ZAMBIA
As a host of
international airlines mark Lusaka on their route maps,
Zambia is seeing an exciting growth in visitor numbers. Jo
Austin checks out the tourism opportunities in this unspoilt land
IN THE RAW A
ccording to the Economist, Zambia is the 15th fastest-growing country in the world with an 8% growth rate in
the last year. While much of Zambia’s growth can be attributed to its mineral wealth, the country is also celebrating a steady increase in visitor arrivals which are predicted to tip over the one million mark for 2012. Commenting on the fi gures, Felix Chaila, Managing Director of the Zambia Tourism Board in Lusaka, said: “Airline connectivity into Zambia is seeing strong growth with BA, KLM and Emirates all fl ying into Lusaka three times a week and good links via Johannesburg into Livingstone and the capital. Radisson has opened a new hotel in Lusaka and we have several award-winning properties such as Sun International’s The Royal Livingstone, The David Livingstone Safari Lodge and Spa and also Chiawa in Lower Zambezi. In terms of the UK market, Sun International
reports 2012 sales to Zambia as fl at, however it is forecasting an optimistic growth of over 20% year on year following investment in fam trips, press trips and training to develop awareness in the trade. Kuoni, Travelbag and Trailfi nders are all expanding their programmes in Zambia and Trailfi nders now has a dedicated team looking after sales in diverse locations. Traditionally popular with the UK market
for walking safaris (fi rst pioneered in South Luangwa, also famed for its bird-watching), Zambia is one of the few African countries to offer night safaris and it claims fame as host to the world’s largest mammalian migration. (Watch the night skies in November when fi ve million fruit bats cross the skies, far outnumbering the wildebeest migration in the Serengeti which features a mere one and a
half million wildebeest and zebra!) But Zambia’s trump card is without question its UNESCO World Heritage site, Victoria Falls. Mosi-oa-Tunya, or ‘The Smoke That Thunders’, is counting the days until March 19 2013 when the 200th anniversary of the birth of David Livingstone – the great British explorer and anti-slavery campaigner –will be celebrated. High adrenaline activities at the falls range from bungee jumping into the gorge to white-water rafting and abseiling. Visitors may prefer a leisurely sunset cruise, a microlight or helicopter fl ight or a three-night canoe safari upstream the Zambezi from the Falls overnighting in the stunning Islands of Siankaba, The River Club and Stanley Safari Lodge. Stanley also treats its guests to elephant-back safaris around the Falls. The string of properties teetering along the edge of the Zambezi above the Falls offers the full range of accommodation and everyone has their favourite. Within closest proximity of the ‘Smoke’ is Sun International’s luxury Royal Livingstone and its four-star Zambezi Sun property, both built within the frothing cataract itself. Further upstream are the smaller and more intimate Tongabezi, Stanley Safari Lodge and Sanctuary’s Sussi & Chuma in addition to those featured on the canoe safari. While Zambia competes with its neighbours Botswana and Tanzania in terms of super- luxury lodges, it also offers a close to nature experience without the crowds. “We offer 10 lions to one tourist, not one lion to 10 tourists,” says Felix Chaila. Repeat visitor rate is high and Zambia is particularly popular with third- or fourth-time visitors to Africa who prefer the more authentic bush experience and, in particular, walking and birding. Exciting news comes from one of Zambia’s
South Luangwa National Park with Robin Pope Safaris
44 December 2012 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
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