Zambia, Three Reasons Why-

Zambia still evokes to many people the age old African tropes of timelessness, poverty and tribalism.  It is a country that sounds distinctively African but its whereabouts is still largely unknown to many. Indeed, despite hosting the world’s largest tourism assembly, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s (UNWTO), last year Zambia is still a difficult country to place on the map. This hasn’t been helped by its position as a landlocked nation in sub-Saharan Africa surrounded by its news-loud neighbours Zimbabwe and the Congo.  However, the UNWTO event has gone a long way to remedy Zambia’s silent rise as an attractive tourist destination. This strong sign of intent marked by the UNTWO assembly is not lacking in substance. From the minute you land in Lusaka, the nation’s rapidly modernising capital, everything seems to aspire to undermine the stereotypical understanding of sub-Saharan Africa and engages the visitor to embark on a journey of awe, culture and adventure to find Zambia’s heart.

Awe

One moment from Zambia, specifically Livingston, which will stick with you for a lifetime is not the terrifying  bungee jump, nor the extreme grade 5 + white water rafting or even the incredible safari trips – it was merely walking in the Victoria Falls national park. The lush tropical setting of the park and its inhabitants of cheeky sandwich-stealing monkeys and the nervous excitement of knowing something spectacular is around the corner adds up to an atmosphere that gives you a feeling of kinship with the great explorer Dr Livingston. Despite being surrounded by array of camera wielding tourists, the national park still holds an aspect of rawness. Crossing the Indiana Jones styled bridge to the cliff stack that sits right in front of the falls, dressed only in boots, shorts and a hat is nothing short of amazing. There is something primal and Eden-like to dance, wet-through, on a cliff edge, surrounded by a perpetual rainbow whilst facing the world’s greatest waterfall.           

(Source: Southern African Places -website)

Culture

Taking the time to witness one of Zambia’s major cultural festivals highlights how the country has been able to balance its increasing popularity whilst keeping its essence. The pomp and glory and unashamedly fanciful approach of the royal Kuomboka ceremony for example share’s a certain parallel with Queen Elizabeth’s diamond jubilee over-the-top boat procession. Rarely seen by visitors, this ceremony celebrates the flooding of the Zambezi River with a procession led by the king of the Lozi people whose simple act of moving to his high water residence has become an annual and ancient traditional event dating as far back as 300 years ago. Amidst the royal barges, the milieu of native outfits and a crescendo of musical instruments the sudden appearance of the Lozi King dressed as a Victorian ambassador not only brings home the slight madness we all love in royal ceremonies but is evidence of how the historical development of the ceremony has not been tampered with.

Adventure

Canoeing will never be the same again if you do it on the Zambezi, or indeed on any river that flows through Zambia. The placid lakes and rivers of the UK will seem bland in comparison once you’ve canoed alongside elephants, hippos and giraffes. Canoe expeditions are  also the answer if you want to see exotic animals and avoid the ethical minefield that are safari’s or indeed, escape the risk of paying money to see something that might not decide to show. Despite a slightly chequered history, canoe safaris in Zambia are now heavily regulated and have extensive safety regulations.  So for those who are feeling brave you can expect a canoe expedition that showcases Zambia’s, epic wildlife, beautiful birdlife, idyllic rural villages, fairy-tale sunsets and camp-outs in the raw wilderness. Not to be missed.