ZAMBIA
 

Zambia is a landlocked country in Southern-Central Africa covering 752, 618km². It is divided into 9 provinces. This country, formerly known as Northern Rhodesia, gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1964 and today operates as a fully democratic country. The last elections were held in September 2011 which Michael Sata’s Patriotic Front won.

Zambia’s natural attractions have become very popular destinations among travellers from all over the world in the last couple of years. The Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall on planet earth based on a combination of width and height, and South Luangwa National Park, one of Africa’s top animal sanctuaries, draw a lot of people to this lovely country. Tourism contributes 2,3% of the Zambia’s Gross Domestic Product and directly supports roughly 22 000 jobs all over the country.

Zambian people are known for their friendly smiles. They like to sing and dance and they posses an incredible ability to make a good plan out of nothing. If there is a tree where you want to build your shop, build a tree-shop!

Here are some interesting points about Zambia.

• The name Zambia was derived from the name of the Zambezi River which means ‘God’s River’. This 3540km long river is the fourth largest in Africa.
• Zambia has a population of nearly 13million spread amongst more than 73 tribes.
• The capital city of Zambia is Lusaka, with a population of about 1,5million.
• English is the official language of Zambia but more than 70 languages are spoken all across the country.
• Here are some words that you can use here at Wildlife Camp:
  • Hello: Bwanji
  • Goodbye: Pitani Bwino
  • How are you?: Muli Bwanji
  • I am fine: Ndili Bwino
  • Thank you very much: Zikomo kwambili
• The Zambian currency is called the Zambian Kwacha and is produced in denominations of 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10 000, 20 000 and 50 000 kwacha notes.
• The African Fish Eagle is the national bird of Zambia, and can often be heard calling above the Luangwa River.
• According to a BBC article in late 2011, Zambia has a reputation for political stability and a relatively efficient, transparent government.
• Like in the rest of Southern Africa, people drive on the left hand side of the road.
• Fuel is readily available in most major towns and cities, but shortages are common in the more rural areas.
• Nationals of countries, which require visas to enter Zambia for the purpose of visiting friends or relatives or for the purpose of travel (less than 30days) should be issued with visas at Zambian Missions abroad or ports of entry.
• To see if you need to obtain a visa to visit Zambia, go to http://www.zambiaimmigration.gov.zm/node/53
• Airport departure taxes apply for many local ($11) and international ($25) flights.
• Travellers may, for their own consumption, bring into Zambia 2,5l. of duty-free beer, wine or spirits as well as 400 cigarettes or 500gms of tobacco.
• Zambia is in the GMT +2 time-zone.
• Local current is 220volt, 50 cycle AC.
• Zambia exports about 675,000t of copper annually.
• Zambia has experienced growth over the past few decades – in 1938 there were only eight doctors in the entire country.
• Zambia is the 39th largest country in the world (based on total area), smaller than Chile but larger than Burma.
• Zambia is the 70th largest country in the world (based on population), with less people than Cambodia but more people than Zimbabwe.
• In an average calendar year, Zambia will experience two distinct seasons; the rainy season between November and April, and the dry season between May and October.
• In 1855, on his search for the source of the Nile River, David Livingstone explored large parts of Zambia. He stumbled upon one of the Victoria Falls.
• Zambia is bordered by eight countries: Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Botswana.
• Zambia’s staple food is Nshima, a porridge-like dish made from maize-flour. Nshima is often eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
• The most common local beer is Mosi Lager, followed by Eagle Lager.

With travellers from all over the world looking for places off-the-beaten track to travel to, Zambia is now ranked amongst the top safari-destinations in Africa, spearheaded by the beauty of the South Luangwa National Park!