth is in the south, the exciting man-made Lake Kariba. When commissioned in 1957 Lake Kariba was the largest man-made lake in the world. It measures 280 kilometres long and 40 kilometres at it’s widest.

Zambia, the People

There are over 73 dialects spoken in Zambia, but the official language is English. All media and business is in English and most Zambians speak it fairly well. Out of the 73 ethnic groups (tribes) 20 celebrate special cultural ceremonies on an annual basis. These manifest customs, social life, rituals, oral history, material and spiritual culture. Visitors are welcome to watch these ceremonies.

During these traditional ceremonies the music and dance characterize quiet beauty, bustle, bounding life or brimming joy. The emphasis will vary from breathless acrobatic spectacle amid propulsive drumming to fine subtleties of sound and movement.

There is freedom of worship in Zambia with over 15 different churches. However, 60% of Zambians follow the Christian faith.

Zambia, the Natural Resources

Zambia has 19 national parks and 34 game management areas. The parks alone cover 47,662 square kilometres. This accounts for 6% of Zambian land. Some game reserves are privately owned while the major ones are state controlled. Zambia has a wide variety and a large profusion of wildlife, both large and small and including over 741 bird species.

Apart from its abundant wildlife in parks and reserves, rivers, and lakes, Zambia holds 6% of the worlds copper reserves. It also has world-class quality emeralds, aquamarines, amethyst and tourmalines.

Vegetation is savannah type with lots of trees varying in density. The climate makes Zambia suitable for a wide range of farming crops. Vegetables and fruits such as citrus, bananas, pineapples, mangoes, avocadoes, all grow everywhere.

Zambia, the Climate

Although Zambia lies in the tropics, the general height of the plateau ensures that the climate is seldom unpleasantly hot, except in the valleys. There are three seasons: the cool, dry winter season from May to September; the hot, dry season in October and November; and the rainy season, which is a little hotter, from December to April.

Find out why Zambia’s tourism is African’s best-kept secret
http://www.zambia-the-african-safari.com

About The Author

Enestle Zimba is geologist of over twenty years and manages Zambia African Safari (ZAS) part time. Enestle is dedicated to the promotion of safaris and tourism in Zambia and the conservation of wildlife and the environment.

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enestle.zimba@kcm.co.zm

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