Zambia
A little bit of history…
As Africa is the cradle of humankind, evidence of human habitation in Zambia goes back 100,000 years. The area was inhabited by stone-aged, nomadic societies until the 4th Century, when Bantu farmers began arriving. As the population grew, so did trade – in both goods and slaves – and by the 11th Century the area’s abundant copper reserves were being mined extensively. Europeans didn’t venture this far inland until the 18th century, with Scottish explorer David Livingstone finally arriving in 1851. British-born businessman Cecil Rhodes appeared soon afterward, bringing heavy mining and eventually British control, and the area was named Northern Rhodesia in 1911.
Heavy taxes and the stealing of land by Europeans led to growing nationalism among the locals, and the country finally gained independence in 1963, taking its current name of Zambia. Kenneth Kaunda was elected president, boasting a socialist ideology that favoured nationalisation, but with few educated Zambians to run the government and chronic corruption amongst those who could, the country’s economy was thrown into turmoil. Kaunda banned all opposition and in his 27 years of rule Zambia became one of the world’s poorest countries.
Kaunda was eventually ousted in 1991, being replaced by Frederick Chiluba and later Levy Mwanawasa, who has furthered democracy in the country and investigated the corruption of his predecessors. Combined with rising copper prices, the result is a country that has high hopes for a prosperous future.
Best time to visit…
Despite being situated in the tropics, Zambia’s altitude creates a surprising variety of weather. The dry season from May to August is the best time to visit, with temperatures a reasonable 24-28°C. From September to November, temperatures can soar to 40°C, but the absence of vegetation makes it excellent for wildlife-spotting. In the wet season, the temperature drops a few degrees to 30°C, but the heavy rain makes traveling difficult.
No matter when you arrive, there’s likely to be a traditional festival just around the corner. Some, such as the N'cwala in February, involve copious alcohol consumption, and the vast majority are exuberant affairs with plenty of music and dance.
Getting Around…
There are various travel options available, from small and cramped to relatively luxurious. Minibuses pack in as many passengers as possible, but the bumpy journeys are a great way to meet locals. If you want more luxury, commercial buses offer a safer and more reliable alternative. There is also a slow train service from Livingstone to Kitwe via the capital Lusaka.
The best choice for experienced drivers with enough money is to hire a 4WD. But beware: the road conditions can be terrible - especially during the wet season - so hire a driver if you’re not 100% confident.
Useful links…
www.lonelyplanet.com
Lonely Planet are leaders in the travel guide sector and their website is a great source of travel information.
www.fco.gov.uk
The Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s website provides up-to-date political news, travel advice and information on visas
www.thezambian.com
News, information, festivals: you can find it all here
www.seat61.com
Information about train travel in Zambia and across the world
www.zambiatourism.com
Official tourism site for Zambia
www.africaguide.com/country/zambia/
Good general source of information on Zambia
