History: Zambia Travel, Zambia Safaris & Tours

Zambia Travel

History

Between 300BC and 400AD the original stone-age people who occupied present day Zambia were gradually displaced by Black African people who today occupy the country. Just a few rock-art sites that have survived centuries of the warm and moist climate, indicate their ancient presence in Zambia. The newcomers were far more sophisticated than these ancient people were and they cultivated the land, kept domestic livestock, mined various metals and made pottery. By the year 800 archaeological records showed a distinction in the style of manufactured items such as pottery. This indicated that the inhabitants had begun to form separate political entities, which during the ensuing centuries evolved into the various tribal groupings to be found in different parts of the country. Dominant groupings took shape by the eighteenth century under the influence of the powerful Lunda Empire of the Mwata Yamvo that initiated trade routes with both the east and west coasts of Africa. Copper, ivory, rhino horn and human slaves found a ready market especially on the Indian Ocean coast. The dominant tribal groupings of Zambia originate from these times and are the Chewa in the east, the Lozi in the south-west and the Bemba and Lunda in the north of the country.

By the early sixteenth century, the Portuguese had seized control of the coast in present-day Moçambique and Angola. This precipitated an enormous increase in the monstrous slave trade, with most of the captured humans originating in the interior of south-central Africa including present-day Zambia. In addition the human dynamic of Zambia was augmented by the arrival of warlike Sotho and Nguni people from South Africa, who have become known as the Kololo and Ngoni respectively.

In 1851 David Livingstone, the renowned explorer and part-time missionary, first entered present-day Zambia in order to establish a mission station. His wanderings across the length and breadth of the country revealed both its riches and the horror of slave trade and his activities are said to have made a significant contribution to the abolition of the trade, which came about a short while after his death in 1873. Livingstone was also instrumental in turning the attention of his colonial compatriots towards the prospect of establishing a colony in the territory in order to act as a barrier to the Portuguese ambitions of linking their colonies in Angola and Moçambique together. Together with their southern neighbour (Southern Rhodesia), the British South Africa Company (BSAC) of Cecil John Rhodes, a forerunner of Anglo American Corporation, established control over the territory by royal charter at the end of the nineteenth century. The BSAC administered the territory until 1923 when Northern Rhodesia, as the country was called at the time, was declared a British protectorate. The capital city was moved from Livingstone to Lusaka in 1935.

The exposure to the outside world by many Black servicemen who fought alongside their British allies in the Second World War gave rise to African nationalistic sentiment and the establishment of political organisations dedicated to the attainment of independence and majority rule. The concept of a federation of the territories of Southern Rhodesia, Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland (Malawi) was realised with the establishment of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland in 1954. The Federation fell apart in 1963 as a result of the incompatibility of African nationalists in Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland. They vastly outnumbered the white population of these territories and little could be done about the continuation of the Federation. In addition there was resistance by the white population of Southern Rhodesia, who were largely against the rapid transition to majority rule, as was inevitable in the two northern territories. Tied to this was the fact of a divided supply of minerals which was not unattractive to the mining companies and their markets - this forced the collapse of the Federation. Harry Nkumbula who founded the Northern Rhodesia African Nationalist Congress and Kenneth Kaunda, the least intellectual and most autocratic leader of the United National Independence Party (UNIP), opposed the federation and were active in pushing the colony towards independence. Kaunda was groomed for success and won Zambia’s first general election and became the countries first president in 1964.

The initial period after independence saw a rapid growth in the Zambian economy and the development of the country accelerated. However Zambian support of the Liberation Movements in many southern African countries and the nationalisation of commercial enterprises and especially the lucrative copper mining industry precipitated a collapse of the Zambian economy from the mid 1970’s. Increasingly an autocratic and dictatorial style of government developed and the imposition of a one party state accelerated the decline. In 1991, food riots and a collapsed economy precipitated the abolition of the one party system and the MMD of progressive Frederick Chiluba swept to power in a landslide election, defeating Kenneth Kaunda’s UNIP party. Economic reforms have put Zambia back on the road to recovery, however the economic circumstances of the country have made this process slow and difficult.

Travel to Zambia Region

Travel to Victoria Falls & Surroundings

Tours covering Zambia - Show all safaris & tours covering Zambia »»
	Cape, Zambezi Splendour (CIA-JIAI) From $3907 per person per night	A magnificent 14 day tour that starts off in the Fairest Cape of the world. Next visit is to beautiful KwaZulu Natal, followed by Africa's Kingdom of Pleasure - Sun City, and last but not least the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls. Enjoy all of this while staying in most luxurious establishments. *Tour Duration:* 14 days

	Royal Livingstone & Impalila Island From per person per night	A beautiful 5 day trip whereby luxury and tranquility to create an unforgettable wilderness experience. The Royal Livingstone Hotel is situated on the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls. With its unique Zambezi River frontage a stones throw away from the rooms, the hotel offers both adventure and great tranquilty. Impalila Island forms the north-eastern tip of Namibia and lies just 70km's west of Victoria Falls. Impalila Island Lodge is a luxury lodge with the essence on privacy and relaxation, which makes it a perfect destination. *Tour Duration:* 5 days

