Enestle Zimba

You are on the highway traveling as usual and thinking you are enjoying yourself. But it occurs to you that in fact you are a tepid tired, actually really tired and that you have just realized that you have been tired for such a long time! Why? Because you realize that you have had no break in a long, long time! Voila! You realize that you know the solution. A break! To recharge your natural rhythms, to recharge your natural “batteries”. In your mind you see a banner, an advert you recently saw.

**SAFARI HOLIDAYS!**

That really already makes you feel like you are relaxing already, seeing yourself almost getting to feel like enjoying life again? And indeed WHY?

….. sometimes she is referred to as ‘Zambia…the Real Africa’. Zambia is sandwiched between 8 countries. From Zambia you can get practically anywhere in Southern Africa and even far beyond. Zambia continues to be a haven of peace. With 73 ethnic groups Zambia is an example of African unity in diversity. Zambia is a nation teeming with wildlife in its 19 national parks and private game reserves. It is a land of unspoiled nature with many wetlands and unblemished forests.

Once there you will get close to nature. You will get the feeling, the rhythm of pulsating nature, the soothing feel of close proximity to nature. The friendly people with their warmest of warm African welcomes will embrace you. Awaiting you is the embracing unspoiled nature that will give you the soothing you yearn. Get the healing, recharge the natural batteries. That is what Zambia Safari Holidays will do for you!

Zambia is home away from home, where nature and life slows down to let your natural rhythms refresh you. Allow the untamed natural elements of the beautiful weather per excellence soothe you, cares you, recharge you, and make you feel life anew!

You will enjoy nature. By watching, feeling and being part of nature. Allowing the healing of mother nature, just like nature intended it to be. That is what Zambia – the land of glorious sunsets, friendly people, ancient traditions and mystic legends, of nature at its wildest and most exquisite will do for you!

Zambia is a land of the legendary African walking safari and they did originate here. Zambia has earth’s biggest waterfall, the wild Zambezi River, breath-taking lakes and wetlands, a profusion of birds, abundant wildlife, and raw, pulsating wilderness, …….all in one friendly country!

What constitutes Zambia’s Safaris is its 19 national parks and private game reserves covering a total of 47,662 square kilometres. Most popular of these are South Luangwa, Mosi-oa-Tunya, Kafue, Lochinvar, Lower Zambezi, Kasanka, North Luangwa and Nsumbu. And so also are the best accommodation found there.

Zambia’s natural parks are strategically positioned and cover every part of the country. The largest, Kafue National Park is centrally positioned but to the west of Lusaka, accessible by an all weather road. Then there is the unique dual of North and South Luangwa in the east. Others are in the north, in the west and in the south of Zambia.

Zambia’s astonishing wildlife includes the graceful lechwe antelope filling the vast plains of Busanga and Bangweulu in their tens of thousands; the annual wildebeest migration of the Liuwa Plains which rivals the Serengeti. See the elephant, hippo, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, warthog, primates, antelope and various reptiles and rodents and are common sightings in the game reserves.

And there are large carnivores too! The common ones seen in the Zambian game parks are the cheetah, leopard, lion (the legendary king of the jungle), spotted hyena (‘wild’ strongest teeth) and the wild dog. Smaller carnivores such as honey badger, African wildcat, mongoose jackal, etc., are common sights too.

Zambia has three natural lakes. In the north are the Bangweulu, Mweru and the southern tip of Lake Tanganyika, the world’s second deepest lake. Along the southern border is the exciting mighty Lake Kariba, one of the world’s largest man-made lakes. It measures 280 kilometres long and 40 kilometres at its widest.

Of the 73 tribes of Zambia, 20 practise annual traditional ceremonies. These manifest customs, social life, rituals, oral history, material and spiritual culture. When these ceremonies are in session visitors are welcome to watch. Catch one and you will enjoy it.

Apart from its abundant wildlife, rivers, and lakes, Zambia holds 6% of the worlds copper reserves and is the fourth largest copper producing nation in the world. Zambia is internationally recognised as a major producer of emeralds, aquamarines, amethyst and tourmalines. The qualities of the gems are highly competitive on the world markets.

Zambia’s vegetation is savanna type with lots of trees varying in density. The climate makes Zambia suitable for a wide range of farming crops. All vegetables and fruits such as citrus, bananas, pineapples, mangoes, avocadoes, etc., grow. The weather is fine just about the whole year round; a bit sun shine now and a bit of rain another season.

While on holiday in Zambia you can choose to enjoy adventures of your choice. In Livingstone town, the Adventure Centre is a must visit. You will be able to choose the adventure of your liking and they’re a myriad. The adventure tours can also be arranged from the comfort of your hotel lobby or lodge. These adventures include;

White water rafting on 23 wild Zambezi river rapids below Victoria Falls

Canoeing safaris along the Zambezi River

River-boarding by surfing the Zambezi below Victoria Falls

Houseboating on Lake Kariba

Bungee jumping off the Victoria Falls Bridge

Walking safaris are the best on the continent

Abseiling the gorges of Victoria Falls

Horse riding safaris, a unique way to view game

Tandem kayaking with an experienced kayaker who will take you through the raging rapids of the Zambezi - great fun and quite safe.

