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Bradt Guide Zambia
Ref: BRA082
Zambia is one of the best destinations in Africa for walking safaris, river safaris, hot springs and waterfalls, yet it is little explored by travellers. The third edition of Zambia covers the prime attractions, including all national parks, from the lower Zambezi and Kafue to the famous Luangwa Park, host to several unique species and the top place for leopard-spotting. Advice for the independent traveller encompasses everything from choosing first-class bushcamps, lodges and hotels to organising memorable safaris.
• Detailed coverage of national parks
• Wildlife species identification plus details of flora and fauna highlights on a regional basis
• Comprehensive listings provide a mine of information on individual lodges and camps
• Adventure activities such as white-water rafting and canoeing on the Zambezi, and microlighting above Victoria Falls
• People and culture, including festivals, dancing and crafts
Book Reviews
"Definitely recommended."
Traveller’s Times
About this Destination
Zambia remains the best place in Africa for walking safaris, offering unparalleled opportunities to see elephants and other wildlife thanks to the expertise of local guides. But Zambia has much more to offer: vast tracts of open bush, Victoria Falls and the little-explored expanses of Bangweulu Swamps are just a few of the attractions for the visitor seeking the real Africa behind the travel hype.
Author's Note, by Chris McIntyre
19 November 2004
In 1995 I crossed the Zambezi with trepidation, from prosperous Zimbabwe into relatively unknown Zambia. I had been able to find little about the country’s attractions, and I expected problems, but backpacking around I found kindness and friendliness in a great country. The result was the first travel guide to Zambia.
Since then I have returned often. I have grown to love the country and have been lucky enough to share it with the visitors that I send there. Researching the second edition in 1998–9 I was again travelling with my backpack, though sometimes also flying between areas. New camps had started up, but most were still small, simple bushcamps. I introduced that edition with the comment that Zambia was a country for the cognoscenti, and especially those who knew about walking safaris – it wasn’t a place for everyone.
Now, for this third edition, I’m forced to reassess. A lot has changed in the intervening years and the options for visitors have broadened. Zambia now offers more than simply superb bushcamps: there is increasing variety – from cultural offerings to family-friendly safaris and luxury lodges. Transport is becoming much easier: internal flights make more areas accessible, whilst old Africa hands are starting to make mini-expeditions here in self-contained 4WDs. National parks that had been written off are coming back to life, as pioneers open up original camps in more offbeat areas. Levels of both quality and choice have generally increased.
Zambia is an amazing country if you can get to its heart. Its government encourages tourism, and foreign exchange is desperately needed to alleviate the poverty of many of its people. But for such logic, this guide might have remained unwritten.
Visa update, 23 December 2004
The Zambian immigration have recently begun to implement the ruling that a transit visa will be payable by all clients who stay out of Zambia for one night and are flying out of Livingstone Airport.
British passport holders will pay US$65pp. Other nationalities will pay US$25pp. This is payable in US dollar cash only. Please also be advised that pre-1995 notes are not accepted within Zambia.
This does not affect Chobe Day trippers.
Chris McIntyre runs one of the UK’s most successful specialist tour operators to southern Africa. His capacity as both managing director and tour leader gives him an unrivalled knowledge of travel in Zambia. He is also author of Bradt’s Botswana and Namibia.
£15.95
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