About the Blog …
The blog is about my experiences in Southern Zambia during June-July, 2024.
This was my 1st time in Africa, the World’s 2nd largest Continent with 54 Nations, 1000+ languages, and occupying 1/5th of the World’s land surface!
Type of vacation …
Part of my 6-nation tour of the southern part of Africa.
Country Counter: Countries/territories I have visited so far …
Travel Tips: Tips based on my travels so far …
What I liked best …
When you have a global icon like Victoria Falls in your itinerary, it tends to dwarf out whatever else you do 🙂 To boot, we only covered the Southern tip of Zambia. Zambia is a big country and is definitely worth another visit, into the North, West and Eastern areas.
What I did not like …
I am aware that this is very common in developing parts of the World … I got my Debit Card hacked at an ATM in Livingstone, Zambia. I.e. Money was withdrawn from my bank account, but no cash was dispensed at the ATM! It was not a huge amount, but the experience was definitely an irritating one.
Location in the World map …
Some interesting tidbits about Zambia …
- Named after Africa’s 4th longest river (After Nile, Congo and Niger): Zambezi, which is the largest river flowing into the Indian Ocean.
- Formerly Northern Rhodesia, Zambia is made up of a highland plateau (Roughly 1000 meters above sea level) which rises toward the East. Zambia has huge reserves of minerals and Mining is a major industry here. Tourism is of increasing importance with the spectacular Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River marking the border with Zimbabwe. The game parks of Zambia, although not so well known as those of Kenya/Tanzania, are also visit-worthy.
- Zambia is one of Africa’s newest democracies with its first multi-party elections in 1991.
- Officially called “Republic of Zambia”.
- A completely land-locked country.
- Was called “North Rhodesia” from 1911 to 1964.
- Traditional name of Victoria Falls is “Mosi-Oa-Tunya” (“Smoke that thunders”).
- Victoria Falls is double the height of Niagara Falls!
- 70% of Victoria Falls is in Zimbabwe!
- Zambia is the home to “Big 5”: Lions / Rhinos / Elephants / Buffaloes / Leopards.
- Lake Kariba, which is on the Zimbabwe border, is World’s biggest man-made lake! Used for hydropower and commercial fishing.
- Zambia has more than 70 languages!
- In 1875, the Czech explorer Emil Holub followed in David Livingstone’s footsteps to Victoria Falls. Holub, though he spent only a few days at Victoria Falls, and was the first to make a detailed map of the region. There is a statue of Emil Holub in Livingstone.
- David Livingstone: Scottish Physician and Christian Missionary. He was obsessed with finding the source of Nile. There is Blue Nile (from Ethiopia) and White Nile (from Lake Victoria in Tanzania/Uganda/Kenya).
Timeline: Portuguese Explorers (Late 18th Century) –> British Missionary David Livingstone arrives in 1851 –> GBR controls North Rhodesia –> Zambia gains Independence in 1964 –> Lots of political turmoil!
My 1st impressions:
- We got stuck at the border, on Zambian side, due to “Computer System Breakdown”. Felt the full force of “African (Value For) Time”, which is a great-Uncle of “Indian (Value For) Time” 😉
- Souvenirs are way more reasonably priced here (In my experience) than in South Africa or Namibia or Botswana. Thought I will just “check out some stalls” and before I knew what was happening, had 3 bags of gorgeous souvenirs with me.
Largest City: Lusaka
Capital: Lusaka
Population: 20 Million
Language: English (Official Language)
GDP: 30 Billion USD
Ethnicity: 72 Ethnic groups!!
Religion: Christianity
Currency: Zambian “Kwacha”. 1 ZWM == 3.33 INR.
National Animal: African Fish Eagle
My Experiences
Adios!