Fishing such as fly fishing, tiger fishing, are some of the best fresh water fishing

Elephant back safaris; tame elephants give the best view for game viewing in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park.

One guarantee! The contagious “Simply-Love-Zambia- Safari-Bug” will affect you. Once “infected” you will always remember Zambia, the warmest of warm African welcomes, Africa’s best-kept secret. The superb enjoyment cure of exhaustion!!

Contact mailto:enestle.zimba@kcm.co.zm

About the Author

Enestle Zimba is the founding editor of Africa’s Best Kept Secret Ezine. Enestle is geologist of over twenty years and manages Zambia African Safari (ZAS) part time. He is dedicated to the promotion of safaris and tourism in Zambia and the conservation of wildlife and the environment.

Do You Know What is Africa’s Best Secret? http://www.zambia-the-african-safari.com/subscription.html

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Bruce Whittaker

Any vacations in Africa will not be complete without going on a safari to experience the wild animals and the peace and tranquillity of the bushveld.

But there are literally hundreds of national parks and wildlife areas in Africa that you can travel to.

And some are definitely better than others when it comes to providing the potential for a great safari holiday.

In my experience, and in the general consensus of the wildlife tour industry and other sources such as the first hand accounts of safari trips in the travel diaries at African Safari Journals, here are the top five safari vacations in Africa:

1. Tanzania - Serengeti

During the annual migration, when the wildebeest and zebra pack up and leave their grazing areas to find fresher ones, the Serengeti is an astonishing place to be.

It’s a very good safari vacations in africa destination at other times of the year too but the migration has been ranked by many as one of the wonders of the natural world. Hard to beat in the safari stakes.

2. Kenya - Masai Mara National Park

If you want to see the big cats, this wildlife park is top of the pops. Lion, leopard and cheetah abound and they are relatively easy to spot because of the grassland vegetation which means you get unrestricted views for miles around.

Another big plus is the fact that going off-road is allowed as long as you are not making new trails of your own.

This is one of the few vacations in Africa parks that still allows this and it is a big advantage because the animals will rarely oblige you and stay next to the major roads.

The only downside here is that because of it’s popularity there are a lot of people around so if you want to spend time in isolation with nature this is not the place to go.

3. South Africa - Kruger National Park

For sheer variety of species no other place in Africa can come close to the Kruger Park. And because it is so large (larger than Wales) it has a number of different ecosystems that you can pass through in your search for animals and birds.

It is one of the best managed parks in Africa and the accommodation and infrastructure is superb.

4. Botswana - Selinda Reserve

Seasoned safari travellers rate this reserve in north Botswana extremely highly and they return to it again and again, drawn by the very high concentration of wildlife, high standard of accommodation and service and exclusivity.

5. Zambia - South Luangwa National Park

South Luangwa is a diamond in the rough, just waiting for enough exposure to bring it to its rightful place in the crown of vacations in African wildlife destinations. But for the moment it’s relative isolation as one of Africa’s best kept secrets is part of it’s charm.

It has a reputation as one of the best places in Africa to see the elusive leopard and it is the birthplace of the walking safari.

About the Author

Bruce Whittaker is the founder and CEO of African Safari Journals which contains many safari travel journals and pictures from previous trips to aid in choosing possible African safari holidays and has been on numerous safaris throughout Africa.

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James Hunt

If you’re planning your next vacation, and want something on the fun and wild side, you may want to think about taking an African safari to the Serengeti. Serengeti National Park is one of the most amazing wildlife parks in the world. Not only is this area of Africa beautiful it’s also full of scientific information and data that will keep you busy for many days. There are many animals that you’ll find living in this part of Africa, which include zebra, gazelle, wildebeest, and lions. The wild plains of the Serengeti will keep you mesmerized for the entirety of your safari.

Any African safari that you plan will be well worth your trip to Africa, however it’s the Serengeti that should be at the top of your list. The Serengeti National Park is over 12,950 square kilometers in size, which makes it as large as the country of Northern Ireland. The name “Serengeti” is from the Maasai language and translates to mean “the extended place”. You’ll find the Serengeti near Lake Victoria (west area) and the Great Rift Valley. This large ecosystem breathes with a life of its own and is the source of many scientific documentaries,

There are many other locations which are great for your African safari. If you travel to Southern Africa you’ll need to remember that the rainy season occurs from November until sometime in the middle of April. Since the popular time to go on an African safari is from the months of June to September you’ll have to book your trip well ahead in advance so that you are ensured of a space during that time. No matter what time of year that you travel to Africa the weather can always change in just a few minutes. You may experience a lot of rain even when you’re traveling outside of the rainy season. This is why when you travel you need to be as prepared as possible for anything that can happen.

About the author:

James Hunt has spent 15 years as a professional writer and researcher covering stories that cover a whole spectrum of interest. Read more at www.african-safari-gui de.com

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