Zambia General Information

The great hunter-explorer, Frederick Courtenay Selous wrote about his travels up the Zambezi, “As I travel north on the western floodplain of this great vein of water, I feel sure this must be the lifeblood of southern Africa and its most powerful water mass.” Today Zambia is slowly awakening as a tourist attraction centre in the immediate area of the Victoria Falls nearby Livingstone. The country is well known for their huge protected wilderness areas with its diverse range of game in Africa. The Zaire and Zambezi rivers are a source of living for thousands of people. Lake Kariba is worldwide known and fishing paradise. The San originally inhabited this area but were invaded by Bantu tribes from the north. In 1911 the country became a British Colony and in 1972 was declared a one-party state. Zambia’s elevation on a plateau gives it a moderate climate, despite the fact that it lies within tropical latitudes. There are three seasons: warm and wet from December to April, cool and dry from May to August and hot and dry from September to November. Only in the wet season is there noticeable humidity and in the river valleys very hot in the month of October.

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Zambia Guided Tours

• White Water Rafting- 23 wild Zambezi rapids below the Victoria Falls. The Zambezi White Water Rafting is regarded as the most exciting rafting in Africa and possibly the world!
• Riverboarding- Surf the Zambezi rapids on marvellous standing waves.
• Bungi Jumping off the Victoria Falls bridge and feel the spray of water on your face while jumping into a gorge.
• Abseiling & Gorge Swinging Up the gorges of Victoria Falls and Zambezi River, Fantastic fun and completely safe for the whole family.
• Kayaking- An experienced kayaker will take you through the raging rapids of the Zambezi – great fun!
• Canoeing- Game viewing Safaris along the Zambezi River.
• Houseboating excursions on Lake Kariba.
• Walking Safaris with experienced guides in the surrounding Game Reserves.
• Fishing- Fly fishing, Tiger fishing, some of the best fresh water fishing is available in Zambia and Zambezi River.
• Elephant Back Safaris- Tame elephants give the best view for game viewing in the Mosi o Tunya National Park.
• Horse Back Trails along the Zambezi River or in the Mosi-o Tunya National Park.
• Flights over Vic Falls- Take a Microlight, Helicopter of fixed wing plane for the most spectacular views over the Falls and the deep Batoka Gorge.
• Quadbiking-Explore the amazing geographical formations of this area on a quad bike.
• Clay Pigeon Shooting- 6 disciplines from ‘have a go’ for those wanting a new experience through to ABT, DTL, English Sporting and Olympic Skeet.
• Golf – Set in a veritable botanical garden with over 118 tree species, there’s an 18 hole course providing a unique African golfing experience.
• Birding Safaris – Zambia has 740 bird species and offers superb safaris to see them.
• Photographic Safaris- Excellent photo opportunities with small groups.
• Open Vehicle Safaris Relax in one of Fleet Foot Safaris open vehicles as your guide takes you right there in the midst of African Wildlife.

Victoria Falls

The Victoria Falls or Mosi-oa-Tunya (the Smoke that Thunders) are some of the largest in the world. The Victoria Falls are some of the most famous, considered by some to be among the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. David Livingstone, the Scottish missionary and explorer, is believed to have been the first European recorded to view the Victoria Falls – which he did from what is now known as
‘Livingstone Island’ in Zambia, the only land accessible in the middle of the falls. Livingstone wrote of the falls, “No one can imagine the beauty of the view from anything witnessed in England. It had never been seen before by European eyes; but scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.”
While it is neither the highest nor the widest waterfall in the world, it is claimed to be the largest. This claim is based on a width of 1,708 metres (5,604 ft) and height of 108 meters (360 ft), forming the largest sheet of falling water in the world. The falls’ maximum flow rate compares well with that of other major waterfalls.

Flood and dry season flow rates:
The Zambezi basin above the falls experiences a rainy season from late November to early April, and a dry season the rest of the year. The river’s annual flood season is February to May with a peak in April. The spray from the falls typically rises to a height of over 400 metres (1,300 ft), and sometimes even twice as high, and is visible from up to 50 km (30 miles) away. At full moon, a “moonbow” can be seen in the spray instead of the usual daylight rainbow. During the flood season, however, it is impossible to see the foot of the falls and most of its face, and the walks along the cliff opposite it are in a constant shower and shrouded in mist. Close to the edge of the cliff, spray shoots upward like inverted rain.
Victoria Falls is roughly twice the height of North America’s Niagara Falls and well over twice the width of its Horseshoe Falls. In height and width Victoria Falls is rivaled only by South America’s Iguazu Falls.
A famous feature is a naturally formed pool known as the Devil’s Pool, near the edge of the falls, accessed via Livingstone Island in Zambia. When the river flow is at a safe level, usually during the months of September and December, people can swim as close as possible to the edge of the falls within the pool without continuing over the edge and falling into the gorge; this is possible due to a natural rock wall just below the water and at the very edge of the falls that stops their progress despite the current.[/toggle]

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