Definitely, the main asset and advantage of Zambia as a tourist destination is its rich nature. For more or less cultural life, you can only go to the capital, the city of Lusaka, where it is worth visiting local galleries, museums and atmospheric markets. According to itypeusa, the hallmark of Zambia is the majestic Victoria Falls, the right to own which the country shares with neighboring Zimbabwe. This is a stunningly beautiful waterfall, which is 120 meters high and over 2 kilometers wide! It is worth visiting Victoria Falls from the Zambian side, if only because here you do not have to stand in a noisy crowd of tourists in line at the observation deck. The best point to watch tons of water roaring down is Knife Edge Point. The cascading Ngonye waterfalls near the Sioma-Ngwezi nature reserve, located on the Zambezi River, are no less beautiful, than Victoria Falls, but much less popular with foreign tourists. Not to be overlooked is the unique fossil forest called “Cherundu”, located just 20 kilometers from Lusaka and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, on an area of 43 km², there are fossils of the oldest tree trunks, whose age is about 150 million years! Lake Kariba is another interesting place in Zambia. It has an impressive area of 5580 km² and is one of the largest artificial lakes in the world. There is a hydroelectric power station on Lake Kariba, which provides the necessary energy not only to Zambia, but also to Zimbabwe. The resort town of Siavonga stands on the shores of a majestic lake and is a favorite place for a relaxing, family vacation among travelers. Here, next to the beautiful nature, there are cozy hotels, restaurants, shops and bakeries. The national parks of Zambia deserve special attention, there are more than 20 of them in the country. The most visited is the South Luangwa Reserve, it was here that the largest population of elephants on the entire continent was discovered at one time. The park is home to numerous birds, buffaloes, lions, giraffes, zebras and many other animals. In the Kafue National Park, you can also meet leopards, elephants, antelopes and the extremely rare yellow duiker or South African antelope. Between March and May, when almost the entire reserve is filled with water, it becomes home to thousands of hippos and birds, their eternal companions. Visiting the Itezhi-Tezhi park will be especially interesting for bird lovers,
National cuisine of Zambia
The national cuisine of Zambia is original and authentic, since almost until the 19th century it was not subjected to any outside influences. We can definitely say that the basis of Zambian cuisine is corn. Most often it can be found in the form of thick corn porridge, rolled into small balls “nsima” with the addition of small dried fish, pumpkin leaves, peanuts, cabbage and other vegetables, which are served as a side dish for stew (beef), chicken or fish ” pleasures.” Often in local dishes there are legumes, potatoes, vegetables, meat (more often beef) and poultry (chicken). Try stewed vegetables in ifisashi peanut sauce, baked Nile perch in lemon-mayonnaise sauce with potatoes and vegetables, and bean paste with onion and chimpapila tomatoes. With the advent of globalization, authentic drinks like maheu corn have disappeared from the tables in Zambia, replaced by freshly squeezed juices, mineral water and Coca-Cola with Pepsi. The most popular alcohol in the country is beer, the local Mosi lager. No less beloved are such varieties as Eagle, Castle and Zambezi Lager, near the borders you can also try the beer of neighboring countries. Corn moonshine “chibuka” – local strong alcohol for the brave in spirit. In Livingston and Lusaka, it will not be difficult for you to find a European restaurant where you can taste both a hamburger and pizza if you suddenly get bored with local exotics.
Transport
There are no direct flights from Russia to Zambia, the most acceptable option would be a flight with a transfer in one of the European countries. Zambia’s main airport is located in the country’s capital, Lusaka, but European airlines can also land at Ndola, Livingston (near Victoria Falls) and Mfuwe international airports near the South Luangwa Nature Reserve. Airlines connecting Zambia to other countries include Air Zimbabwe, Air Malawi, Comair and South African Airways. You can also get to Zambia by land, from Tanzania (by train Kapiri-Mposhi – Dar es Salaam), from Botswana (by buses on the Kasane – Livingston route), from Namibia (by buses or minibuses Sesheke – Livingston). Zambia’s domestic air service connects local airports located in Livingston, Ndola, Lusaka, Kitwe, Mfuwa, Kasama and Kasaba Bay. Charter flights are also sent to several dozen small airports. The main domestic carriers are Proflight Air Services and Airlink. A railway operates in Zambia, it connects Lusaka and Kitwe, also passing through Kapiri Mposhi and Ndola. There is only one seated class on this train. Express, which provides 3 classes from compartments to seats, runs between Lusaka and Livingston. Intercity buses in Zambia are represented by ordinary, departing as they fill up or on schedule, express trains that cost 15% more, but also offer comfort for the same amount, as well as tourist buses. All of them are extremely inconvenient travel options, at least because the distances between settlements are great, and the roads are in a terrible state. Usually, travelers prefer a different mode of transport. If you are ready to take the risk and hit the road in Zambia in a rented car, then you can do this in Lusaka, Livingston, Kitwe and Ndola. You will need a sufficient amount of money (rent here is not cheap), driving experience of at least 5 years and, of course, an international driver’s license. The most reliable vehicles on the roads of Zambia will be 4WD vehicles. The main urban transport in Zambia is taxis, they are available in most major cities in the country. Trips will cost you less than in neighboring countries of Zambia, the average cost is from $3 to $5 to anywhere in the city.
