Zambia

doom

Hi guys,

Has anyone been to Zambia before ... ? What is it like ... ? Is it a safe country to visit ... ?

What is the capital city Lusaka like ... ?

Any views appreciated ... :beer:

Thanks

matthew74

There is one reason to holiday to Zambia - the wildlife. It is as good as it gets if you go to the right place. I wouldn't hang around Lusaka too long.

travellerboy

Best views of Victoria Falls are from the Zambian side, don't miss.

trrk

Check out the Lonely Planet Thorntree forum for Zambia and you'll find plenty of travellers who have been there.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forum.jspa?forumID=9&keywordid=56

In the drier season Victoria Falls is much better from the Zimababew side though you can stay in Zambia and make a day trip.

It can be an awkard place to deal with money as their currency is a bit useless. $US and South African rand are widely accepted for tourist activities.

davidlizard

Been to Zambia twice. Vic falls definitely worth seeing. The walk down to the bottom of it is well worth doing if you can.

Visiting in the dry or wet seasons both have their advantages and drawbacks. In the dry season its much easier to see wildlife as water is scarer, vegetation less lush, and you can see much of it at waterholes. Of course, the falls are much less spectacular.

However after the rains when the falls are at their most impressive, there is so much water going over the falls that they are difficult to see as there is so much spray and mist (and for goodness sake keep your passport/money/camera in something waterproof!!!).

Away from the falls in the Livingstone environment, there is a smallish gamepark which did have some Rhinos, but they have probably been poached now. Not too much in Livingstone itself - a small museum with some of David Livingstones possessions, and Kenneth Kuandas motorbike are probably the main things to see.

There may be a sizeable fee these days for crossing the Zim/Zam border so thats worth checking. Also nearby is the Chobe game reserve in Botswana that is also worth a visit.

matthew74

Yes Vic falls is fantastic. The 2 main game viewing areas in Zambia are Kafue National Park (West of Lusaka) and South Luangwa (North East of Lusaka). South Luangwa is one of the great parks of the world and utterly awe inspiring. Totally unmissable.