ZAMBIA ~ 'Home to Victoria Falls'...
ZAMBIA
Zambia - a land of the awe-inspiring African Walking Safari, the wild Zambezi River & magnificent waterfalls...
Home to world famous Victoria Falls indigenously named by Scottish explorer David Livingstone ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ meaning "The Smoke That Thunders"… plunging 108m into the Batoka Gorge…Situated in southern Africa, Zambia is a country of rugged terrain, diverse wildlife & natural wonders where the mist of its falls can be felt from miles way...
Capital: Lusaka
Currency: Zambian kwacha
Population: 14.54 million
Official language: English
VICTORIA FALLS
Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls or Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning ‘The Smoke That Thunders’ has been described by CNN as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world. The falls are 1708 metres wide & plunge 108 metres down into the Batoka Gorge creating the worlds largest body of falling water. Imagine if you will twice the height of Niagara Falls which can only be rivaled by Argentina’s Iguazu Falls…Victoria Falls are located in Southern Africa along the Zambezi River at the borders of Zambia & Zimbabwe…
The area is comprised of 2 parks abundant in wildlife, the Mosi-oa-Tunya & Victoria Falls National Park…Explorers will come across large populations of elephant, buffalo, giraffe, Zebra, Antelope, lions, leopards, occasional cheetahs, monkeys & baboons while the river thrives with hippo’s & croc’s…The mist & thunderous sounds of the falls can be heard & sensed from miles away...
SOUTH LUANGWA NATIONAL PARK
South Luangwa National Park
Located in Eastern Zambia, South Luangwa National Park is world famous for its largest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. The park is best known & most popular for walking safaris…It is the furthest southern of the three national parks in the valley of the Luangwa River. Several hundred elephant & cape buffalo can be sighted at once while abundant populations of crocodile & hippopotamus lurk in & along the Luangwa River…
Lower ZamBEZI RIVER
Lower Zambezi River
In Southeastern Zambia, the pristine wilderness areas of the Lower Zambezi National Park lie on the north bank of the Zambezi River. The south bank of the Zambezi is Zimbabwe's Mana Pools National Park which both sit on the Zambezi flood plain framed by mountains & thriving with populations of large wildlife…
Tourist are few in numbers since the park is inaccessible by road, unless one ventures out by 4-wheel drive & only during certain times of the year when driving conditions are possible…Tourists visit the park either by cruising along the Zambezi River by boat or by flying from either Livingstone or Lusaka.
LAKE KARIBA
Lake Kariba
Lake Kariba lies 1300 kilometers upstream from the Indian Ocean, along the border, between Zambia and Zimbabwe & is among-st the 4th largest man-made lake and reservoir by volume in the world & the 2nd largest in Africa.
Lake Kariba is over 223 kilometers long and up to 40 kilometers in width. It covers an area of 5,580 square kilometers with depths reaching 29 meters - 97 meters. The enormous mass of water is thought to have caused induced seismic activity including over 20 earthquakes of greater than 5 magnitudes on the Richter scale.
The lake has several islands, including Maaze Island, Mashape Island, Chete Island, Sekula, Sampa Karuma, Fothergill, Spurwing, Snake Island, Antelope Island, Bed Island, and Chikanka.
Inhabitants of Lake Kariba include Nile crocodiles & hippopotamus as well as the occasional herds of elephant.
Numerous fish species which were introduced to Lake Kariba now support a thriving commercial fishery. Indigenous game fish of the Zambezi river such as the tiger-fish thrive in its waters while eagles soar the skies above patrolling the shorelines for tasty treats.
Matusadona National Park is located on the shores of Lake Kariba and Kariba Recreational Park is based around the Zambezi River.
KASANKA BAT MIGRATION
Kasanka Bat Migration
“The Kasanka bat migration is one of the continent’s best kept wildlife secrets. While the Great Migration of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest is one of the best known wildlife phenomenon in Africa, the Kasanka bat migration is the largest migration of land mammals on earth.” – Africa Geographic
Between October and December, up to 10 million fruit bats swarm into Kasanka National Park annually originating from the moist tropical forests of the Congo basin. The bats are drawn to just a few hectares of forest known as ‘The Bat Forest’, seduced to the area by the promise of ripened fruits, prompted by the first rains of Kasanka.
It is estimated that 330,000 tonnes of fruits are consumed by the bats during the three-month migration.
During this time period, ‘The Bat Forest’ is covered in great clumps of upside down bats by day & their sheer numbers darken the skies by night…
Their wingspans reach a meter in length and are actually very cute up close. They are best scene during early twilight hours and at dusk…
Kasanka National Park is located in the Serenje District of Zambia’s Central Province. It has 9 permanent shallow lakes and water bodies which flow into a network of rivers and streams.
A total of 114 mammal species have been recorded in the park…
KAFUE NATIONAL PARK
Kafue National Park
Kafue National Park is the largest national park in Zambia & the 2nd largest park in Africa, encompassing an area of about 22,400 km² of pristine wilderness & home to over 55 different species of animals.
“Unlike many tourist destinations, Kafue is still largely untouched. It is a pristine wilderness with stunning landscapes, game viewing and a diversity of bird species.” – Africa Geographic
Page References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zambia / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Luangwa_National_Park / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lower_Zambezi_National_Park / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Falls / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Kariba / http://www.zimparks.org/index.php/parks-overview/recreational/lake-kariba / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kasanka_National_Park / https://africageographic.com/blog/kasanka-bat-migration/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kafue_National_Park / https://africageographic.com/blog/4-reasons-safari-kafue-national-park/