Zambia, 3rd; The Bradt Travel Guide

by Chris McIntyre

• ISBN13: 9781841620824
• ISBN10: 1841620823
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2005-01-01
• Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides

Summary

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.

Author Biography

Chris McIntyre is a director of a UK travel company specializing in southern Africa, traveling regularly throughout the region, including extended trips to Zambia. He is the author of Bradt's Namibia and Botswana guides and he contributes articles to several travel magazines.

Table of Contents

Introduction	ix
PART ONE GENERAL INFORMATION
Chapter 1 Facts and Figures	3	(4)
Chapter 2 History and Economy	7	(16)
History	7	(10)
Economy	17	(6)
Chapter 3 People	23	(10)
Population	22	(1)
A note on `tribes'	23	(1)
African language groups	24	(4)
Culture	28	(5)
Chapter 4 The Natural Environment	33	(12)
Physical environment	33	(2)
Flora and fauna	35	(5)
Conservation	40	(5)
Chapter 5 Planning and Preparation	45	(22)
Getting there	45	(2)
Entry requirements	47	(3)
When to go	50	(3)
Money	53	(2)
What to take	55	(2)
Maps and navigation	57	(2)
Photography and optics	59	(1)
Vehicle hire	60	(1)
Organising a safari	61	(6)
Chapter 6 Health and Safety	67	(16)
Health	67	(11)
Safety	78	(5)
Chapter 7 In the Wilds	83	(18)
Driving	83	(6)
Bush camping	89	(4)
Walking in the bush	93	(3)
Canoeing	96	(1)
Minimum impact	97	(4)
Chapter 8 Zambia Today	101	(18)
Cost of living	101	(1)
Getting around	102	(5)
Accommodation	107	(1)
Food and drink	107	(3)
What to buy	110	(2)
Organising and booking	112	(1)
Communications and media	113	(4)
Miscellaneous	117	(2)
PART TWO THE GUIDE	119	(390)
Chapter 9 Lusaka	121	(40)
Getting there and away	121	(8)
Orientation	129	(1)
Getting around	129	(2)
Where to stay	131	(14)
Where to eat	145	(4)
Entertainment and nightlife	149	(1)
Shopping	150	(2)
Banks and money	152	(1)
Communications	153	(1)
Information and addresses	154	(2)
What to see and do	156	(5)
Chapter 10 Livingstone and Victoria Falls	161	(68)
History	161	(2)
Geology	163	(2)
Useful information	165	(1)
Livingstone	165	(32)
Victoria Falls (the town)	197	(6)
What to see and do	203	(19)
Tour operators	222	(7)
Chapter 11 Lake Kariba and the Lower Zambezi	229	(40)
From Livingstone to Lusaka	229	(5)
Lake Kariba	234	(14)
From Lusaka to Chirundu	248	(3)
Lower Zambezi Valley	251	(18)
Chapter 12 The Luangwa Valley	269	(56)
The Great East Road	269	(6)
outh Luangwa National Park	275	(38)
North Luangwa National Park	313	(7)
Luamhe National Park	320	(3)
Lukusuzi National Park	323	(2)
Chapter 13 Bangweulu Area	325	(40)
The three main towns	325	(6)
Kasanka National Park	331	(7)
Around Kasanka and Bangweulu	338	(6)
Lake Bangweulu and the wetlands	344	(8)
Around Mpika	352	(13)
Chapter 14 Northern Zambia	365	(32)
The Great North Road	365	(10)
Lake Tanganyika	375	(1)
Kalambo Falls	376	(2)
Sumbu National Park	378	(5)
The road to Mweru Wantipa	383	(3)
From Mbereshi to Kawambwa and Mporokoso	386	(3)
Nyika Plateau National Park	389	(8)
Chapter 15 The Copperbelt	397	(20)
Kapiri Mposhi	398	(1)
Kabwe	399	(2)
Ndola	401	(4)
Kitwe	405	(5)
Chingola	410	(7)
Chapter 16 The Kafue River Basin	417	(44)
Towns around Kafue National Park	417	(6)
Kafue National Park	423	(26)
Lochinvar and Blue Lagoon National Parks	449	(12)
Chapter 17 The Western Provinces	461	(48)
Southwestern Zambia	461	(11)
Barotseland	472	(23)
Northwestern Zambia	495	(14)
Appendix 1 Wildlife Guide	509	(16)
Appendix 2 Languages	525	(2)
Appendix 3 Further Reading	527	(3)
Index	530

Excerpts

Stalking lion on foot certainly focuses your attention. You think about where you walk; you see every movement; and your ears are aware of every sound.
It's now several years since I wrote the first edition of this guide--the first English guidebook to Zambia--and walking safaris still inspire me. I've been back to Zambia often, but no two walks are alike. One thing always reoccurs: the realization that the more you learn of the bush the more you realize you don't know.
It is the same with the country. The more you delve into it, the more fascinating it becomes. The old tourist board slogan, 'Zambia: the real Africa', still stands. Zambia is still 'real'. It's unsanitized, unpackaged, and still largely unvisited. Zambia offers the best of wild Africa, in a country with very few visitors. It gives an authentic taste of what the whole continent was like: wild, beautiful and slightly unpredictable

---

Excerpted from Zambia by Chris McIntyre
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.