Zambia: Places to Visit

Places to Visit in Zambia
By Suzie Jones 

Victoria Falls
Described by David Livingstone as 'the most wonderful sight I had witnessed in Africa', Zambia's spectacular Victoria Falls (known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya which means the Smoke that Thunders), it is very accessible and very well managed. Although millions of tourists visit it each year and your chances of seeing the Falls in private are not very good, it is not overly touristy.

The more adventurous could try walking across the footbridge. You will have to brave the misty clouds to get a close up or even go white-water rafting or even bungee jumping.

During full flood it is the largest single sheet of falling water in the world with 500 000 cubic meters of water plunging over the edge every minute. It is at this time (around March and April) when the full power of the falls can be witnessed in all its splendour. However you won't be able to see it on foot due to the spray.

Shiwa Ng'andu - Africa House
Described in a book by Christina Lamb this house is an architectural marvel. It is the feudal dream of the complex and eccentric Sir Stewart Gore-Browne.

This 5 bedroomed house, though in the middle of Africa in a 10,000 hectare game ranch, is a thoroughly English abode right down to daily muster parades, rose gardens and liveried servants and all of this overlooking the Lake of Royal Crocodiles. The house can be experienced as a guest house today.

The best time to visit is from May to October. Bring a good pair or binoculars (for the bird life) and a comfy pair of walking boots.

To find out more about Christina Lamb's book click the link below:

Lake Bangweulu
Large, wild and remote – this Wetland of International Importance remains the home of local people who live pretty much as their distant ancestors did.

With a very high rainfall the swamps are rich with bird and animal life and it is possible to paddle in canoes through the reed islands looking out for mammals from sitatunga to herds of elephant and buffalo.

19 March 2008