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ZAMBIA | 5 REASONS TO VISIT ZAMBIA
FIVE REASONS to visit ZAMBIA [ WRITER: Mindy Roberts ]
[ PHOTOS: Time + Tide ]
Over the years I’ve heard people confuse Zambia with Zimbabwe and the former Zaire. A guest actually said to me once, not too many years ago as we stood in the South Luangwa, Zambia: “I’m so happy to be here in Zaire, I’ve always wanted to come,” and I’ve previously been asked: “So whereabouts in South Africa is Zambia?” But Zambia should be taken seriously in its own right, thanks to the unbeatable wildlife viewing, incredibly diverse landscapes, and not to mention, one of the world’s natural wonders, the Victoria Falls. As someone who lived in the country for almost a decade, I wanted to put together my top five reasons to visit one of the continent’s lesser lauded countries.
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The Guides Zambia has some of the best guides in the world. Most guides are born and bred in the Zambian bush, so understanding the natural world is second nature to them. They genuinely love what they do and have a passion for wildlife. I’ve often seen a guide of 15 or 20 years come back more excited than the guests with what they’ve just witnessed. Every year more than one of the companies in Zambia have their guiding team nominated for ‘best guiding’ awards around the world. And many of them have won those awards year after year. Safety is of utmost importance when it comes to guiding, and the Zambian guides have to continuously complete stringent exams for walking in the bush, canoeing, and boating, as well as maintain advanced driving and first aid skills.
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Remote, vast and magical – Liuwa Plain National Park Liuwa Plain National Park is one of Africa’s greatest secrets; home to the second largest migration of wildebeest in the world. Located in the western part of Zambia, it is an exclusive and remote area spread across over 3,600km2. Liuwa is a photographer’s dream with hyena displaying amazing apex hunting behaviour and their pups so cute. One of my favourite safaris ever was sitting by a den for hours,the only people in the Park…I was never sure if we were watching the hyena or they were watching us; their gaze so curious and clever. The birdlife is also extraordinary – even non birders will be captivated.
TRAVEL & LEISURE | Sept - Dec 2021
