What to See in Zambia for First Time Travelers?
Renowned for on-foot adventures and vast national parks, Zambia has plenty to offer. On its southern border, the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls crash massively down into the Zambezi Gorge, making it one of the seven natural wonders of the world. It offers visitors a wide range of adventure sports and sheer beauty. This UNESCO World Heritage site is a popular tourist destination for travelers visiting Zambia.
South Luangwa National Park, a famed wildlife haven, contains some of the most breathtaking and untouched wilderness in Africa. The park is famous for its walking safaris, which enable visitors to meet with elephants, hippos and even lions under the supervision of the professional armed guides.
Lower Zambezi is a place where visitors can look forward to an array of wonderful activities along the Zambezi River, including game drives, walking safaris, canoe trips, and excellent tiger fishing.
Kafue National Park is the largest park in the country and the second-largest in Africa. Visitors have the opportunity to spot a wide range of African wildlife and catch a glimpse of the countless bird species there.
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South Luangwa National Park
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African village
When is the Best Time to Visit Zambia?
The best time to visit Zambia is during the dry season between June and October, when the skies are cobalt blue, the days are hot, and the nights are cool. You will have an excellent chance of viewing lots of wildlife in the main parks and the Victoria Falls is also at its best during this period. While during the wet season from November to May, many of the national parks and camps are closed, the animals are harder to spot, and the washed-out roads make the travel difficult.
Do I Need a Visa for Zambia Tours?
The tourist or business visa is required for most nationalities. Visa can be obtained in advance from the Zambian Missions abroad or applied online. It can also be available at the point of entry. You will need to pay US$ cash if you plan to purchase it upon arrival. Please check with your nearest Zambian Embassy for more information.
How to Get to and Travel around Zambia?
Zambia's main airport is Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN), 14 km from the capital Lusaka, from where you can fly or drive to the main national parks. Most visitors will also fly in and out of the Livingstone Airport (LVI) if their safari is combined with a tour of the Victoria Falls.
Flights, buses, vehicles are available to travel around Zambia. The only domestic carrier running scheduled flights is Proflight. Most of the areas worth visiting are accessible by charter flights. Long range buses frequently leave from Lusaka to all the main towns, but they don't always follow strict schedules. If you're doing a self-drive vehicle trip through Zambia, it is a good idea to carry a range of tools and essential spares with you.
In most cases, your local tour operator will well organize your transportations as part of your all-inclusive safari package.
What is the Currency of Zambia and the Best Way to Pay for Things?
The currency in Zambia is the Kwacha (ZMW). But some prices are quoted in US$, and it is therefore possible to use dollars and pounds to pay in some large hotels and tourist-driven establishments. ATMs can be found in Zambia's major cities, but are less commonly found in rural areas.
