Location Information

Livingstone, Zambia
Language: English
Currency: Kwacha (ZMK)

The Republic of Zambia is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Zambia is border by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and Angola.

The original inhabitants of modern day Zambia were bushmen (also called San), who were hunters and gatherers who lived a nomadic life, with stone age technology. Mainly they gathered fruits and nuts, but they also hunted antelope, until the 1st century AD, when technologically-advanced migrating tribes began to displace or absorb them. In the 12th century, major waves of Bantu-speaking immigrants arrived during the Bantu expansion. The earliest account of a European visiting the area was Francisco de Lacerda in the late 18th century, followed by other explorers in the 19th century. The most prominent of these was David Livingstone, who had a vision of ending the slave trade through the "3 C's" (Christianity, Commerce and Civilization). In 1888, the British South Africa Company, led by Cecil Rhodes, obtained mineral rights from the Litunga, the king of the Lozi for the area which later became North Western Rhodesia.

Although Zambia lies in the tropics, the height of the plateau ensures that the climate is seldom unpleasantly hot, except in the valleys. There are three seasons: the cool, dry winter season from May to September; the hot, dry season in October and November; and the rainy season, which is even hotter, from December to April.

Lusaka has many attractions including nightclubs, restaurants, cinemas, the Kabwata Cultural Village, the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, the Munda Wanga Botanical Gardens and Zoo and the Lusaka National Museum.

The Zambian government has long recognized the economic importance of its wildernesses and is acutely aware of environmental concerns: almost one-third of the country is given over to national parks and game reserves. Tourism is mostly concentrated in eight of the 19 parks. Situated in the centre of the southern half of the country, Kafue encompasses a huge area (22,500 sq km/8687 sq miles) and is the second largest National Park in the world. Noted for its beauty, the park is bisected by the Kafue River, which attracts hundreds of species of birds and offers good game fishing.

Regarded as one of the most exciting game reserves in the world, the Luangwa Valley is home to a huge variety of animals: among many others, elephants, hippo, lions, zebras, giraffes, antelopes, buffaloes, monkeys and wild dogs. Blossoming trees and exotic flowers set the scene.

Lusaka has dancing and floorshows in the main hotels, cinemas and theatres. The Copperbelt and Livingstone areas offer a variety of entertainments including casinos and nightclubs. Very popular among travellers are boat trips on the river with a few drinks.

Livingstone is a historic colonial city and present capital of the Southern Province of Zambia.

Livingstone town is named after missionary and explorer David Livingstone, and is located about 10km from the falls. Known as the tourism capital of Zambia, the town is probably better oriented towards visitors than anywhere else in the country.

The main street of this quaint colonial town is the important Mosi-Oa-Tunya Road, sections of which are lined with classic colonial buildings. These Victorian tin roofed houses with wooden verandas, many of which are decaying, are a typical example of the English settler architecture.

Medical Precautions:

Compulsory Vaccinations:
Yellow Fever

Recommended Vaccinations:
Hepatitis A
Typoid
Tetanus

Precautions:
Malaria Prophylaxis