	Sun City - Zambezi Fly In (7 days) (JIA-2-JIAW) From $1492 per person per night	A 7-day trip that first takes you to the magnificent Sun City Complex in the Pilanesberg. Enjoy the many leisure facilities available here and go on a game drive at the Pilanesberg National Park. Continue to Zambia where you will stay near the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls. *Tour Duration:* 7 days

	Show all safaris & tours covering Zambia »»

Zambia - Tourist Information
Statistics Statistics Population: 11.5 million Area: 752 614 sq. kms. GDP per capita: US$ 900 Languages: English, Bemba, Kaonda, Lozi		Climate The climate is generally temperate on the interior plateau at elevations above 1000 metres and on the Nyika Plateau. The low-elevation areas in the Zambezi, Kafue and Luangwa valleys are generally hot... More »»
Currency and Credit Cards The unit of currency in Zambia is the Zambian kwacha, which is divided into 100 ngwee. Inflation has rendered the ngwee obsolete. Bank notes currently available are in denominations of K10 000, K5... More »»		Electricity The Zambian power grid uses 220/240 volts AC 50 Hertz. Wall sockets (square 3 pin) are rated to carry a maximum of 15 amps. Most hotels have electric shaver plugs and/or adapters available. More »»
Visas and Entry Requirements Valid passports are required by all foreign nationals to enter Zambia. Citizens of Commonwealth countries, Scandinavia, Ireland, Pakistan and Romania do nor require visas. Tourists from most other... More »»		Public Holidays 01 January - New Year’s Day 12 March - Youth Day Good Friday (Easter weekend) - April (variable date) Holy Saturday (Easter weekend) - April (variable date) 01 May - Labour day 25 May - African... More »»
History Between 300BC and 400AD the original stone-age people who occupied present day Zambia were gradually displaced by Black African people who today occupy the country. Just a few rock-art sites that have... More »»		Economy Zambia has huge mineral deposits including copper, cobalt, coal, lead, zinc and emeralds. Zambia has an estimated 6% of the world’s copper reserves and copper accounts for approximately 90% of the... More »»
General The tourist slogan adopted by the Zambian National Tourism Board describes the country to perfection. "The Real Africa" evokes images of a land that is somehow reminiscent of the Africa of old, an... More »»		Geography Zambia takes its name from the Zambezi River, which forms its southern boundary with Zimbabwe. Its neighbours include Tanzania to the north-east, Malawi in the east, Congo to the north, Mocambique to... More »»
Physical Features The central plateau at elevations of between 1000 and 1300 metres covers most of the country broken by the valleys of the Zambezi, Kafue and Luangwa Rivers. The Luangwa Valley is one of the southern... More »»		Political Features Zambia is divided into nine provinces and English is the official languages. English is also the language of business and government. The capital city and most populous urban centre is Lusaka. The... More »»
Accommodation The variety of accommodation in Zambia ranges from luxury hotels in the main cities and exclusive game lodges in the National Parks to bed and breakfast type accommodation and National Park campsites.... More »»		Banks and Foreign Exchange Banking hours in most centres are 08h15 to 14h30 Mondays to Fridays and 08h00 to 11h00 on Saturdays. Some banks stay open until 15h00 on weekdays. Foreign bank notes and travellers cheques may be... More »»
Business Hours Most businesses and shops are open between 08h30 and 17h00 on weekdays and between 08h30 and 13h00 on Saturdays. Supermarkets are often open on Sunday morning. Curios can be purchased in curio shops... More »»		Dining and Drinking Zambian food reflects the agricultural products of the country. Superb meat products including beef and venison feature prominently. Lusaka boasts a wide variety of restaurants featuring most of the... More »»
Tipping Tipping for service is illegal, although appreciated in Zambia. Most hotels and restaurants add a 10% service fee onto the account. During your trip it is likely that you will come into contact... More »»		Media and Television A limited variety of daily and weekly English newspapers are available in Zambia, which reflect both the Government and an independent perspective to the news. The Zambian National Broadcasting... More »»
Medical Care Visitors are responsible for their own medical needs and it is advisable to carry comprehensive medical insurance including casualty evacuation insurance to South Africa. There are Public Hospitals in... More »»		Telephones A relatively efficient telephone service is available in most parts of the country. Direct national and international dialling is possible in urban and some rural areas. Pay phones are available but... More »»
Postal Services Post Offices are open from 08h00 to 16h30 on weekdays and from 08h30 to 11h00 on Saturdays.		Air Travel Direct flights from the United Kingdom provide easy direct access to Zambia. Direct flights from multiple destinations in Europe, North and South America, the Far East and the Middle East provide easy... More »»
Road Travel and Public Transport The road network has been significantly improved over the last ten years and most major routes are of reasonable quality. The Government has prioritised the rehabilitation of the road network and this... More »»		Security Zambia has a relatively low level of crime with most offences involving petty thieving. The depressed economy in the country has resulted in an escalation of more serious crime especially in Lusaka... More »»

Map of Zambia

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ZAMBIA

Zambia Travel

History

Tours covering Zambia

Zambia - Tourist Information

Map of Zambia